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.