Friend Bill and I were at it again yesterday me navigating our ride from the back. Stay High, Focus, mobetta, Catwalk, Pyramid, old Post, Skywalker loop. 12.6 miles climbing1047′ for 2 hrs 8 mins of pedaling under full sun exposure. Back at van the temp displayed was 88 degrees. Cooked. Bill is 21 years younger with a bomber engine and skills to match. I fell off my bike when my front wheel slipped off edge of skinny track, final body part to come to rest was the joint end of my left jaw. The end of a broken limb stopped my head from hitting the ground. My dismount was a fall as it was just a splat versus a splatter. First concern was blood squirting from jugular. Not a drop was spilled. Good to keep on our way.
We did see 1 ocotillo leafed out, all others didn’t appear to have emerging buds, but we did not make a study of others. Focus on propelling bike and me forward and upright.
We connected to Pyramid trail which goes around the S side of namesake peak. Nasty steep in places that I walk, some places almost a lower my bike steep. More nasty than previous hike a bike several years ago. My degree of comfort is better when I am hike a biking on that stuff. Way years ago I rode some of it and that was on a 26″ w/ no dropper post. My nerves are fading.
Then we climbed out of Oak Creek on Old Post in full sun to start of Skywalker then to its end at intersection of 89A, traffic light crossing.
Evenings are pleasant enough to sit outside after dark, almost warm enough to sleep with door open. Bill travels in a low top home converted Sprinter.
Making a rest day today in preparation of a big Bill ride tomorrow on his last day here. Visitor friends are here for short time and have ride plans that are driven to complete. Me, not so much drive but a complying host.
This morning we watched 3 hot air balloons soar near us. 1 put on a show of how low it could almost scraping the tops of the junipers. The pilot lit the jet lifting all above ground.
Only 79 degrees under full sun at 11:33 AM. Hardly any shade trees to hunker under.