That’s 3,000 rides since I started my odyssey back in 2008. Per my spread sheet the ride today was the three thousandth, covering 43,247 miles, ridden at least once in 49 states. Like 2 1/2 months short of 15 years living on the road in my home converted 2006 Dodge Sprinter.

Today was another prime spring day: sunshine, calm, dry trails, temp warmer than worn light weight wool jersey. Rode from mall parking, Bell Rock, Big Park, Single track by pass, Baby Bell, Llama,  and more. Stamina continues to diminish not able to complete climbs, age effected or unhappy heart muscle, I suspect the latter. Still unridden problem on Llama albeit dirt work at first rock to ramp up the rest. Needs stronger engine to power up it.

Lessons in better armoring on Llama. Dig in pitches among the pavers makes for a less slippery climb and gargoyles will not be needed.

There are many examples of well built armoring on Breezy: tread on the rocks and no gargoyles.

Not many people, hikers and bikers, out and it was a beautiful day.

Rode out Templeton then turned down Breezy wash. Trail in wash bottom at wash crossings were runoff affected from March rains. Breezy from Templeton up to end was really washed away. Washed away as the trail is in the wash but the forceful water moved rocks changing or eliminating lines. Seems water remains long enough for plant life to emerge in Breezy:

Hit Slim for descent home. Towards the bottom I stopped to let hikers climb by. Motion to my right rear: rider descending  off trail. It was Jacob from Absolute Bike shop. I stopped at same shop on my ride out and announced I was riding my 3,000th ride. Jacob asked if he could join me. He was on the clock so all we shared were feet ridden in the parking lot. He took the pic later.

14.2 miles climbing 1207′ pedaling for 2 hrs 12 mins. Average HR was 124, 1 hr 21 mins anaerobic. I beat my body. Cardio will prolly want a stress test while hooked up to their instruments and it will prolly be a treadmill and I don’t run.

Thurs was laundry day up in Sedona. Americana coffee served by Rae at Oak Creek Espresso, great to be known as she made my coffee before I got to cashier to order it. Leave VOC by 10AM for smooth traffic speed to the Y. Cleaned clothes, visited with George, the original owner, and my host for my Hawaii ride. I chose Soldier Wash trails as I had not ridden them this visit. parked at Posse Grounds which was packed. All alone until I hit Jordan and Devil’s Kitchen and Sacred Pools: scads of hikers, never seen so many people and they all walked in. Fun challenging descent on Javelina. I shorted my climb out by pedaling Crusty to connect to Adobe Jack.

Afterwards headed back down to VOC, traffic backup almost to stop light at Airport, about 25 mins to clear Oak Creek bridge. Too many people. And more will be coming as the tourist assoc split from city council. Attracting visitors to city but city has to manage the influx.

Fri afternoon I had a virtual meeting with fill in DR. I asked about test results on my heart. I have artery blockage that he said is not heart attack level yet. Comment was on high cholesterol. He kicked my problem down the DR corridor for a cardio referral to occur some time in near future.  Primary DR returns May 1, I will schedule an appointment with him before I leave.

Habits, they prevent us from doing what we want. Yes, repeat problem solution and it becomes a habit. I get water from same sink in VOC because I know it. I camp at same spot off Beaverhead because I always find an open spot and the road to it is Sprinter friendly. I visit same places as again I have solved my problems for a visit. Picking the known is security, the unknown is, well, unknown. I change only if my choice was undesirable or I found a more attractive place and worthy of moving.

Sleep spot off Beaverhead  can be very quiet depending upon how far out the road away from the paved road. traffic drops as the evening grows. Nights are becoming warmer enough to not run the furnace eliminating blower noise. What remains is ears burning quiet. Out there again for tonight. Difference in quiet was noted when I stayed in town last Sat night.

Yesterday and so far today the temp hit 86. Early summer? It is desert after all. Wore short top here for first time, Yesterday I hooked a dead tree branch on my right forearm letting free enough blood that I stopped and put a large band-aid over the openings that staunched the blood. Pretty sight of bright red blood running down into my glove. A spritz from hydration bladder washed the overflow.

I rode out western gateway trails crossing flowing Dry Creek over and back. I rode down Axis needing 9 mins down versus over 20 climbing out. My skull at the extraction site still sends hurt signal at every sharp jolt. Down Axis, connect stepping stoned across creek, climbing out walking on steeps to Bolo, turn left on Last Frontier riding legacy trail and FS rerouted piece hung on steep side hill.

