Jan 11 in high desert, no snow and maybe described as chilly. Yesterday Doug and I rode out Western Gateway trails, cloudy but only mid weight wool top. I can be where I want to be when i want to be there. Just my remarking how wonderful it is to be here instead being at places with nasty weather. Some clothing company says something to the effect that enjoyment is a function of proper gear. I don’t need insulated booties or heavy duty rain jackets as I just move from conditions requiring that gear. However, I have hunkered down short term at a place waiting for bad weather to return to normal. It’s just Jan 11 and my pale white flesh is exposed to sunshine.
Friday driving from town to sleep spot the check engine control light turned on. Panic WTF? Whatever system that fed to master computer was unhappy, just a warning, not failure which I learned is a flashing light. None the less I fear being left sit somewhere a require tow. I called one shop in Sedona after hours and could only leave a message. I spent the night at the paved overlook for easy access to tow if needed. I did not want to drive until the issue was understood so i planned on staying another night… until I checked propane level that revealed needing immediate refill. OK I will learn van’s health. As I drove back to VOC the light extinguished. Maybe life is better. Propane had .3 gals remaining. No ride today, I hiked above VOC. I drove back to Beaverhead with light not on.
Sun I returned to VOC, parked at outlet mall for a ride. I am riding first time this winter trails so there are lots of choices. Today I rode a Rabbit Ears loop. Several years ago the FS made trails system trails that are more rideable than old social trails. An old social trail was a realization of efficacy of Diaz’s RUNT. I was almost run over by 4 female riders having a different idea of yielding to uphill pedalers.
Light remained unlit.
Mon morn the repair shop called per my voice mail. Scored an appointment for Tues. at 8. I met Doug for an afternoon ride from Sunset Park of Old Post, Skywalker, Scorpion, and Sketch plus connectors. Overcast skies. Doug is more skilled than me and is way faster. Over on Scorpion, formerly Special ED when it was a social trail, has several basalt rock gardens. I have a tendency to pick my way between the rocks but after short glimpses of Doug’s lines, albeit a niner, over rocks letting the bike travel on top of the protruding rocks. Yes, the bike’s design favors this choice and the carbon rims withstand the impacts so I have been choosing the high versus the picking. I pointed out where I crashed last year. Sketch is a handful because of exposure and sketchy tread. I still walk spots.
I asked to sleep at Doug’s place which is just up the street from the garage. Leia and I combined to make dinner. I get to affectionate their dog Swift and leave behind shed white hair.
Tues AM I arrived at shop just before opening. I watched rigs entering and leaving service bays but not me. I waited and hour then voiced my dissatisfaction. Shortly a yech walked out to me and van. He hooked up the diag computer and downloaded stored info. Several codes were stored and several were cleared. History. The brain is capable of self correcting and leaves tracks. Data transmission takes time. No engine issues, just the auto temp control errored. He switched the control dial which just happened to fail. Fortunately the selector was on defrost and the fan works only on high. Garage scheduled next Tues to replace this module.
I met Doug out at former Cultural Park now owned by city to ride the collective Western Gateway trails. I am becoming more comfortable with my riding ability to body english turns, carving. Improving lifting front for step ups. Our ride was 15.1 miles climbing 1378′ pedaling for 2 hrs 14 mins. Rides are getting longer and harder, my engine weakens as the miles increase.
Forecast for last night was for precip meaning no dirt sleep spot, I needed to score an overlook spot that can be busy. I wanted to be there ahead of evening crowd to score my preferred spot. Previous pass by drives I saw a maybe Nissan white van parked where I wanted to be, Just before the drive in a van sim to what I saw turned in ahead of me. Curses, he would get the spot. I followed him in, he turned around and me right behind. Huh” he did not stop. I scored the spot in anticipation of precip. Nears as I could remember there was a fierce blast of wind and a few sprinkles and that as it. I could have been in the desert.
Oh, and the Tennis Elbow. I was measured by a new PT provider who told me my arm problem is known as tennis elbow. She gave me a stretch and asked for many future treatments. Eric works there also who has been my past fixer is booked out. I was able to visit during his lunch break.
Doug and Leia’s airnb is in Sedona. For the last 2 Monday nights it has been chosen because of a critical problem. Last week it was the heater: urgent. Last Mon was less urgent van health, this next Mon it is necessary but not urgent.
Sedona is a repair station for me as i have made local connections. I am able to attend to whatever.
I was told Bike and Bean has a new owner.
Today I am resting. I drove down to Camp Verde to visit Mike at his new digs. He’s no longer a book store, just Uhaul. We enjoy each other’s company, however, the new location is not on my way to anywhere I want to go. Will miss out on my frequent visits when I was in Sedona.