Friday I watched the Zags game that they won, second half was a better played game. Spent night at Reid’s. Another in the 20s night. Sat AM got after my leaving. 6 AM wake up, snuggle under the covers for many minutes, okay time has come to become chilly. Find my wool hoodie and slip it on. On the cold floor. Roll out an ensolite pad for floor comfort during my exercises: 20 pushups, 20 situps, 20 reverse bridges each leg, 20 bird dogs. Good to go, core strengthening very apparent during pedaling as my glutes get worked from climbing. Pay back: Power.

Good to go. Headed south then west then north, then west towards Hurkin. Big ditch in the desert and the desert causes misdirection while heading in desired direction. Beautiful day. Little traffic. just speed along at 55 in 65mph. Van is an enjoyable drive.

Again, the joy of being where I want to be when I want to be there. Driving my home, my spot for the night is where I decide. Plan was driving all way to Hurkin arriving late afternoon. Mid afternoon after I crossed the Colorado River at Page, Lake Powell, water level scored on bare rock shows how low the lake is, I turned off the highway onto a desert road heading to Kodachrome something. I parked in an open plot off the highway then walked up the road a ways looking for a better spot. About a mile uphill I found my night spot, well out of road noise. I would have about a 2 hour drive to upper JEM TH for my ride. I used that drive time for the morning to advance for solar warmth.

Arrived at JEM TH. Forecast called for snow and high winds and chilly, 40 degrees. Maybe 10 cars in lot. I dallied putting off becoming cold. Riders arrived then drove away, by my pedal off time there were just several. Breezey. I wore a tshirt wool top under a midweight wool jersey topped with wind shell, knickers and knee socks, even a toque underneath my helmet. Still summer long fingered gloves. Starting point is the high point, trail descended into the wind. Little muscle activity for warmth buffeted by wind chill. JEM down to junction with Hurricane Rim starting the climb out. Traveled over trail seen in the film. Took Crypto climbing more to Dead Ringer climbing rest of way back to van. I did warm up but happy I wore the head warmer. Heard dirt bikes somewhere ahead of me, trail is heart propelled, not even Ebikes. 2 teenagers on minibikes approached me. I blocked the trail and yelled at them that they are not allowed, kid said they were just up the trail. I told then to turn around then hit the road. Little wheels chewed the tread. I rode over their damage. Back at the TH I was alone.

I cleaned up and changed into street clothes then drove away. Several years ago the BLM developed this parking lot and access road. The road crossed 3 small washes, steel culvert let water pass protecting the road. I looked at each culvert seeing each was partially plugged with washed sand. Unless these culverts are cleared they will become plugged which will dam the wash until the runoff washed out the road.

I drove down and out to the corral where Goulds crosses the road. The road out has been hardened, even to open spot across from the corral is graveled. A rig was parked there that I suspected were camping so I gave them space by finding a better spot right against the corral. Evening:

Cows are grazed out here on BLM land. I was serenaded by mowing cows right outside the van. I watched cows seeking vegetation, dry fall desert, nothing green. Cows have grazed it all back, they have nothing to eat. The mooing was plaintive: feed me.

Woke up, usual morning getting started activities. Drove down to Hurkin to Over the Edge bike shop. This year leaves are still on the trees, still green. Here before leaf raking. Said hello to wrenches.

