Adaptive. Hard date: Tues 11 AM in Centerville 2 hours away. Adaptive where and when I want to be where I end up or have planned on it. I’m above Price, UT at old TH for start of Luke’s trail. There are few public land sleep spots between here and Centerville. Adaptive: weather forecast called for snow and cold at Soldier Summit, enough snow to make winter driving on May 29. OK stay here for 2 days.
Yesterday I drove like 30 miles from spot S of Price to above Price. Very windy, van swerving within lane. I needed groceries. Small town with national chain stores still lack exotic fare like aged Gouda cheese. White bread. Bike shop, Altitude, same name and owner as the original in Vernal was closed as it was Sunday. No place to buy coffee beans except packaged grocery store selections. I drank the last cup of my cold brewed coffee this morning, Morning Thunder tea for breakfast tomorrow.
Headed out for Luke’s TH. City streets then turn on to wide gravel road to climb out of basin to mesa above. Steepest climbing van has done since prolly back in 2010 when I previously rode here, but this time the van is experiencing drive train issues. Van pulled the hill with the transmission doing what it should. Relief cresting the climb. Pulled into small parking area. Two blue plastic 55gal trash barrels and a carsonite post with sticker for Luke’s. First time here was 10/28/10. I visited with local bike shop, different owner, think it was “Fuzzy’s Bikeworks”. Long haired guy greeted me while his dog, Luke, checked me out. Guy told me that if the shop does not have a long haired guy or a dog, go elsewhere. Shop met both criteria. Shop had a sticker, ” Crappy bikes make baby jesus cry” I bought 2, put 1 on van that is now about gone but treasuring the other. He told me about the trails which were rough and not mapped. Verbal description that my memory would not recall once riding. The main trail, Luke’s, is named after his dog who made the trail layout. Guy said he followed Luke as he wandered around flagging it as he went. Today the trail is better defined, signed, and on Trailforks.
A nasty cold has invaded my body dragging me down for a week. For 3 days now I am wracked by nasty wet coughs. Health rule is if it’s below the neck, rest. I had been resting. Yesterday I hiked several miles of trails here and did not cough once which provided encouragement for perhaps an easy ride today which I did. Still adversely affected but meeting recovery hours. Luke’s maybe didn’t wander like namesake as trail is methodically twisty on rolled in firmly packed sand populated by babyheads. Early on while I was learning what my body would do I attempted a small rock move but stalled by small wheel trap. I lost my balance toppling left. I was tangled in a pinyon pine with my left cheek pressing on a small cactus which limited options for hand placement to return to upright. I ended up with small thorns in my left glove and cheek. I picked what I could pull while wearing gloves. I gave is a second go with success.
Sage and juniper over small rocks. Twisty with almost no sight line, just a wiggle but for how long and what is next?
Short ride and low effort provided exercise. Cold has now gone to my head and still coughing albeit less. yesterday I performed the 2nd COVID home test, result still clean. I have a nasty cold as I have no COVID symptoms.
Cold again, ran furnace all last night, 40 degrees at wake up at 5944′. 36 degrees tonight. Propane will reach.
Tomorrow is into mass of people, 4 lane interstate, packed. Will learn of van health and possible repair while city living. Adaptive.