Figures

$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

Chinatown wash drainage uphill

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.

up up Up Gooseberry tip
Dead Ringer

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.