Sequence what went when in order, in order for all to follow.
Let’s see, early Thurs…. no not yet, Wed is first.
Wed drove down to town for groceries, water and propane. Filled up I drove back out of the canyon to Bar M trails. Plan was to ride here then dash back to Willow to score a spot for the night to start early Thurs morn thread. Bar M parking lot had a good smattering of parked rigs. My route was to ride Sidewinder that I had never ridden. Ride a piece of Deadmans, exit on Escape pedal back uphill on short piece of paved bike path to connect back on Deadmans then Long Branch then work my way back to the Back 40 etc. I geared up and pedaled away. There were still puddles on the intro trail, hmm, hope not an omen for rest of trail. I hoped by delaying a day and morning that all the water would be back in the air, As ride went on there were several small puddles that I rode at the water edge of. I followed my route plan until.
Lots of this:
I will tell you that Deadmans and upcoming Long Branch are tech difficult, pedal trails which keeps the coasters away. Lots of round edge rocks for rolls either way with lifting on the ups. I was just riding along huffing and puffing when my front wheel dropped into a wheel trap that might have rolled if I had the power. Ummph, pitched forward off my left pedal, my shin made forceful contact with this:
Sheesh, intense pain. I looked down along my shin. Sheesh, my black sock was not slowing down the blood that was seeping thru. Resulting in this as seen hours later:
I carry a bandaging first aid kit. I did stop and dress the wound. I applied a large bandaid over the exit point but blood soaked it through right away. I applied a gauze pad then wrapped several rounds of tape to hold in place. I pulled my sock back up to hide the condition of the bandage. At this point the rest of my ride plan was shortened to just getting back to the van which I did. I put the bike back on the van and made road ready to drive short distance back to Willow. At Willow I lowered the sock and looked. No blood thru the gauze but the skin on my lower leg was a different color of flesh: I had wrapped it too tight cutting off some circulation. I cleaned the wound with DR Bronners then applied antibiotic to a large band aid then stuck it to my leg. Blood wetted thru but I kept coverage at just that one band aid. I am on anticoagulant med to prevent internal blood clots which also affects external bleeding.
Change: Willow Springs road high density camping. This crop of campers are enlarging camp spots and crowding in. If a suitable spot lacks wheel tracks, look out one of these new people will drive it down. Pre Pandemic fewer people were camping and those that did did not engage in what I have been seeing since pandemic. However, still all sites are left clean, amazing for so many campers there is no litter. Upon occasion I see the dark streak going down the road from someone who cracked open their hopefully just gray water drain.
OK, after warm night under bright moon it is now Thurs morn. Did the Bfast thing then make road ready. I threaded my way among other campers, then drove down to town for laundry and supplies lite. Clean clothes drove back out of canyon continuing climbing up to Horsethief area. A car was parked at the open spot, I parked at stand by spot.
Plan was to ride Rodeo loop. geared up and pedaled away. I rode Rodeo and a piece of Chisholm and did not have to share during my 15.4 miles 1 hr 57 mins climbing 879′. Rodeo is a fun breather.
Last night was the first night to not run the furnace at all. This morning I looked out to see the big spot vacant. I pushed my bike and carried my chair to it to stake claim then drove to it. I have the big open flat spot.
The garmin recovery advisor calculated 19 hour recovery, however, I checked my pulse b4 bfast which was 51 bpm which to my understanding indicates sufficient recovery. I did make today a recovery day. The GS map indicates a benchmark nearby. I asked backcountry mapping to navigate me there. Bush bash on desert avoiding small cactus and crypto I finally arrived where map and software said it should be. And it was. Because it was a bench mark it had established elevation of 5747′, I set the Core to that elevation.
After lunch I walked the 4X4 road loop. I wear Bedrock sandals when hiking both on and off trail.
Van thermometer reads 89 degrees under clear skies out in the open.
My bike is soooo sweet and tight, no rattles creaks, or chain slap.