Warm evening again. Didn’t sleep well looking forward to AM shop ride from mtn bike heaven as today the ride is not to be as knarrly as Sunday’s was.

Darma, Dean & Jackie & dog, Seva, and dangerous dave arrived later. Too hot for dog group, Seva dropped out later. I just hang on. Others are on big hit bikes that they bereak stuff on and I an on my frail XC bike. Need a big bike for riding here. Not as hot today, a bit overcast. Most of trails were on map. One not on map we rode right down a rock strewn draw. This riding here is all about loose sharp edged moving rock. No big 400′ climbs just a lot of technical moves. dangerous dave is just that but handles his bike w/ ease. We crossed Oak Creek on foot over a loose series of sticks inches from flowing mid thigh deep h2o. Warm enough for a planned dip, not a fall. Posted ride data in Google earth that is an interesting view, open rides starting with “Sedona…”

Slime tubes have special needs in that if it goes flat because of too many holes, you might have to replace the tube and abrade out all the thorns that are sticking thru the inside of tire. The slime oozes out sealing the hole, if it goes flat the ooze looses its grip in hole edges and lets air escape when pumped back up if too many holes. Sometimes the thorns work thru the casing long after riding in thorns and if I replaced the slime tubes for the lighter regular tubes I would be patching a tube. Might be fated to riding the heavier tubes until I leave thornland and buy new tires. My spare tube is also a slime

Drove back out to Gaydar spot where I have left my chair & carpet to say somebody is staying here spot. Pretty windy. Pitched shower enclosure that the wind just beat around. I showered with the plastic enclosure wrapped around me. Used just under 3 gallons of h2o. Plenty of real hot h2o from Coleman.

Found Sprinter dealer in Scottsdale for oil change & service. Called & made an appointment for tomorrow. decided to do work here about 900 miles before it is needed to spare myself the coast of CA crowd for a Sprinter dealer.

Dean, whom i rode with on Sunday & tried to today but too dog hot used to own bike shop outside Zion NP. On Sunday’s ride I told of a guy up on Gooseberry that used his wheels to knock rocks off the trail. He said that was him so I met him back in ’98 but my memory failed.

Parked on windward edge of bluff and the wind is hitting my van amidships and I am rocking.

Looking forward to a good sleep tonight because temp is lower. I am tired

These pics were taken from walking / driving around town:

These were on ride:

Example of more heavily ridden on trails:

Warm night again with winds early during evening bouncing van around. Woke up early because it was hot.

Drove back to Bike & Bean for ride idea. Rode from shop to Chicken Point, technical red rock riding. This time the trails are established and I navigated myself. No thorn or cactus spine issues. Overcast.

From camp this Am I decided to check out more spur roads off the main road to get away from the pick up area. On the way out I passed a desirable woman @ the cul d sac. I waved and she friendly waved back. I drove down the road to check out first turn out. I did not like it as the road was rougher and I had to drive further on it to get away from hard road. I drove back and the woman was still there doing some yoga. I stopped and asked her what she knew about this place but did not know about the pick up. We engaged in a Craig conversation for long time until she said she had to leave for work. Nice.

At the finish of my ride I saw a guy in the parking lot behind my van. I watched for a moment and watched him read the stickies. I rode up and next thing I know I am in another Craig conversation with different subject matter. 2 in a day and I am exhausted.

Checked out tourist info stand for shower possibilities and he struck out. I checked a health club out but it was key entry w/ no human to appeal to.

Groceries and back to camp. I and other drivers can see my camp on bluff above road. Set up Coleman hot water on demand water heater and shower stall for first outdoor shower this year. Things still work, it takes about 20 minutes to start complete the shower. 3 gallons.

Sister Lise called and we visited for 1 1/2 hours.

More cars out here tonight but none have visited.

Tomorrow is a shop ride to experience more local trails.