Weather here is still 2 thumbs up.
I like the Western Gateway trails as just 2 pieces I choose not to ride, the others are pedalable with some hard blue moves. I park at the Cultural Park which is the high point that has to be climbed back up to. I created a route that I figured was more enjoyable, today I rode that same route in the reverse learning that it was also enjoyable. Today I started down Axis, crossed dry Dry Creek climbing to Bolo intersection to Last Frontier piece to Outer Limits to its end at Cockscomb to Aerie climb up then drop down to a jeep road then social trails to Oak then AZ Cypress turning on to Snake to Girdner to Stirrup back. 15.1 miles climbing 1073′ pedaling for 2 hr 11 mins. Pieces that the tread is sand is becoming very loose.
Aerie is growing rocks. Today this trail was the most populated by bikers. A Sunday afternoon on a beautiful day with the parking lot crowded how few people I shared the trail with.
Thursday was laundry day. I rode Soldier Wash trails first so I could wash my knickers afterwards as the temp still favors protected knees. These trails are quite close to Posse Grounds park where the Sedona mtn bike festival is held. Prolly hundreds of tourons ride there during the festival, chewed up. Sandstone rock is soft that tends to not skittle away under tires. Riding key is let the bike sort a line. Physics says about an object in motion applies until the trail turns upwards when those objects are more powerful than my legs.
Az Cypress need water, Soldier Wash is a wash that the trees take up residence in
Zags played on Thursday, I watched the game at PJs. I walked in and was greeted almost at the door by Jay, a local pharmacist whom I met professionally and became visiting buddy, I told him about the film about me. He took getting something for yourself to heart as he now has a retirement quit date this June. His lady friend thanked me for the film.
Friday at a VOC coffee shop a Canadian reconnected with me. Dominique recalled sharing a ride with me years ago. My memory recall was deficient while his remembrance was what the ride was. He is living on the road like me while making money from his web site. He said he started out writing for himself then monetizing it. He created a master to serve even if it is himself and the sponsors requirements. Another person who has ridden same places as me. bonvelo web site.
Sat morning my guts threw a different malady. I was invited on a Prescott ride lead by Jimmy formerly of Bike and Bean and several other VOC riders. I went thru the getting ready to ride process all the while attempting to make my bad health go away. I really tried but I bailed. I missed socializing with old friends. Today i felt a little better enough to start on above ride then learning my body’s response. Once I got on it my malady seemed to disappear but I don’t think riding was the healer. I was too under the weather to ride at Prescott.
Sunday night at the outlet mall parking lot, city camping. Strong internet signal. I place coverings over the inside of the windows blocking seeing out and others seeing in. The lot is lit all night, traffic diminishes as the night progresses. Not a bad spot and I don’t appear to be in risk of being rousted as the county has no regulation prohibiting camping, VOC is under county regs. Sedona, as a city, outlawed camping within its limits. I was helping myself to an outside spigot at a building undergoing renovation. People connected with the building observed me putting a jug of water inside my van. I went by several days later and saw a padlock on the handle. Lost another source of water here. I might ask if I can pay for water.