way behind on sharing adventures etc.
How did I get here? Thursday started with Fruita laundromat for clean clothes then provisioning for several days out at N Klondike N of Moab. Filled water for sink and drinking and propane. Coffee beans from Best slope roaster in Fruita. Sufficiently supplied I entered I 70 heading west towards Moab, driving at speeds above my usual sawder(sp), van behaved well. Arrived at exit for Moab then headed down US 191. The BLM brown background and white lettering for N Klondike trails is small, knowing where the dirt road leaving the pavement makes finding the turn easier. The road was improved several years ago in stages, the first was to the Agate TH then several years later all the way to the main TH. Prior to the road improvement the road was rough and sometimes muddy which kept out the big RVs, rigs out there were mostly mtn bikers. Since then more big RVs have taken over many of the anchor spots. This time a sign was posted to camp in campground. Huh? As I drove in the newly developed campground was on the left side of the road with many rigs still parked on the right side for wherever an open spot was available. I drove all the way to the main TH seeking an open spot. Where I had stayed previously had been incorporated into the XG which has several CXT outhouses and graveled sites for $20 per night. Even the legacy outhouse at the TH has been replaced by a CXT which are no longer made in Spokane. I chose last remaining large opening with just a schooly and a van, I parked back at the last tracks going in, I kept my distance. No cows grazing, the desert has been severely damaged by grazing this spring. Some green grass patches are present but what remains are the plants they do not eat. I checked the bushes that I thought were sage until I more closely examined one to see thorns which sage does not grow. The cows had eaten the leaves they could lip off and not bite thorns. Public lands paid for by all of us but abused for profit by few leaving the public to pay for the economic gain of a few.
I do not know the name of the plant.
I arrived early enough for a less strenuous ride starting on the easier trails on the west side of the area. Learning handling prowess of rail. I encountered a man and woman on ebikes, both were overweight and certainly had little fitness. Previous Trailforks research showed ebikes were not allowed. I stewed on my response. I finally told them their bikes were not allowed then I rode away, I did not look back to see their response. I checked the kiosk at the TH for no ebikes signs, I also checked the trail markers seeing none. Seems status might have changed. More research needed. I returned on Dino learning about bike and my skills. this bike is more capable as were my skills. 12.2 miles climbing only 472′ in 1 hr 26 mins. Peaceful night.
On Friday winds picked up, gusty. I rode out Dino in opposite direction from yesterday which changes the features. I worked on pedaling over those features versus past practice of coasting onto it and hoping momentum would carry me over. Getting much better. Today was a bigger hump as I climbed up Baby Steps which is a mix of climbing, traversing, loosing elevation, then gaining it back. I intended to ride Alaska which is exposed but the wind was too strong to enjoy it. I descended Mega Steps. 10.2 miles climbing 748 in 1 hr 31 mins.
Back at my van another van was parked about 30′ away, way too close when there was plenty of space for separation. Shit, i was pissed. Shortly a car with a bike on the back arrived and parked between me and that van, now in a parking lot. I was even more pissed at intrusions. Then a pickup truck pulled in and headed right at me. My hackles were starting to stand up. WTF? People don’t want space? Guy rolled down window. Didn’t recognize the driver at first but he knew me. Memory recall kicked in it was Brian whom I met last year here, he ran into me in Sedona also. He parked further away than the 2 other rigs. I shared my rant about newer people to this camping crowding in. Later those rigs left leaving just the 2 of us. He said others from his gang would be joining him. OK because I knew him I was acceptable to his proximity. Later his friend Mark arrived.
On Sat those 2 and me rode trails to get us to Alaska. At an intersection we stopped for a blow and 2 riders arrived each on ebikes. I had a conversation with the French speaking riders informing they were not allowed. Guy showed my a trailforks app for Moab which listed ebikes. It appeared to be a global collection of all activities at Moab. I looked up in TF the trail we were on which still shows no ebikes. Again there were no longer any signs prohibiting them. Dunno, perhaps status has been changed on the ground but not electronic. we continued. We enjoyed calm wind and beautiful fall weather for our ride of 13 miles pedaling for 1 hr 53 mins climbing 1037′.
