I grew up in Ohio, graduated college in Ohio, not OSU Buckeyes. I do favor the Bucks and play with the rivalry between Ohio and the state up north. The Bucks were rated #2 Nationally against underdog UM and playing at the Horseshoe. And they got beat, again. I allowed an event I had no control over affect my mental state. I was really down when the Zags lost. I enjoyed my first Hurkin ride today, I, the physical plant, and bike played the gentle bermed turns on hero dirt. I rode during the second half of the game, I stopped maybe 3 times to view the internet. Last was the final score. Oh, well, back to pedaling.
Thursday I drove down to Moab to do laundry before Waba Sabi meal and volunteer. In the teens overnight freezing the puddles. Lower 50s inside. Clean clothes stowed away. Drove to meal site, parked, and consumed time before feeding. I felt a jolt and a bang sound coming from my van: someone hit me. I jumped out sped to back of van. A full size pickup with a topper was culprit. I banged on topper yelling to attract driver’s attention. Door opened, it was a volunteer we knew of each other. My guess is he hit a pedal which jolted the rear wheel loose breaking the Volle strap then bouncing rear wheel off wheel track, a pedal prolly caught on the box preventing the bike falling more. Guy was watching his backup video which said plenty of room. I removed bike and put front wheel in and pedaled away feeling for anything not working. Seemed OK, Man said he will make good if damaged. Parted on level keel. Today I tested the bike on a ride learning all parts worked as should with no creaks.
Yesterday I drove away from Moab. My route is to take me on highways not driven. Up to I 70 W to State highway 24 to 12 . Twisty windy, steep ups and downs repeated many times. Up high in 9,000′, snow spotted blanketing. Memorable image was a short red sand dune with wind carved ripples with a low patch of fresh white snow. Escalante. Spectacular views and heads up driving. One section was on a knife’s edge, exposure. I experience vibration coming from front wheels that I believe is out of balance wheel, other wise the van ran as it should. Route was to take me thru Zion NP using my pass for no fee, this would be shorter than going around. I committed a navigational blunder turning too early for the park, I sensed I could be wrong so I stopped at maybe Duck something. I walked into an establishment and asked a woman if road thru park is opened. She looked at me puzzled and asked which park. Then I knew I blundered. I could have saved it by continuing to Cedar City then down to Hurkin. Turned around retraced route back to 89 then south to rd to East entrance to Zion. Lots of people and traffic in the park. Then Springdale was a zoo. Next unknown debacle was driving Sheep Bridge rd, Previously the road had been kept decently graded. I soon experienced miles of washboard. Won’t drive that road again.
25 degrees at dark wake up, 53 inside this morning Sunlight cleared shading mesa warming my front seat. I watched the thermometer while listening to the first half of the Bucks game. Temp rose to 50s at half time, time to go for a ride.
I rode from sleep spot catching Goulds over to TH at start of JEM. Most number of rigs I had ever seen. Many M-bikes. Dirt was firm. Shared my ride with less than 15.
Finished ride. I needed to tear down the bottom bracket area as I believe it is sending noise signals. Warm in sunshine to work on the outdoor bike stand. I discovered a loose bolt holding the chain ring on to the spindle. I cleaned parts up then reassembled then pedaled a short distance without the skritch sound. May I have been successful.
Drove into town for resupply. Stopped at OTE which was hopping, stayed out of the way. Shock had not arrived. Back out to corral spot. 31 degrees at 9:15 at 3930′.
No pics taken.
Bed time.