Chilly and windy, didn’t want to ride here. I drove down to ST George to buy needed items. ST George is lower and warmed and not windy. I’m here, Barrel Roll is nearby, climbs and tech problems. I parked at the bottom of the climb up to the actual trail head. A man pushing a road bike walked up t me and started a conversation. I geared up while listening to him. I pedaled away climbing. Trail climbs right from get go. I was up a good ways when I realized I was not wearing my pack. Naked. I could turn around and ride back down but then I would have to reride this climb. Nah. Decided to finish the climb then worst case would be to turn around. I pedaled into the TH, then a few feet up Precipice before better sense overcame me to bail. The road has been improved over the years so maybe I could drive up it. I drove up the road and parked just before the TH where other campers were parked. OK. Enough afternoon light at heat for the rest of my planned ride. I rode up Precipice making each of the tech moves. Leg exercises has increased my leg strength and controlling my pedal strokes made the difference. Oh, and the bike played a big part. Again, if I can push the pedals the bike will roll over or up features. Encountered 4 e bikers, not allowed on BLM trails although the authorities are not ticketing them, no enforcement means its all legal as you won’t get caught. Blew by me climbing. Rode Sidewinder which is an up and back down rocky ridden in  single track. I made all but 1 move. Returned down rolling over what I humped up. A cut over trail between arms on Barrel Roll presented a longer ride but not the longest ad enough day light remained. Finished on last of Barrel Roll back to van.

Van is parked on an flat spot with a look over ST George megalopolis. Lights.

Temp hit 55 warm degrees, almost shorts. Still wearing Bedrock sandals.

Big open spaces is what desert landscape is. Miles of non man affected desert. No trees, no running water. I’m here because of favorable riding conditions, I leave it as snow melts going north. I can be where I want to be when I want to be there.

1. As in now Chill and chill. Temp reaching low 40s under solar gain but giving gain up to 20s in the dark. Small chill is a place having a vibe that says okey dokey. Maybe so, I spend my time away from civilization, as in brew pubs and coffee bars, mountain biking trails well away from commercial tourism. But, the capital Chill is harshing my vibe for the locale. 2 days ago a fierce wind storm blew thru, max gust recorded was 44 mph at the airport which is N of town and  out of the river gorge. Like N Klondike. For me I can wait for a more favorable being outside conditions.

Finally on Thurs, yesterday, I ventured on a ride out at Bar M trails. It was chilly with a gentle cooling breeze. Bright warming sunshine. I perceived snow cover further N at Klondike that eliminated that choice. Horsethief is up higher elevation so I figured snow and even colder. Road drive would be muddier. Bar M is out of the gorge and not too far from town and the city spot in Reid’s yard. Temp was 42 when I set out. Puddles did exist that preceding riders had broken the ice, 1 puddle still had ice panes. Today I worked on making technical solutions and enjoying outside time. Deadman’s has much to be challenged by. My bike, Revel Rail, is such an improvement over my first bike I rode while here, it was the Klein 26″ fully rigid, toe traps, rim brakes, 3X, etc, no dropper post Top Gun. Seems if I get out of the way the bike will move forward.

Forecast here is for day highs 40s and lows 20s for long enough ways out for me to be Chilled out. Tomorrow I will be heading further south to Hurricane where the capital Chill is above freezing. And too early for freeze thaw mud.

Scenery here is awesome with the La Sals whitened under snow and the bare red sandstone rock.

Yesterday driving back down to town a view was spectacular affected by low angle late afternoon light. I passed a photo.

Yesterday as I was riding back to my van a rider hailed me by name then told of out past meetings. Duh, brain opacity. Seemed to have a handle on local riding. He told of a soon to be opened trail that connects Eagle Eye and Falcon Flow to eliminate the 4X4 track. Said Tyson created some excellent rock work. Last year I rode the 2 trails and 4X4 that required driving  Sand Flats road, which exceeded my van comfort abuse on, then the monster road pedal climb to get to start on Eagle Eye. Not this year.

This afternoon Zags play Michigan at local 4:30 time. Checked out a Moab sports bar yesterday to learn they get the ESPN game. Good. Just consuming time till tip off. Parked outside of town in an empty plat of land with van front into the sun. Van thermometer reads 54 degrees. My left knee is hurting, I want to not use it. Lack of riding drive.

Present conditions here have been  closer to Thanksgiving, I rode more times on dry trails in years past. Propane is very expensive compared to Bend. This morn filling was $34, 5.6 gals which is full capacity, I was minutes away from flame out.

