Late yesterday afternoon sprinkles started, during the night it became a gentle rain heard hitting the roof of my van. I checked weather history which recorded .26″ of rain. By wake up time the moisture delivering clouds moved on. Signal : hero dirt somewhere. Seems trails here would not become damaging muddy with this amount of rain on dirt dry dirt. Several people told me about new trails on the S side of Mica peak accessed from defunct town of Mica, on the far side. I dilly dallied in the morning visiting with former neighbor Bill. I heard a term today which describes my arrangement at his driveway: Moochdocking, not boondocking which is out in the boondocks. Sleeping in someone’s driveway. I decided to give Mica a ride. First I stopped at Tate Honey farm now owned by boss’s son my age. We worked together at Spokane plant. He took over from his dad, Jerry now has a great grandson dressed in a bee suit helping great grandpa. Caught up on happenings and learned more about bees.
The TH is 20 miles away straight down Argonne, turn right on Palouse Highway, turn left on Belmont road then park in crowded parking lot. Area is now conservation area like Antoine peak is. Years ago I rode from same spot but it was undeveloped and rode primitive fall line trails. Today with nice parking area and signed trails. I started out on a rider’s Trailforks route climbing up California creek. Sheesh, another hump buster. Climbing went form closed jeep road to single track back and forth. I attached my phone to my handlebar and followed a rider’s route. reached the high point then descended Silica Slide which is built as a bike park trail with deep berms and hucks. I do not chose to ride these type of trails, I rode the route. I used both garmin and BCN. BCN recorded 10.1 miles and 1802′ vert, like 180′ / mile. recovery advisor calculated 48 hr recovery. Another big hump out of low elevation city.
I installed a new pair of MTX brake pads on rear brake. I cleaned the brake pistons before installing I was able to make both pistons extend same distance meaning both pads grip the rotor equally. The brake as a result is much more powerful w/o much modulation. I adjusted the lever throw outward for greater lever travel as a sort of modulation. The brake will now easily lock up the rear wheel a comforting benefit going along with almost 0 degree engagement on I9 Hydra rear hub. When I want what I want, I want it NOW. Several Spokane shops are now carrying their pads for selected brakes. Formula is a hard find.
Skies cleared after rain as did the smoke haze. Beautiful clear blue skies on Mica.