One who wanders by themself. Thanks Ian.
I am able to find many things to keep me away from writing here and other things that require work like washing my bike and van windows. I do tend to work that supports my life like laundry on Thurs and grocery shopping.
Bill from Tomichi Cycles in Gunnison shared several rides and nights out off Beaverhead last week. Desert “roads” are dry and firm but w/ poor internet. I enjoyed his company and stayed off line. I shared local ride info. He is younger and more skilled than me, we shared time at rest stops. He did an additional ride after our shared one. Back when I was younger….. . I was the navigator requiring me to take the place of Doug to figure the route and keep us found. I succeeded even with me leading from behind Bill who is faster. We did a Carroll canyon loop and gateway ramble.
Last Sat Ian drove me for another Black Canyon ride. We met Lee in her rig and Jimmy and Christine in theirs at Mayer TH. Jimmy’s bike has electric shifting that did not work, he later learned that he had inadvertently drained the battery. He and Christine returned home leaving Ian, Lee, and me. Our route decision was either S on BCT with a wet feet crossing of Big Bug creek right at the beginning or ride the Copper mtn loop again. This loop rides well either direction. Today Ian lead us the opposite way of Jimmy’s preferred direction.
14.9 miles climbing 1473′ pedaling for 2 hrs 3 mins. Jimmy’s direction was 5 mins faster not that it made any difference. Dinner at Creekside outside of Mayer.
Bill left leaving me without a riding partner. I beat myself up pretty good. I lowered my seat to bottom out post to get a greater knee bend that gave me more power. I like being lower for stability and my knees are happy. On Thurs I rode out Western Gateway trails and to check out dry feet crossings of flowing Dry Creek. 1st was Axis:
Riders figuring out how to cross:
that I would cross on return. Dry feet. Next was Rupp going away, same success:
Nice day. I still ride harder than I would prefer as heart rate data reveals. I don’t intend to but the EDGE records. 10.3 miles climbing 1007′. Back out to Beaverhead desert for the night.
Friday I rode around Hogs which is a demanding loop. Warm enough finally to wear shorts and short sleeve jersey. 15.7 miles climbing 1427′ requiring much push a bike. Ride really beat me up.
Sat Jimmy called a Prescott ride. I rode with Ian and Cody and joined Jimmy and Christine somewhere out Thumb Butte rd. Cody is a very skilled and strong rider as I watched his many tech moves. The Canfield Balance Formula bikes prevailed as Jimmy, Christine, and I ride Revels and Cody was on namesake Canfield. Decomposed granite tread.
Higher elevations. 10.7 miles climbing 1276′. While I was always off the back on the climbs but ahead of Christine on the downs I still rode the entire ride. 31 mins was in my 80 to 90 percent effort. I am developing an appreciation for my 46T easy gear. Post ride feed at a upscale burger place then back to VOC night at outlet mall.
Today is a rest day after 3 days of riding. Still waiting DR info about my heart.
Temp is rising to shorts range this week.
Sedona is a tourist attraction and boy do they flock to plug rt 179 to Sedona and down Cooks hill to the Y. Too many people and more coming.