Long time friend Jimmy, formerly of legendry Bike and Bean, lives here in Prescott with wife Christine. He throws the lure of Prescott riding in front of me. This weekend I swallowed his bait by driving over Friday morning. We three rode yesterday and today on their home trails, me being the touron and just followed. I scored an acceptable primitive camp spot on Thumb Butte road for 3 nights.
Fri AM my van had an appointment at a Cottonwood shop to adjust the parking brake. I arrived at the shop then learned that my van would be impounded until work was completed before eob. I wouldn’t be allowed to wait in my van, sit in waiting room. Out of adjustment parking brake was not a game stopper so I split for Prescott. I have the van maintained and fix whatever discovered during service. 277,xxx miles, 15 years old of use. The drive to Prescott used some l-17 which has a steep climb out of Verde Valley. Drive will indicate health of van for forthcoming back on the road mileage. Satisfactory performance. Visited Soul Ride shop connecting with Zack who used to work at BnB in VOC. I ordered my Rail from this shop last year. I was managing my time to score a primitive camp spot on Thumb Butte road in the forest. Camping is only in numbered spots. The first spot was occupied as were each others as I drove up the road. First open was a wormed in spot where Steve and I stayed previously. I walked up the road looking for choices. I saw this one which was preferable to tear down and drive to it. I only needed 2 blocks under the right rear wheel for level. Good for the visit. The 2 other open spots filled before dark. Find camp spot before dinner.
sat morn Jimmy and Christine drove out to meet me and ride from here. Elevation is in 6,xxx’, Sedona is 4,500′, I will feel higher thinner air here. Forest here is mix of P pine and alligator juniper. Dirt is decomposed granite which is like hard kitty litter. And granite rocks in the tread add to challenge. Lots of miles and trails, Jimmy and Christine bounced route choices off each other. Each of us ride a Revel Bike, Jimmy rides a Rascal, Christine now on a Ranger, and me on a Rail.
Jimmy spoke highly of his Revel Rascal, he said that this bike is the first one he ever kept for a second year, he is now on year 3. His evaluation was instrumental in my choice. Christine is new to hers and learning about the bike’s prowess.
Network of trails provided choices, each required climbing back up Thumb Butte road. Christine took the shortest way while Jimmy led up hike a bike piece to top out above my camp.
We passed several very large junipers.
Finish was descending Thumb rd until short piece of climb that I blew up on. A car with a mtn bike attached pulled over to let us go ahead as we were faster than his driving. 12.3 miles climbing 1102′ pedaling for 1 hr 49 mins. We visited at my spot until strong winds and their time to do home things. I didn’t have to drive away. They planned a ride for today which required them to pick me up, then drive to TH, then return me.
Today I again followed Jimmy’s rear wheel when I caught him while waiting for me. More Prescott trails and a short ride. Reward was food truck lunch and beverages at this cool establishment, Founding Fathers Collective. Then they drove me back to my van. Where I am for the night. Tomorrow early I head back to Cottonwood for refrigerator service.
Thurs was a busy day starting with having 3 precancerous sores frozen on my left ankle then another PT session on my sore ribs. PT Eric reports that all body parts are where they belong and perform correctly. He said movement is key working up to pain. I experience wincing pain using my right arm to brush my hair. Five weeks post crash and my ribs still hurt.
Next was meet up with Bill at Cultural park to ride Mescal area. Stirrup, Girdner, Snake, OK, Oak, Mescal, Aerie, socials etc finishing back on Stirrup. 16.4 miles climbing 1263′ pedaling hard for 2 hrs 24 mins, average bpm was 123, threshold 126. Hard effort. Bill is a very skilled rider and faster than me.
Purple flowers are plentiful. Check the tread.
Bill left for home in Gunnison Fri morn.
Another windy night. Drive tomorrow will have rear quarter tail wind gusts into 30s.
Riding decomposed granite, grain size a large BB, doesn’t create a firm berm, the turn has to carve and counter weight thru the turn. I did not develop enough confidence for hard carving.
We did ride open selective machine logged forest. There might be a precip line to get into too dry for P pine land as above.