Getting down to the nub

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.

rock armor on Ridge

On to Sketch which rides better this direction

sketch is up there traversing

rejoining Ridge. Over to Secret Slick Rock

Cathedral from 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.

agave bloom, Courthouse back

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.

Dry creek drainage, schuerman back

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 theĀ  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.

cockscomb

Oh well.