Continuing fall falling here at Fruita. Temperatures are now fall like, like just 70 under sunshine and in 40s in the dark.
Last night I was punished for not paying attention to propane quantity as I woke up about 1 AM to quiet and flashing red led from the heater saying I am empty. The fridge showed a bright green “F” saying I’m getting warm. I pulled over the down comforter then thought about recovery plan. Prolly closest fill station was outside Junction about 20 miles away. I figured that if I could remain “comfortable” I could wait till morning and refill in Fruita. I hoped the cold inside would keep the fridge cold. The Fruita store opened at 7 I learned when I crawled out from under covers to read my phone. I put off the cold by staying in bed until just before 7. I started the engine and turned the van heater on high and drove the van slowly to lessen the chilling effect of could air not letting engine warm quickly. Arrived at Fruita CO OP just after 7, the sign at the refill station read propane fill hours starting at 8, I was an hour early. What to do? Perhaps breakfast in town inside? I chose an open restaurant for warmth, coffee, and rolled oats and passing time till 8. I drove back to COOP at 8 for 5.6 gallons of warmth.
Inside OTE numerous mountain bikes are hung up high, historical evidence of the engineering developments. There might be a time line for the display as bikes go from fully rigid, long stem, narrow handlebar, and rim brakes, to more modern full suspension and disk brakes. Below pic is informative in that it is an early full suspension but before advent of disc brakes. Museums just show facts.
While here I have been riding the Kokopeli trails that are challenging for me technically that I can accept and require muscle power that is age effected. My sleep spot is N of Loma on a gravel road. Yesterday I sought a less strenuous ride on gravel roads. I was not gungho to pedal my 6″ travel bike on gravel roads. I studied TF to pick a ride. I chose a route that took me north to the toe of the Book Cliffs to a trail for return. Nice day. I pedaled and pedaled w/ nary a front wheel loft. Roads were of gravel of varying degrees of stutter bumps and depth of loose gravel. Pedaling on road makes for constant pedaling which was good for me, I learned to keep spinning. I stuck it out to catch the single track going back. Many of the trails out in this area are open to dirt bikes as was the trail I took. Dirt bikes create whoops that play heck with pedaling and the trail is not mtn biking challenging. I only rode this 1 trail before returning to the gravel. I worked at keeping my heart rate down averaging just 106 beats per minute, highest was just 125 for 17.5 miles pedaling for 1 hr 46 mins, climbed just 735′. Gravel biking does not appeal to me.
Darn mice enter the van thru the open side door which is open when wanted for view and comfort. I keep a trap set baited with almond butter in the galley cabinet where my food stores are. Seem a mouse needs 3 cracks at eating the bait before its last meal. Last night a new visitor made its presence known from scratching sounds. I checked the trap this morning to see almond butter was missing but the trap was still set. That was day number 1, 2 more to go before harvest.
Thursday was laundry day and quest for Junction laundromat. I misread Google info as the format has changed. I picked a new one which turned out to be further into town than before. There is a difference between on line reviews and what is on the ground. I was there so I fed their machines for clean and dried clothes. Number of liners line drying at back of van tell tale of number of rides between washings: just 2 last week.
Returned to Fruita. Again, the Kokopeli trails are like the mama bear of trail challenges. Papa bear puts its paw on the scale in places. Mack Ridge descent needed to be ridden this visit. To get it I rode Lyons up and around to its end at Mack ridge road climb sim to route of Troy Built. Mack Ridge descent goes down, not a mountain bike optimized trail. Lots of rock features to let bike suck up with 2 that I don’t trust myself to make. Proper body position keeping heavy feet and light hands allows bike’s suspension to roll over. Plus confidence all will end well. Down low there is a protruding rock in a tight spot that still catches my pedal. I ride in fear of pedal strikes as consequence can result is my leaving the bike and possible body damage after contacting mother Earth.
Chunky in places, hike a bike over and between rocks and boulders. As you see, no tree cover, full on exposure to sun.
My Formula Cura 4 pot rear brake was not locking the wheel up as I expected even after new pads and brake bleed. Perhaps the rotor was worn thin as this was last variable I could affect. Formula rotor thickness is 1.8 to 2.3mm, present rotor was under 1.7, hmm. Measured SRAM rotor in the shop: 2.0mm. I bought one and installed and realized remarkable performance improvement as now able to lock wheel while still having modulation. Much happier. I want a brake that will lock up the wheel right when I need it to affect a move. I don’t skid the wheel I pivot from locked wheel. Running a 2 pot Cura on front that has not needed bleeding from new back in ’17. Mineral oil.
Washington State is mail in ballot. Yesterday my mail forwarding service sent my ballot to Fruita PO per request. I opened it and checked the boxes of what I wanted then returned to outmail at PO. I did what I am able to do now it’s waiting to see if enough other voters agreed. How can so many people get sucked in to following a cult leader against their own better interests?