Weather conditions here in Hurkin have been low 40s to 60s. And no recent precip. I wanted to ride trails S of Cedar City which sits at almost 6,000′ which about 3,000′ higher than Hurkin. I watched their forecast that called for temps in 50s towards the weekend. I figured that trails would be free of any snow. Enough for me to drive up there yesterday driving htrough La Verkin and Torquerville then on to I 15 N which right off the exchange had a 3rd  lane for slow rigs. Big climb on interstate. Followed google maps directions to trailhead and Pyramid Ridge campground on BLM land.

I am repeating a previous visit. First off the sign at campground read camping by reservation only, not the previous way of paper work. I can write a check faster than navigating the recreation web page. I see benefit of electronic reservations showing campground choices and reserving chosen site. This site displayed every campsite and its status. I sought a level site that I could point nose into morning sun. The site I wanted did not show but nobody showed up. Leveling blocks established level per air bubble.

Chilly 40s, not 50sasforecast. I picked up trail from back of van, not the TH. Intention was to ride Turnpike, a N / S traversing trail to its northern end to climb up Lichen It to descending high point along ridge to drop back down to short piece of Turnpike, same as previous ride. This time I rode over scattered patches of refrozen snow holding bike tracks. I did a traction check learning that tire might hold. I chose lines that maximized balance. I was worked. Tread was firm.

As I rode I started seeing more snow where I believed I would be riding. At the N end I saw a BLM sign to effect don’t ride trails from 12/1 to a spring date I didn’t note. Me riding a closed trail isn’t my way. Signed trails that is. More snow and sign solidified decision to return same way. I checked out TH and saw the standalone posted same sign. Maybe 10 other people walked or biked the trail. I paid for the site before learning the above. I paid for the site so I spent then night.

Morning temp outside was low 20s, inside low 50s. I checked the sink water temp which was in 40s. Heater is a heat exchanger that can only put so many BTUs into circulating inside air and runs all night. My doubled over summer weight down blanket has been loosing loft, esp at my feet. Sewn thru baffling is meant to keep down located. The body perspires to keep skin moist, that moisture moved into blanket dampening the down. I needed warm feet. Back in Hurkin I ran the blanket in laundromat dryer for 45 mins on low heat. Restored loft is lacking. Plan B was to buy replacement. Googled same maker, sale price, always spend $ to save $.

Back in Bend I hiked up Pistol butte. My left foot clicked, bone movements, that previously would return to proper alignment. This hike no return movement leaving me with chronic pain in that foot. In Moab I sought PT as trying soft tissue correction first. One visit gave me several stretches that I performed as prescribed. Some reduction but still pain with every step. Another PT session here in Hurkin working soft tissue. Therapist worked the foot creating several pops indicating joint movement. Much better. I called a local chiro where I am an established patient, he works on feet. I’m down for a Mon morn foot adjustment hoping for eliminating the pain. I choose not even to hike, just walk as required.

So, I’m anchored here until all shipped items are picked up then until trail conditions deteriorate. 75 degrees, sunny, no wind. Temp at van ceiling is 86 with door open. It’s 3:19PM, sundown is 5:17. Soon solar warmth diminishes and air turns chilly like right now. Going to shut slider door to capture warmth.

Thurs I rode a rocky part of Rim trail. I relish the suspension with my pedaling hooking up the rear wheel for traction and forward motion. And properly placed pedal strokes.

Bikes data:

Bike                                             first ride date             last ride date            # of rides            Mileage

Turner 5Spot                               3/2014                              4/16                          192                   2366

Turner RFX                                 3/16                                5/21                            1151                 16,113

Revel Rail                                     6/21                                not yet                       491                    6339

That’s per Garmin data reporting.

Use it until it no longer works then seek repair. Today was my long anticipated and dreaded ortho appointment here in ST George. At the office X-Rays were taken of different poses that the examining  professional read and interpreted to me. I have useful range of motion and a gap exits between the ball and socket of my shoulder which indicates presence of cartilage. Told that as long as it works, don’t mess. He said damage has been done and I am not hurting the joint all things considered. He gave me handout for shoulder health as in strengthening and stretching that I will get after. This result contrasted  with Bend DR who just checked arm strength and not the X-ray views the ST George clinic did. I am choosing this result that does not require a 6 month recovery period and I a able to live with present condition. Lighter spirits now.

So, after last post I rode 3 straight days. Today finishes a rest day. Friday and Sat I rode the Hurricane Cliffs area and Sunday rode long Prospector and Church Rocks loop. Saturday was 20.3 miles. The Hurricane Cliffs trails present length and difficulty choices, I kept lengthening this ride when choice presented itself. Pedaled for 2 hrs 45 mins with no body pains. Sunday, another excellent weather condition day I was back on same trails linked differently or additional ones,

Sunday I rode Prospector from N end from Leeds out then a loop around Church Rocks and returned same way.  Prospector is a popular trail for horses as seen by 2 developed horse trailheads. The  N part becomes gooey once wet, and from the intersection with the side trail from the second TH the tread is sand mixed in with rock and is a good to ride when the cliffs are wet. I wanted a pedal day by riding from N end. 15.5 miles pedaling for 2 hrs 9 mins. Again body cooperated.

