Jimmy left Sedona several years ago moving to Prescott where he established himself as a local and still my friend. Yesterday mountain bike tires lined up for a trip over to his neighborhood. Ian drove me and our bikes over to Jimmy and Christine’s house for a ride from their house. Well, while we rode from their house but we had quite a few miles of pavement climbing to dirt then into Prescott NF still on dirt. Almost classic CO ride with mass uphill time for smaller amount of time going back down on single track. Higher elevation and more moisture changes the forest canopy. Here we were in P pine and alligator juniper on decomposed granite. Even a patch of push our bikes over snow.
15.5 miles climbing 1850′ which mathematically is greater than 100′ mile Sedona profile plus we started at 5.373′ climbing to 6,796′. Sedona stays around 4,500′. Paid the effort price of higher elevation.
Reward for effort was downhill on purpose built single tracks. Ian and Jimmy gapped me very quickly as it is wont to be. I manage my excitement with confidence to lessen pressure on my brake levers and coast rather than enhance my speed. I noticed that the manzanita here is green as it should be as more water was available during last year’s growing season. A bit of pavement riding back to their house then treated to a fine home cooked dinner and a tequila drink (only 1). I visited with Jimmy’s dogs who maybe remembered me but didn’t begrudge my affectionating them. Late night drive back to Sedona where I spent the night at the overlook.
I looked at a web site on brake pads from MTX. Manufacture added ceramic to his brake pads which is to increase modulation and power while creating no squeal. Sure. Present sintered Formula pads have great power with less modulation and squeal when wet and shriek when dry. Yesterday while waiting for Ian to pick me up I install a pair in the rear brake then rode a bit to bed them in. In the flat gravel parking lot the power did not seem to be any better than Formula. Then miles of riding I worked on more bedding. When I started downhill the pads slathered their compound on the rotor making a happy bind and the performance came on. Powerful with no squeal and maybe some better modulation. Take aways are the pads don’t squeal and grip the rotor with stopping power. Have a set for the front also.
Today at 11:10 Gonzaga plays Sweet Sixteen game. The timing messes with potential ride time as it will be too late to drive to west Sedona with bumper to more bumper traffic. And crowds down here are getting bigger down here. That a a glass of wine during the game might have coordination and confidence issues. Nice day, maybe just a walk.
So, bike update: I am keeping my fork and nonboost front wheel. The fork needs to have an additional 10mm more travel added to match the rear then be retuned and a new RUNT installed. I scored a drop off appointment with Diaz in Durango for either the 6th or 7th. I will be leaving prolly the 6th after the Championship game. I will ride Alien Run in Aztec, NM and Phil’s in Cortez, CO and Boggy Draw in Delores if melted out then on to Moab. I need to allocate my time to ride good stuff between here and Bend to arrive there at Memorial Day.
End of March is approaching moving out of the reputation of in like a lion out like a lamb or reverse sequence. April showers bring May flowers may that happen here in the west. And may Gonzaga still be playing on April 5th to win the big dance.