Wed dawned cold, clear & windy. Checked weather forecast between here & Sedona. Said OK I’m down the road.

Bid good bye to Quentin @ OTE & headed South. Climbed up out of Hurricane Valley past upper JEM TH, Gooseberry, & Little Creek which was under snow. Retraced my route around end of Grand canyon, missed Page, and stopped in Flagstaff which was under about 8″ of snow. Pretty, beautiful driving day. Dropped into Sedona canyon just as it was getting dark. There was snow in the trees and hanging on the rock faces. The further I dropped down canyon the less the snow. Flag sits @ 7,000 on old route 66. Sedona is under 5000′ Drove to Mtn Bike Heaven for info. NOD (narly old dude) was working. He claims name origin and he wears his 66 yo well. Mtn Bike Heaven is having a christmas day ride that I will join. He gave me a camping spot about 10 miles west of town. Drove out in dark & found a spot.

21 degs this AM. Outside of van was covered in frost. When the sun struck I watched the frost turn to steam. Several hot air balloons were “flying”.

Back @ MBH for a ride idea. NOD gave me a doosey. Before gearing up I called Bike & Bean and asked if they were having a shop ride. Yes, a social ride today after they closed the store early. Cool. A local ride.

Drove further down canyon to B & B out of the snow. Geared up and showed up @ shop. I recognized several shop people from previous visit and they me. About 12 of us headed out finally on trail from shop.

This Sedona is special riding. I smiled and went to a special place several times on  the ride soaking in riding here. I analyzed the trails as a bit of trail riding mixed in w/ technical features and then a few bigger technical stuff. Red sandstone & trails. A bit of freeze thaw wetting the sand but no clay to make things slippery. Sandstone was slightly slippery caused by wet that hadn’t sun dried.

Big group social ride so lots of stopping & talking. Goal was short ride and then back to shop for beer. Stopped on this open flat slick rock vista. Participated in safety meeting. Wow!. Got to pay attention to what I ride over. I followed Bill quite close and as a result I rode some stuff that I might have walked. I was riding it for the first time. At a blind overlook I want to see the runout. Tagging another rider who rode it says a bike can ride it. I need to call my technical skills into play and ride it myself. All the while be conscious of staying upright.

I posted up on mtbr.com forum seeking ride ideas. 2327 people had viewed my post.

Juniper trees cover.  Prickly pear cactus. I hiked up a hill above where I camped tonight. The cactus grow in patches. Threading my way thru the climbing was like backcountry skiing around trees.

Down here biking.

Hung @ Bike & Bean for refreshments & socialization. This year Mountain Bike Action published a multi page article about Sedona riding and B & B. I presented it to Jim, the owner and asked for his autograph which he did. Said he knew I would come back. I gave him one of my stickies. he gave me a shop mug and asked for me to take pictures of it and email back to shop.

Tomorrow is a ride w/ the bad boys.

Pagan days.

location is still Hurricane, UT

On Sunday the forecast called for 40% chance of rain on Tuesday. That meant I wanted to get a ride in Monday, rest on Tuesday, Wed take off for Sedona, AZ.

Monday my blood pressure was checked @ doc’s office: 111/70, pulse 53. Almost too low.

Said goodbye to Fixie Dave @ bike shop as he headed for home in CO.

Drove to Springdale (UT  Mel, not WA) and rode Rockville Bench on tech slick rock. Trail wanders around slick rock as all slick rock trails do as the trail makers route around stuff impossible to ride or just way too hard. This way, w/ some skill application, a rider can make their bike ride the features. Yes, there are wheel sucks and abrupt pitches but it can all be ridden, I walked a few.

Back to Hurricane. Dirtbagging in parking lot kitty corner to shop.

Last night before bed I covered the bikes. This AM rain fell, splatters at first, then mellow fall. Smiled again that bikes were covered and I could enjoy the rain pattering snug & dry in my bed listening to Bob Edwards.

Today I planned on errands in ST George for a rest day. Shower @ rec center & a bottle of Scotch for, well, because I like the taste of it.

I called Mtn Bike Heaven in Sedona to learn of trail conditions which are rideable now. They were getting a gentle sprinkle.

Which brings me to part ways w/ Hurricane for awhile. Last year it was Brevard, NC and the cold winter riding. Both places were great in the fact that I get into a routine and not be planning where to be the next day and ride. I met more different people here than Brevard. No real sports bars however.

Flagstaff is snowed under, Sedona is where I will go and then down to Phoenix area, seeking trails & experiences.

Yesterday a hurkin 23 miles in 3 hours and today a 6 mile technical ride.

Dirtbagging in the parking lot behind beside OTE in Hurricane, UT. Right @ bottom of hill of rt 59 dropping into town. Exhaust brakes are banned. I am just visiting, imagine living at the bottom of a step downgrade coming into town & trucks using unmuffled exhaust brakes? Rattle the windows and scare the kids. A trail track would seem quiet. Dave lives right on the hwy, at least I am 1/2 small block away.

Problem is with freeze thaw mud. At night temps drop just below freezing and daytime highs are in mid 50s. Air is relatively dry which blots up free water. At night the capillary action stops and the water at surface freezes. When it thaws in the daylight until it dries out is pure slick snot. The thawed soil slips over the firm underneath – like shears away. Makes for counter steering and seat waggle to keep under control

With those conditions under consideration I left for trail head just after 9 AM in the chill. The climb up Hurricane hill right at the start is a lung toaster. The rim trail is for most part dry. The trail joins the JEM trail 7 miles out. I dropped down JEM which is muddy @ the washes & other low spots. At it’s end I rode back up Sheep Bridge road to JEM intersection then turned downhill back to rim junction. Up above the JEM is soft. Join back up w/ rim for 7 miles back to beer. 3 hours some 2700′ climb. Hardest day since crash. Felt it.

Schedule today is finish ride, drive 15 miles to Washington for a shower, drive back to Hurricane to sports bar to watch Zags / Duke game @ 3:00. Made the shower & 3:00 game start on CBS. Game started early & when half time report showed the score, like wow, what happened to the Zags? They went on to lose such big time, something like 71 to 39. Bummer.

Back @ new spot.

Today I drug my feet leaving planning on a slower day and wait out the sun. At the bike shop local rider, Jack, stopped in to say he was riding w/ several 60 yo men that really tear things up. I didn’t invite myself along, my ego would have troubles being out ridden by riders older than me. I am not interested in punishing myself that badly.

Back @ the van I had a message from Tae, another local, asking me if I wanted to share a ride. He is younger and I figured he would be stronger than me w/o much effort. We decided on a new trail for me, The Zen trail just outside ST George, like right on edge of residential development. Short ride w/ serious 1500′ climb. Wow. Short, technical, & grunt factor. Rick V, we were right there when we rode Stucci spring.

Stopped @ Barista in town for some scratch made ice cream. Mustache licking good.

Staying in new place again tonight. Upper JEM th rode is dry to drive into, I chose to stay here.

Rain forecast for Tuesday. Might do same long Hurricane rim ride tomorrow.

Plumbing appears to be fixed. Carpet needs to be cleaned. Need to find a car detailing shop that shampoos carpet down in ST George.