I spent another night back up @ same XG which is on the continental divide. Sleeping @ 6300′

I drove back down to Helena for another ride, the one Eric laid out. I missed the left hand road of his route so I just rode up to Helena ridge trail and down Show me the Horse. These South Helena trails are so great as creative loops can be put together right from historic downtown. Another 60 min climb w/ a 20 min descent. All by myself. Another good ride.

I hung the solar shower outside that was solar heated for an outside shower.I was parked X the street from a MT State office building on city street. I chose the dirt road and Davis Gulch TH from yesterday. Yesterday after my shower there I hung my tub mat over the fence and drove away w/o it. Today b4 my ride I returned to the TH and it was still there. Bath mats have no demand.

Hot and smokey.

Grocery shopped and heading south to Muskrat creek outside Boulder. No internet access. Quick note then my dash.

Spokane knee appointment on Mon 9/10.

Today I had my followup DR appointment to discuss test results and whatever. Heart stress test result: Normal Myocardial Perfusion.  According to DR the arteries feeding my heart are fine. CRP level is high which indicates inflammation somewhere in my body, particularly the she says while 2 other DRS say it indicates an infection somewhere in the body. I know my heart rate at rest is higher than normal and my heart thumps in my chest. Blood pressure is today 120/68, resting pulse 81 which to DR is of no issue. Cholesterol is slightly high but not so the DR wants to start me on a new medicine.The blood work for the hospital was reviewed where she saw nothing to be concerned about so the body chemistry isn’t divulging secrets. Headache is what it is. She said my adrenal gland performance  can’t be determined by modern medicine. I have been having pain in my mid back both sides. I didn’t get an answer for that. Headaches are back.

I am consuming Jason’s suggested herbs and mushrooms which is to clear my lungs and strip the nano bacteria that clings to the inside of the artery walls. Strip the nanos to eliminate attach points for calcium that comes from years of build up. The calcium attracts the cholesterol. Eliminate the foundation and the deck falls. The herbs are mixed in 16oz of h2o as a smoothy. The stuff really needs to get mixed into the h2o. At first I used a QT canning jar & ill fitting lid. jason said i really needed a blender to mix. I researched electrical draw for blenders that are 200 to 350 watts which exceeds my 10 watt inverter. I bought a large pyrex 4 cup measuring cup and whisk the goodies into solution. No electric draw.

Yesterday I drove to ride TH. Forecast called for 18- 21 mph wind, gusts to 41. The air was hazy from the suspended particles that I would breathe in thru my open mouth. I saw dust devils in the gravel. I said no ride and drove back into town. I bought a Scott Turow novel @ Safeway then stuck my nose in it.

Computer took a dump.

I rode after DR appointment stopping @ BnB. Jimmie joined me. I had horrible shortness of breath while my heart rate appeared normal high. Lots of stopping. I rode the piece we built on Sat.

Drove back to west Sedona for shower, h20, and groceries. I ate dinner @ Wildflower. Then back out to Deer Pass camp.

Tomorrow is another ride. I plan on beating my body into submission.

I mark July 19 as my first full day on my odyssey, hence today marks my third anniversary of mountain biking the states. What a wonderful ride it has been w/ no end in site. Yes I have ridden some great trails in some spectacular scenery places, but the experiences and knowledge gained from the people I have met is special. Many friends made and more sure to come. Leaving to move on leaves the friendship behind. Too many people to revist and so little time. Thanks to all of you whom have shared w/ me. I have lots of stories to tell about people I have met, sometimes listeners know the same people. What stories.

Andrew called, he is meeting me @ the Merchantile in a few. He arrives and I remeet Ryan, Eddie, & Mark. New guy Pete is onboard. Mark knows of primitive camping spots out along the Middle Fork and I follow in tow. Selected spot was right on the lake. Some sprinkles. I set up the awning for a second time as a rain shelter. Those guys know each other, I am the interloper w/ just a few hours of history common. What I share is foreign to their history. It’s the way it is when you have been in each other’s lives for years. I play well w/ strangers. Plan tomorrow is to ride Middle Fork from Paddys Flats which is further upstream than my Sunday MBO ride. Humorous evening listening to the 5 of them kabutz. Late night.

Mon AM skies were threatening rain, fog was low on the hills above camp. Sprinkles. Spirits undaunted we geared up, loaded up, and drove up the river road to last trail junction. Snow still blocks the upper TH. Rain started falling windshield wiper time as we neared the TH. No vibe of bagging it. Rain coats on we pushed off. Hear the sound of 6 guys, 12 feet clicking into various clipless pedals. This upper section had way more unrideable tech sections, one climb was almost using my upper body to pull myself up. Lots of h2o. We rode out of the rain, and took off our jackets exposing our skin to the mosquitoes. I have been carrying the eucalyptus based bug spray on my pack for several weeks now. I have offered it as a choice to DEET w/ no takers. Today my stuff was the only game in town. I find it works to confuse most suckers w/ just a few sprays. The others were happy to be covered. We suffered 2 broken chains and Ryan managed to pinch flat several times on a 29er hard tail. Ryan put his motion camera on his helmet facing backwards to fill following riders. He shot some of me on the nasty upper section. I’m afraid he will have little time of me close enough behind him to make me out. Lower part of trail that I rode on Sun is rideable except for several uphill switchbacks and several stream crossings.

We rode to camp. Pete was the first to check out the lake for bathing temperature. When he came back to the surfacve I heard no brutal cold h2o gasps. Works for me. I slipped in for a free bath.

Hanging around camp for a less winded repeat of last night. Drizzle fell in bursts. We hung out under overhanging conifer tree branches shielding us.

Somewhere around 2:30 to 3:30 rain fell in a gulley washer torrent. I suffered thru several leg cramps waking up to pounding rain. The 5 guys were sleeping in tents reported various “I got wet” news. They packed up wet gear and we all headed for TrailHead for their b-fast. No rain. Road back had numerous fallen rocks per the yellow and black warning signs. After b-fast we said adieu. I tried to start a betting pool on where I will run into any of them again. Ryan is returning to US Embassy in Nepal. I went to the Merchantile to say good bye.

I am sitting in Ray’s grocery parking lot typing this. A familiar face walks up, I recognize him as Matt from Wenatchee. Last fall I met him at an IMBA trail care crew meeting and I parked in his homestead and we rode Horse lake trails. Three other guys were with them.

Derrick said that Alpine trail was not too bad after MBO rides in the rain.

Plan now is to mossey over to McKenzie bridge to ride river trail tomorrow. Weather forecast is for sunny dry day, I’m in on that.