Sunday I read the weather forecast which called for less than 50 mph winds. I needed a place to spend night. Aztec was down the road alos under high winds forecast. Hope springs from the human breast. Could the velocity live up to forecast. I drove down and parked on this exposed site and settled down. As hors passed wind velocity picked up rocking the van and me. Bed time, lights out, and under the covers as velocity picked up now rather violently rocking. I was more or less broad side to the force. I worked up my level of comfort and giving thought to relocating in wind protection. But that required returning van configuration to driving from bedroom. I remained hunkered down. In the morning I viewed nearest weather station wind velocity: top speed 51mph around 12PM then dropped. Everything remained properly located.

Monday’s forecast was for more wind albeit less velocity. At breakfast time winds were almost calm. Good day to ride and I dallied to allow sun warmth. When I pedaled away temp was chilly enough for mid weight jersey and wind shell. I pedaled the Alien Run trail loop for 9.5 miles for 1 hr 20 mins of average 106 bpm heart work which was low effort. Climbed 814′. Directional trail going out uses the blond slick rock features.

Trail goes by the alien crash site

Repair shop called and told me because my engine was going to be worked on, it needed to be cool enough for wrench’ safety. I previously learned I could sleep near the shop so the engine would be not hot. I drove back to Durango. High winds exposed land, jittery driving.

I decided to go social evening for dining out. I googled then picked original brew pub site even though I am beer free. Scored the end of the bar chair. 2 guys arrived and took the chairs away from me. Both are locally raised. Conversation somehow switched to mtn biking. The guy beside me spoke of his friend who teaches mountain biking skills. Her name is Lindsey. I know her. She is the godmother to his kids. I recognize her voice and she recognizes me because of my beard. He said he would share our meeting with her.

Drove back to the shop for sleep. Chilly enough for heater to run all night. Tech received a cold rig albeit he let the engine run for minutes, prolly never getting up to hot touch. Tech replaced the fan clutch then drove the van. Satisfaction that he fixed issue and listened / observed van condition. Fix was in and health is not needing other attention. Good to drive away.

Presently I am sitting at tire store awaiting my wheel balance appointment. Sunny, windy, and still long pants warm.

Plan is to return to Boggy this afternoon and night. Wed  might ride there then drive 2 hours to Moab. Will be a windy drive.

Boggy Draw is 7,xxx’ where the Gambel oaks have not leaved out showing just their trunks and locations. I observed that the dirt there does not ride down firm. I would like to see the leave coverage but it would come after the last of winter water was pulled from the dirt to return trails to natural loose sand condition. At Alien at 6,xxx’ the oak is leaving out.

Lilacs in Durango have bloomed however the strong wind dilutes their fragrance.

 

It’s the law. Physics. Measured. Constant.

Today I completed a ride, one that I was apprehensive could I do it? Technicality was blue and lower, there were climbs, just 16 miles with 1529’ climbing. Pedaled for 2 hours 14 mins. I last rode this loop 2 years ago. 7,xxx’ altitude coming from 4,xxx’. I figured that I would be doing more walking and stopping to blow. I knew all of that, I was unsure if I would meet this challenge. Not big magnitude of test. I blew up on hills, some I walked that I previously rode. I made it.

?

Time taking so long to pass. The climb up Little Bean took forever on my body but little of time. My body is age affected, the ol gray goose ain’t what it used to be. I don’t really enjoy the hurting parts of a ride that benefit my health, maybe like eating a spoonful of cod liver oil. My modus is not overly expending myself: I coast and pump. Going fast shortens the resting before the approaching climb.

Time is personal. Today’s 2 hr 14 mins took a long time to pass.

Van finally chronically expressed the sound that I perceived to be the turbo as I climbed the hill out of Dolores heading to Boggy Draw area. I found a sleep spot then shut off the engine. I did not want to listen to it. It needs attention. I had weak internet signal for Google search for repair shop. Nothing in nearby Cortez. Switched to Durango finding a shop that said “Sprinters”. I called the shop, yes they do, and they scheduled me for the next day. Thursday I drove the 60 miles to the shop while listening to the abnormal noise and slight loss of power.  I willed the van to the shop. After a short wait a tech greeted me and set to learning of issue. He plugged a scanner in to search for codes and to retrieve data. No codes were shown. Went for a drive, me first to tell him what I hear. Then he on the return to feel. Turbo performance was right on. Deduction lead to the failed fan clutch which was replaced 1/23. I heard of problems with this part. He ordered the part and scheduled replacement for this Tues. Score. Competent tech is owner’s kid. It’s all about trust.

I drove back to town to visit Diaz’s shop where he makes the RUNT and custom tunes suspensions. He called me by name. He said he created this thing that is now eating him. Successful product and service creates demand.

