Weather conditions are some of the same ol: sunny all day, windy depends upon location and velocity, trails, living, what I need is pretty much figured out where to have that need met. Desert riding, sight lines go for miles.
The Hurricane Cliff trails are mostly pedaling with infrequent full suspension smoothing out. However, the base tread is pock marked with cast in cow hoof prints making for micro chatter. I called the BLM office recently, range manager returned call, he said cows out here are per contract. I wondered what the cows eat, he said the cows match the forage.
Dead Ringer is a climbing trail up to upper JEM TH. Upper part is bench cut on steep hill side, have to manage exposure.
Yesterday I rode to end of JEM trail which winds above several canyon rims and the Virgin River. Infrequent gusts partially deflected my balance. Places the distance from the out slope to the precipice was very short. Quentin said 2 bikes but no riders had gone over the edge.
Rider’s perspective of sight line
Sun is low angle
Familiarity is settling in that past experience recalls effort. Riding these Hurkin cliffs trails is comfort. I did expand my usual rides with riding a piece of the rim trail I hadn’t ridden this year leading to climbing out in China Wash that I only pushed my bike up long time ago. Then yesterday a newly built piece, Carne Asada, which is a directional trail, to be above that lower piece of the JEM. I am judging my ride by how much effort will be needed. Two hours is a good pedal time. I find if I focus on the time spent out and not by how quickly I can complete the ride, my ride is more enjoyable. Still a 2 hr 45 min pedal is big. Yesterday I finished my ride by riding pavement back to van out at corral. Maybe 1 1/2 miles of flat road pedaling: road riding. I struggled to spin the entire length.
My sister, Lynn, visited the Pisgah earlier this fall, She stopped at The Hub, my home base when I was there over the years, she sent me 3 pairs of Pisgah socks. Cool.