Wed Am I drove away from the outlet mall parking lot in Village of Oak Creek (VOC) for the last time this visit. I spent 113 nights, 63 rides covering 737 miles in state. I am now hunkered down while being beaten by 42 mph gusts outside Aztec, NM at the Alien Run TH.

The SW was and is being buffeted by strong wind events. Since last week I had been eyeing leaving on Wed. I monitored NOAA forecast that wanted high winds until tomorrow when I will be around Delores, CO. I didn’t have to leave, I just wanted to be moving on. I left Wed morn picking up I40 heading east to Fort Wingate exit east of Gallup, NM. Very windy from the maybe rear right quarter, van requires constant attention to correct from wind gusts, I did use just the lane I paid for. From the exit I climbed 2 lane paved state highway sharing the road with large semi dirt hauling rigs to the Quaking Aspen TH. No camping in the TH, however just across the nearby cattle guard was open FS primitive camping. I chose a spot under Ppine shade. Open Ppine and juniper forest at 7500′.

Wed afternoon was long enough for a ride from van. Over the years I have ridden several times here. Today was memory recall. Fun downhill on Quaking Aspen trail.

Descent was down Quaking Aspen:

Altitude affected ride, loop climbed 630′ over 8.25 miles. Finished back at van for the night.

Thurs is wash day and I need to plan for clean clothes. This morn I woke up when I wanted to, no alarm clock wake up required. Today is a big ride ahead, then driving to Aztec, NM to do laundry and a sleep spot.

I rode from the van crossing the highway to ride Purple Haze as it wiggle and waggled in juniper forest finally dropping down to the same highway at a trailhead parking lot. Fun started on Milk Ranch climb back up. Places tread had been relocated to solve sustainability issues. There remains a nasty climb your bike piece out of a wash. Open forest regrowing from clear cut back during WWll to make ammunition boxes for armory down at Fort Wingate. Logs were transported to several portable sawmills sites in the area. Oak tree understory has not leafed out.

Climbed along on Quasimodo, traversed on Blazing Handlebar then descended Stuck Truck to van. 14.7 miles climbing 1398′, pedaling for 2 hrs 10 mins all in 7,xxx’ elevation which seems to keep my heart rate down because my breathing can’t support.

No cell or internet at Quaking Aspen TH. Day long enough to complete drive to Aztec, do my wash, and be in a camp spot before dark. Oh, I lost an hour entering New Mexico. Another wind event this time mostly on my left rear quarter as highway ran north. Several places when cars passed me they stirred up wind blown dust that became airborne again. Drove thru Farmington sprawl. I found the laundromat google search located. AH, laundry still to schedule, taunt bottom sheet awaited my tired body. Restaurant dinner in Aztec then drive out to Alien Run TH for the night and possible ride tomorrow. I parked outside the established TH which is not posted no camping.

Today, another I get out of bed when I want to. And another high wind event with blowing dust in the afternoon. I headed out on Alien Run down wind. I figured I could ride as far downwind as the furtherest trail spot or if wind became an issue I could shorten my ride on a connector to the return trail. Seems the trail system is directional which eliminates conflict.

Trail is tight turning little sight line, necessary for one direction traffic. Wind. Aztec airport recorded 42 mph gust during my ride. I continued out on Outer Limits which overall climbed to high point. Tread was mixes of loose round rock for both up and down. Juniper trees, prolly 2 seed as not in Utah for their namesake juniper.

Caused by this rock:

Trail system is directional with climb out to far point then mostly elevation dropping returning, this time into the wind. Elevation ran from low of 6025′ up to 6698′. My ride was 16.5 miles climbing overall of 1084′ pedaling for 2 hrs 30 mins. I was worn down.

Spending night at same spot weighted against broadside wind. Tomorrow north to Cortez, CO with Phil’s world and Delores Boggy Draw.

Reaching back into the recent past, one last Sedona ride on Monday that Ian joined me on out at Cultural Park for a mix of system and social trails.

Pretty flower, isolated one time ever seen:

 

 

Sister Lynn and her family flew in from Ohio for their vacation started Monday. I met them at their rental in W Sedona driveway which was too sloped to adequately level my van. Four falls ago she vaca’d with me in the Marquette, WI area, her kids maybe 6 years earlier. I am the older brother, family roots. The rear of the van was lower than where my feet would be while in bed. At sleep time I gave a go of lower head position which lasted for about 2 hours when the spicy mexican dinner irritated my esophagus. Plan B was to roll out my 3/8′ thick ensolite pad on the floor then position my head towards the front of the van. I fell back to sleep but awakened later from the hardness of the floor on my ride beatened body. Plan C was back in bed putting my feet at the head. This configuration finished out my sleep. Tuesday she led us on a vortex hike out near Mescal.

So, anyway, time well spent catching up on what I chose to write about. Two days ago I did not speak a word.

My sister Lynn and her family will be vaca’ing in Sedona starting tomorrow. I have hung here in Sedona to share time with them. I will also be waiting for items to be delivered here. My plan is to head N on Wed to Zunis.

