enjoyment can be a function of speed

An object in motion remains in motion until acted upon by a greater force, or something like that. Go fast and zoom with stability. Slow down and the forces of the rocks and gravity are stronger affecting balance. My right knee hurts from over use. Slower speeds lessens pedal strokes which makes my knee happier. Also I see more and enjoy the handling of the bike. I continually learn how the bike and me negotiate less than smooth tread. Back in the 70s when I raced hare scrambles and enduros I learned that wicking it was a real solution. Twist the throttle, speed and/or power on the rear wheel spelled success. Mountain biking has no twisty, just pedaly with power coming from my body. My engine is age affected, not burning oil stage, but not having the needed 1 or 2 pedal strokes to get up over something. I do what I can get my body to do. On the flats I do OK. On the downhills others ride faster by enhancing their speed, me, I let gravity do the work. We do what we can do.

My right knee is protesting again. On Thurs I was cared for by a PT, I learned that Rhonda guided for Western Spirit here in town for 9 years. As a biker to biker she has a handle on my issue. She gave me homework that has minimized pain while pedaling, however, off the bike my knee really hurts to walk. Next session she will add strengthening exercises that should further make the knee work correctly.

Thursday was laundry and PT then I drove out to N Klondike for 3 nights and days of riding. Not as crowded as last week.

Dino looking west

On the Arches side of the wash there are Dino and EKG trails that traverse the rocky sloped side of the wash. Turn upslope at any of the cross trails then begin a climb over slick rock patches with step ups and downs to finally gain the top end of the slab. Baby Steps, Mega Steps, Little Salty are ups or downs determined by direction.

Mega stop
eroded armor up Mega steps
looking north from top of slab. Mega steps green paint line

So few riders out here to enjoy primo conditions: temps chilly enough to minimize sweating and sunshine, sometimes breezy.

I scored the same anchor spot at N Klondike. Riding from sleep spot. Shorter amount of solar energy doesn’t fully charge my batteries to stay ahead of the electrical demand. Running the heater at night competing with outside temps of low 40s, sometimes into the 30s. I ran the engine for 25 mins tonight for battery health.

The film was released on Tuesday, tonight the Youtube counter showed 11,800 views.

During today’s ride I was stopped at an intersection on Mega steps. I heard a rider coming near, he rolled out onto slick rock piece where I was, I watched him ride, he was on a hard tail, I watched his body jolt absorbing the bumps. Youngster. So much more body friendly riding a squishy bike.

Zags play now. Only receive XM broadcast, no free streaming. I would have liked to see the game but putting the logistics was involved. I needed to find a viewing location then establishing an anchor spot. Stasis, more enjoyable to remain out in the desert at N Klondike.

My replacement phone screen is sharper and more visible which lessens eye strain. So far much of my mapping data will not come across. Anxiety for successful import.

I bit the tip of my tongue during breakfast, right on the tip, it hurts. It hurts while clearing out food remnants. You can’t tell not like you would know the effect of a disabled finger.

Gonzaga is ranked number 1 in the country starting the season like last year. Tonight they are playing 5th ranked Texas at the Kennel, Texas will have a long trip back home. Zags are HOT and talented and coached.

Rode 5 out of 7 days this week. Tomorrow starts a new week with another ride.

Utah liquor laws control retail sales etc, I have an open spot in my fridge for a wine box that remains open because of my lifestyle not aligning with the state. Abstinence.

Memory stroll back to riding in Du Pont state park near Brevard, NC.

I’m done.