Today is Dec 17, sundown is 5:16. 4 more sundowns then it stays up longer each day. AT present temps have been below freezing at night creating frost and dreaded freeze thaw mud. Pick from a few locations then wait for sun warmth.
Monday I rode from the corral on Goulds rim trail piece to top of JEM down to Goosebumps then climbed Dead Ringer back to top of JEM then back to corral. Yesterday when I rode some of the same trails they were dry, on this ride many places on the previous dry trails were soft. Very little rain fell prior, seems sun dries the surface so deep, temps drop during the night and the next day day under sunshine more water is pulled up wetting a previously dry tread. That’s what I say. Not muddy enough to stick to my tires. Pedal trails until section of the Rim trail.
Tuesday the van had a DR appointment at a shop that advertised Sprinter service. Purpose was to determine what caused the one time squeal from drive belt. Guy spent time underneath the van searching. Report is water pump has slight leak but replacement is a ways out. Van health is sound. Again, another we didn’t find anything to fix so no charge. No the van pulls slightly against the crown, future alignment appointment on Mon.
Tues weather forecast called for 100% precip and high winds, arrival kept sliding. Tues night it finally arrived. ST George airport recorded a 53 mph gust, the van rocked on its wheels. Precip recorded was .02″. Hardly anything but enough to resupply freeze thaw cycle. On Wed I hiked some of the Boy Scout trails out at Quail creek. Chilly enough to wear gloves.
Heater runs all night until late morning sun warmth heats the van.
Thurs, yes clean clothes day. Drove into Hurkin first thing while cold outside then down to Santa Clara to ride Barrel Roll plus. People with horse trailer loaded with just picked off the trees oranges, I bought a bag. Picked when ripe taste better than store bought.
I park at the bottom of an access trail to developed trailhead. Starts out climbing on a cold body. As I was climbing I saw a runner who appeared to be running into a headwind as his steps were very short and he was leaning forward. I saw he was aged. I asked him his age, he said too old then added 85. He is still at it. And like me our speed slows because that’s what our body can give up. Trails here are more technical. I rode the same route as last time. last time, first of the visit, I made all the tech moves. Today I botched several that required several attempts to overcome. Funny, first ride was challenge to make them which I did but 2nd time I was maybe a little reserved. Both rides were almost identical for effort. Recovery time was 20 hours.
Today visiting with Todd at OTE sharing mid west places. People from the west do go east. Yesterday at propane store I saw a car with TN plates which belonged to a woman working there. Learned she came from Chattanooga where I rode Raccoon Mtn and Ocoee white water center where white water events were held for the Atlanta Olympics. Tanasi trail system, a local guided me there one time for an 8 mile mostly downhill ride.
Rest day.
January 6, 2021: “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”