Saturday I drove up hill above town to Sheep Bridge rd where I planned on riding some of the Hurricane Cliffs trails. Two days after rainfall, 2 nights below freezing, sunshine and 43 degrees at staring point. I saw a puddle that still had ice and another spot of thawed dirt now mud. Ooops, conclusion was Trails would have patches of freeze thaw mud that should not be ridden. Turned around and drove down and thru town out to Church Rocks which is right along side I-15. Dirt here will be sand and frost free. Surprise: updated trailhead facility. There might be 10 horse trailer slots, graded and graveled parking. Amazing to see no manure. Connecting trail from TH joins Prospector trail out to loop trail on Church Rocks. Ride is known as just Church Rocks. Area was burned summer of 2020 as I saw when I rode here last year. What does the healing desert cover look like:
45 degrees but sunny. Tread is mix of slick rock, rolled firm, and patches of sand.
This ride is the go to ride when conditions are shitty elsewhere. Rode the slick rock loop then rejoined Prospector for return.
Other riders also enjoyed the day.
Area is part of desert tortoise preserve. At the TH a fence perimeter about a foot tall keeps them fenced in.
Drove back to Quail creek spot. Another 20 something degree night. My hetaer is mounted underneath the van, the intake and output pipes are open to the air where heat that is meant to keep me warm escapes to the cold outdoors. I picked this heater as its location would not displace inside volume. Location location say the realtors. I have been wearing my sheep fleece bootees and a sweater inside. So far my summer weight down blanket doubled over keeps me warm sleeping. Sunrise is 7:32.
Today I gave another go on the cliffs trail. I waited till noon to start that sun warmth would have thawed and dried any mud. Mud puddle at parking spot had dried up and there were no soft mud tire tracks. Good to go. I rode up Dead Ringer then descended JEM to Rim trail over to start of Cryptobiotic climbing to Dead Ringer and back on a tie. Finished about 3:30, got the good part of the day.
Today as I was pedaling Dead Ringer I pulled over for 2 riders approaching, difficult to tell who was pedaling uphill so I pulled over and beckoned them to come on. Man and woman. Man said he bore tidings from Tomichi Cycles, Bill and Susan’s shop in Gunnison. He called me by name, I asked of his, he said we have never met but he had seen the film and was tickled to meet me. He is the first person who had no previous contact with me to connect me to the film. 115,000 views.
Bought coffee beans from River Rock roasters. Owner there making coffee drinks remembered me. I have been his customer since almost his start. familiar faces.
Rain is forecast for Tuesday then colder overnights, conditions for future freeze thaw.
Computer battery running down.