Descended Rover down to Rupp. Comment about Rover that I shared w/ FS route maker when I helped build it: No imagination, has longest climb in whole system. Descend legacy Rupp to the creek and figured course of stepping stones to Keep my feet dry. There were some moves. But shit, the last rock about 10″ from bank I trusted a placed rock without testing it, my mistake as it rolled away making for a wet shoe. Climbed on loose round rock to Girdner back to finish climb on Stirrup. 11.3 miles climbing 1112′ pedaling for 1 hr 43 mins. Average heart rate was 125. At wake up my pulse was 45 beats per min after resting Sunday.

My primary care DR at Flag saw something in my last EKG in Jan such that he ordered several tests, one was a CT scan of my heart which showed almost complete artery blockage. Been sensitized to heart issue, however, my resting heart rate  and lower BP doesn’t seem to indicate blockage, Called yesterday to make follow up appointment then learned he is out till May. Today I scheduled  another DR on Fri.

Been staying off Beaverhead Flats road at favorite spot. I stay away from the popular spots off the road at the sacrifice of not meeting people.

Last 2 nights I was warm enough to not burn the furnace that eliminated the blower noise, was pleasant.

Today I got after it early to ride Rabbit Ears Big Park loop from outlet mall. Still full on sunshine and rising temp. Continued sunburning. 9.21 miles climbing 906′ taking 1 hr 22 mins, lower average 111 HR as I backed off on effort while increasing blows. Lots of high speed jarring suspension compressions caused head ache. Stopped at Absolute Bike to visit, Scored overhaul of dropper post.

2 rides short of 3,000 rides. Will complete those this week. 3,000 rides completed in almost 15 years of Mountain Biking the States.

One who wanders by themself. Thanks Ian.

I am able to find many things to keep me away from writing here and other things that require work like washing my bike and van windows. I do tend to work that supports my life like laundry on Thurs and grocery shopping.

Bill from Tomichi Cycles in Gunnison shared several rides and nights out off Beaverhead last week. Desert “roads” are dry and firm but w/ poor internet. I enjoyed his company and stayed off line. I shared local ride info. He is younger and more skilled than me, we shared time at rest stops. He did an additional ride after our shared one. Back when I was younger….. . I was the navigator requiring me to take the place of Doug to figure the route and keep us found. I succeeded even with me leading from behind Bill who is faster. We did a Carroll canyon loop and gateway ramble.

Last Sat Ian drove me for another Black Canyon ride. We met Lee in her rig and Jimmy and Christine in theirs at Mayer TH. Jimmy’s bike has electric shifting that did not work, he later learned that he had inadvertently drained the battery. He and Christine returned home leaving Ian, Lee, and me. Our route decision was either S on BCT with a wet feet crossing of Big Bug creek right at the beginning or ride the Copper mtn loop again. This loop rides well either direction. Today Ian lead us the opposite way of Jimmy’s preferred direction.

14.9 miles climbing 1473′ pedaling for 2 hrs 3 mins. Jimmy’s direction was 5 mins faster not that it made any difference. Dinner at Creekside outside of Mayer.

Bill left leaving me without a riding partner. I beat myself up pretty good. I lowered my seat to bottom out post to get a greater knee bend that gave me more power. I like being lower for stability and my knees are happy. On Thurs I rode out Western Gateway trails and to check out dry feet crossings of flowing Dry Creek. 1st was Axis:

Riders figuring out how to cross:

that I would cross on return. Dry feet. Next was Rupp going away, same success:

Nice day. I still ride harder than I would prefer as heart rate data reveals. I don’t intend to but the EDGE records. 10.3 miles climbing 1007′. Back out to Beaverhead desert for the night.

Friday I rode around Hogs which is a demanding loop. Warm enough finally to wear shorts and short sleeve jersey. 15.7 miles climbing 1427′ requiring much push a bike. Ride really beat me up.

Sat Jimmy called a Prescott ride. I rode with Ian and Cody and joined Jimmy and Christine somewhere out Thumb Butte rd. Cody is a very skilled and strong rider as I watched his many tech moves. The Canfield Balance Formula bikes prevailed as Jimmy, Christine, and I ride Revels and Cody was on namesake Canfield.  Decomposed granite tread.

Higher elevations. 10.7 miles climbing 1276′. While I was always off the back on the climbs but ahead of Christine on the downs I still rode the entire ride. 31 mins was in my 80 to 90 percent effort. I am developing an appreciation for my 46T easy gear. Post ride feed at a upscale burger place then back to VOC night at outlet mall.

Today is a rest day after 3 days of riding. Still waiting DR info about my heart.

Temp is rising to shorts range this week.

Sedona is a tourist attraction and boy do they flock to plug  rt 179 to Sedona and down Cooks hill to the Y. Too many people and more coming.