Tues Ian took me on a ride out Turkey Creek area. Jim drove us out in his Sportsmobile conversion Sprinter, his 2015 year rides so  much nicer than mine. We rode from main parking lot on Verde Valley School rd. Well, youngsters dropped the hammer while I huffed and puffed after them. Noticeable was seeing cat claw leafing, w/o leaves I recognize the plant by its branches shape. The leaves will blur that tell.

See the “claws”, notice the shape: curved like a cat’s claw. Pulling against the claw drives the claw deeper into your skin. It ain’t pretty and certainly not to repeat the learning experience.

Short ride followed by leisurely afternoon lunch at Colt beside Absolute bike shop.

Yesterday morn temp was in the 20s. Windy also. Heater made for comfort.

Last session with PT Eric who continues to report that my body parts are properly aligned and functioning. My bruise ribs are sending diminishing pain signals, I can brush my hair with my right arm almost painless. He told me to put pressure where I am sore but not heavy enough to produce tears. I told about my settling effort, he said intervals are the key. He showed me and app, simple interval trainer, which is a timer, set up numbers then hit start button then respond to the audible sounds. Intervals, well, I will say no more about “enjoyment”, I will follow his advice.

I rode yesterday after his session. I was rung out by just my usual effort, 10miles climbing 876′ pedaling for 1 hr 32 mins. Average bpm was 125, I spent 52 mins anaerobic. recovery adviser said 30 hours, I took today off.

This AM I stopped for social Americano at Oak Creek espresso. I was asked if I was driving up to West Sedona and if so could I give a woman customer a ride up. Today, Thursday, is laundry day in west Sedona. I said yes then was introduced to the woman. She did not shriek when I was introduced. I dropped her off at her destination, she pleasantly thankful for ride and I enjoyed our conversation.

Don, I am reading Andersonville about confederate POW camp for Union soldiers, touch of period history and man’s inhumanity to humanity. Also, local Matt said he has a similar snake that visits him, he says it’s a bull snake as you also said.

Revel bikes route the derailleur and rear brake hose exposed under the bottom bracket. I happened to look under the bottom bracket and noticed my shifter cable housing has been squished from bottoming out on something hard. Cable replacement tomorrow.

The FS graded the severely rutted road, 1st right after overlook, which made it easier to drive on, the area has become populated. So far where I stay further down the road does not get that traffic.

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.

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.