$100 for a Maxxis Minnion DHR ll evc. 2 hrs 47 mins at average bpm 123 climbing 1696′, 19.9 miles.

Sheesh, the price of the tire. Why I remember way back in the day of buying a Panaracer Smoke and Dart for $40 together.  I am unable to construct from memory of higher heart rates and faster average speed. What was is was. Prices rise and my body goes in the other direction.

The distance of a ride is a function of time and exertion. Lessen the exertion and lengthen the ride. Yesterday I rode Santa Clara from the bottom, climbed Precipice then up and down Sidewinder rejoining Barrel Roll. I learned of the catch that cuts across Barrel Roll which cuts out the more technical Namesake loop. I lessened the exertion and shortened the ride. Oops. 8 miles climbing 971′, average bpm was 126 (anaerobic), covering only 8 miles. Big exertion tech moves, time seemed longer than measured time.

Returned to corral: isolated, exposed, some traffic, right on Goulds piece of Hurricane Cliffs epic ride. Today I rode what I planned matching my eyes with exertion. Picked up Goulds from my door step to its end at upper JEM TH, down JEM finding the steep pitch ridable even the dirt piece. Turned down Chinatown wash to its junction with Cliffs

The Cliffs is an old hiking trail and is light tech, less pedal, to its end at JEM, then climbed JEM, some I had never climbed prior. Dead Ringer up to JEM TH.

Then repedaled Goulds back. Wonderful day. Shared trails with maybe 6 others. I was expecting people using gifts. Ran into a rider 2 times. He is visiting from FL, airline sent his bike somewhere else. He was riding a rental. Second time he had just salvaged a flat tire that the sealant wouldn’t plug the hole.

Joy for me is lengthening daylight hours. I just know that each day will be longer, margin of late afternoon ride completion is later. The change is less than a minute each end, it’s a mental thing.

Service on my van seemed to improve its performance favorably. However, the mileage dropped to the lowest I have ever measured of 19 mpg, normal this type of driving would be 21 to 22. Wonder if service improvement comes at a drop of economy.  Should check this out before Sedona.

Forecast is calling for wet here and Sedona. I will hang here until Sedona dries out. Living here in the wet is easier so if I have to stay inside, here works.

Time to fix standard dinner of ingredients of boneless, and skinless chicken thighs (2), carrot, broccoli, maybe black beans or Quinoa or both. What changes from dinner to dinner is variation of spices and herbs. Certainly healthy and meets my dietary requirements. desert tonight is Rocky Road ice cream.

Left arm still hurts, just too nice to rest.

This pot seems to lean more to indica as my fingers are heavy and the seat cushion is crushed. Coupled with ride effort earlier. I know what I need to do, I can see the steps in my mind, the mind is making promises that the body won’t do. The body needs energy, the brain salivates, but the body has to go to work.

Here’s to the start of a new year.

Monday 7:30 AM PT session established that my left elbow pain is coming from my forearm where several muscles congregate that have become irritated. Taught treatment by PT that I have been performing. Of course, resting will cure. I’m sort of nibbling between the 2, well, the resting part. Also have been riding less tech chunder trails calling it resting. Celebrated known cause by riding Prospector Church Rocks loop, did have fewer speed altering features. But then again maybe just riding is the source. I could be kidding myself by pedaling smoother trails? Then the Garmin algorithm computes recovery time that I regularly disregard by riding before time’s up. Then temps have been just 40, did start in 35 degrees, sunshine solar gain, little wind. Still winter jersey, knickers and knee socks, even helmet hat. Don’t see my breath.

Trail runs length of flat out at the edge a ways.

On sunny days the above is the norm. Just same ol same ol.

Monday eve other campers chose the Quail Lake spot. Wake up temp like 23, inside 49 degrees.

Tues I moved up onto the Hurricane cliffs anchoring at coral. 3966′. Just a pullout on dirt road.  Evening light shines on Gooseberry and a shorter mesa.

I learned of a trail on that mesa, I previously posted a pic from up these looking down to where I am. I have ridden it 2X. The first was before the freeze, then next was after. Frost heaves dirt up even with no visible water. Post frost dirt is “fluffy” soft making for a slower ride with increased effort.

I rode down Chinatown wash then the Cliffs trail back.

Yesterday I parked at Sheep Bridge rd highway intersection. Sunny and warm inside, not so warm outside. Today was a wool t-shirt under a medium weight wool jersey, still knickers but no helmet hat. Pedaled up Dead Ringer on rolled hard tread, no freeze thaw, up towards top trail is shaded allowing snow to remain. I descended JEM. At the steep descent I walked as I perceived slippery. It was rideable. At the turn landing the mud was frozen and I rode it. I rode JEM to its end. Down the ways the last piece of the JEM is one way going my way with Carne Asada the return climb.  I see this making sense to avoid rider conflict on the to the edge narrow tread as too narrow to pass on. On Carne a short piece climbed, was shaded still holding snow, sunshine warmed a piece maybe 5’long, freeze thaw mud thawed. My front wheel did not make a full revolution before it picked up enough mud to jam between the fork legs stopping me. I lifted the bike onto outslope and scraped off blocking mud. Both tires were plugged. Trail continued climbing, me working above hard lessening as mud slowly lost its grip.

Burning about a gallon of propane per day. From about 10 to 3 the sun warms me. Camper batteries are not being overfilled by the solar panel. I stayed for 2 days here at the corral, 1 day was cloudy, I ran the engine for 30 mins after dark to add energy to the batteries for the night. Seems if I drive some minutes during the day added to solar collection my batteries remain charged.

I am waiting for my mail to arrive before leaving here for warm Sedona. Coordinating delivery with location requires a commitment then living with plan.

32 degrees at 3966′ at 8:44 PM outside. Heater running inside, living room is chilly.

I have tinnitus: constant ringing in both ears.

Ho HO Ho Pagan.

But first I researched the subject’s definition. The word has an ill educated slam connotation from 1840 presidential election. Back then the education system was not as extensive nor required like today. It might have applied to voters of the times. However, today with present education system providing education to those that accept the knowledge does not explain why so many Georgia voters voted for that box of rocks.

So, Okay, I will create this blog. I was always told that if I had nothing of value to say, keep quiet, suppose it applies to writing this also.

Big news: van serviced on Tues for oil change and a check up. Learned drive belt has cracks, replace it I said. Other wise van’s health keeps me moving forward.

Wet event dumped less than an inch of snow that slightly above freezing temp during the day melted the white away, but below freezing under no sun exposure, the melt became crystal which repeated the cycle the next solar cycle. Freeze / thaw mud. On Wed I rode Church Rocks which is sand that was firm but not frozen. Windy, sunshine, 40 degrees. I was outside and pedaling. Many other riders enjoying conditions but never plugged the trail. No pics.

Been staying at Quail lake primitive spot as it is warmer at 29xx’ vs 39xx’ up at the corral.

My left elbow joins other body parts with issues. I scored a DR appointment for today and received a PT referral then a PT appointment this Mon at 7AM. My elbow adversely affects riding.

Last 2 days I hiked some of the Boy Scout trails here. Way harder than my engine and ability can match to ride.

My anchor spot catches sun’s warmth until late afternoon, heat replaced by chill. Heater keeps the bedroom comfortable for sleeping while the living room I need a sweater.

Low energy level.