I made the ice cream last for 3 servings. I checked back at the store to spend a coupon on anther pint of Rocky Road. Still have the coupon and no additional calories.

Several days of wind events hit AZ. Parked out exposed to constant 30 mph winds with a 40mph gust blown in. A large fire, Tunnel, started N of Flag that blew across 89A then the state shut down the highway. Vegetation is like scrub high desert, no big fuel, mostly low lying that ignites quickly that the wind pushes down wind. No smoke here as Sedona is upwind. desert is parched.

Cattle are grazed off Beaverhead Flat road. Several days ago they were moved onto land where I sleep. Very little to eat. The cattle were moved off after just several days of foraging.

Tuesday I rode Skywalker area from the Cultural park to Old Post, then Ridge which crosses several washes. This climb out was badly rutted then the FS armored it. Noticeable is a mix of pavers and pitches, with gargoyle constriction part way up. Those 2 rocks border pavers which can be slippery to keep traffic on the pavers. Pitches are like cleats for traction, if some were mixed in there the gargoyles would not have been needed. Dunno what influenced their decision.

On to Sketch which rides better this direction

rejoining Ridge. Over to Secret Slick Rock

Then I climbed out on Old Post which is a grunt on old wagon road. I walk places as my engine is no longer providing the umph. Finished returning on Skywalker.

Mt dropper post action had been slowing down over time. I read the on line service manual to learn of proper air pressure which is between 250 and 300 psi. I also read there is a service interval, I was way past due as last service was back in Oct in Fruita. After pumping air in then checking its action it was still slow. I scored a service at Absolute as a turn around. Great service that maybe I earned by establishing connection with shop. Post now flies up.

I now use a new Garmin 530 Edge computer that is more advanced than the replaced 520, features in excess of what I will need, however some I will. Trailforks maps are linked which needed long minutes of instruction from Garmin. Yesterday during my ride when I stopped the Edge switched to mapping and my location. Trail names were displayed. My ride was 16.2 miles pedaling for 2 hrs 24 mins climbing 1483′ the software computed recovery time of 4 days. My average bpm was 129 which is above my threshold. Perhaps the recovery time is fitting. I had thought of riding today but I feel beat with no get up and go.

Sedona riding is better measured in units of time versus mileage. The elevation climbed per mile is less than 100′, average speed is less than 7 mph. Hardly any shade.

Yesterday at intersection of Stirrup and Girdner I stopped for a blow and to visit with 2 riders there. 2 guys rode up on non full on ebikes, they at least wore helmets but that was the  only mountain biking suitable attire. I spoke loudly that they were illegal as this is all I say to illegal ebike riders. No return in engaging them in education. There is ignorance and stupidity, ignorance can be cured, stupid remains stupid. The FS announced new rules for ebikes, which are considered motorized, to be allowed on present non motorized trails by an approval process that will change trail designation to motorized which will allow dirt bikes. Don’t see that happening.

Oh well.

Pennies that Basha’s coin counting machine tabulated, collected over my time spent in van. $6.89, splurge money and increase in girth. Haagen Daaz Rocky Road pint purchase, even more better was it was on sale. I make the pint last 3 days, it’s possible that it will still be on sale for another purchase. Weak spot or reward for calories burned and not enough good ones consumed. Fat and sugar are fuels, right.

Several nights ago I performed a stoner chore of separating the copper from the silver coins. Ice cream reward. Simple solution: perform a put off task then reward myself. OK, this one was extra. I do a pretty good job of rewarding myself for daily maintenance chores like fixing food to eat , benefit fueling. Cleaning up: reward is looking at a clean kitchen, got to do it. Pass go, take 6 more vape hits.

Temperatures are climbing as the wind velocity drops. Producing dripping sweat from my scalp which drips on to my glass lenses. 83 degrees at van when I finished my ride t oday about noon. The algorhythm  (?) in my bike computer calculates recovery hours after ride completion. I usually start my next ride inside the recovery time. Yesterday was a humper out at Western Gateway needing 18 hrs idle. Today I started inside recovery time yet the computer reported “good” shortly after ride start. Last week I rode 5 times.

I watched several Utubes about Revel bike suspension, the CBF suspension. Take away: I need to pedal over objects as the drive of the chain activates the suspension. I tend to coast up stuff instead of pedaling. Friend Steve shouts “PEDAL”, I hear him and am well aware of taking that action yet I seemed to be unwilling to push down on the pedals. Suspension  handles downhill w/o drive.

Joey at Absolute replaced shifter housing and cable. My first ride after replacement I noticed that my shifting was improved. I complimented him on his work which took him thru the entire shifting process checking the derailleur hanger and limit screws. He even reinstalled my grip in correct orientation. Well done and cost only $40.

Interesting nature that pollination agent is aptly named Yucca Moth. Flora and fauna need each other to procreate.

Quantity is post breakfast now 9 hours later.