Analyze the setting of the dirt road that heads to public property. Wishful belief that a suitable anchor spot is out there. Note to self: if the road heads up hill in a creek bottom, look elsewhere.

I assessed the dirt road off the hard road. A brown sign read FS boundary 1 mile. I could see that the road climbed. At first the road was just a 1 1/2 car width. Then the walls pitched in to single lane and becoming steeper. I saw several vacant anchor spots but the land was steeper than my leveling blocks could make me level. The road was going to shit, there were few turn outs that I could multipoint turn around. I kept going up as either there would be a spot or a turnout. But what to my startled eyes did I see: a protruding large boulder from the road bed on the steepest pitch yet. Shit. I’m bumfucked. Oh, its past sundown light. Course of action: shift into reverse, figure out my line in the mirrors and control my speed. ABS brakes didn’t lock up the wheels, I was slowed down then held. Shit this will miserable getting out. I lucked out to a graded shoulder that with skill I could avoid getting stuck broadside. Maybe 6 points pointed me downhill front first. I was really stressed, relief only came on once I was pointed down. I pulled off into the first possible camp spot that I passed heading upward hoping for a better spot. I used all my leveling blocks to put the leveling bubble mostly in the center.

Oh, I’m heading passed Panguitch for Thunder Mtn and a ride on the other side of the highway. 2 days of riding.

I googled laundromats Panguitch which displayed 1 in an RV park, public invited.

Today at PT Rhonda and I talked about seat height. Hey could you check my bike fit? Sure she said. I said i would be right back. I walked across the street to my house to retrieve my bike. Short story: my knee bend was almost straight where she says 15 to 20 degrees. I dropped the seat post to get better knee bend. Viola. My legs have spring. I now believe that my knee pain was from tightness that stretching is helping ease any pain. I will put a ring of tape around the seat post at the collar for set point.

And I am way out from somewhere but I have 2 bar internet.

I spent 33 days around Moab, I rode 22 times for 307 miles, Not a shitty weather day.

I stayed out at N Klondike Sat and Sunday nights. Temps at night have been well below freezing then warming to maybe 50s. Last night I was all alone, temp this morn was 23. My van mitigates the low night time chill. My fresh water tank is inside protecting it from freezing. My gray water is a bucket under the sink drain. Perhaps below freezing temps adversely effects RVs. Car campers just put on gloves.

My batteries voltage drops down to 11.4 volts before solar kicks in. A panel on my roof is mounted flush to the roof line. The sun is lower in the sky and for less minutes each day which lessens solar recharging. Heater blower runs all night. My lights are LEDs and used conservatively. XM is on all the time. Dec 22 marks the start of more voltage.

Today I left N Klondike. Several day trippers were about. I drove to the Brand M trails for a ride. Desert hand built “trails” as hardly any tread work as trail uses mostly rock from slick to gapped boulders. Balance required. I always ride Deadmans ridge which is high blue hard.

Today I was stumped by just 1 move. My legs are stronger that I use to tractor up features. I am more comfortable perched over two small contact patches. I left the more technical Long Branch trail alone this fall. Last spring I rode it, I stuffed my front wheel that resulted in a nasty gash on my left shin from the flat pedal. I added North 40 trails for more rock riding.

Yeah, looks pretty smooth. 10.5 miles climbing 837′ punchy ups pedaling for 1 hr 35 mins. Average bpm was 120. Work.

Lots of feet of full body work out.

PT exercises and stretches are lessening my knee pain. Tomorrow is 3rd session.

A short drive north to Willow Springs rd. The spot where I usually stay was open. I passed it for the next preferred spot that is usually occupied. No crowds, empty spot. I rode out to Klonzo on the 10th seeing portapotties along the road. Today they are gone. Shoulder season.

Yesterday I ride N Klondike trails going for the big one: Alaska. My seat height is correct leg length yet before I rode a step up I would lower it a tag which put my legs in a stronger position. The seat height has been this way for many rides as the fronts of my knees hurt which indicates seat too low. The PT has been good for my knees. I lowered my seat maybe 1/4″ which made a great improvement with out having to drop the seat. Beautiful day that started chilly changing to less chilly. Clear blue skies. Just beautiful. I encountered the most number of riders than any other ride however there were fewer parked rigs. Still too early to ski CO.

