Yesterday I  rode Barrel Roll etc, watched the Zags beat Kentucky, then camped at Quail.

Back stories are the devil’s details. Van parked with nose away from sunrise, positioned for afternoon sunshine to shine thru windshield now falling on my computer screen, I hung the window coverings so I could read this screen.

Back at it. Drove down to Santa Clara Preserve home of what I call collectively Barrel Roll. I parked down at the bottom of the Cove access trail, this time my pack was on my back. Grunt pedal right off the get go, 1.17 miles climbing 361′ took 15 mins, return at the end was just 6 mins of almost all coasting. At the TH I pedaled Precipice which climbs more with an introduction of tech problems to junction with Barrel Roll and Sidewinder, which is an up then back down, then join Barrel Roll for its loop back to TH, then down Cove. This is my I solved a ride route that I repeat. I continue to work the problems and gaining confidence. I am realizing that these moves are at slower than walking speed and require track stand balance and commitment to forward motion. Fall potential increases, seems these falls are the more damaging, injury risk increases which is lessening my confidence. Safer to bail and walk. But on the downhill the bike and I let gravity provide the speed. However, the down hills work my body while controlling direction. Today my upper body is chirping about yesterday. A sunny, slight breeze, 40 degree day was pleasant.

Several days ago I searched for sports pub nearby, found this one in Washington. I called seeking confirmation they would have Zags game on. Score, know where I will be Sun at 5:30. I built my day to that time. I drove to that sports bar, passing Chilis where years ago I watched Zags. I wanted the non chain establishment. As I turned onto the local bar street to see nary a car. WTF??? Sunday, closed. The person who spoke with me and I did not state Sunday or if I did she did not register that they would be closed. Shit. Turned around to drive back to Chilis which might be a long shot as they are not advertised as a sports bar. Score, TVs behind the bar. My panic to see the game was received with skill as a guy turned the TV to the game. Whew. Watched the game with focus, during timeouts I struck up a conversation with the young female bartender. Along the conversation I asked her education: she said masters in Behavior something. I fit in. Zags skillfully beat Kentucky who defended Timme less effectively than Texas. Dark drive back to Quail, scored previous spot.

Now it is late afternoon Monday, an imposed rest day. I enjoyed the wonderful weather hiking Boy Scout trails. These trails are built to be similar to the mesa trails. Hiking required proper foot placement. Years ago I rode and walked what I chose to, today, I lack the confidence to tackle them, See above about slow speed.

Past: On Sat I rode Hurkin cliffs a big loop, from anchor spot at corral. Pedal out upper Goulds to highway crossing to JEM TH. Last year on this trail I saw earth moving construction to create a water impoundment. This year their construction was validated by holding water.

That water would have flowed downhill, instead it is trapped cutting off downstream. Today cattle is grazed here, even today with no edible forage for cows look at pic.. BLM spent public $ to benefit 1 rancher cattle grazing and to the detriment of wildlife.

Sat I visited OTE. I asked if I could squirt off the dried Moab mud off my bike. Short story the shop assigned a grom to wash my bike. They did it as a courtesy to me and the grom needed a task. My bike was so well cleaned it looked almost new. I thanked all for work. The frame actually shines.

This week’s temps are forecast for 50s. Afternoon chill coming on at 4:28, temp is 57 in the sunshine per outside van temp sensor. The side door is open to air cooler than recorded. I shut the door.

Riding seems to come down to 3 things: skill acquisition, application of said skill, and the actual commitment. I am lacking commitment.

Many years ago I clipped this pancake recipe from Spokane newspaper, a scratch made epicurean delight and not too much of a mess to clean up. I make a batch every Sunday morning. Back when I lived in Spokane I would add foraged huckleberries, now I use store bought wild blueberries.

Starts the day off.

Time moves on as it passes me by. I make excuses for not writing. I am adverse to effort beyond attending to my basic needs of food, shelter, safety, and riding. Weather conditions here in Hurkin environs have been chilly and windy. I have been mixing my rides of pedal trails with tech chunder for variation and achievement. The Hurricane cliff trails such as JEM, Crypto, and Dead Ringer, are pedal trails for achievement being able to ride almost everything.

Mix in Lakeside between Hurkin and Santa Clara for greater challenges on lesser ridden trail with lots of potential ground falls.

Then drop in elevation and usually less wind affected Santa Clara and Barrel Roll etc.

And there is this denizen of the desert, if avoided life is much better.

20 degrees outside in the dark, low 50s inside with heater running. When I parked my van with the back aimed at the upcoming sunrise, the solar gain warms the back end and the thermostat is located just inside the rear doors. The gain tells the thermostat that a;; is warm inside while the front is chilly and not sun affected. Last night I parked at Quail Lake camp sites positioning the rear away from the sun and sun coming in the driver’s window, I was warmed this AM for above pancakes.

So, I am warm now, breakfast has been eaten and cleaned up. 48 degrees, almost 11 AM. Time to put this aside for today’s ride down at Barrel Roll. I will pick up later after ride and before Zag /Kentucky game at 5:30 this afternoon.

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.