On Monday I drove away from Boggy Draw bound for N Klondike north of Moab to meet Steve. Windy drive and windy out t N Klondike, the BLM road is full length washboard, out and back once and that’s enough rattling. Camping is now only allowed in the 20 something developed sites. Steve scored a spot in almost empty campground. We rode in the afternoon heading down wind on trails west of center road with the wind at our backs, better choice as these trails are exposed. Our return was on Dino Flow which is more protected and slower so as not to be as beaten by the wind. Winds are in 20 to 30 mph speed. Airport recorded 45 mph gusts.

 

I started writing before gearing up to go ride. Attention was not held.

So, random.

Today I rode away from camp spot

on BLM dirt road. Wind blown sand covered firm underneath except pieces where hard rock was exposed which was sought after tread on road ride. Turned onto Lasso leaving the road for a loose sand tread. Swinging bends thru the shrubs to junction with Chisholm all way to end at Horsethief trails. Down Mustang to Get Away, cross the road descend Bull Canyon to Arths corner picking up Get Away at its far end then returned same trails. Temperatures increasing with almost calm winds. 22.2 miles climbing 1690′, pedaling for 3 hrs 4 mins. Today I enjoyed the bike handling and prolly more important was not working, I coast as much as I can and pump for forward progress. Letting gravity pull me along puts a smile on my face. Turn it upside down when the trail climbs against gravity. Over the years I have ridden this same route, last was last Nov on Rail, today I was slower by 8 mins. I checked my ride log for the RFX data which was identical to the new Rail. Very warm today under full on sun as no shade blocks the heat. Computer won’t give me today’s pics.

Yesterday I completed the 200th ride on the Revel rail covering 2763 miles in 321 days. Today was 201th.

backing up.

Thurs was laundry day in Moab. Discovered another location for first rate laundromat, same company owns 2 locations. Bought groceries and took on water from gearheads. Plan is to drive up to Horsethief for several days or riding. I scored my favorite spot unfortunately shared by a burned out truck per above. I rode Rodeo which is directional that eliminates widening of the tread because of no approaching rider and no worry of that encounter.

Wed AM before I raised my head off my pillow Steve left for home to use his vet skills to attend to  his wife’s injured horse. Another windy day out at N Klondike. I needed water and groceries so I drove out on washboard road rattling my eye teeth. I passed Willow Springs road noticing so many rigs parked where I like to stay. Crowd. My plan was to stop and ride Bar M trails then drive down to town. Going to spend night out Sand Flats camping which will position me for next day laundry. Again, more wind.

Up at campground I was fully exposed to wind that rocked me inside my van.

Time has caught up.

I visited an optometrist in Moab to adjust my glasses. She put the tight adjustment on the frame. The glasses contact my head 4 places and all 5 places hurt.

The van’s transmission torque convertor is starting to seriously bark. I spoke with shop in Bend, his advice was to change the transmission fluid then drive it until transmission fails. I made an appointment with a shop in Junction for this Thurs to change fluids. Moab is heating up. I plan on leaving here on Sunday for Fruita

 

 

 

Wind velocity. Forecast on Sunday calls for  50 mph gusts here in Dolores. Red Flag warning. Moab is 10 mph calmer but adds dust to the mix. Still hunkered down at Dolores breathing clean air, will make the move to Moab 2 hrs away on Mon to meet Steve.

Now in town at city park for internet and creating this. Making today a rest day as Garmin tells me I need 67 hours recovery after yesterday’s ride before next hard effort. Seems even if I work on lessening my effort I still seem to need more recovery time. The software seems to calculate every ride is a hard effort.

Yesterday I rode Sage Hen trail on the far side of the reservoir as what I perceived as an easier ride and to do it before high winds. I misjudged degree of effort required for an 11 mile ride. I did avoid strong wind. Trail tread for climb was sand and loose and lacked any character. As I slogged my way to the far out point I told myself that the climb was for the reward going down.

A short section of trail down lower was built by mtn bikers that finally made for challenge and fun. Out there by myself for 13.2 miles climbing 1407′ pedaling for 2 hrs. Checked off the trail from ride card, no desire to ride it again.

Been sleeping at same spot up on Boggy Draw road. Yesterday evening was first night since here to enjoy being outside as wind was calm and temp was almost shirtless. Elevation is 7636′. This EDGE 530 calculates fitness etc, last report I am now acclimated for 6300′ yet I heve been riding in the 7,xxx’.

Thursday was laundry day and grocery shopping greater than great small store here in Dolores. Cortez is about 15 miles away. Quick dash in then back. Once back to Boggy Draw I rode pieces of trails I had yet to ride. Boggy Draw to Bears tracks to Bald Eagle

then finished Sunset down to Little Bean canyon descent then hump back up to Boggy Draw.

Been hanging at Kokopelli bike shop here in Dolores visiting with Scott. I first rode here back 11/8/10 as recorded on my spread sheet. I stuck the shop sticker on my van. Over time it has faded and disintegrated. This visit I did something I have never done before: I scraped enough of the old sticker off then  applied a new one. Today we shared stories about animals that could have hurt us, his wife joined in. I enjoyed their company.

I replaced my front tire as side knobs are tearing away, mostly on the left side which indicates I carve more to the left. To the right I have difficulty weighting my right hand to carve because of destroyed shoulder.

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.