Miles climbing. Tuesday rain fell creating a rest day. Hero dirt forthcoming.
Wed morn I drove up to Cultural park for a ride. Dave and or Ian called me’ to join me, however, their departure from S of Sedona was past smooth sailing into town so I changed my plan to drive back down to meet at Dave’s which is down back of beyond road where cathedral rock TH is located. We would ride from Dave’s. Dave and Ian are much better tech riders than me so we would be riding harder trails. I knew what I was pedaling into. I walked what I needed to and when I was close enough to their rear wheel I watched tech excellence. 10.3 miles climbing 696′ pedaling for 1 hr 33 mins, data does not reflect effort put out. Dave and Jen fed us, Ian drove home and I slept in their driveway. We rode Hogwash in the other direction from my route allowing me to ride down stuff that the other way meant pushing and of course vice versus. Chunky lines.
Thurs was wash day of course. Wet clothes hung to dry inside and dryer dried clothes put away. Visited with Mike at the Worm. Drove out to cultural park for solo ride. I made a harder system ride to test my ribs. Aerie has become rockier as dirt erodes away from protruding rocks. Enjoy suspension and handling. I planed to ride Last Frontier which is towards the end of my route but my belly rebelled at my big eyes so I shortened my route. It was 14.9 miles climbing 1102′ pedaling for 2 hrs under sunny warm skies.
Friday friend Bill of Tomichi Cycles from Gunnison arrived in town, somehow that affected my ride plan which morphed into a rest day. We shared the night out off Beaverhead.
Sat was Ian’s birthday celebration at Jimmy’s and Christine’s place in Prescott. Idea was drive over for a ride then celebration. However, Ian’s back was still not happy causing us to abandon the ride. Matt joined us driving us in his VW. We all hung at their place for libations and dinner. Late night drive back to VOC.
Sunday Matt joined Bill and I at western gateway for me sharing cross country trails I know. These trails are well routed but not easily followed. My original plan was the shorter 8 mile 1 hr 22 min ride so I packed food accordingly. I proposed adding more miles which was accepted which exceeded my energy source and water. We finished at 18.7 miles climbing 1480′ pedaling for 2hrs 52 mins. Enjoyable company lengthened our rest stops. Beautiful warm day. Bill and I spent night out off Beaverhead.
Bill made road trip to ride here, he has finite number of days and desire for rides crammed in while here. Me, I sort of live here and have a more relaxed drive for riding. I am the oldest of my friends. Touron friend visitors elevate my riding time and shrink my alone time for writing my blog and reading. Ah, joy in sharing lasts as long as the visitor is here once they leave then I back off.
Matt wanted to see the snake I encountered on Old Post several days ago.
My riding has been loosening the side lugs on my tires from carving turns. Dave suggested a cause was too low tire pressure which allows the sidewalls to collapse onto those lugs. I raised rear tire 2 pounds to 22psi and the front 1 psi to 20.
Bill arrived for a 10 AM ride. Plan is to ride some of the trails in the other direction from Dave’s route. Bill is very skilled.
Off to suck up some more red rock and blue skies.