I rode here today because I wanted to versus it being the only choice.

Chilly nights that heat loss from the van is greater than the heat out put of now performing heater. Like low 50s at sliding out of bed time. I have been parking the nose of the van to catch morning solar gain. I have been shaded by geographical features that delay the desired warmth. I bundle up in the morning, even wearing sheepskin booties until the sun warmth heats me up then I remove layers. Life in my van.

More aches and damaged body parts to deal with. Using the time here for their attention.

Planning on driving up to Cedar City tomorrow for 2 days of riding returning for Thurs PT treatment on my left foot that sends pain signal each time weight is placed on it. Body damage.

So I can’t lick them I will belittle the rider. Mbikes are motorized, riders on them are lazy by letting machine do the hard work. I call them LM for Lazy Motor. I have been seeing these riders not being the sales pitch of older or with disabilities riders. I watched 4 riders “pedal” up Dead Ringer creating a dust plume. I am waiting for deluge of motorized gravel bikes. People will spend money to reduce or eliminate effort to recreate.

On that note the to be warmed bed is calling.

Overuse rest day. Since Nov 26, Sunday I had ridden 7 days, out of 12 days. Weather here is just stellar for being outside: sunshine, temps in 50s to low 70s. And no precip forecast. No sense of urgency to get it while it’s good.

On Monday I accepted the challenge of driving out to Gooseberry on dirt road that could be big washboard bumpy which was first challenge. Riding Gander trail was secondary. The road had been recently graded to that the van’s suspension and its contents were appreciative. Miles of dead straight sight line passing over short sections of road that grading did not dig out the bumps. Turned on to Gooseberry road that was in better smoother condition. Turned off onto social road first right after crossing cattle guard. I remembered this spot from last time here, maybe back in 2017. Memory revcall was from there up would be nasty crawling. Tomorrow I would pedal up the road for Gander loop.

Tues AM I lingered inside heated van toill solar gain turned off the heater. Trailforks elevation profile showed riding trail from top back to van elevation drop. Over the years I had ridden the trail up and down and also climbing the road to descend. Wonderful road recently graded and nasty rock slabs removed, condition was acceptable to drive van up. Soft dirt climb to Windmill trailhead then out to edge of Gooseberry mesa to upper end of Gander which would for most art hug the edge of the mesa rim. All alone, not even a rig in either of 2 trailhead parking. Gander is a suitable name as it is a male goose and trail is on Gooseberry mesa.

On a previous ride I hooked a handlebar on a tree on the mesa edge that changed my direction of travel to the edge. Hair raising close. Today I noticed many protruding limbs had been sawed off. Blue ability tech features with several being better left unattempted.

12.3 miles climbing 797′ pedaling for 1 hr 57 mins. I would like to ride trail again but road roughness dissuades me.

Spent a second night with hope of riding Wire Mesa the next day should my aching shoulders not be barking at wake up. My left shoulder is now hurting from overuse. The right just always aches. I talked myself into riding Wire as it is just a 7 mile blue loop and is nearby. Again trail runs close to mesa edge when land permits. No pics taken. 7.29 miles all mesa single track climbing 515′ pedaling for 1 hr 6 mins.

My left shoulder needs attention. Being an established patient made seeking attention easier. Medicare requires a physician referral for PT. The Urgent Care providers could write the referral and the PT clinic is part of the group and in same building. I called PT and scored an appointment for this afternoon. The nurse practioner poked her finger on my sore spot then wrote the referral.

I use Trailforks for trail info. On trail description there might be  m-bikes permitted. I read Wire trail info and saw motorized bikes were allowed. I called local BLM office and spoke with staff member who is also a self propelled mountain biker. At present the local office does not allow motorized travel on non motorized trails but they are not enforcing the ban. I encounter many m-bikes on Hurricane Cliffs trails and also Santa Clara trails but there are no signs permitting power assist bikes. I learned that BLM signs the trail to what is permitted, the FS goes the other way only designating not permitted user. I told BLM guy that BLM needs to develop a sticker showing m-bikes are permitted and until that happens those bikes are not permitted. I just don’t understand how much money a rider will pay to recreate without effort. (yes, pedal assist bikes require muscle effort).

On Sunday I rode Hurricane cliffs trails starting and ending at Sheep Bridge road and highway. Excellent weather and nary another rider.

at 2:30PM temp is 71 degrees warm. Today is a warm rest day.