Fruita and Moab shared same weather forecast for Tues night/ Wed all day for cold and high winds that became reality. Rocking van and heater ran all day and night, chilly inside mid 50s. I decided to hang Wed to wait weather change then leave Fruita Thurs morn after doing laundry in sad Fruita laundromat. Thursday became sunny and calm yet chilly. I topped off propane and water. I increased tire pressures to closer to recommended values which I noticed an immediate improvement in suspension. I was told that the recommended values were for a fully loaded van and my contents were not that heavy and lower pressure would make for a smoother ride. Same idea for mountain bike tires also. Next I will inflate to full pressures at next opportunity.

Pleasant interstate drive to Moab exit. Made Klondike road just freshly graded that smoothed out stutter bumps, way more enjoyable. I scored the same camp site in the paid campground which had 1 other rig a ways away. I dressed for chill in knickers and mid weight long underwear top and wind shell. I rode out Dino Flow and returned on trails on other side of system. I have ridden these trails many times over the years, I do like these trails. This ride stayed away from the climbs on other trails. Enjoying lower saddle height. Dino has blue level challenges and the return trails are green. Setting sun shaded places on the return, noticed at 3:30 the sun is blocked by buttes(?). 11.9 miles climbing just 604′ pedaling for 1 hr 33 mins. Heart rate was 123 average so I kept after it. Quiet and chilly night.

Yesterday I set out for a more challenging ride to climb up Mega Steps to Alaska. I pedal what i can and push what I can’t. Nice day, still chilly. I started with an undershirt under the wool long underwear top and wind shell. Sunshine and exertion warmed me to doff layers. I encountered maybe 10 riders. Chilly weather is a filter for riders and certainly campers. I remained hunkered down inside watching the thermometer to rise to 40 degrees before setting out. 8.97 miles climbing 948′ pedaling for 1 hr 33 mins, heart rate was lower at 118 perhaps from all the pushing versus yesterday’s pedaling.

Mice do not need open side door to enter that I have not found that portal. Last one selected my garbage sack making small pieces of wax paper then seemed to have left.

Last night was warmer as the heater reached shut off temp several times eliminating the blower noise. Sunny skies to charge batteries. I will listen to start of Buckeye football before riding. Temp at 9:44 AM is 53 degrees. Saturday crowds not present.

Here at North Klondike the BLM established a developed paid campground and closed off all the dispersed spots and let the rancher graze cows to chew down the desert. Shoo the people away to favor the cows.

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.

That attribute was not sufficiently desirable for a majority of American voters.

Clocks fell back last Sunday, sunrise earlier as was sunset now in decreasing hours of daylight. Yesterday afternoon I started my last Fruita ride from Mack TH just after 2. Sundown was 4:50. I was concerned about loss of light. My ride plan was a last descent on Hawkeye preceded by riding Troy Built  then climbing Mack Ridge over to start of Hawkeye. Troy climbs up and descends over many rock features, some I make, others I walk, others are on climbs lasting longer than my lungs can support. I was alone, not even a rig at the  TH. At junction with Mack Ridge I chose to hike a bike, wrestle a bike up the Mack single track instead of pedaling the 4X4 roads up to top of ridge which is longer distance. The over my head Mack single track is shorter albeit perhaps slower because of all the pushing. Again, possible lights out going the road. I was familiar with this choice, I knew I would be in for a full body workout wrestling me and my bike over upcoming obstacles. Push and lift I did thru the nasty till clear of rocks. I kept my eyes looking ahead and not looking at the sinking sun under overcast skies. I made the junction with the road from the pedal choice knowing the hardest trail was completed. “Road” pinches off to single track then travels on the ridge top to start of Hawkeye for descent homeward. Hawkeye is a hand full of features and mix of climbing on a descending direction. I made the van jst short of leading edge of sun breaking the topography. Over time I learned to leave daylight up on a ride to allow for ride interruptions. I do carry a small headlamp in my pack as a 10 essential.

I am experiencing gut issues of concern which were becoming more discerning. My next stop is Moab where I do have established patient relationship with providers there but I do not know of their ability and facility to diagnosis cause and or treat. I had been putting off addressing my health so yesterday I drove into Fruita to start learning. I started with an instant care who said what I needed was not in their caring, suggested ER in town. I sucked it up and walked into the ER. In little time I was put into a room and given a gown. A tech confidently grabbed my right arm and proceeded to push an IV needle in scoring a good vein in first stab. I received a CT of my abdomen and analysis of blood and pee. All were fine meaning that whatever was the cause was not going to kill me immediately. I will follow up with Moab health. This visit is why my ride was afternoon. A blood pressure cuff was wrapped around my arm and hooked up to the electronic devices. Heart rate at 50 which caused an alarm to go off, nurse said they do not have patients with my low heart rate. DR was surprised after he asked my age, I told him 75.

Last night at 9:30 the Zags started their season playing Baylor. I listened to the first half as the Zags pummeled Baylor. At halftime I crawled into bed  while the game was playing on XM. I fell asleep missing second half. I woke up after completion and clicked off the radio. At wakeup this morning I quickly turned on phone and called up espn. Zags smoked Baylor.

This morning at wake up the heater quit. I put the lit lighter to a stove burner: nothing. Ran out of propane again. Chilly. Dressed then drove into town to a restaurant I ate breakfast last week because I ran out of propane. Just not paying attention to consumption for timely refill.

Driving from town to sleep spot a snow blizzard strongly blew in. Snow heavy. I made my spot and settled in. Snow quit and the warmth of the earth changed color from white to fall brown.

Anyway, plan is to drive to Moab tomorrow where weather is as nasty as here. Strong winds, riding might not be so good.

Need to fix dinner.