Trail update

I took the Coconino out today with the Groovy Cycleworks Luv Handle handlebar freshly installed. I headed up Schultz to the Waterline Road to see the progress of what is to take the place of Pick-Up Sticks. What I found was a trail closed sign and a new trail junction just down from the old one. I took the new trail found it to be a bit like Little Bear. It is fast and switches back a couple of times until it hits the drainage where it picks up the old trail. I later found out from a FS trail worker that this section is not done yet and beginning in September they will be rerouting the section that is currently in the drainage bottom. They have decided to use the existing bottom portion of the trail instead of having the new trail spit out somewhere on the road up to the Inner Basin from Lockett Meadow. This requires them to put in many wooden water bars to bring it up to standards. They will be working on this section for the rest of August. Most of the lower section is smooth and fast now because of some cutting of the logs that had previously caused some rapid braking. The death log near the bottom is still in place though so if you're flying down the trail be wary of the last corner before the parking lot. Digressing to the Luv Handle, not only does it look sweet and is a metal work of art it is super comfortable. I had no feeling of discomfort in my hands, arms, or shoulders throughout the four hour ride. I have had discomfort going from one bike to the other occasionally in the past when I have been riding one as my primary bike due to the different bars. I was figuring this would be the case changing to this bar but it was not so.

A quick trip to Clints Well, Arizona

Sunday I loaded up the panniers, threw them on the Coconino and headed towards rim country. I decided to camp at a free campground in Clints Well, AZ near a little country store that sold some delicious large cans of beer. I had good weather the whole time I was gone albeit a bit hot on the way home yesterday. Monday I had a route planned out to ride to the Tramway Trailhead and hike down into W. Clear Creek. I locked my bike to a tree and hoped for the best. Hiking down into the canyon was was pretty spectacular with views of the lush canyon bottom coming in and out of view. It is an oasis of sorts in the middle of what seems like endless terrain without water. When I got back to my bike I headed for the Blue Ridge Ranger Station for some water and inquired about the Moqui lookout tower. I got the info I needed and headed up to the tower. I climbed up the stairs and had a brief conversation while looking out at all of the fires in the area. It appears that fire season is in full swing at the end of August. I guess it was going to come sometime. Next stop was Blue Ridge Reservoir to check it out real quick before heading to the store and back to camp. While I was out there I enjoyed some fine dinners. The first night I ate a Jamaican chicken freeze dried meal that I found in the pantry and washed it down with a Fosters oil can. The menu for the second night was Annie's mac and cheese with a big can of Coors. Yesterday I loaded up for the return ride home. It was a pretty good slog back especially my detour through Sandy's Canyon and on the AZT. I had to avoid the construction on Lake Mary Road somehow and that seemed like the best way. I refueled with a couple of beers at the Pay'n Take before dinner at Diablo Burger. That is good stuff to look forward to while turning the cranks on the way back home.

I had a new helmet

Tonight while I was on the phone I realized that I hadn't seen Yampa for awhile. When I hung up I heard some chewing sounds so I went into the bedroom to find my helmet on the floor with some strap customization courtesy of some healthy canine teeth. I believe that the salty goodness was just too much for Yampa to resist.

Another week has past

Well over the past week I went hiking a few times and riding a few times and not much more to speak of beyond that. Shortly after the photo with Yampa and me was taken on the Kachina trail we ran into a mama bear and two cubs which was a treat. I got back out on the Turner for the first time in a while. I really like riding the Coconino but the Turner is a lot of fun also and easier on the body when the lower back is sore. I rode it to Upper Brookbank for an awesome descent on one of my favorite sections of trail around. On my way home I can across a field packed with sunflowers and some others that I am not sure of the name. Yesterday I rode up Elden and got some great views out toward the Painted Desert and toward the Peaks. This weekend I decided to try an interesting pancake recipe from Backpacker Magazine that uses beer for the liquid. PBR seemed like the quintessential beer for the job and with some frozen blueberries thrown into the batter breakfast was served. Yum yum!

Where in the hell is Pumpkin Center?

I have been trying to ride a bunch this week and have even rolled out of here on the skinny tires once or twice. Today I just had to get out early and check a ride off the list of must dos. I really had no idea whether there was still a tower at the Red Hill Lookout or if it was just a high point with a good view but I had to check it out. I rode a bit of pavement to connect with the Forest Service road route that I had planned to get to my destination with a estimated distance of 70 miles round trip. It was a beautiful ride through the Kendrick Peak area to Pumpkin Center and then out to and up Red Hill. The views were amazing and the recent lightning activity was readily apparent by the 2 fires that were visible from the lookout. I noticed some damage from some atv traffic going around the locked gate and a message written on the gate itself by some sort of English scholar but the point was made I guess. I arrived home with 67 miles under my belt for the day which was close to my original estimate which was good. Good mainly because it ensured that I had enough food and water to get me through.

Back from a last minute trip to Colorado

Saturday morning we loaded up some gear, a couple of bike and some food and headed to Pagosa Springs for a few days. We were headed to spend some time with Anne's dad and I was sure to have time to ride everyday. I had an incredible time riding in the general area around Wolf Creek Pass both on the road and on the dirt. The first ride was a road ride up Wolf Creek Pass itself. 60 miles with about 5000 feet of climbing by the time I rode back up to the house. The next day I went exploring some old mining roads in the East Fork of the San Juan river drainage. The roads went up pretty quickly and were super rough but the scenery was amazing and I had no problem filling up half a day with that ride. The third ride I did was a mixed bag. I decided to head out to ride an official mountain bike trail on the San Juan National Forest. The only problem is that most people shuttle up and ride down from just about the top of Wolf Creek Pass. I decided to ride up the pass and then come down to make a loop out of it. Everything was going smoothly until I actually got on the Treasure Mountain Trail which turned out to have downed trees all over it. It quickly turned into a frustrating hike a bike which included lifted the bike over tree after tree after tree. I was having a hard time accepting the fact that the FS hadn't cleared their only MTB trail when I know that this particular district has done a ton of work on their wilderness trails. Why not prioritize the MTB trail near the top of the list in the spring to share the love with all trail users?

Before we went to Colorado

I just thought I would post some photos of last weeks events before Anne and I headed to Colorado. I was down at AZ Bikes and found Bryce's new sign to be quite impressive. Not just a sign but a pretty labor intensive work of art in my opinion. I went for a long ride with the Gnome last Wednesday that went around the peaks and hit some new AZ Trail on the way back around. I got some photos from that day but since I have been taking all photos with my phone I am usually disappointed with the results. Tomorrow I am going back to the real camera. Anne and I then headed out to do the Abineau/Bear Jaw loop hike. We took Yampa with us and she was crazy as ever but settled down due to the warmth of the day. She looks pretty tuckered out in the photo but shortly there after she was back in the shade and her energy returned rapidly.