OK I will no longer almost apologize for above condition here in Sedona area as perhaps you reader might be in more unfavorable conditions.

Whatever will be, will be. que sera, sera. Doris Day song.

Been hanging with Doug and Leia up in W Sedona either riding with Doug or hiking with one or both to walk their dog. Doug shows me social trails he has found out in Ridge area. Faint trails encroached by cat claw etc. Should you have experience with cat claw that’s what we kept unattached to our clothing or exposed skin. Removing the attached claw(s) might claw the rescuing hand. This hike is on FS land that the city has developed right to boundary. It’s wild right at the end of the street. I don’t carry my camera on these hikes. Means carrying a bigger pack.

Today Doug chose Lime Kiln trail near 525 rd. Years ago I used to sleep on Deer Pass rd until FS prohibited camping. Full on exposed desert basalt rubble. Cattle being grazed eating what? Nothing green. We encountered a small herd other the other side of a fence line. However, there 3 bulls on our side and each took notice of us. One had like a short long horn and the other was missing appeared to be  aggressive, could have been Swift, the dog, as in my past I have never experienced that bull behavior. The trail was maybe 75′ off the fence line the bulls on our side. We detoured around on a 4X4 rd. Further on we stared down a bull on our side, rest on the other side. This time we would have had to walk off trail that was not acceptable. We used it as turn around. On the way back we stayed on the trail that put us in closer contact with those 3 bulls, same one appearing aggressive. We off trail scampered down a short slope over loose basalt rocks to distance ourselves from that 1 horned monster. We had no weapons for protection even rocks or clubs would have little influence to persuade bull should take his business elsewhere.

Laundry day today.

Yesterday  morning the propane gauge read feed me quickly. I planned on ACE in Sedona as they always have fuel and pumpers. I drove by the gas station in VOC because the attendant I count on was not scheduled that day. Rolled into ACE lot to see propane gate shut. WTF? Learned pump is waiting for a replacement part with no scheduled date for back to running. I called the VOC station learning store had 1 person on but nobody to pump. Call after 2 when shift change. I called just after 2, still short shifted. Called ACE, pump still broke. Called Tractor Supply in Cottonwood, yes we are pumping. Round trip to Cottonwood.

I stopped at Cultural Park to do dinner thing. As I started cleanup I heard my name called from outside. Voice said its’ Dangerous Dave. Long time legendary local mountain biker whom I had ridden with in the past. I invited him inside warmth then visited for time. Harkening back to collective old times.

Sunday Doug drove down here to join me in a ride. I needed him for me to ride myself. Less snow fell down here then melted faster than higher Sedona. We rode from outlet mall entering forest at Bell Rock. Rode route I usually do, seems no social trails here. I partially made the “Llama problem” . Beautiful day:

Hiked today for 2 hours, my shoulder is protesting loudly. I have been kidding myself about putting off repair.

At VOC with 5 bars, Beaverhead has ghost 2 bar. Time has come to close this then head to slow land.

As to what and where you are experiencing this nasty blow of winter. Where I am at VOC at 4,000′ in Arizona a small amount of snow and lower temps hit here on Sunday night. Since then blue sies and slowly riding temps have put the smile back on my face and one less layer for warmth. Power and reach of internet forecasts tell of conditions much worse than here. So, winter is relative to location and flexibility to evade / escape uncomfortable conditions.

Last week’s outside activities were 2 hikes with Doug and Leia t learn additional social trails near Airport over basalt babyheads, just stupid riding yet several comments on Trailforks on system trails over same stuff chided riders for unfavorable comments. Years ago I rode that trail, fool me once, second time I rode it stupid me. Let more capable riders have at it.

Thursday I hiked up to Rabbit Ears trail from Jack’s canyon to learn of tread conditions. Close to high point snow was present, just a skiff, nary enough to affect traction. Encouragement for future ride.

