I have a question I want to ask full time living on the road travelers. It was asked of me this last weekend by a OTE staff member. “Which way are you running, to something or away from?” I stumbled thru my answer. Presently I am just living, direction determined by the weather. When I first started I was running to ride at least once in each of lower 48 states. I only experience attraction versus repulsion. Ying and yang. I am running away from settling down. I am attracted by this lifestyle because of many home living tasks I don’t have to perform like shoveling snow or mowing grass. I am running away from a potentially broken body. I am running to mountain biking year round, running away from seasonal activities. Question works as a starting conversation.
I am now near Fruita, N of Loma on BLM land foothill just above valley. Currently air bouquet is rotting cow down in a gulley that S wind wafts its odor and temp is warm enough to have side door open. I arrived Sunday afternoon from out past Horsethief XG a ways from Moab. Mon 8 AM I have a van exam appointment in Grand Junction. I made this day a rest day instead of a ride there. I made Fruita and OTE shop where I connected with old timer staff. Peter greeted me. I dropped off my bike for fork service hopefully to be done on Mon while I was captured at repair shop. Peter washed my bike, shop courtesy. Suffered intense anxiety making the 8 AM appointment. Arrived 7 mins early. They took my van shortly. Tech plugged in code reader: right wheel speed sensor. Shop ordered part, expected delivery was today, Tues, and install later in day. I was to call in morn to learn if part arrived. I called, no part yet, shop called later, part did not make it. Shop will call me tomorrow when part arrives in morn then install later afternoon. Good. OI drove out to Kokopelli trailhead for a ride.
I drove out and past the TH to park in small turnout to be away from others of which there were few. I rode Mary’s out to return trail Wranglers. Desert spring of Cheat grass living color.
Pleasant ride, getting warm.
Post ride I was sitting on the side step looking around. I spied a prairie dog plucking seeds from a desert plant. In years past I have parked in same spot, I noticed burrow entrances. I was curious what population existed after several years of drought. I walked around and noticed many active entrances. Where I stay I had noticed burrow entrances that showed no sign of activity. Tomorrow i will wander around here to check population.
Back at Moab I drove up past Horsethief XG to dispersed camp spot. Many possible sleep spots unoccupied. I scored my preferred spot. Friday I rode out Chisholm etc to descent Bull Canyon then climbed back on Get Away. 22.9 miles climbing 1729′ pedaling for 3 hrs 18 mins. I pedaled the last 2 hours non stop. I use my body. Sat I rode Chisholm to its end joining Big Lonely to Coney Island then climbed back out on 7UP. 17.8 miles climbing 1368′. Another almost all non stop. I like riding under influence of THC.
Upcoming 3 day weekend.
Colorado river is snow melt swollen. The paved heart propelled trail from town out to weigh station is flood closed where it goes underneath I70 which is not very far above the river. Possible river will flood interstate.