Today I rode from the van which is the high rating for a trail, if I can ride it from home. Trails out here at Klondike are always entertaining, challenging and rewarding. I get what biking is to me. Weather was overcast and chilly, and windy. It was cool to the plus but holding a line in places was dicey. I set out with a ride idea that I sort of did. Trails on N side are like a ladder laid on its side with rungs between the rails. Dino at the low end and like Alaska and Mega Steps up top wandering the topography. Opportunities to adjust my pleasure. I lacked gusto which resulted in a smaller bite. Today I rode same trails I rode here during last November visit and in years past. Today on several climbs the trail was eroded with a brake drag rut. Trails show much wear since my Nov visit. The slick rock shows no sign of rutting. I did run into the same couple 2 places as we rode opposite direction.
Last post I ranted about the damage cows are doing to our lands. Today I continue. They are 4 leg locust. There is no browse:
They are eating the leaves off the sage down to the nubs:
They are so hungry people presence doesn’t keep them away as they grazed on the plants 8′ away from my open van door. They hardly run when yelled at.
This afternoon a cowboy did a cowboy thing chasing down a young calf, lassoed it, threw it to the ground while the horse kept tension on the lariat, then I believe he poked a hole in its ear and inserted an id tag. The last part is what I think happened. He drove the cows away from all of the parked campers.
It is what it is but it ain’t right.
Change: 2 springs ago the desert was in bloom and sweet smelling. This spring just brown. yesterday on Dino rolling down and out of a wash I caught a splash of red. I braked to a sudden stop then walked back to check it out. I was hoping that it was a blossoming plant. Shit, it was trail marking red paint line on a rock that had been shifted by a wash. Today up high I spotted a small splotch of red ahead. I stopped and walked up. well, I’ll be, it was a real live Indian paintbrush showing red.
Still pedaled 10.8 miles in 1 hr 43 mins. Then hung inside the van with the side door opened but wearing a sweater.
Forecast for tonight and tomorrow is for a wind event. Opening gusts just hit at 8:16 PM filling my van with a layer of dust. Van is rocking. bare desert ground, high winds blow it away. A taste of a past dust bowl. inside smells of dirt. Keyboard is gritty.
I seem to consume 2 gals of drinking water a day. I can plan accordingly.
Should wind event continue per forecast tomorrow will be a hunkering down day.
Shopping for a PNW Loam dropper post, the size I need will be available in August. Plan B is to find the next choice if it is available, otherwise move down the line. I need a dropper for new bike.