Much needed precip has been falling in short bursts with dry days between. Riding choices have been Santa Clara Barrel Roll trails and Prospector Church Rock loop. The Hurricane cliffs trails are mostly dirt that have become freeze thaw mud which eliminates riding them. I have ridden 2X from N end of Prospector at the White Cliffs TH, the piece from the TH to the junction of tie from Cottonwood is a mix of mud or sand. Pay attention to the previous weather to determine if it is rideable. Barrel Roll is mostly rock so it rides better if wet.
I ride the same routes mixing the two, Prospector is pedaling, Barrel Roll is more tech. Tues, the 22nd I rode Barrel Roll, Sat was Prospector, today, Mon was Barrel roll. Another long lasting precip event is rolling in tonight that will shut down riding prolly for the rest of the year. Ride data is amazingly consistent. Barrel roll is 11 miles 1 hr 40 mins pedaling and Prospector is 15.7 pedaling for 2 hours.
My ride data spreadsheet totaled 40,014 miles over 2753 rides since I started this odyssey back in July of 2008 after today’s ride at Barrel Roll.
Christmas day I rode Prospector starting late morning. I was curious to learn if any riders were enjoying presents. Going out I encountered 1 rider, returning I ran into small groups, some families with little groms I asked just a few riders, all who said nothing new.
Prospector is a popular horse trail system as seen by the developed TH facilities, the N end even has a well. Heading S from the TH to the Cottonwood trail is pock marked with cast in horse hooves. Past that it is mostly sand. I noticed this;
Several days ago I noticed this unfortunate situation in front of local Tractor Supply where I sometimes buy propane. The rig blocked access to the pump.
Precip event coming in calling for snow. Tomorrow morning my van gets new tie rods installed at St George where conditions will be less wet than up at Hurkin. I planned today’s ride on Barrel roll and anchoring at the bottom of the Cove Wash tie so I will drive over less snow both in depth and distance. My spot is on the other side of the road from residential neighborhood, it’s like city camping on one side with the other being public land. Side street traffic is slow and minimal and quiet versus the busy highway noise out at Quail. Because I can be anywhere I want I chose to avoid snow by staying here.
Sedona is getting its version of this precip plus colder temps. No riding there as is here so I will continue here, leaving determined by weather and riding.