Yesterday at 8 AM my van had an appointment with a care giver to suss out the brake squeak and a clunk happening from the rear right. My van was first in the shop. Guy listened to my concern then turned to. Guy reported back that everything he checked met his lack of having anything to fix. He refused payment as he said he found nothing to fix. So perhaps the issues are just because and is only irritating to me. However, upon starting the engine yesterday something driven from the fan belt shrieked that lasted lessening in decible on way to shop. I googled Sprinter repair in ST George and found a shop that that’s what it does. I made an appointment for next week. My effort with the van is to stay ahead of repairs by having issues addressed. I just do not want to break down anywhere period.
My plan was to ride the Hurricane Cliffs IMBA Epic route from town later in the morn once night chill was countered by sunshine. Hitch on this ride was I would be riding from town climbing up to Goulds Rim via a black diamond trail. Trepidation regarding effort of the trail and including the entire ride. Several years ago I volunteered for a trail building session in a basalt slide. In the past I rode / hiked and just hiked the trail giving me familiarity. The start was the hard part, the rest of the ride was just sticking to it. I pedaled away from shop, which is at the bottom of the hill, searching for the road that led to the start of the trail. I thought I knew how to get there, it was one of those you can’t get there from here as I failed to initially find that road. By the time I found it I had ridden 4 miles. I made the climb with mix of bi’s: cycle or pieds. Once above the cliff I joined a jeep road up to top of Goulds then on to single track past the corral and boys school. Hit upper JEM TH 2 hours later, non stop pedaling. Ate a muffin at the TH. Route drops down JEM to intersection with Hurricane Rim. Up, down, around, over rocks, to end up at TH above town. Big pavement coast ahead. I believe I spun out yet max speed was only 28 on clear pavement. Heck I get that fast on Tumalo Creek at Bend… and on dirt.
I have yet to see the bushes in leaf and or bloom. After the growing season riding.
Ride was 28 miles climbing 2126′ pedaling for 3 hrs 38 mins almost all nonstop. I have doubts of my eyes being bigger than my body leaving me with learning reality of which part was dominant. Over the years I have ridden the Rim trail many times. It’s a lot of pedaling. After all it’s just distance and time. Did average 7.71mph clip. Recovery advisor said 23 hours.
Salad dinner to go then back out to score same spot out at Quail.
Forecast for today was 30% showers clearing as the day progressed. I didn’t have a burning desire to ride. I drove into town to attend to things to be done. I scored an afternoon fork service well past recommended interval. Back out to Quail.
I have a gauge on the propane tank that gives an indication of fuel level. I pay attention to fuel quantity. On Monday at anchor spot I saw that it said, “Feed Me”. The tank accepted 5.6 gals which is empty.
I fill the sink water tank by hand a gallon at a time. 7 gallons. I pour water in until the intake backs up, I know a column of water is pressing on the intake hole in the water tank. That water pressure causes water to push past the grommet seal on the tank. Overflow flows over the tank , down the side of tank, to the door step. For several days the step was wet, I checked the tank where I could reach: damn water is seeping leading me to suspect a hole in the tank. I was faced with pulling the tank. Short story was I raised up the shelf above the tank to see wet. That water came from the overflow and not a hole. If I do not over fill the tank I remain dry. The hole in the tank is slightly larger than the installed grommet.
My film has been viewed 86,xxx times. Today the first person said he had viewed it.
Rain and snow predicted later this week with below freezing at night. I think earth is still warm enough to not create freeze thaw.