Dropped my bike off last night at Absolute here in VOC to bleed rear brake. Last week I rode 6 out of 7 days, dunno if going to start this week adding to 4th day in a row. Darn EDGE and my body clashing with data, after yesterday’s 14.7 miles climbing 1375′ pedaling for 2 hrs 22 mins with average bpm of 114, EDGE reports 5 hr recovery. Perhaps I am stronger or riding more conservatively that is reason for short recovery. Suspect computer issue, albeit my morning pulse rate is like 45 bpm which indicates recovery.
I rode a piece of Last Frontier, legacy social trail and system trail. New part is bench cut into steep hill side, never a full vertical cliff face but an out slope fall will bounce several times before coming to rest. Rough topography.
Been mixing rides here and up in Sedona. Dry Creek is its name sake which opens up rides crossing the creek multiple times. Because I was here and viewed the high waters then and now the dry creek bed do I know the creek really runs.
Sitting at former outlet mall parking lot, had the orbic internet receiver on the passenger’s seat in full shot of sunshine heated it up to its too hot to work mode and shut off. Lost train of thought in my writing.
So I ride Formula Cura brakes, a 2 pot on the front and the more powerful 4 pot on the rear. two days ago I performed some in the sun maintenance by removing the rear wheel to check pad wear and to clean the pods. I squeezed the brake lever to advance the pods then flushed off with alcohol, reinstalled the pads and wheel then pedaled away. I noticed the brake lever pulled like air was in the line yet the brake locked up the wheel as it should. Visited Absolute prior to ride, deemed maybe needed to be bled. After 2 rides I returned yesterday to make a bleed appointment. Received text earlier that bike is ready. My effort was either suspect of there was actually air in the line somehow. Quentin at OTE in Hurricane told me there are 2 kinds on shops: a city shop or a destination shop. The former is drop your bike off and wait for several days for service. The later is you are here for a visit and your bike needs repair to get on your bike quickly. Absolute has been treating me as a destination shop for which i am appreciative. Another shop in town told me to drop my bike off and wait for several days. Didn’t go there. Absolute to my experience better wrenches and service plus I have a better connection to community.
Sedona weather is just right for riding as trails are dry, blue skies, temps below 80. Some days winds are noticeable. A note from Cog Wild in Bend reported snow pack is 172% of average and they have not had a 70 degree day yet. No hurry to make Bend. Suspect similar snow pack conditions on other places heading there.
Once when I was riding behind Bill and watching him climb a feature I asked for tip, He said he accelerates before the climb for momentum. Since then I have attempted same with success but more often than not the feature is on a climb that had already depleted my energy. There is the feature on Llama, a climbing ramp, that I have not been able to master. Last ride there I watched a rider accelerate down the slick rock to carry his speed onto the ramp and make the top. I followed his example for 3 tries. The first i was pleased that the suspension sucked up the rough and almost made the top. Confidence inspiring. Second attempt was more speed and different gear, almost made it. Third attempt almost made it. Thing is pushing a higher gear for speed makes for a hard pedal to finish the climb. I now believe I will make it to the to[p on next ride. Carrying speed and / or helping weight shift to lighten the front.
Rabbit Ears Big Park ride right out of VOC is a climb then descent and some more pedaling up and coasting down. While only 9.14 miles which includes 2 miles of road riding is short, the climb up Rabbit Ears ridge is taxing. This is from the perspective of a 73 year old.
Then there is the Carroll canyon area for enjoyment as in spending time up right on my bike. There ride choices are either up or down, only how you put your choices together determines how much climbing you do to get the downhill. I rode down Scorpion, formerly when a social trail was named Special Ed goes over several basalt rock features. I still walk the same features and able to make others as rocks have been pried out of tread. 9 miles climbing 1040′ pedaling for 1 hr 29 mins.
So far the easiest pedaling is the Western Gateway trails: lesser hard climbing. And knowing how to connect the trails.
Been staying out off Beaverhead Flats road on cattle range grazing. Lots of cows: Equipped bulls, nursing cows, calves. I watched several bulls chase down a cow that was sending mount me signal. Bull mounted and almost collapsed the cow. Dunno if his red stinker found its target. Cows destroy the land that provides their feed. Trampled land and cow shit. Beaverhead does not get the number of campers like rd 525 W of Sedona which is not grazed. Albeit I have noticed more campers off the first right after the overlook. I used to stay there when fewer people were there, now too many people.
Walgreens pharmacy is closed Sat and Sun.
So, pleasant day. Working on first sun burn peel. Will prolly go for timed shirtless walk to blend in white to red.