But your bottom bracket holds the truth: Are you heart propelled or motor assisted? Scofflaws? Focus on what is allowed which are trails where heart propulsion is sole energy source. The USFS and BLM consider pedal assist bikes to be motorized because (duh) they come with a motor built in thus are allowed on motorized trails only. Scofflaws are riding their motorized bikes on closed to them trails. When i encounter another rider I am checking out their bottom bracket which houses a motor. I smile, then look into their eyes and chat with motorless riders. Scofflaws get a curt comment that they are illegal.
But writing about eyes, Moab at this time of year, until cold set in, is great riding. This fall I have been visited by 3 gangs to share rides with. Last was Bill, Susan, and their 2 growing sons, Burke and Bing, from Gunnison. I was parked out at N Klondike taking a rest day inside my heated van, it was chilly out. A rap on the side of my van caused me to look up from messing with my computer. It was Bill. They crammed in a ride before darkthirty. They travel in a Sprinter and car camp living outside. I joined them after dinner sitting around their warming campfire until Gonzaga basketball started that I listened to on XM, I could not find a no cost streaming broadcast. Zags tore up #2 ranked team, UCLA. We made a ride plan for the next day.
Nightime temps are below freezing. Forecast highs are in low 50s. There is a comfortable window to ride in say from 11 to 3. Our schedules were such that we started in the chill as solar gain warmed us. Kids are 13 and 15 years old so our ride distance is age considered. The boys are good riders. We rode a piece of Dino then cut over to the pedal trails on the other side of the wash. Dino is a vey popular trail that we had all to ourselves. Social ride.
I needed to resupply and do my wash ahead of Thanksgiving (today) and they had their plans. I drove down to town. I buy propane at the feed store, that will be closed Thurs and Fri, necessitating today’s refill. My heater runs all night and now hours during the day until solar gain heats the van above heater setting. At the laundromat no notice of it being closed on Thurs, darn, my clean clothes supply is affected. As it was I only wore 1 pair of pants and 1 shirt for the week but 4 rides of liners and socks. I wear wool jerseys for many rides before washing them weekly. I hang dry wool and man made articles on a clothes line inside stretched across the back of my van. As outside, hence inside, temps drop more hours are needed to dry them. Today I will choose other jerseys as these are still damp. Started wearing knee socks with knickers.
Battery in camera died so no pics. I replaced the battery with a spare.
Getting close to ride window of 11, outside temp is, ooo, 33. I could remain inside somewhat warmer than outside and read another Richard Russo novel, Chances Are. Maybe wait another hour.
Noticeable decline in number of campers out. Rider numbers dropping also but suspect those out are motel camping.
Elevation here near Horsethief is 5715′, N Klondike is lower at 4634′, It’s 10:21 AM, inside temp at the ceiling is 62 degrees, outside still 33, heater shut off. The heater thermostat is located on the bed head board which is now facing full on sun that has warmed that part of the van enough to say I am warm.