Good, Bad, Good, Good

String of today’s events was started last night after I installed a new chain as the chain wear .5 distance tool allowed its other in between the rollers. I didn’t a running total of miles on chain, I last remember 4xx miles which told me I needed to check chain wear with tool. Replacement time. Replacement chain had been soaked for weeks in Simple Green to solve off the factory lube for bare metal for Squirt to adhere to. I watched several articles about using stock grease, similar opinion was strip stock off which is what my soak did. Many unremembered days ago I switched liquid to water. Again an unremembered days ago I drained the water. Last night when I dumped the chain out, rust was evident. I wiped the chain with a rag which absorbed rust. Next will be Squirt on chemically stripped clean chain. Next action set in motion today. I have changed chains many times, 110 pins. This time instead of counting I made an assumption that chain was same length. I had the tail end from a previous chain, I counted the pins, matched the tail to the new chain then broke the chain. I put the chain on the bike while it was on the rack. I threaded the chain correctly. I sort of ran thru the gears to my satisfaction, then Squirted the chain. Went to bed anticipating today’s ride. I would be riding from sleep spot under trees providing wind protection from again forecasted 40 mph gusts. I pedaled away. I pedaled on Boggy Draw to Little Bean. On the first climb I downshifted but the crank stopped. WTF? Near as I could tell life should be happy but I noticed that the derailleur pulled way tight like it was in smallest gear. I pedaled out stopping to visit with Gary and Spokane folks. Bike needed professional help and it was just down the hill in Dolores. Down I went. I noticed a propane fill station in town eliminating a drive in to Cortez. Pulled up in front of shop, right out front. Looked like it would be just me. I wheeled my bike in, just me and Scott, a destination shop experience. He put the bike in an empty stand noticing immediately that the chain was too short. No way, I measured twice and cut once, I was right. Scott told me that chain comes in several lengths, unbeknownst to me I had bought the shorter chain, my process was correct. Previous practice was count 110 pins for length. Scott fitted the chain resulting in same 110 pins number. Shifting wasn’t happy, learned that the derailleur had developed a death issue, replacement was at Cortez shop location, 15 miles away. I’m on it, drive to Cortez and score a lesser grade replacement. Returned to Scott who installed and adjusted the drive train. Test ride was on a happy bike. Scott’s shop is Kokopelli Bike and Board, the Dolores location. He would not charge me for labor. While visiting I said I help on trails when I can find an event. He checked info to find a project this afternoon on a new trail dropping down to connect with current system trail. This piece runs right beside the paved road. Official opening of trail is held for legaleeze on easement as trail is on private lands. I said I’m on it.

I bid Scott Adieu then drove to propane station. Attendant said he was by himself and could not fill, he told of a campground about a mile out of town that would fill. I learned that distance is whatever. I arrived at campground seeing a propane tank which is always good. Attendant was filling portable tanks and was having difficulty which didn’t bode well for filling me. My turn. Guy turned the attachment fitting to the left and was confused why it wouldn’t tighten up. Duh, I stepped in and threaded it on. The tank did get filled. Campground is Jimmy’s favorite however, his friends no longer own it.

Drove back up hill to trail work site. 3 PM start. Maybe 15 guys, all older, showed up, most wearing their club’s t shirt. My work was using a Macloud(sp) to carve in drains. I have no knowledge of local water events. Trail descends almost the entire distance to town and it is right along side a paved road. It will soon become a coaster downhill shuttle. Very windy working.

So, the Good was the start of my ride with a new chain, then Bad caused by shortcut chain length, Good was Scott identifying problem and part was available and was fixed, then Good was contributing.

Drove back to same spot at Boggy Draw. Tomorrow I plan on riding what I planned for today. Forecast is blustery and chilly.

My next stop is Moab in the desert. I am liking tree cover and living here that Moab lacks. CO and UT have own versions of freedom, I prefer CO.

Last 2 nights my parking spot aligned with direct sunset thru the windshield. Realized that most nights my view is different. Yes, sleeping on public land that I, as a taxpayer, pay for. Just like every other tax payer, just that I spend more time benefiting what is all ours.

Temps have been below freezing in the morning here at 76xx’. I heard frogs speaking during that cold.

The torque convertor in the van’s transmission has started barking.

 

 

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