Sitting in heated van at parking lot for Waba Sabi community thanksgiving feed. I’m working first shift. My connection to community and giving of myself. I am able to fix my own eats but this is a connection event.
Chilly, 20 degrees this morning and forecast is liking cold and some wet. Weather conditions telling me to move on to Hurricane.
Yesterday I rode the Raptor Route out Sand Flats road. I rode same ride this spring on completed center trail piece. Same shuttle. Riding up road past low trailhead I shuddered at nastiness of road that I drove my van up years ago for Freehub shoot. Beater. Crowded van plus a second van, many riders. I pedaled away on first section, Eagle Eye, other riders were riding Porcupine Rim letting me have entire ride almost all alone. Raptor route consists of 3 linked trails, Eagle Eye, Hawks Glide, and Falcon Flow. Tyson said another piece will be built to continue further down Sand Flats road.
Sheer vastness of desert out there.
Drop off point is 7,2xx’, town is at 4,2xx’. Pedal ride was 9.28 miles pedaling and hike a bike what I chose not to ride 1 hr 11 mins, dropping 2329′ while climbing only 121′. Trail ends back on Sand Flats for 7.4 mile ride back to van parked in town dropping another 1184′. Dirt road becomes paved and the steepness of the road allowed me a max speed of 34mph. I held back on turns as I have no idea if the tires will remain seated on their rims. Still average heart rate was 111. Appreciate travel and stability of bike.
Been city camping in Reid’s driveway.
Anyway, time to prepare for my helping role.