Yesterday afternoon I arrived in Wood River Valley from yon. I left Fruita on Tuesday driving to Price, UT arriving in time for a ride on Luke’s system, spent the night, Wed I drove thru Salt Lake City stopping for a ride then drove to Kimberly for Indian Springs ride night then ride the next day. Thurs I rode there then drove to Wood River Valley. Many miles covered and rides.

Fruita: the Kokopeli trails cover lots of territory and miles with very few others to share space with. On Sunday I rode Troy Built, an out there all by myself trail. Previous years I had ridden this route, however, in my angst of acceptance of my declining ability and confidence, I was apprehensive for my safe ride. I passed.

I rode down Hawkeye which has climbing also. Tough enjoyable trail I avoid climbing. Later I hiked part way up as recovery and causing my body’s reflexes to navigate irregular terrain and also to watch riders. One rider stopped on his climb to visit. He told me he wrote the guide to mountain biking in Pennsylvania years ago. We chatted about rides in the state. He also knows Herm who creates Purple Lizard PA trail maps whom I know. Cool connections.

Monday I hiked a bit out at McGinnis area. I saw the parking lot was plugged so I chose another spot to park and hike.

This spring has been very windy. Where I park N of Loma is exposed and is buffeted by cross winds as parked. Rock a baby.

Tuesday continued the wind velocity as I drove to Price, Cross and head winds kept both hands on the steering wheel for proper lane travel. In Price I visited the bike shop on its open day. Short visit. Bought replacement sticker: Crappy bikes make Baby Jesus Cry. Bumpy drive  climb up to TH. Windy and warm. Prolly last of cactus till return from north. I have been stopping to ride here on my way either N or S bound.

Wed up and at it early for drive thru SLC traffic, do a ride, then drive to Kimberly, ID for Indian Springs. 4 lanes of interstate highway keeping my wits about myself.

I researched a ride  on the way. I chose Wild Rose near N SLC. The TF elevation profile appeared doable. The drive climbed away from the interstate thru new residential neighborhoods. TH is at edge of  FS land, ride is on same.

The trails went thru oak thickets for tree cover. Such greenery.

My goal was to ride a piece of newly constructed trail up a ways as up and down ride. The trails access down low was old school steep and loose non sharp edged stones. I was not enjoying myself even on the new tread. TF showed a connector trail down to lower loop trail I wanted for return. That trail went straight down the steep fall line that was challenging to bulldog me and my bike down. Way too steep. I made it safely to the lower system for my ride finish. I reaffirmed my bad ride choice as trails on east side of interstate climb.

Back on interstate: 20mph constant velocity with 30+ gusts. Van speed was hindered. Head wind as road continued N then became cross wind as direction changed to west. Arrived at Indian Springs TH at dinner time. Winds were still too strong to open the roof fan cover. WINDY.

Thurs would be a busy day as I wanted to be in Ketchum at dinner time for a Wood River trails gathering. First was breakfast then waiting for temp to climb into 50s before starting. Today I climbed up Lower Sugarloaf instead of the creek trail which has heavy cow damage and traffic. Cows were everywhere.

Sage ground cover, full on sun exposure.

I spotted salsify weed as I climbed. The plant might not be labeled invasive but is obnoxious as nothing eats it, spreads many seeds for new growth, and competes with native plants. I would pedal a bit working up need for a blow and spot a plant then stop to pull up. I learned pulling them up before seeding eliminated next year’s population as I saw on Troy Built trail at Fruita where last year I pulled plants.

The trails here are old school hand built, some like rake and ride primitive. Up high I entered an area that was just filled with salsify, almost all had not grown to flowering stalk. I pulled and pulled but did not eradicate all of them.