I have been here in Moab for a month. I like Klondike and Horsethief areas for riding and anchoring. I am able to ride from the van. There are days when I don’t even start the engine. My food, water, and propane can make 3 nights out.

After riding with the lower seat I believe that last Friday’s ride would not have beaten me as badly. I have worked in another stretch which has made me more limber and joyful.

Sun dropped below the mesa At 4:20 (yeah?), outside it is 47. Time for heater warmth.

Been listening to Classic Rock station on XM. Memories. I remember hearing the cuts when the album was released, I owned many of them. I’m reading another Russo novel, Chances Are, which is about 3 college friends spending a weekend together now 66 years old trying to figure out events at their last gathering at college graduation. Listening to  the music and reading harkens back to that same time in my life like 50 years ago. Wow, 1971 I was 21.

I am finding that my eyes are bigger than my legs once I have started a thought out ride. I ate the entire ride without gagging, yes it was 22.6 miles pedaling for 3 hrs 18 mins climbing 1804′. Day was Friday Thanksgiving weekend, colder temps, non weekend day, conditions more favorable to fewer riders on Bull canyon shuttle trail. I parked where Chisholm crosses hwy 313, a small cattle tank impounds water, which was covered with layer of ice, forms a parking boundary. 35 degrees at start, 150 wt wool long underwear underneath winter weight wool jersey, and wind shell jacket, I even wore a helmet liner. The ride started with a slight uphill then pretty much dropped downhill on Mustang then Get Away, over to Bull, continuing on Great Escape  to Little Canyon where payback started. All by myself. Lots of feet of slick rock with work required step ups; roll downs gravity helped. Tech stuff requires all kinds and levels of body effort and consequent load. Ever vigilant looking ahead to pick continuous line negotiating what the trail designers laid out. The climb out was demanding. Beautiful day to enjoy the scenery. Dead camera battery prevented recording images. Move along folks, only day has changed, scenery is the same. 40 degrees at finish and the ice melted out.

Day plan was to drive from anchor spot to above TH eliminating several miles of pedaling, During previous rides I had ridden that out and back that part. Gonzaga played Duke at 8:30 PM and I wanted to watch it in town. I finished the ride at 3, the sun lost its real warmth. Solar gain heated the van.  Wet wash cloth wipe down which is my normal post ride clean up, DR Bronners to the pits and crotch and I’m good to go. Drove down to town, shadows and flat light. Winter coming on. I googled eating choices to chose a Mexican restaurant. Viewing life thru google filter I selected a place to watch the game, Sports bar was in its name. 8:30 game  start, I arrived way early. Establishment did not sell liquor which to me means a bar, instead only 5% max alcohol beer. no wine. Cordial barkeep selected TV station per my request. Place was almost empty. Before game start a young man bellied up to a bar seat 3 stools between us. He was there to watch the game also. Conversation started, he and his wife and his parents are all alumni, he grew up in Spokane. I lived there for 18 years. Shared Spokane connections.  He and his wife have been living on the road for 7 years, recently they converted a shorty schooly. They are parents of a less than a year old boy.

Hard fought game ending with the Zags on the short end. After game I drove the several miles to friend Reid’s side yard for the night. I had forgotten to turn on the heater when I parked at the bar resulting in a cold interior. Once turned on the heater lacked the umph to add heat to already cold air.  The furnace circulates air thru a heat exchanger, only so many BTUs and so much cold air. Chilly wake up, 50 degrees in and 19 outside.

The cold temps could be the crowd thinner. I provisioned in town then drove out to N Klondike where I have been staying. Maybe 10 campers around. 29 degrees at 8:23 PM, inside 66 at ceiling above hot air outlet. Drive’s seat up front is chillier.

Checking Utah forecast,  just sunshine, no precip keeping trails freeze thaw free, Here go the eyes  planning drive to next roost spot at Hurkin.  Possible rides of the Wedge, 2 days around Thunder Mtn, rides at Cedar City then Hurkin. I am held hostage for arrival of cards and a PT appointment on Tues. Plan is to leave Tues.

KP time then warmth of bed for reading.

Buckeyes were blown out by UM. Cougs beat the Dogs in the Apple cup played at Huskie stadium.