Where we should not have been. Dead dry and very warm for this time of year after P-Phil forecast 6 more weeks of winter.  But that is there, not here. Maybe there is a scorpion that predicts upcoming weather.

Doug and I rode out Western gateway trails yesterday, note the blinding white of his flesh.

I’m still wearing a light weight long sleeve wool top but have shortened leg coverage to shorts. 70 degrees yesterday.

Doug’s left arm is not happy which limits his riding time and roughness of trail which as I follow along benefits my body’s performance. While we stop more frequently and for longer minutes our time out is growing longer as our mileage shrinks. Yesterday’s ride was 7.61 miles climbing 732′ pedaling for 1 hr 10 mins. This is Sedona chunky riding. Ride finished with 20 min nonstop climb on Axis out of Dry Creek. At start of the climb 3 male m-bike riders, maybe in their 40s, regrouped to recover their lungs after a downhill.

Thurs is laundry day before lunch. Yesterday Doug scheduled his ride to during washer time. I was parked at laundromat when I read his text, decision: do wash now and miss ride or ride and do wash later? Folks at the laundromat have learned that they can mark their calendar to the day of the week with me being there in the morning. I chose the later choice. I walked into the laundromat and informed them that the date was correct but not to count on the time. I returned after my ride and let the machine make clean and dry clothes.

Last night the Zags played, TV coverage was espn+ that PJ’s did not subscribe to. Previously I had introduced myself to the new owner and asked for that channel. I checked in b4 game and learned they bought access. I returned at game time and watched the game. Zags won.

Monday I followed Doug again for a ride. This ride broke the 1,000′ climb per ride threshold at 1125′ covering 10.8 miles pedaling for 1 hr 36 mins. Beat down, recovery was calculated at 36 hrs. Average beats per min was 123.

I continue to sing praise for a better suspension tuned bike performance. I also seem to be doing more steering for chosen lines. Sometimes an obstacle is preferred over picking. Suspension works better when power on pedals over feature.

Joey at Absolute Bikes shared bike info unknown to me which will correct future actions. He said that SRAM chains are made with their lube and should be left on, any degreasing should be done with just water and Dawn. SRAM said that chemical degreasers removed a protective plating which dastardly harmed the chain. Also, don’t apply lubricants to fork and dropper post seals as the liquid seeps past the seals entrapping grit. Both lessons alter old ways of taking care of parts.

Friday at 4:55 PM outside temp was 60 degrees at 3,848′ elevation. Out at Beaverhead spot. It was 25 at 7 AM.

Previous Sunday’s weather was bodacious wonderful. Doug and I rode starting at 2 PM out off Dry Creek. So nice to be outside and riding provided the medium for our enjoyment. We rode Aerie for the first this year, it’s a system trail Sedona rugged. Bike suspension is so nice, more later. 10.1 miles climbing 774′ pedaling for 1 hr 32 mins.

Previous to this ride I sought suspension advice from Absolute in VOC. Slow day, Gunnar set me up starting with proper sag on the shock. He used a caliper and calculator to arrive at 30% sag. I left the shock tuning valves alone. The Fox 36 fork is set to open and the proper rebound setting. The other fork leg is the RUNT which is set at 120 and 60 psi, no sag adjustment. During the above ride I enjoyed the bike handling. I believe the sag was set too high which didn’t play well. The bike rides so sweetly. The suspension eats up the less than smooth tread. It climbs so ably that my engine can not take full advantage of what it is capable of climbing. frame design and coil shock.

Soft winter weather arrived Mon morn for my drive up to Flag for DR appointment. Forecast called for snow in afternoon. I drove up the canyon to Flag in the morning then waited for my appointment. I preferred to drive on bare pavement. Before my 3:30 appointment snow started falling off and on but not sticking. I returned to VOC on I-17 driving thru several snow showers that worked the windshield wipers. Flag is at 7,000′, VOC is at 4,000′. Many miles of little elevation drop highway had snow on the road, wheel tracks thru. Drove out of the snow before the elevation drop to exit. Weather turned cold and dreary and windy until today.

Today I drove out Verde Valley School rd to ride in Turkey Creek area. First ride here this year having missed last year. Plan today was to map my ride and to wander. All by myself. I mostly rode previously ridden trails. I rode up to what I call the ocotillo forest named so because of several of them.

So nice being outside in favorable weather. 8.68 miles climbing 827′ pealing for 1 hr 24 mins. Rides are becoming shorter distance and time. Riding is now about being physically active for between 1 and 2 hours. Making the body work. Average beats per minute was 118 just below going anaerobic. Riding a mountain bike is a mix of pedaling and coasting, the bike computer gathers the data and reports effort. Of that time I spent 53 mins at beats between 110 and 126. I work at it.

I’m learning to steer the bike, pick a line and let the bike deal with it. Of course within my risk threshold. Bike is an enjoyable and enabler ride.

Still here around Sedona doing same ol. Dead dry desert, periods of strong breeze which lifts loose dirt into the air. Otherwise the loose is ridden over. Some places the sand is almost bottomless loose, others not so deep.  Temps at night have dropped into low 20s, days might hit 60 under clear skies. I can be where I want to be when I want to be.  I’ve endured some of the nasties others are living in now.

Out off Beaverhead where the internet speed is slow.  I made this time, sandwiched between packing (5) 1 gallon containers of water into the sink water tank from sink faucet at gas station in VOC and groceries at Whole Foods in Sedona then driving back to Beaverhead. Clean clothes and sheets every Thurs. Today was windy and upper 40s chilly and I hiked instead of biking.

Friend Doug is dealing with a nerve problem in his arm which causes so much pain when riding. We have not ridden as much together this year as a result. My shoulders have their issues also so that our rides are chosen for lesser jarring. I am enjoying not being beaten up on trails that he would have lead me on. My hike today was down Scorpion then back up Herkinham that I have ridden previously. Somehow walking a trail that I had ridden appears difficult to point of why would I ride this? Scorpion is lots of basalt chunks and the climb up is sandstone with hike a bikes. We and I have been favoring the Dry Creek area trails that are less slick rock but more loose rock.

Monday was anther vein treatment up at Flag. Drove interstate up and back down being buffeted by strong winds. This treat consisted of 4 white knuckle injections of foam into discrepant veins. wearing compression socks on each lower leg.

Internet speed too slow to post pics.

The Bucks won the football championship. Hooray.

Same ‘ol finding activities to consume time from 6ish AM wake up and 10ish PM bedtime.  I read a bit in the evening. Just kind of letting time pass by.

Kitchen duty calls.