Wrench at repair shop reported all is good: brakes and bearings ok, concern was bearings as noise sounded like a bearing disintegrating. Perhaps a rock lodged in brake caliper for short stay which created the noise. I backed up after noise started, perhaps dislodging and abating noise but I was so cautious about bearings. Peace of mind. I do the same concern regarding my body that insurance pays for, van health is out of my pocket.
So I drove to Moab arriving with enough time to do laundry, fill water, and grocery shop before dark. Drove up to past Horsethief on sand road with exposed slabs of slick rock which challenged my new suspension parts. A loud clunk sound startled me: unhappy suspension? I stressed over possible van fix it problem. Next morn, Fri, I cautiously descended pavement to Moab stopping at google search alignment shop to seek assessment. Next week is earliest. Hmm. I called Bend shop that installed them and explained my situation. Landon told me shocks need breaking in which is what the that road was doing. OK. Drove back up past Horsethief with no clunks selecting an anchor spot down the first left turn. Season change now with just 1 rig parked different than this past spring. Either you are accustomed to living in cold or have a heating system you are somewhere at home.
Made it in time for round trip on Rodeo from anchor. Sunny, hit 44 degrees. Rodeo is directional. It’s a greener yet offers less stressful tech problems. Pedal trail. Lots of small turns, short sight lines, something to roll tires over, sun in my eyes blocking perception.
Check the shadow.
Heater ran flawlessly all night and after wake up before solar gain exceeded thermostat setting.
Today, Sat’s ride was to ride from anchor to ride down and up Chisholm trail down to Navajo Rocks trail. I like Chisholm for riding each way. I encountered less than 10 riders entire ride. However, riders were plentiful on Navajo. I was stopped on Chisholm reading internet because no reception where I was anchored. Local rider Reid rolled up. I have anchor privileges on his side yard. I am there now.
A 0 mileage day for van. Just pleasant out here. People living in houses escape to be here and I just live out here where they want to be.
Today needs to be a town run for water. I drove out to park in empty group site campground to access a piece of Chisholm that I have fun on. I rode Chisholm crossing the highway and a trailhead continuing to its end at Mustang, turned left descending down to low point at 7Up then climbing mostly back to Chisholm and back. Nice 55 degree day.
I ran into Reid again. Yesterday he was on a big group ride, today he was riding down to retrieve his truck that was staged for the ride.
Trails here are slab rocky which keeps the suspension working and my body fluid soaking up terrain vagarities. More than just pedaling, greater rewards for remaining upright. Continue to learn that I can pedal while the suspension contends with what’s under the wheels allowing controlled pedaling making moves. Better bike than RFX.
Hematoma is almost all absorbed however my knee still feels restrained, no pain while riding albeit a mild bark sitting.
I carry a small headlamp in my hydration pack. I pulled it out to day to install fresh batteries. **** it was broken but still shone. I replaced it with handheld flashlight. I checked the tire pump as precaution.
Today driving into town I heard a new engine noise that was short lived, revolution based. Later I lifted the hood to see what I could see. I saw large pieces of sound insulation chewed away. Didn’t check belt. On the 9th the van celebrated 17 years and 300,000 miles.
I worry a lot about my van.