Wrench at repair shop reported all is good: brakes and bearings ok, concern was bearings as noise sounded like a bearing disintegrating. Perhaps a rock lodged in brake caliper for short stay which created the noise. I backed up after noise started, perhaps dislodging and abating noise but I was so cautious about bearings. Peace of mind. I do the same concern regarding my body that insurance pays for, van health is out of my pocket.

So I drove to Moab arriving with enough time to do laundry, fill water, and grocery shop before dark. Drove up to past Horsethief on sand road with exposed slabs of slick rock which challenged my new suspension parts. A loud clunk sound startled me: unhappy suspension? I stressed over possible van fix it problem. Next morn, Fri, I cautiously descended pavement to Moab stopping at google search alignment shop to seek assessment. Next week is earliest. Hmm. I called Bend shop that installed them and explained my situation. Landon told me shocks need breaking in which is what the that road was doing. OK. Drove back up past Horsethief with no clunks selecting an anchor spot down the first left turn. Season change now with just 1 rig parked different than this past spring. Either you are accustomed to living in cold or have a heating system you are somewhere at home.

Made it in time for round trip on Rodeo from anchor. Sunny, hit 44 degrees. Rodeo is directional. It’s a greener yet offers less stressful tech problems. Pedal trail. Lots of small turns, short sight lines, something to roll tires over, sun in my eyes blocking perception.

Check the shadow.

Heater ran flawlessly all night and after wake up before solar gain exceeded thermostat setting.

Today, Sat’s ride was to ride from anchor to ride down and up Chisholm trail down to Navajo Rocks trail. I like Chisholm for riding each way. I encountered less than 10 riders entire ride. However, riders were plentiful on Navajo. I was stopped on Chisholm reading internet because no reception where I was anchored. Local rider Reid rolled up. I have anchor privileges on his side yard. I am there now.

A 0 mileage day for van. Just pleasant out here. People living in houses escape to be here and I just live out here where they want to be.

Today needs to be a town run for water. I drove out to park in empty group site campground to access a piece of Chisholm that I have fun on. I rode Chisholm crossing the highway and a trailhead continuing to its end at Mustang, turned left descending down to low point at 7Up then climbing mostly back to Chisholm and back. Nice 55 degree day.

I ran into Reid again. Yesterday he was on a big group ride, today he was riding down to retrieve his truck that was staged for the ride.

Trails here are slab rocky which keeps the suspension working and my body fluid soaking up terrain vagarities. More than just pedaling, greater rewards for remaining upright. Continue to learn that I can pedal while the suspension contends with what’s under the wheels allowing controlled pedaling making moves. Better bike than RFX.

Hematoma is almost all absorbed however my knee still feels restrained, no pain while riding albeit a mild bark sitting.

I carry a small headlamp in my hydration pack. I pulled it out to day to install fresh batteries. **** it was broken but still shone. I replaced it with handheld flashlight. I checked the tire pump as precaution.

Today driving into town I heard a new engine noise that was short lived, revolution based. Later I lifted the hood to see what I could see. I saw large pieces of sound insulation chewed away. Didn’t check belt.  On the 9th the van celebrated 17 years and 300,000 miles.

I worry a lot about my van.

 

As in season, not lack of balance.

Wheels were balanced, all needed correction with just 1 needing more correction. Peter of OTE met me at Discount for visit, we sat outside waiting for balance completion. He led me over to a nearby park concession for ice cream and sitting inside. Afterwards as our conversation was running out of urgency of connecting I returned to Fruita for dinner at Hot Tomato. Dinner was Sedona salad I always order and eat. Sat at bar. Anchor spot was back at same spot N of Loma.

Wed’s activity was to drive straight S on Loma road out to Kokopeli TH to ride some of Marys etc. Van’s ride is less bumpy after wheels balanced. However, as I was turning on to road back to TH a sound clattered that sounded like a wheel bearing gernading. WTF? What to do? Short answer was to call shop in Junction that worked on van this spring. Come on down Thurs morn. I feared driving to Junction. I was already where I wanted to ride so  went for a ride.