Thursday night at PJs to watch Gonzaga basketball, not all is well in the house of Zagland as they got beat by WCC team. towards end of game the place was occupied by 2 employees and a customer and me. They kept the place open till buzzer. Walked back to sleep spot.

Friday I gave a go on Rabbit Ears loop. I rode over shallow depth of snow patches protected from sun warmth. No harm, no foul as traction was were I needed it. Still chilly 40 degrees. Again. Waa, relativity. 9.11 miles climbing 974′ pedaling for 1 hr 21 mins. My average speed still hovers in high 6 mph speed. Being outside in sunshine and beauty was, and is, worth slight discomfort. There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear choices. I can dress to be warm. I don’t have to be outside everyday. But I usually am.

For Sat Ian pulled a group ride of a piece of Black Canyon Trail. I learned that Jimmy and Christine from Prescott were joining us, first to visit with them this visit. Ian invited newbie Brian along. We met at Bumblebee area bypassing a more nasty piece of the  trail. BCT tread is mostly broken sharp edge rock pieces that move if you let them. Seems trick is power on the pedals and just ride it out. I am continually pleased by bike’s performance as it just grabs traction and suspension control. I just have to put power down and the suspension works. 13 miles climbing 1099′ pedaling for 1 hr 52 mins, average heart rate was 122, just shy of anaerobic threshhold of 126, 56 mins spent in 80 to 90 % effort.

As you see, no tree cover. I wore my darker tinted eye protection. Sedona riding has more tree cover so I wear lesser tinted glasses.

I just included the above pic in large size. saves viewer enlarging. Find 2 riders. I like bigger pic if it will upload.

Temp is forecast to rise to 60s as week goes on. No precip. It’s all relative. Comfort to all out there.

Doug will be arriving shortly to cause me to leave comfort of heat and rest to ride down here.

Last week’s weather forecast wanted nasty conditions for Sunday, snow and wind. Ride when weather is favorable so Doug and I carried on for rides on Fri and Sat out Western Gateway trails. Again, Doug figured the route and I caught up to him at his selected stopping spots. After I arrive one of us start a conversation that results in a lingering rest stop. To date Dry Creek is dry which allows rides on both sides of the creek.

Friday’s ride was slightly chilly but beautiful.

We pedaled 10.8 miles climbing 1060′ finishing after pedaling for 1 hr 43 mins. Afternoon ride starting with sun warmth but as day progressed to late afternoon with the earth changing its relationship with the sun a desire for another layer became a topic of conversation. Except I had nothing to add. My ears became cold.

Spent the night in their driveway. Sat AM I checked the controller for battery health to see that either sunshine or alternator input to refuel electrons. Ended up driving to Cottonwood to health food store for Happy Camper bread. Batteries brought back up.

Sat was another blue bird puffed down start at 1 PM. I followed Doug for 11.5 miles climbing 1198′ pedal time of 1 hr 54 mins. This time I wore a wool T shirt under same jersey.

My aerobic output is in decline as felt on even the more gentle climbs I previously rode. I walked a lot. Disheartening fact of aging. Today the ENT DR gave medical knowledge to my condition which is age: the body is wearing. I sought treatment for what I describe is restricted throat. He numbed up my nostrils then inserted a lead with a camera to view the inner workings. His report again was age caused as in dehydration, nothing that he can or needs to be fixed. Comforting info to learn body works per drawing and the explanation and solution.

Sat night I stayed in VOC to watch the Zags at PJs. PJs was all but empty, so many TVs to chose from. Except channel was ESPN+ that they don’t get. Chilly night. Towards morning the wind picked up to rock me and snow flurries which were forecasted to add up to between 3 and 7″ started. Didn’t result in an inch. I spent hours hanging at Absolute enjoying almost uninterrupted company of staff as no customers.

Today I drove I-17 to Flag which was bare and patches of snow melt wet. Van is pleasure to drive. Flag sits at roughly 7,000′, VOC is 4,000′.

Out to Beaverhead for the night.