Junipers loaded with air borne male genetic material. I experienced breathing difficulties on last several rides here in Western gateway trails. On male trees the color of the tree has turned like brownish. Hit the tree and smoke pours forth. Some enters my body. My normal breathing is like gasping, the pollen increased the audible noise.
On Wed Doug and I set out from the Cultural park on Stirrup bound for exploration. We rode Shit Hole down its wash. Wash riding here can be technically above my confidence and ability level. Recent monsoons moved around many boulders and rocks.
Doug had a be back at TH time that caused him to leave early and fast, I followed at a much slower pace.
Climbing Axis 2 riders approached, guy called my name, it was Dave and Mikela from BV. A rider caught up to me, Kenny, a local. I enjoyed those 2 conversations for in person interaction.
Thurs early AM I had a DR appointment in Cottonwood. I sought a anchor spot close to town. On the Cornville rd there is a gate opening up onto public land that I thought and hoped was state trust land. Wrong: Welcome to FS land. Really rough undeveloped desert road, tolerated only .2 of a mile, well short of state land. Cornville road is very busy. Made DR appointment after maximizing sleep time.
DR is part of major health network that has treated me and access to computer records. He commented that the recent EKG and blood work is unremarkable to my past. Takes a beating an keeps on ticking.
Seeing’s how I was in Cottonwood with Dead Horse SP and FS trails on edge of town and a ride there was on my to do list. Doug met me at city park at 10 for a ride. We rode the same route as previous, a figure 8 loop, 19.2 miles climbing 1305′ pedaling for 2 hrs 22 mins, average bpm was 118. Tread here is limestone, Lime Kiln descent is sand and slick rock. Doug is way faster than me, in a short while after a stop he gaps me. I have no desire or performance to ride his wheel. I had a 1:30 telecon with the naturopath for my ride completion time. I cut it close with 5 mins to spare. I fired up my laptop then figured out how to connect to teleconference. WTF: DR not available, I looked at the time, DR is in Bend on PST, I was an hour early.
Results from naturopath are encouraging. She said stress is my issue. I know I am wound too tightly. New skills to learn.
Friday Ian and Matt joined me on a wander out near Cockscomb. Beautiful day. We followed cross country trails. We shared the leader role as the leading rider made a turn choice to the next choice when he dropped to the end and the rider second became the leader to make a choice. We wandered around on unsigned ridden in trails never lost but confused as to where we were. We only rode 9 .49 miles pedaling for 1 hr 27 mins while enjoying many more minutes in company of friends and so nice to be outside weather.
Sat was a FS volunteer trail work day meeting at Bell Rock then walking in to perform a reroute and decommission mission. Maybe 40 environmentally rearranging people turned to. The reroute created a sustainable climb (or descent) eliminating the old and eroded rock drop tread. Ann and Jen, the creators of Hot Tomato in Fruita, helped. They sold the restaurant last year. So nice to connect with them.
Sat Gonzaga basketball was only on XM. School record of 3 consecutive games scoring 100 plus points.
Sunday Ian organized a ride down on Black Canyon trail. Fat Tire Dave and I joined him. I sat squished in the jump seat of his truck. Interstate 17 drive to Bumblebee exit, several miles to twisty paved road becoming bumpy dirt road to our ride start at Bumblebee that is a community of sorts, maybe a corral and several buildings. Sonoran desert with saguaro cactus.
We rode an out and then an up and down back. Out to Treasure Mine area where a cattle tank contains spring fed water.
Once we headed back those 2 were so far ahead the dust had settled and the trailside vegetation was still again. Cat claw and 2 other thorny cactus plants bordered the trail, rather, the trail was cut thru those plants which continue to grow into trail tunnel. My blood is bright red.
19.9 miles climbing 1503′ pedaling under ideal conditions for 2 hrs 36 mins. Return seat was scrunched behind the passenger seat.
Today is a rest day. Flat energy level.