Slinking South

Friday I watched the Zags game that they won, second half was a better played game. Spent night at Reid’s. Another in the 20s night. Sat AM got after my leaving. 6 AM wake up, snuggle under the covers for many minutes, okay time has come to become chilly. Find my wool hoodie and slip it on. On the cold floor. Roll out an ensolite pad for floor comfort during my exercises: 20 pushups, 20 situps, 20 reverse bridges each leg, 20 bird dogs. Good to go, core strengthening very apparent during pedaling as my glutes get worked from climbing. Pay back: Power.

Good to go. Headed south then west then north, then west towards Hurkin. Big ditch in the desert and the desert causes misdirection while heading in desired direction. Beautiful day. Little traffic. just speed along at 55 in 65mph. Van is an enjoyable drive.

Again, the joy of being where I want to be when I want to be there. Driving my home, my spot for the night is where I decide. Plan was driving all way to Hurkin arriving late afternoon. Mid afternoon after I crossed the Colorado River at Page, Lake Powell, water level scored on bare rock shows how low the lake is, I turned off the highway onto a desert road heading to Kodachrome something. I parked in an open plot off the highway then walked up the road a ways looking for a better spot. About a mile uphill I found my night spot, well out of road noise. I would have about a 2 hour drive to upper JEM TH for my ride. I used that drive time for the morning to advance for solar warmth.

Arrived at JEM TH. Forecast called for snow and high winds and chilly, 40 degrees. Maybe 10 cars in lot. I dallied putting off becoming cold. Riders arrived then drove away, by my pedal off time there were just several. Breezey. I wore a tshirt wool top under a midweight wool jersey topped with wind shell, knickers and knee socks, even a toque underneath my helmet. Still summer long fingered gloves. Starting point is the high point, trail descended into the wind. Little muscle activity for warmth buffeted by wind chill. JEM down to junction with Hurricane Rim starting the climb out. Traveled over trail seen in the film. Took Crypto climbing more to Dead Ringer climbing rest of way back to van. I did warm up but happy I wore the head warmer. Heard dirt bikes somewhere ahead of me, trail is heart propelled, not even Ebikes. 2 teenagers on minibikes approached me. I blocked the trail and yelled at them that they are not allowed, kid said they were just up the trail. I told then to turn around then hit the road. Little wheels chewed the tread. I rode over their damage. Back at the TH I was alone.

I cleaned up and changed into street clothes then drove away. Several years ago the BLM developed this parking lot and access road. The road crossed 3 small washes, steel culvert let water pass protecting the road. I looked at each culvert seeing each was partially plugged with washed sand. Unless these culverts are cleared they will become plugged which will dam the wash until the runoff washed out the road.

I drove down and out to the corral where Goulds crosses the road. The road out has been hardened, even to open spot across from the corral is graveled. A rig was parked there that I suspected were camping so I gave them space by finding a better spot right against the corral. Evening:

Cows are grazed out here on BLM land. I was serenaded by mowing cows right outside the van. I watched cows seeking vegetation, dry fall desert, nothing green. Cows have grazed it all back, they have nothing to eat. The mooing was plaintive: feed me.

Woke up, usual morning getting started activities. Drove down to Hurkin to Over the Edge bike shop. This year leaves are still on the trees, still green. Here before leaf raking. Said hello to wrenches.

Chilly and windy, didn’t want to ride here. I drove down to ST George to buy needed items. ST George is lower and warmed and not windy. I’m here, Barrel Roll is nearby, climbs and tech problems. I parked at the bottom of the climb up to the actual trail head. A man pushing a road bike walked up t me and started a conversation. I geared up while listening to him. I pedaled away climbing. Trail climbs right from get go. I was up a good ways when I realized I was not wearing my pack. Naked. I could turn around and ride back down but then I would have to reride this climb. Nah. Decided to finish the climb then worst case would be to turn around. I pedaled into the TH, then a few feet up Precipice before better sense overcame me to bail. The road has been improved over the years so maybe I could drive up it. I drove up the road and parked just before the TH where other campers were parked. OK. Enough afternoon light at heat for the rest of my planned ride. I rode up Precipice making each of the tech moves. Leg exercises has increased my leg strength and controlling my pedal strokes made the difference. Oh, and the bike played a big part. Again, if I can push the pedals the bike will roll over or up features. Encountered 4 e bikers, not allowed on BLM trails although the authorities are not ticketing them, no enforcement means its all legal as you won’t get caught. Blew by me climbing. Rode Sidewinder which is an up and back down rocky ridden in  single track. I made all but 1 move. Returned down rolling over what I humped up. A cut over trail between arms on Barrel Roll presented a longer ride but not the longest ad enough day light remained. Finished on last of Barrel Roll back to van.

Van is parked on an flat spot with a look over ST George megalopolis. Lights.

Temp hit 55 warm degrees, almost shorts. Still wearing Bedrock sandals.

Big open spaces is what desert landscape is. Miles of non man affected desert. No trees, no running water. I’m here because of favorable riding conditions, I leave it as snow melts going north. I can be where I want to be when I want to be there.