Today there were more riders out and many of them were unskilled. How I tell is by looking at their hands on the handlebar and where their fingers are. Newer riders seem to use index and middle finger on the brake lever. Disc brakes are powerful enough for just the index finger for braking. I caught up with a young woman who was not skilled, I coached her on brake and hands, she did not know which lever worked which brake. I assured her my coaching was for her safety. I pedaled away never seeing her if she used her brakes correctly.
Back at the anchor spot Don, another of Brian’s group arrived. The 3 of them drove into town, I remained inside my warm van reading Nobody’s Fool. They returned about 10 PM and invited me over to their campfire. They were waiting for last buddy Matt to arrive. I went to bed before he arrived.
Sunday morn I woke before them. Today was my day to drive down to Moab for reprovisioning for my next stay up at Navajo Rocks. It’s always interesting to see the changes since last visit. Today the highway work was completed which eliminated the bottleneck and just sped the traffic into Moab. Gearheads should be in their new location on the newly built hotel on ground floor. The store is a source of free filtered water that I needed. I hoped they would still offer that water. Yep, new spiffy store and the water station was right inside their electric opening door. I said hello to one staff member we have known of each other for years. Then shopped City market for groceries. Big store but still no aged Gouda cheese that I like. Visited Back of Beyond bookstore seeing same guy who we greeted each other. I was needing Bob’s red mill cornmeal for my corn bread, City Market shelf was empty. I shopped the health food store finding none or the Happy Camper bread, gluten and rice free, that i eat. Nada. I visited Chile Pepper bike shop I use and asked about ebikes. I was given a pamphlet created by the BLM: ebikes are allowed on a small set of trails, none are the present heart propelled trails. I called that to the staff, one gathered info to give to the trail builders. Trailforks is current to ebikes.
Plan today is to join Brian’s group on a ride they were going to plan. Text message said meet at Middle Earth up at Navajo Rocks. I arrived first with them just behind me. Brian figured the route. From TH we took Ramblin to its end at lower TH then crossed the road climbing Rocky Top to intersection of 7Up climbing up to Whirlwind to Mustang arriving at start of Chisholm riding that to Big Lonely of the Navajo Rocks loop back to empty Middle Earth TH. His gang are decades younger than me and they pedaled that way. This was going to be a big ride and we were starting after noon, darkness could be a factor. Sunday, Halloween, brought out riders in some kind of costumes. We ran into a bunch on 7 UP. Brian’s gang stayed away from the group but not me. I walked over and made a comment about a woman’s costume which was a thread I puled to invite myself to their group. I learned they were from Driggs, the guy worked at Peaked Sports. I told of my picture from Bike Mag in their restrooms. He drew a blank but then recall hit and we connected. Brian’s gang paused listening to conversations till they had their fill and expressed need to push on. We were late in the afternoon. We rode Chisholm which was the sought after trail. Their speed increased beyond my performance. Shadows were lengthening.
We were about 10mins from the finish when my left quad started cramping. Sun sinking as was time of day. I planned to drive up to Horsethief are for the night and I needed to get going. I bid adieu and headed out. i score the spot I wanted. I was starved but it was too late to fix a dinner so I just grazed on what I found, not near enough calories to replenish the 1,702 cals i burned on the 25.7 miles climbing 1975′ in 3 hrs 28 mins. My average bpm was 128, my threshold, the ride was a hammer for me.
Sometimes after rides muscles in my legs will cramp. If I load my legs wrong ferocious cramps can set in. I move very gingerly and carefully to be gentle. Most times the cramps set in after I have fallen asleep in bed. Last night both legs cramped up after I was asleep. Slipping out from under the covers to stretch is difficult as I need to bend my legs which exacerbates the cramps. My resolution is a big glob of mustard from a jar which is inside he fridge. I squirt a glob in my hand licking it up then waiting for the cramps to relax. Mustard has vinegar that turns off the nerves causing cramps. I work my body pretty hard. Didn’t sleep deeply last night.
Today, Monday, is a rest day here, not moving from spot, maybe not even going for a walk. Rode 4 days in a row.
My rides here have below 100′ elevation gain per linear mile, they are pitiful compared to other rides. Yesterday’s 25 mile ride was only 77’/ mile. The trails here require more tech skills per mile. Average speed is about the same as elsewhere, in the upper 6s. I like these trails.