Afternoon: Moab is so much prettier and more enjoyable varied riding than Hurkin, however Hurkin is warmer and prolly drier. Here, night temps are in 20s and lower up high and upper 30s riding. So much to stay for: ice in the puddles, fee camping at Willow and N Klondike where I can ride from. Up high is much colder free Horsethief. Hurkin camping is sketchy hoping free Quail Lake has empty sites. Bend spoils me.

Watching Zags game in fancified former dive bar. So far Zags don’t play like #1 rated team

Here around Moab. Winds have been past blustery. Temps are lower. In year’s past this weather was a harbinger to move further south but it occurred closer to after Thanksgiving. Water puddles making mud bogs, water is liquid dirt and opaque hiding unknowns. At the entrance to Willow Springs road there are several large puddles, some with 1 wheel base tracks out of the water. Pays to keep 1 wheel side out of the water. First time I drove in I did that. When I drove out I chose the main line thinking that the lead in gravel would have been on the bottom all the way through. Again, hidden treasures: never learned if gravel was there but I did learn of several deep and sharp edged holes that bounced me on the driver’s seat and shook the van contents. Scratch that line. Subsequent passes used the 1 side in 1 side out line.

Stayed several nights at Willow on the slick rock patch of the past visits. Corey, from Looney Beans in Bend, joined me. He travels with his 2 dogs that are retrievers as in game of bringing back flinger flung ball. They play until they all but drop.

I rode out to Klonzo from anchor spot. I rode out to Klonzo from anchor. Several rigs in that parking lot, but shared trails with none. Previous rain events created gulleys in the trails. Dirt was firm, certainly no dust.

Corey is in process of building out his van, at present his heat source is his 2 dogs. I shared my warm home with him till bed time.

Sat Cory’s friend, Mike, arrived along with firewood. We all sat around a warming fire after dinner telling stories. Mike snowboarded Fuhrer Finger on Rainier. Accomplishment. I attempted it on telemark skis long time ago but failed as the snow did not corn up over night and high winds buffeted us climbing.

Sunday I drove back to town for provisions as in water and importantly propane then drove up to Horsethief area. I met those 2 for a Rodeo ride. Parking lot had mud bog. Mike was time pressed and the 2 of them are so much faster than me we parted company. Rodeo is directional which keeps the single track single. Nice chilly ride.

Steve will know of this spot as it is a short troublesome climb.

Afterwards I drove further out the road to a anchor spot. My preferred spot was taken but the burned out pick up truck hulk had been hauled away. Spot still had soft mud. I parked at spot B.

Somewhere up there is Burro Pass that the Whole Enchilada climbs over and down. Wait for snow melt out next summer.

Forecast called for high winds, gusts to 40 mph, steady 20 mph for Monday. I deemed too windy for the exposed ride at Navajo Rocks so I hunkered down. I did go for an afternoon hike to enjoy the outside.

Last night wind speeds rocked my van. Heater kept me warm.

Today, election day, I drove back to town as I had mail forwarding awaiting that looked like a ballot.  I had my license tab forwarded to Moab that I hoped the mail was. I had already mailed my ballot so this one did not make sense. I picked the mail up at the PO and sure enough it was a ballot, a replacement, as the registrar perceived my tracking of my unreceived ballot as being lost. I tore it up as I had already voted and did not want to add false flame to stolen election claims. No license tab. I called the license bureau to track the tab. Person told me it had been mailed to  my address of record which should have been the  mail forwarding address of Seattle. Played yes or no with clerk as she was not permitted to give the mail to address. She said look at current registration for address. It was Fruita. My fuck up. She described ways to receive the tab. I called the Fruita PO. I explained my predicament to the PO clerk who said my request of them forwarding it to Moab was not SOP. I asked and he found the mail then put it in a mailer bound for Moab. Tab expires tomorrow on van’s 16th birthday. Sometimes nice things happen.

Weather forecast calls for more high winds with added precip and falling temps. Today is the day before the blow. I am in town now to city camp in Reid’s yard for several nights before going back up.

Last night listened to the Zag’s season opener Bball game. Great start to season.

Parked curbside outside Double Down bike shop, a Revel dealer writing this. Sunny, slight breeze, 73 degrees.