Peter works at OTE, he is just a few years younger than me. We have visited over the years, in our discussions there was always we got to ride together. Opportunities pass every visit. This year we got down to it and planned a ride with him being the local out at Western Rim. Spectacular slick rock scenery above the Colorado River, He has the local route knowledge. Trail location is right on the border with Co and UT at Rabbit Valley interchange. 10 AM start this morning. I arrived at 9:30 and he was already there. We pedaled away at 10. I like that. The area is a motorize off road vehicles paradise. We rode those shared trails out to start of Western Rim trail which had a turkey chute to allow only 2 wheel vehicles: us and dirt bikes.
I suppose the tech parts were on the motorized trails. Temp in 70s, full on exposure. Spectacular display of earth’s history. 19.4 miles pedaling for 2 hrs 31 mins, climbed 1339′.
I am tired just because and have been hitting wrong keys. I will continue next log on.
Thursday afternoon dateline still Fruita.
Laundry done at local laundromat that I have used each visit at least once. Many machines are out of service, maybe some same machines that were down in November. I understand that the owner needs sufficient income to turn a profit, dunno what his break even point is. To me as a visitor with clothes that need a laundromat having a well maintained laundromat is part of the community experience. And to the community on the whole that needs that laundromat. But then I’m not doing the books.
Today is Thurs. Stick with me here.
On Tuesday I rode again out at Kokopelli. I parked at Mary’s off Loma rd. Pedal uphill on gravel road then scream down the back side on same tread enhanced by stutter bumps from uphill traffic. Plan was to ride short piece of Mary’s until first cut over to Wranglers then riding that to its end at Mary’s also end then ride Mary’s back till first cut over to Wranglers then Wranglers back till it rejoined Marys for final descent to that same gravel road returning on same. Climb up stutter bumps then finish on downhill. Sheesh, the climb up Wranglers is a hump. The trail is creatively laid out to work with geography using many climbing turns to work its way up the face. That’s what I rode. During that ride I encountered a rider approaching. In plenty of time I stopped keeping my treads in the tread and welcomed him to come on. I don’t remember who was pedaling uphill. He passed and we said Hi to each other friendly. Later on in my ride the same rider was coming towards me. Again, I stopped and beckoned him on. He stopped when he got to me and said he was so happy to encounter a rider who practiced trail etiquette. He had just been passed by 2 riders who instead of sharing they rode off trail. We talked about how to coach riders in trail etiquette. Recently I came across an article on Singletracks website with a writing about trail etiquette. A new sticker is being posted, its message is simple: “Be Nice, Say Hi” and changing term from etiquette which connotes rules to COURTEOUSY.
Change: I am a long time mountain biker when there were very few of us, today there are way more riders with many of them not participating in our culture which got us to where we are today. Non praticers will only reverse our progress in land advocacy. How to stop this decline is perplexing to me. No, It’s not me that needs to change. When mountain bike trails are built on public land they are open to designated user groups. Mountain bike advocacy is largest volunteer sport to build trails. We will not own the finished trail unless it was designated for mountain biking only. Any conflict between user groups will be dealt with by the local land manager. It would seem not fair if mountain bikers were banned from a trail they helped build because of misbehavior of enough riders to make that land manager ban bikes. Maybe stopping and greeting other riders and say Hi, maybe a friendly coaching session could occur. I believe it is our experienced people to help non practitioners hop on the happy wagon.
Change: I learned that Jen and Ann, former owners of their creation, Hot Tomato sold this last winter. I no longer have the pull, as a customer, of knowing the owners.
Not changed: for the most part the staff at OTE.
Last night I planned on staying above Rabbit Valley but as I exited I 70 I had a view of many campers at the camp spots up on the bluff. Too many people. Stayed N of deserted Loma again.
I made today a rest day to do that as permanently damaged body parts have been barking. I really shouldn’t ride as many days in a row as I do.
My boost I9 wheel is in the mail to Steve’s as are the cranks and bottom bracket. I believe I now have necessary parts to build up the Rail.
Yesterday when I returned to my van at ride’s end I saw a note under a windshield wiper blade. It was from Don from Galena Summit lodge. I am easy to remember and spot. Mountain bike community.
Health food stores in Junction do not carry Happy Camper bread which is gluten and rice free. I looked ahead to Vernal, UT, which is even less healthful diet choices, doesn’t have it either. Been making more corn bread.