Last Monday I started coming down with a chest cold. I finished my ride on Monday as the hacking started. Hacking became wracking and my temp started rising topping out at 102 degrees on Wed. Fever dropped down to normal mid 97 on Friday. I hunkered down drinking plenty of water and isolating. Cough lessened as week progressed. No appetite. No drive to even walk. I hiked Sat and Sunday finally. Today I am not ready to ride which nasty snow flurry day helped looking out the windows. Tomorrow’s forecast is for riding weather for a lesser stressful ride. Get it done as March coming in  like a lion is in force w/ snow forecast later in the week. Last week during convalesce weather was hot enough for shorts and warm sleeping.

Yesterday I hiked out Turkey Creek area again calling to question my riding prowess as I walked over the rubble my wheels would roll over should my balance be spot on and a full dose of confidence. Area receives few visitors, I did not share a trail.

Hunkered down at former Cultural Park watching snow clouds. So far this winter Flagstaff has received just 8″ of snow, normal is 58. Just no moisture. 41 degrees and windy.

Yesterday I rode Scorpion loop. At finish van thermometer read 84 degrees. Only Scorpion trail is on eastern exposure with some tree shade. Basalt babyheads, most as big as teenagers. Trail trends mostly downhill that momentum rolls over what i choose. My softened suspension performed way better than last year’s ride. I walked several places as I was not willing to accept my solution. Balance of course is key to remaining vertical. Several weeks ago I hiked the trail  where I questioned my courage to ride it. Yesterday Doug was occupied with shoulder treatment so I rode the loop. I parked at Sunrise park then pavement pedaled to start of Old Post which climbed to intersection with Skywalker that I rode over to the high school to start of Scorpion. Towards the bottom I picked up social trails working my way over to lower portion of Old Post, pedaled and pushed to junction with Carrol canyon trail. A social trail skirted the beatup section of Carrol then rejoined for mostly downhill to a wash. System trails back to Sunrise. 8.89 miles climbing 945′ pedaling for 1 hr 29 mins. Average heart rate was 123. This ride I successfully slowed my speed allowing my breathing to keep up, slower but fewer gasping stops. Temperature rendered some of my nonexistent body fat. My pee was very dark. No pics. Without Doug stopping to listen to my stories I rode w/ no enjoyment stops. Cross this ride off my ride card. No pics taken. This loop is on south facing exposure receiving full sun heat. I sweated a short sleeve jersey. I encountered just 2 hikers.

Saturday I rode Rabbit loop clockwise to descend the climb on lower Rabbit Ridge which opened up all the formerly uphills to enjoyable descents. I still took several blows on uphill. Much more enjoyable to ride this way.

Yesterday’s PT session on my left shoulder worked out most of pain such that last night’s sleep was not interrupted. I have 4 morse sessions, 1 per week to finish up.

No shade here. Arizona sycamore trees in creek bottoms have not leaved out not that routes do not go where they are. Sleep spot out off Beaverhead is full on sun exposure. 2:03 PM van reports 87 degrees.

Yesterday I pumped diesel into my tank: 22.3 gallons, capacity is 23. Fuel gauge showed under a quarter and the low fuel light never came on. I fuel up when trip mileage reaches high 400 miles. Previous refueling was short of full tank because of station’s software not reading my card. I paid $50 for whatever gallons and mileage that would give.  Almost came up dead.

Sedona Film Festival is in full swing bringing many visitors and their vehicles. Stay away from West Sedona.

SMC beat the Zags at home last Saturday. Aloowing an external event that I have no control over to depress me is not healthy. I am still bummed but recovering, Michigan beat Ohio State, Harris lost, Zags started loosing games. However the Bucks won the championship which stop the depression slide. Zags might not attend the big dance this year, the first in 25 (?) years.

My newly issued debit card was hacked before I even recognized its number. Replacement has yet to arrive.

Oh well. I still smile. I am not employed to be threatened with a loyalty oath. I take care of my body with 8 hrs of sleep and healthy food choices.

Correction on fuel capacity which is 26 gals per owner’s manual. Included is an unspecified reserve. Somewhere I learned that, per law, a reserve is required that fuel gauge can not see.

Heart continues to perform to spec.

I write about how aging is affecting me. My body gives what it can. I am now walking stuff I previously climbed. And the uphills I ride are slower and more prone to stops for blows. It is what it is, I care for what genetics gave me.  I control what I can including of a ride.  Riding here is full body workout. Rocks are mostly square edged. No sit down and pedal up a long uphill. Feet climbed per trail mile is 70 to 90′. Just short distance. Keeping power on the pedals and coasting.

Today Doug said today was a Chuck Wagon day. Anticipation was for less traffic because the day was Monday. OOOPS. 3 day weekend, Chuck Wagon was the most crowded for me, just hikers. Up the way a trail intersection diverts to Devil’s Bridge  hikers’ destination. However, at start of Mescal trail hiker traffic increased. Rode across Mescal,

Juniper and Pinyon pine tree cover

down Long canyon onto Aerie then social trails connected to system trails to arrive at starting point in the shooting pit.  11.2 miles climbing 997′, that’s 89’/mile, pedaling for 1 hr 43 mins. 6.51 mph average. I seem to be drained at present.

On Mescal an approaching rider called me by name. We visited. He met me back in 2009 in the Pisgah. We shared that experience and Pisgah. Doug was ahead as always, my visit increased our gap. Doug will wait at trail decision points, he rests longer than I get to.

On a previous ride I opened up the slow speed rebound 2 clicks which lessened the harshness. Made ride softer. Bike is much happier.

Yesterday I rode Rabbit loop down at VOC. I pedal up Little Rock and descent Rabbit Ears. Little Rock once it turns onto the ridge is a shallow climb over embedded cobble. I take several blow stops. At one time I could pedal this non stop. At high point reward on pay attention downhill. Several riders have told me they prefer riding opposite as the climb up the cobble sucks. Finish on Big Park loop all downhill. This is popular with hikers both directions and many places no sight line. My bell rings and I anticipate  possibility  of an encounter. Sound of bell carries and hikers usually allow me to proceed. I slow when passing or gasp when I pass on climb.

Sat I rode from shooting pit on mix of social and system trails. Systems because rain 2 days ago wetted down the loose dusty making for firmness. Most vehicle crowded I had ever seen. Up against the dirt bank were the firearm shooters pulling the trigger for slight sound to thumpers. Continual shooter flow. Sat at my start one shooter was shooting as he was upon my ride return 1 hr 26 mins pedaling time later. And he had more ammo to go. He is an attendant who fills my propane tank.

Interruption: I’m parked at the Cultural Park beside a camper with bike rack. The owner pedaled up, e bike. He walked over and asked me if I had ridden in Michigan as that’s where he’s from. That started a discussion. I showed him my road atlas with highlighted roads I had driven in MI. My travels of the state made lots of roads covered. Sticking point was his illegal riding, we never got to rivalry between MI and OH where I’m from.

My left shoulder is undergoing physical therapy. It’s solid from major repair back in 1997. Shoulder joint has muscles pulling in different directions. He is freeing up full range of motion. PT is a mountain biker, which makes for shared stories.

OK. My life is almost the same every day. Just consuming time in the present.