My contribution of community support of Waba Sabi thanksgiving feed and of its feeding me is in the memory can. Said hello to fellow volunteer Tom. My task was cold beverage distribution and replenishment. New organizers this year and different beverages items. I refilled plastic drink cups as diners requested. Helped for several hours then accepted my bountiful plate of food. Afterwards returned to Reid’s side yard for the night and assessment of weather forecast.
Friday forecast for Moab called for some precip and temps at night in the teens. My concern was frozen and/ or freeze thaw mud. I checked Hurricane’s forecast which was for above freezing temps. I decided time had come to vacate Moab. Friday’s forecast for driving was clear. I drove south heading to Hurricane. Skies were cloudy. South of Monticello I saw rigs coming at me with snow on them boding forth coming conditions. I soon drove into what they were leaving: heavy snow, poor visibility, and no plowed pavement. I lowered my speed below my already below speed limit. Snow was piling up on my windshield melting on wiper blades and windshield. My window looking forward kept shrinking. The highway took a turn to descent, I pushed on the brake pedal to slow down engaging the ABS system controlling direction and speed. This time I was familiar with ABS. Some rig left sliding tracks on the snow indicating this could be slippery. Speed reduced and descending elevation I drove thru the storm. A winter storm advisory had been posted for what I drove through after I was thru it. Conditions improved as skies cleared.
My destination for the night was east of Kanab on a dirt road signed slippery when wet. At the time weather forecast called for precip that didn’t match with the red sky at night sailors’ delight so I chose a spot just off the road in case rain fell. Later the forecast called for clear skies but I was already in anchor mode. Spent the night.
Strategy was staying there for night then in morn drive to a trail system east of Kanab that someone told me about. I found location and trails in trailforks. Tight system, elevation profile showed steeps and plenty of red level drops. Previously I spoke with guy at local ebike store who told me he built the trails. I passed. I bought propane in Kanab then continued to Hurricane.
Windy drive. I stopped at corral near Goulds wash for the night. Too chilly and windy for my outdoor enjoyment so I hung out inside comfort. 19 degrees outside at wake up, 53 inside measured at ceiling.
Sunday I waited for solar gain and temp forecast of 50 degrees. Time came for a ride. I picked up the Hurricane Rim IMBA epic trail from front of van riding out Goulds. Crossed the highway continuing on epic to upper TH of JEM trail. I ride entire length to return climb of Carne Asada which is a poke at destructive cows. Encountered numerous m-bikes, BLM stickers only showed bike. One guy passed me going uphill riding faster than I would have descended, these riders are a menace. Earlier while huffing and puffing climbing uphill I sensed riders behind. I pulled over to yield to what I thought were stronger riders to see 2 girls in street gear on m-bikes.
Ride was 20.6 miles climbing 1562′ pedaling for 2 hr 42 mins, average bpm was 124, 1hr 28 mins in my 80 to 90% effort zone. I work at what I do, the results take longer and are slower.
Visited with Quentin at OTE, he has shoulder issues also. We told injury stories for complete empathy. He told of working overhead that sent chills down my spine as my body responded to mental image.
Visited with Chad in the service shop. We met long time ago when he worked at shop in Moab. We have many shared acquaintances and places. Sharing keeps family connections connected.
