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.