Recently I came across info about new trails developed above ST George, up the road to access Ice House trail going downhill. Yesterday was my first business day in Hurkin area. First up was battery store to buy replacement batteries for the camper that were installed back in ’18. $600 on the barrelhead for new same batteries. I will be evaluating performance. Then several other stops. I was already near this new trail system and enough daylight remained to drive up there and ride some miles.
Access is from town, short piece of pavement then 5 miles of gravel. Today I enjoyed freshly graded dirt road and passed the grader. Big climb, road was not badly stutter bumped. I made the TH which is short of the start of Ice House downhill trail. I pedaled this climb 2X previously, this time I enjoyed just turning a wheel and pressing a pedal. Speed was just a bit faster than pedal speed. Made the tiny parking spot then drove several more feet to find an acceptable sleep spot. The spot was littered with brass ammo casings.
Geared up then pedaled away. Trails I rode were mostly all machine built and well laid out. Tread is over basalt babyheads, trail construction eliminated most, leaving the rest as rock gardens. Sharp edge hits. Late afternoon sun angle shifted visibility of chunks. Worse feet were when the sun shone directly in my eyes, visibility was impaired. I encountered only 1 rider, a local, who shared info. Trails were completed this spring but no rain fell to settle the new dust. Today the tread was dust free. Trails are in Trailforks for navigation. 10.5 miles climbing 883. System is on tilted earth. Spent the night.
Sunday I rode more of the Hurkin Cliffs system, today far fewer rigs and riders compared to Sat. Today my plan was descending Chinatown wash to connect to Rim system. I had ridden all these trails over the years, today I looked to evaluate my performance on features. Much improved I attribute to lowering saddle. Trails here are a mx of firm rolled down dirt pock marked from cows. Dirt was firm. Played at carving turns on JEM. I climbed out on Dead Ringer then finished on Gould’s back to corral. 16.2 miles climbing 1053, pedaling for 2 hrs 4 mins, average beats per min was 116.
Sun I drove back down to town then out to Quail creek camp spot. However, road construction closed spots. A guy was heading out from spot who told me about closure. He said he would try Red Cliffs XG which was nearest camp spot. Registration is all on line. I picked a spot then drove out to the empty XG. My spot took creative block placement to level the van. Warm enough for the heater to exceed the heat loss which turned it off, so quiet without blower noise.
Today back to Hurkin. I sought body repair from local Chiro, repeat patient, to fix my right hip issues. Bought coffee beans at local roaster, River Rock Roasting, long time customer. Now outside OTE waiting for fork service to be completed. I have my new Cane Creek Kitsuma coil shock waiting to be installed to set sag then my learning which direction turning which knob will affect ride quality.
I think I heard the term “Downwork” or maybe I made it up as applied to riding a motorized bicycle. Downwork riding. Like your car having electric windows instead of hand cranked. Applies to whatever lessens human energy expenditure. Or maybe applies to whatever energy savings when recreating. Is lift skiing downwork from skinning up to earn your turns?