I rode Mary’s out to junction with Wrangler’s for return Pic above is from up on Wranglers. I passed the spot on Mary’s where I flatted several visits prior, I walked my bike 4 miles back to van.

Chilly comfortable fall ride.12.1 miles climbing 1175′ pedaling for 1 hr 40 mins. Average bpm was 120 hump.

Back at van figuring out rest of day and getting my van to Junction. Plaan A was to attempt to drive to Loma is wheel cooperated. I made the pavement then listened for sound which I thought I heard. Shit, I might not make short drive. I paused. I could have van towed. I took another go at drive with stomach pumping stress juices. Made Loma, no noise. Plan B was to continue to Fruita for evening and sleep in town. Made Fruita on 2 lane stae highway instead of interstate. Visited at OTE waitinf ro darkness for visible stealth sleeping at town spot. I walked over to Tomato for socializing and a glass of wine. I sat at the bar. A guy sat an empty seat from me. I was talking mountain biking with new owner of Tomato. Neighbor guy joined conversation. I was visiting with IMBA trail building legend Joey Klein, I knew his name. Lengthly visit.

The shop just took my van in for exam, sitting outside on a curb writing this.

I checked tire pressure which was not what I told Discount they should be nor was it per their shop order. Wrong. Get what I paid for in lifetime free balance and rotation.

Van is 17 years old today. Mileage today will hit 300,000 miles should I drive to Moab later.

Two nights ago at Indian Springs TH several showers fell propelled by increasing wind velocity. Drove away heading to Price just as headlights weren’t burned. County rds with dirt work farming on both sides of the road. Wheeled equipment preceded me leaving rolled on dirt that made sounds as it struck my sheet metal, road surface was sort of slippery. Length of patch was determined by last mud cast off. At a stop spot I viewed the splatters that would need car wash to remove it. Material was dirt and not feed lot manure. Hit I84 heading east across Idaho interstate driving 70mph in 80mph zones. Windy the van jiggled and I jaggled keeping between the white lines. Highway turned south into north UT then became I15 heading south. Made it thru the greater Salt Lake sprawl easily, little traffic. At southern end a break in the mountains became Hwy 6 to climb Soldier Pass then drop into Price, UT. Well, actual distance was greater than my recall. Again little traffic. Dropped into Price, mid Sunday afternoon.

Above Price is a trail system, original trail is named Luke’s because his owner walked him here and while Luke walked hither and tither he hung marking flags. The trail was bikified becoming part of later hand built trails. I learned this from the owner of Luke when he worked at only bike shop in town. Luke and I exchanged acquaintances. System is on a mesa with finger ridges with drop offs. A length of trail ran a finger hugging the drop off edge. Twisty w/ short sight lines keeps the speed down and attention focused.

Small short height rocks were norm, lots of small suspension action. I stayed at a developed TH with a CXT outhouse. These trails stimulate reflexes keeping attention focused. Location breaks up a drive.

So, concluded short story is I believe one or more of my wheels need to be balanced at Discount for lifetime paid. From Price the last store before Cottonwood, AZ is in Grand Junction, CO, east of Fruita. The vibrations irritate me. Fruita is a jog to the east on I70 which is where I am postponing Moab several days. I also wanted to visit folks at OTE bike shop. I visited with Rebecca and Dave whom I have known for many years, more so now they live here instead of Green Bay and meet somewhere on the road. History with people is important.  I planned on riding out at Mary’s today but my shoulder started louder braking such that pain told me to not beat my body. So last night I went on line and made an appointment earliest was tomorrow at 1:15 in Junction.

Daylight savings time ended during Sat-Sun night. Time zone smacked. Thurs I left OR on Pacific daylight, way east in Or I lost an hour entering Mountain time for Fri and Sat. Sunday night clocks fell back, I lost only 1 hour instead of 2. Mountain Standard.

Temperature is rising as I move south. Moved the cold temp riding clothes to the laundry bag, back wearing shorts and short sleeve jersey.

In Fruita I car washed the van and tree sprayer washed the bike.