In the parking lot I looked at the right rear tire which was flat repaired in Cottonwood. Just observing the repair. Looked down, I put pressure gauge on valve which showed loss of air. Googled tire store, one in town back out where I came from. Drove to it. Told I would have a wait. Today is laundry day that needed to be done. Shop put me in line so that I could drive back into town to do laundry then return for little wait. Tech found a small screw  then repaired tire etc.

Drove back to Boggy Draw.

Friday night out Boggy Draw drew weekenders. Found site previously stayed on, close to the gravel road and more visible. Preferred spots were being enjoyed by others.

Currently 8:15 PM MDT N of Aztec, NM. Sunday.

This morning I needed to drive to Cortez for needed propane and water.  Now the start of the propane quest. I am long ways from Dolores that does fill portable propane cylinders only. Next possible seller is Cortez nearby. Drove to town. Found 4 places selling propane, short story: none were selling. Expanded search. Durango is closest. Strong winds were forecast  which blew my wind foil twitching in my lane. The sound of the fan covered over engine sounds which I continually search for unhappiness. 5.1 gallons, max is 5.6, I would have run out before places in Cortez would be pumping. Sort of plan here in Durango was to hang out living in the van parked near the repair shop. Night time would be city camping outside the shop. Maybe.

I checked weather forecast for Mon which calls for high winds. 30 miles south is Alien Run trails N of Aztec, NM and primitive camping. Location forecast was for same winds: 50mph gusts, 20-30 constant. Dunno. I drove down to TH for Alien Run. Parked outside the TH parking lot, exposed to winds from any direction. Rock a bye baby in the van. Wind velocity tomorrow will decide a ride. I could stay here tomorrow then drive the 45 mins to the repair shop.

Sat I rode from anchor at Boggy Draw. Trails here are well ridden in creating cup shape which holds the tires. However, to hike on them is to be knock kneed as feet land on either side of the cup. Just an observation. The dirt here never bakes hard, it just becomes loose. I am on tail end of spring moist conditions. Little Bean trail goes over numerous slight tech features for paying attention to business versus others that are smooth and just pedaling.

Boggy Draw trails are on  San Juan NF land, TH elevation is like 7,2xx. I scanned a FS posted sandwich board paper work for current prescribed burning affecting Boggy Draw. Tree cover is P-pine scattered, intermixed with open areas like  a park.

3 bar strength here for picture sharing.

Windy.

Now visiting Dolores, CO and Boggy Draw trails. In town now for internet signal. Drove from Sedona Monday. Town is Flag elevation of almost 7,000′. Elevation increase from Sedona’s 4,500′ Rode yesterday topped out at 8500′. Yeah, that’s why I was short of breath and I’m sticking with it. Dispersed camping near the trail head. Hunkered down for 2 nights in P-pine forest understory Gamble oaks that have not leafed out.

Yesterday I rode a loop from parked van. Started high then climbed back out. Finished ride on traverse. 18.5 miles climbing 1270′ pedaling for 2 hrs 36 mins. At elevation. spent 59 mins in 80 to 90% effort meaning average beats per min was 118, threshold is 126.

I rode side loop trail named String Bean that hugs the edge of a mesa. Trails in places are blue tech features, mostly pedalable. All by myself. Enjoy trail system.

Chilly nights that heater kept me comfortable.

Last visit was 2 years ago. Back then I rode out McPhee overlook trail that opens today. This year I can not roust myself for the effort. Today I will drive back to Boggy Draw for the night and maybe ride up high. 7582′ elevation.

Count down to med refill and allocation of days spent places before Fruita.

Van is producing its roaring sound that now seems to be full time. I found a Sprinter repair shop in Durango which is nearby so I could have van’s health sussed. Next shop on my travel is Junction which is about 5 hours away.

Sunday Jimmy and Christine lead us on a ride on their home trails at Prescott. Different than Sedona.

Tread was broken rock pieces that move differently than sandstone of Sedona. How hard to counter steer? Big up then long down with short ups intermixed. Open to the sky.

On Friday my last Sedona ride was Rabbit Ears loop. Mock orange was emitting its sweet fragrance.

Earlier in the year manzanita bloom was the scent. Catclaw has started leaving out to followed by flowers but I have never stayed for their scent.

Recovery from vein gluing is either producing my pain or the bad vein was not its source. What Ii know is I am in jaw clenching pain spasms. My concern has been that vein DR saw a vein problem that he could fix. I am unsure if that vein is the source of my pain. I was told time is required for body to make blood return flow adjustment. Eating tylenol for sleep. Wearing compression sock. Edema is present perhaps causes pain.

Tomorrow I drive to Moab, Thursday laundry, take on supplies then drive out to far reaches from town for riding.