Finished short ride then started drive to Wood River Valley. Still monster wind from west. At start it was cross wind until heading west on I84 which buffeted me, then became cross wind as I drove N. Today was laundry day, I chose laundromat in Hailey that I have used in past. Clean clothes then drove up valley to Ketchum. Traffic was light heading my way, however, huge traffic back up heading the other way. Evening return traffic, avoid that time. Made the trail social. I attempted socializing but I seemed to just be mingling by myself. I did see a woman who appeared to be like me: solitary. I struck up a conversation with her. Gathering reached its end before nightfall. Main drag thru Ketchum is under construction causing reroute thru town. I drove back down river sharing the highway with scarcely another driver. I drove out Croy canyon I checked out Democrat Gulch spot where I stayed years ago. Empty, spent the night. Years ago this are was severely burned and closed to public. Presently area is open and regrowth has returned to green. A small stream flows nearby that was populated by beavers which have not returned post burn. Surprised to receive strong internet signal which is why I am writing this now, Today is a non ride day, I might hike some of the trail going up valley.

Read a news article about prescribe burn smoke haze at Bend causing poor air quality. Darn, Bend is my next stop thinking next week.

Last Monday I returned to Horsethief area for remaining Moab days. Scored same spot. Only 1 other camper back there. Missing something about high use visitors. This spring has been uncrowded. In the afternoon I wandered around out there. Juniper tree cover just a bit taller than me. Mouse seems to have left the premises. Wind velocity was so strong and gusty to make balance moves unpredictable, walking on sand was tricky as when the sand deflected altering my foot balance point when wind blasted. Van side door was facing the wind such that when open for heat relief items inside were relocated if not anchored.

Tues was last ride. I rode from anchor picking up Rodeo out to its end at Chisholm which I rode down towards Navajo Rocks trails then back up. I like a trail that rides well each way which is Chisholm. Trails out here have lots of suspension enjoyment rocks. Sprinkles had fallen since last rider tracks, today I made my own fresh tracks down and part way back until approaching riders made their own tracks. 15.5 miles pedaling for 2 hr 17 mins climbing 1007′. 41 mins passed going out, return needed 49 mins. Reflection of climbing and spent effort. SO much till future visit.

Wed I drove to Fruita reentering CO. About 100 miles from Horsethief. I drove to Kokopeli TH for a ride out Mary’s then up Wranglers rejoining Mary’s towards the end. I have ridden these trails over the years many times. Tree cover is still same short junipers and desert dry. No spring flowers. 12 miles climbing 1112′ pedaling for 1 hr 43 mins, average bpm was 115. Then drive to Fuita.

Visited the original Over the Edge bike shop spending time with many of the staff. Night was spent N of Loma on rd S where I have been staying over the years. Windy, again van door opened into the wind. Temps during the day have been pleasant and cool for sleeping even needing minutes of heater warmth. Dinner was at Hot Tomato, Sedona salad.

Thurs was laundry day and shopping in Grand Junction. The single laundromat here in Fruita has owner upkeep lack of machine care that has been going on for years. I picked a laundromat in Junction which had its own problems. Clean clothes. Back to Fruita for socializing then drive back to BLM land for dinner and sleep.

Friday’s skies were cloud affected which kept down the heat. Today’s ride added Steve’s loop to previous ride. 15.5 miles climbing 1348′ pedaling for 2 hrs 16 mins. Again almost deserted trails.

section of Steve’s, 2 riders there

Back into town for propane and water.

Visit at OTE then back out to Loma.

My left leg condition is variable from days of no pain to at present occasional stabs of pain, enough for  OTC pain relieve. Still edema. Unsure if pain source is blood flow rerouting or the edema. For the edema I am taking an herbal dose ” snake oil” perhaps. I sought other natural relief from an herb dispensary in Moab. I started once a day elevating my legs to drain lymph.  Annoying pain.

Today is Sat of Memorial Day weekend. A rest day from biking. Windy and unsettled.

