Sat Doug, Leia, and dog Swift joined me on a long hike down here in VOC. We started from Jack’s Canyon TH to hike up Rabbit Ears and beyond. Beautiful day, no crowd. Over hiked estimate of time finishing with 4 hour hike. Wandered down Waterfall trail, we found a way trail that ended up at the base of Rabbit Ears. Th is piece of trail was well worn down indicating Rabbit was popular at one time. I sought info at local outdoor shop, I was told the feature is a classic Sedona climb but Sedona rock is not sought after. Trail wear indicates many feet made their way to the base. Back at the TH Leia accepted task of removing cactus spines. Bare butt gave her access to embedded spines that she dug out. Ah, comfort.
Forecast called for nasty wet event staring today and lasting thru week which will soak the trails. Ride while dry. And that Doug and I did. Sunday we rode from Cultural Park pedaling over to Mescal. Once we hit Chuck Wagon trail from Dry Creek TH we shared the trail with many, many hikers. Weekends are popular days. Once past trail leading to Devil’s Bridge we had the trail to ourselves until Mescal. Tread was still damp for good traction which was a hinderance on pedaling up steep slick rock as sand clung to tire knobs.
We started from an old gravel pit off Dry Creek road, a place where firearms are discharged, the blasts buffeting my eardrums. The noise makers and the silent users conflict. Explosions range from .22 single shot to semi auto of much larger calibers. Their sound validated our return trail selection. Should shooting going off when we return, no lingering and drive away. 12.8 miles climbing 1214′, pedaling for 2 hr 8 mins. Appears that my heart rate is lowering from either conditioning or running out of breath and not able to pedal to work my heart. I am running out of breath seems earlier than before my fall last summer. I might be missing something I have not recovered.
Shooting drove me away.
Still mid afternoon on a sunny winter day to be enjoyed out at Cultural Park for out of city space. Sedona is built up to the Forest Service, public land, boundaries. At the Cultural Park, now owned by the City, it is right against FS land accessing the Western Gateway trails. I ride from here most rides. Where Doug is looking is typical of the physical land and flora, the trails are in the trees, perhaps Mescal Trail, which traverses the sandstone at the height of Doug’s helmet. That is rare mountain biking terrain. So close. Doug and Leia’s place is maybe 3 miles away into town.
Sedona mountain biking is special. And how so? Red rock, green trees over my head, unsmooth tread, traction, physically and mental challenging. High desert making for open to the ground spaces. Many rocks host plant growth to create a like copper tarnished patina. Green manzanita and bare branches cat claw.
Spent the night in town.
Sunday morning Doug called the ride to meet at CP at 12. The ride today was to ride Cherry Stem,(?) way out the way. Memory identifies these ridden trails: Roundabout, Girdner, Axis, Bolo, Last Frontier, social for Cherry stem and back joining Outer Limits, a short social, Last Frontier, Bolo, Axis. The CP is high point making trails down on the way out but climbing to finish a ride. Axis climb from Dry Creek crossing to home is an intense 1.46 mile climb gaining 285′ pedaling non stop for 16 mins. You got to pay to play. 11.5 miles climbing 1230′ pedaling for 1 hr 49 mins. Territory etc was similar to above pics.
These rides are demanding both up and down. Chose lines to reward the bike’s prowess, a Revel Rail 650b wheel size. Suspension is 170 on Fox 36 fitted with Diaz’s RUNT, and 165 on rear. Industry Nine Hydra hub and carbon rims. I don’t ride hard hits as either I chose another line, or make bike and me weigh less to float over. The entirety of the bike is substantive. The suspension just hooks up when power is put to the pedals, the suspension works to keep pedaling constant. I am continually improving and gaining confidence.
Last night Leia fixed a baked dinner. She wanted to host a traditional evening meal and to make it using the oven as I can’t make oven foods. Spent the night in their driveway, my city anchorage.
Wet forecast has become reality. At times in the night I heard spits of rain. Rain settled in off and on since 9AM. During the night the heater failed to light causing me to twist the control knob in the correct sequence to reset ignition. Heater lit which turns on it’s green LED on control box, changes the pitch of the blowers, and blows out heated air. The panel is at the back end of the van. Sitting in the turned around driver’s seat I look the length of the van for me to see the green LED. The heater shuts off when thermostat sends command. Silence. Temperature drops past setting which starts ignite sequence of initial blower sound lasting about 30 seconds. A faint ignition sound is produced which also turns on green light. Unfortunately 100% of the time it doesn’t ignite. Every time ignition is to occur I look hard at the control panel seeking the green light. The heater does keep me warm, not toasty.
So, hunkered down parked at the mall. Next to nothing solar charge. Here for the night then back up to Sedona for a PT session, then back down here to watch Zag’s game at PJs, then back to Sedona on Thurs for laundry and more hunkering down out of nasty conditions. Sunday’s forecast is for no precip. Trails will need to dry out before riding.
The 2 contractors I was in contact with me did not respond to my request for more discreet pricing. I must reconsider my house build.