As is my posture to this keyboard. Seems Utah uses the paved edges of their streets as open gutters which puts serious out slope from center line. I’m parked on the street away from downtown.

So, van suspension is functioning. I did open the hood and to what did my wondering eyes did see was large patches of insulation removed, chewed off and relocated preferably not on van.

Drove to town Mon for DR appointment regarding my increasingly tight throat. Affects my breathing however O2 sat is upper 90s. Thyroid physical check, blood work, CT scan. All came back body within specs. Office is establishing referral to throat dr in ST George.

Drove out to N Klondike trailhead and namesake paid BLM campground for 2 nights and days of sleeping and riding. 2 miles of washboard stutter bump road. I picked preferred site 1, only 2 sites were occupied. Seeing desert here in fall condition is sparse brown with dead cow uneatable plants. Cattle grazing is a scourge on our public land and should not be allowed. Chilly enough for heater to run all night.

Tues I dallied waiting for temp to ride into 50s to pedal away. I chose to ride out on the easier trails on the west side. Amazing pedal trails, I put my back into effort. I returned on the N side where the single track slabs all tilted tread. Dino is the lowest of the traversing trails. Several features challenge me, some I have overcome with effort, others I just can’t best mostly because I lack the 1 or 2 punch strokes. Pedaled back road to van. Now only occupant.

Wed I started out on warmup Dino then up Little Salty to Mega Steps over then down to Dino back. riding generally here is technical, degree of separations are the size. I ride blue rated trails as a choice while riding blacks if needed but not stupid hard like the Portal here. I walked more of the climbs today as I just couldn’t open engine up. I am working on riding with smiles not curled lips.

Stutter bump road out to paved US 191 to town. Tonight an appreciation event was planned by Trail Mix, a collective group of heart propelled activities members. I arrived just before  start. Here I might know  1 or 2 people otherwise a stranger in their midst. Awards regonition. I watched their slide show seeing the massive amount of rock work performed on the new piece of raptor route. To me amazing number of volunteers. I spoke with Tyson briefly.  Back out to city camping at Reid’s.

At earlier health visit I forgot to ask for PT referral for my foot. I called PT to start appointment learning first opening will be after I have left. I called health care office and scored an appointment for this morning for referrral. Before appointment time PT office called offering an appointment same time I was obtaining the referral. She offered a 4 PM today which is rapidly approaching. Owner Rhonda is a mountain biker guide.

So, no pics, just a catch up.

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.

 

As in season, not lack of balance.

Wheels were balanced, all needed correction with just 1 needing more correction. Peter of OTE met me at Discount for visit, we sat outside waiting for balance completion. He led me over to a nearby park concession for ice cream and sitting inside. Afterwards as our conversation was running out of urgency of connecting I returned to Fruita for dinner at Hot Tomato. Dinner was Sedona salad I always order and eat. Sat at bar. Anchor spot was back at same spot N of Loma.

Wed’s activity was to drive straight S on Loma road out to Kokopeli TH to ride some of Marys etc. Van’s ride is less bumpy after wheels balanced. However, as I was turning on to road back to TH a sound clattered that sounded like a wheel bearing gernading. WTF? What to do? Short answer was to call shop in Junction that worked on van this spring. Come on down Thurs morn. I feared driving to Junction. I was already where I wanted to ride so  went for a ride.

I rode Mary’s out to junction with Wrangler’s for return Pic above is from up on Wranglers. I passed the spot on Mary’s where I flatted several visits prior, I walked my bike 4 miles back to van.

Chilly comfortable fall ride.12.1 miles climbing 1175′ pedaling for 1 hr 40 mins. Average bpm was 120 hump.

Back at van figuring out rest of day and getting my van to Junction. Plaan A was to attempt to drive to Loma is wheel cooperated. I made the pavement then listened for sound which I thought I heard. Shit, I might not make short drive. I paused. I could have van towed. I took another go at drive with stomach pumping stress juices. Made Loma, no noise. Plan B was to continue to Fruita for evening and sleep in town. Made Fruita on 2 lane stae highway instead of interstate. Visited at OTE waitinf ro darkness for visible stealth sleeping at town spot. I walked over to Tomato for socializing and a glass of wine. I sat at the bar. A guy sat an empty seat from me. I was talking mountain biking with new owner of Tomato. Neighbor guy joined conversation. I was visiting with IMBA trail building legend Joey Klein, I knew his name. Lengthly visit.

The shop just took my van in for exam, sitting outside on a curb writing this.

I checked tire pressure which was not what I told Discount they should be nor was it per their shop order. Wrong. Get what I paid for in lifetime free balance and rotation.

Van is 17 years old today. Mileage today will hit 300,000 miles should I drive to Moab later.