Caught

In a sucker hole. I did pack  my rain jacket maybe because.

At spot off Willow Springs road I am parked mostly facing west into the past wind events, just under 40 mph gusts. Sunrise is seen thru the outside mirror. This AM I woke at 6:30 in the dim telling me cloud cove but no colors or past their appearance. Forecast still wanted showers, 60% and T storm around 1 PM. Rain fell during Bfast etc. Nice gentle shower that fell, let up, fell some more, lesser amount and time in following events. I kept watch on the sky hoping for clearing. I watched, time passed, watched some more. To the NW blue sky but that was not windward. I looked to the SW into the prevailing wind skies: pretty black. But over the van broken cover.

My thinking was to ride Klonzo from van and make ride as long as no rain fell. Dirt road was wetted firm for speedy travel, still 2.7 miles to TH. A pickup passed me and parked at TH. They were getting ready to ride, the Guy asked if my van has the sticker about crappy bikes making jesus sad. He met me several years ago and the sticker stuck with him. He’s from Jackson.

Back in Sedona I asked James how he decides a bike route. He said he just starts and makes the ride up as he goes. The Klonzo system offers many trail choices. Today In keeping a weather eye I made trail choices to be able to bail to shelter. I decided at each intersection. I did ride Gravitron and Vertigo before heading back,

I made first tracks. I did skid my rear tire a couple places on Gravitron. I wanted to ride on the other side of the road for more miles. However, as I climbed out facing to windward, what had blue in it was now black:

OhOh. I might have played too long. Up to a vista spot I could see blackness upwind. Forecast did predict thunderstorm. My trail selection went to warp get out of here. Shortest out was Borderline pedaling into the approaching  darkness. The pickup truck people were still out. I hit the dirt road and put my back into making that 2.7 miles pass really quickly. I started feeling scattered almost hail, 2 thunder claps had preceded the precip. I could see rain lines falling from dark clouds. I was going to get caught in a sucker hole. I stopped and frantically put on my rain jacket before rain fell. I pedaled into the storm. I don’t remember head wind. Rain fell. A road grader just arrived at the end of state land road. I rode the freshly graded firm right lane steering around soft wet spots. rain jacket leaks on right shoulder. Rain slowed down the closer I got to the van till at the van it was just light sprinkles. Clouds cleared later opening solar gain to dry out shoes, pack, and jacket.

I successfully weathered a sucker hole for a ride. Trail tread was either slick rock or sand, my tires only picked up mud was on the freshly graded road.

Change: So many campers. The spot where I stay off Willow Springs is the first turn off for camping / parking spots. Until this year just a few other campers would choose this spot. This visit it is crowded with more arriving. Parking lot.

Plan on leaving here on Monday for Fruita. I plan on arriving Bend on the 27th. I will ride along the way. will be leaving the desert.