Sure enjoy my Revel Rail bike with the CBF suspension. Its climbing prowess puts a slight smile on my face even as I exert for the elevation gain. Seems that pedaling on the tech features loads the suspension to hug the ground, not kicked off like the DW RFX. Ride totals are 564 rides covering 7372 miles as of the 15th data crunch. Not yet 3 years old.

I bought the current issue of Freehub. I turned the pages looking at ads and articles. Almost every ad captured going downhill. Going downhill, letting gravity provide engine power, furthers the idea that mountain biking is about downhill. New trail construction favors downhill bike park like riding.

 

 

Days have passed since last posting, as another laundry day in town. Very weak internet signal at both places I stay: N Klondike and past Horsethief. I added additional 2 gals of drinking water and filled sink tank of 7 gals full, filled propane tank, and pantry during short visits to town. Then head out to the wilds.

Klondike is on BLM land. Several years ago the org blocked off all the dispersed spots to drive campers to paid sites and provided CXT outhouses and garbage dumpster. $20 per night, my senior pass cuts it in half. I paid for 3 nights. I pick campsite number 1 at the entrance as the other sites are further away. Trails here are mostly slick rock patches.

Trails offer choices of how hard I want to beat myself. On the far side above is system of easy flat trails for pedaling. This side is on upthrust slick rock slab. Sure enjoy full suspension which keeps wheel tracking and the body not beat. Still absorb the jolts.

I had stopped to take above pic. I noticed a cactus in bloom then studied insect activity. Flower has both male and female parts. No idea if insects do the pollination. The insects seem to have been air driopped into blossom as I saw no train leading from the ground to the blossom.

Full on sun exposure, Utah junipers are short, the sun is high, little shade. Temps are in upper 80s. I have shortened the length of my rides to less than 2 hours. Klondike allows choice of distance and effort. 3 rides here then drive 2 mile washboard gravel road to highway back to town for resupply.

I have stayed 2 visits of 3 days at spot past Horsethief XG at my preferred spot.

A mouse has taken up residence. First indication were the nibble marks on pieces of hard candy. I set out the spring smack traps, on e in food drawer and other under sink. I slather peanut butter on trigger. No snapping noise during the night. In the morning I see the mouse ate the bait without springing the trap. Perhaps too much peanut butter blocked the trigger. Bought 2 new traps today for use tonight. Traps are made by Woodstream in Lititz, PA next town over from Manheim where I lived for 6 years back in the 70s.

Last night I was awakened by a louder chewing sound from under neath the van, not caused by inside mouse. I slid out of bed then pounded on floor which stilled that noise… temporarily. The chewer did not take the unwelcome. I started the engine and reved it several times which the chewer perceived as an unwelcome signal. Quiet. I should crawl underneath van to see what it chewed on.

Weather was unsettled producing short lived high intensity t-storms. Rocked the van and muddied the windows. One storm dropped the temp from 86 to 72 degrees.

Aging for me is depressing as the older I become the less able I am to do what I used to be able to do. Difficult to put a positive spin on the decline. I ride shorter rides and when possible chose the lesser challenge. I believe I could still ride a distance albeit slower, I chose less discomfort. I still elevate my heart rate even at slower speed. My breathing is what limits me as I lack the final maybe 2 pedal strokes to get up something. I shared this concern with another rider who said he is experiencing similar angst, but he is just 62 years old.

Back in hot town today. Spend the night at Reid’s in town. Tomorrow pick up mail from PO and add to stores then drive out to Klondike for more rides. I plan on driving to Fruita on Wed. Thurs my med needs to be refilled at Walgreens in town.

Horsethief area pics.

With that,  bicycles that have an electric battery that provides energy to a motor is a motorized bicycle. Trails are designated motorized or non motorized. Calling a bike an E-bike dodges the fact that they are motorized and not permitted on non motorized trails. More fitting name is M-bike for motorized. My put is complying with regulation. If the trail is open to them, fine, I know that they are allowed. Until a trail is designated M-bike then they are not permitted. No ifs ands or buts.