Taking smaller bites? Something is good enough? Brain making peace with body? Preservation stronger than risk? Couch more comfortable than bike saddle?

Yesterday I invited Andrew to join me on a ride I name SSS, Skywalker, Scorpion, Sketch, there are several additional trails to make the loop. I am able to ride all of Skywalker but a bike length piece of off camber pedal up tread. Scorpion has places of basalt babyheads that challenge me, not the bike. I make most but there are several that pose increased loss of remaining on top of wheels. I learned that I was either giving a not even the ol’ college try or walking. I pick my way among and over those stand ups. Part way down I made a conscious decision to bash over the rocks abandoning being way overly protective of the wheels. Sometimes the best line is rough and the bike is capable. And most times it is about inertia. Note to body from the brain: relax those pointer fingers, and pedal. Sketch is aptly named as it is mostly narrow bench ridden up and down trail. The same walk pieces remain with me no closer to even trying them.

Picking what is more pleasurable comes from familiarity. For the most part last year I rode at previously ridden trails as I had memory of that ride would require of me. The trail certainly then how is it better ridden? Sedona and Bend have a trail network that allows all kinds of route choices linking trails for more smiles than scowls. I knew what Devil’s Gulch, MT Coeur d’Alene, and MT Spokane were brutal climbs but pedalable. Scorpion I can avoid and only ride it down. Western Gateway trail network can be linked to lessen nasties. Smaller bites.

My eagerness, if plotted on a graph, would show a declining slope. Self talk to saying it’s good enough. Settling. How much enjoyment is necessary to overcome discomfort? Really, mountain biking requires effort. Define fun that people tell me to have.

To me repeated rides on a trail connect it to me. I know what to expect and my success. To be a one and done is just that, I did it, moving on.

Andrew is a riding buddy I met way back back in odyssey time. We were going in opposite directions on the NUT, North Umpqua Trail, near Toketee lake. His group from Hood River area invited me to ride the next day, I didn’t turn down a shuttle that eliminated pedaling back to start. Over the years several of that group have connected with me somewhere or I ran into them. Andrew found me last year here in Sedona and rode yesterday. We rode trails he was seeing for the first time and nailed everything that I struggled with ( see above).

Weather today is overcast, chilly, windy, and showers forecast. Toasty in van. Tomorrow may be better weather, then there is always the next day. Hanging at a place gives me the choice of choosing my ride days.

Back at outlet mall parking lot. Many apartment units are across the street, several residents have dogs that are walked through the lot to the abutting wash. Appears that poop bags are used and removed. Thurs night walking back from PJ’s I heard lots of coyote talking. Were they describing the delightful morsel of a domestic pet run loose? Javalinas live in the urban forest interface as do coyotes. I have yet to see an animal carcass or skeleton while out riding, or walking, or looking. Buzzards are not noticeable.

Water pump on van is leaking, due for replacement. Condition was noted back at ST George.

Monday my eyes and teeth will be checked.

Chiro adjustment on Thurs improved my well being. He identified problem areas with a finger push. Ouch.

 

Yeah, that says it.

Upper 60s, shorts and short sleeves. No snow shovel anywhere. Come April snow is melting off trails going north, trick is to not leave too early as I could rush melt out. Eye candy for those of you that your primary color is white.

Yesterday Doug and I rode some Big Park trails, we descended the above wash. Last year FS built new trail on Rabbit Ridge using pieces of social trail where sustainable and built new.

Rabbit Ears

Well laid out and constructed new trail. At present the rocks have not started to grow, that will happen over time as traffic erodes dirt around the rocks. We rode Old Man’s wash up until it became the system trail. The old trail has been aggressively decommissioned which is fine with me as for as shallow a grade it was it was a taxing trail to ride. At the top we turned on to the Waterfall social trail which is down a narrow wash. I have a love affair with my powerful front brake that became a handicap preventing free rolling front wheel over the jumbled rocks. We rode the new piece we helped build last Sat. That piece eliminated a challenging downhill, replacing it with a trail that can be ridden both ways. 9.37 miles climbing 889′.

I replaced my rear tire after just 711 miles of slick rock riding as the knobs were worn down and the sharp edges were rounded. $89 for a bike tire. Maxxis Minnion DHR ll 2.4 which I have been running for many years. Traction for me is more important than a faster rolling tire.

Spent the night at the outlet mall staged for 8:30 trail work day way out at Aerie TH. Forecast called for stiff winds. Arrived at TH, sun was still below spot. Chilly temp lowered by wind chill. Maybe 10 volunteers today. Work was hike Ground Control to finish trim brush. Two years ago I helped build this trail then rode it after it was completed. I said rode but for me in many places I was walking my bike. Walking it today reacquainted me with its difficulty.

Long hike day. Left at noon for laundromat. Clean clothes and filled propane tank. Zags play tonight at 9.

Tuesday rain fell off and on throughout the day. Shopped at dispensary for sativa to learn its get up and go, still sampling.

 

 

 

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.