Snow

Yesterday under clear skies but forecast wanted precip. Undaunted I rode with Ian down to join Jimmy and Christine to ride some of the BCT from Mayer. Skies were not threatening, temp was short sleeve but a brisk win from the S greeted us. Plan was to hit the BCT from the tank down low as an out and back, essentially doing the same ride but from N to S then return. 2 trucks and a straight road shot down to the tank started wheels literally turning to a shuttle ride from on top down to tank then continue S till we had enough then retrace back to shuttle ride at the tank. Descending into the wind wind gusting into the 20s was like pedaling uphill. And pedaling uphill was like the pitch steepened.

BCT piece

We arrived at the tank and Ian’s truck. Desire to ride overwhelmed the temptation of the truck ride back to the top. We continued S into the wind as the trail wound in and out of wind protection of side canyons. Riding out and back is character building as you can turn around whenever: what you coasted down would be climbed going back. Strong wind pedaling uphill. Our relief was wind would be pushing us back on uphills. As seen the sky was blue and later cloudless. Weather forecast called for snow storm later. We completed our ride, tailgate story telling, dinner at restaurant outside of Mayer, the drive back to VOC, watching Zags beat St Mary’s for pay back of them beating Zags on their home court, and me shutting off the lights at 11PM in VOC in Mike’s driveway. Clear skies and stars. About 1AM I heard the psst of moisture hitting the roof of my van. I woke around 5AM to see white on windshield. Back snuggled under covers to slide out at 6:30 and see what fell: about 3″ of snow on windshield. Snow was heavier than opening mechanism of roof fan. Forecast came to be.  Snow continued to fall off and on during the morning with temps in upper 30s. No riding today.

Our BCT ride was 14.4 miles descending 1706, climbing 925′. The BCT is a pedaling trail. It can be a go to ride for when other places are unfavorable.

Sat glued to bar stool at PJs watching thrilling Zags play arch rival ST Mary’s game. Zag’s won.

Thurs was laundry day. Warren from the van repair shop called me scheduling wise after clean clothes put away saying that his calendar read work on my van. I dropped my van off leaving his repair unknown. Over time he and his son have earned my trust, it will be what he figures out. Doug, Leia, dog Swift, and I went f a hike in Carroll canyon area as it dries faster because of its southern exposure. All the while I am waiting for Warren’s call with whatever news he would give. Doug dropped me off at his alley back to his shop. I saw my van parked outside to indicate either complete or whatever but drivable as I was concerned he would keep it overnight and I might have to sleep in his shop. Good news: cause of stumble identified and fixed. He accessed a port to see the flex plate to see a tooth had been bent during trans install. The tooth was straightened and the original sensors were reinstalled. Van runs without any stored codes: fixed. I called the Bend install shop with his assessment, perhaps they will make me whole. A major stress in my life is in the rearview mirror.

Fri I drove down to Cottonwood savoring the well running van for an MRI of my brain. 30 mins in a tube being hammered by loud percussive noises and 2 IV pokes for contrast. Results forthcoming.

I returned to Cultural park to join Doug for a ride. Dry Creek is running at trail crossings high enough to jeopardize dry feet so we rode system trails to not cross the creek. At 1 place the trail crosses the creek back and forth. A social trail stayed on our side of the creek which avoided crossing. We watched 2 bike patrol riders dropping rocks for their dry feet crossing. Doug is so much faster than me, I arrive at a rest stop panting while he is smiling. 11.4 miles climbing 1165′ for 100′ / mile of trail.

Thunder MTN

I called Revel about rear axle. Learned suggested torque value is 13 to 18 NM. I had been tightening to 18 which is almost more than multitool can turn open. They are sending me a new axle. Guy I spoke with met me at Durango Cycles which is next door to Diaz Suspension Service, home of the RUNT.

So, I will finish out the day down here again sleeping in Mike’s side drive. Tomorrow back up to Sedona for a PT session on my left arm.

Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is this weekend. Weather forecast is not for sunny weather during the week. Wet trails for the visitors. Freehub will be down here to show Bike town film.

Jimmy told me he likes reading my blog as it distracts him from things he can not change.

This morning I made fresh tracks on 2+ inches of snow on the outlet mall parking lot. Now pavement is melted dry. Graupel is falling now. Clouds block my solar panel although the controller shows solar gain. Prolly snow still covers the panel.