June Bug

My nose doc, Zach Wassmuth, gently trimmed the turbinates for both Mr. JB and I, and fixed deviated septums to improve breathing. He also suggested a sleep test and I was blown away that I had sleep apnea. There were three different types of CPAP masks offered: the little nasal canula felt like a fire hose of air straight in my nose. The next option was a mini mask that covers the end of the nose and nostrils and that's what I use. All good. Initially the air presssure was too strong, but I asked them to lower it, which can be done remotely, then all was fine. I think the next option is a big mask covering mouth and nose, which looked claustrophobic. How does that work? Do you face plant into your pillow and fall asleep from there?

Anyone know how to describe the start of the BMX Loop? Is there an actual address, coordinates? Can't remember if there is a Carsonite marker at the start.

Apropos though and maybe an actual metaphor, since Mojo tanked.

BikesDirect.com is having a crazy good sale on gravel wheelsets (including tires and rotors) for $299 https://www.bikesdirect.com/gravel-wheel-sale/ Wheelset GRAVEL 700x45c DT SWISS Front and rear THRU-AXLE RIMS: DT SWISS G540 (DiscBrk) TIRES: Maxxis Rambler 700X45c, 120tpi, EXO/TR Folding HUBS: Shimano 10/11Spd 100/142mm w/Ball Bearing, SPOKES: 32 BlackStainless FREE Shimano CenterLock Rotors This would be a 2nd wheelset for a Hudski Doggler, which came with 27.5, 2.6 Maxxis Rekons, but the non Boost frame can also accommodate a 29er gravel wheelset. The existing drivetrain on the Doggler is Shimano SLX 12 speed with a Shimano MT410 HG+ rear hub. Front 15x100 & rear 12x142mm wheel spacing. This BikesDirect wheelset has a Shimano 10/11 speed hub. Their web site says: "Fit Standard Shimano 10/11 Speed or SRAM 12Spd SX/NX Cassettes" Anyway to make this work with a Shimano 11 speed cassette or SRAM cassette...or something?

Total domination of the world of outdoor recreation, obvs. Here's an overview of the Outside+ strategy from 2021 that lays it out. The subtext is the bundle, i.e. pay us a BUNCH of $$$ and you get All The Things that they are actively acquiring. Outside CEO says 40% of new subscribers are choosing its bundle for access to its entire portfolio. We somehow get Outside print mags; I'm not really enjoying the content and don't read much, if any of it. I paid for a Ride With GPS subscription and don't really need or want anything else. A trail app comes with that subscription but can't remember which one it is.

Finally got around to reading a book I got about three years ago titled "Built from Broken: A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints, Preventing Injuries, and Rebuilding Your Body". The author is a physical therapist who struggled with re-injuring himself and dealing with chronic problems from re-injury and decided to get after what kept going wrong. Really liking the morning mobility routine. Also ordered something called Morpheus (review HERE), basically a heart rate monitor paired with an app, to monitor what your body is up to, to better structure training. Best wishes for your continued healing!

Info on passes and what you get with your pass HERE (basically demos and shuttles to rides) + socks and beer glass!

We've been and I can share my experience. First, I'm an introvert who doesn't drink beer, so the bike festival scene with tons of people milling around at the venue, crowded trails, beer drinking, live music on the last day wasn't that appealing. That said, we took over someone else's registration at the end of Feb - first days of March in 2020 and off we went. When we left Austin, there were some vague background noise about this weird illness called "Covid"; a week later we were wondering if we should even go into restaurants to eat while driving home. We stayed in a little camping cabin at the lovely and peaceful Dead Horse Ranch State Park on the Verde River near Cottonwood and rode some fun trails starting from the park. Other days we drove over to Sedona for activities. If you haven't been to red rock country, Sedona is truly a stunning, magical setting. It's not an exaggeration to say it's just amazing. Parking at the venue wasn't too much of a problem. You just parked relatively nearby and rode your bike over to the venue, which was on the edge of town. The venue was a lot of pop-ups with vendors; IIRC there were some options to demo bikes but don't remember the details, also some food trucks. The main thing: You have your choice of daily guided rides -- your choice, depending on skill level. Alternately, if you are with a group, get a map and go ride. If you are a strong rider and love technical challenge, it can be just the kind of Type II fun you want. There are intermediate trails as well. If you stay in Sedona and like to socialize and do a bar scene, all good. It's a busy place. Sedona has one main drag through the center of town. It's a tourist mecca. Lots of traffic. There were real traffic jams on Sunday as everyone was trying to leave.

Nope, this was before the multi-day rain episode. Saturday to Sunday overnight: 2 or so inches of precip. The actual creek was def optimal for kayaking this morning.

The one I saw was brindle with some white.

Lovely winter day at WC.

There was a loose pit bull-ish pup, but not aggressive fortunately. S/he ran off into the woods.

Will do. I'll never ride by there again by myself, though. Maybe if Mr. June Bug is with me.

Thanks, I'm startled at what an affront it was to my WC sensibilities; I was def clutching my pearls. 😱 The camp is RIGHT ON THE TRAIL. No attempt to distance or conceal. That said, the trail is super convenient to haul/roll stuff in (3 or 4 shopping carts are scattered here and there off the trail) and it's not visible from the road. I guess people just poop in the woods? 🚴‍♀️⛺🛒🚽 There's a more open area very near by that's flatter and more camp-able and is at least a bit off the trail. As is, the camp is set up on a slope and looks kind of miserable for sleeping and general functioning (1 star, do not recommend), but it does have trees to tie tarps off to and to hang stuff.

I haven't been riding much at the far reaches of WC over the last year, sticking closer to the trails near the Lincolnshire entrance. Late yesterday afternoon, I did Inner and Outer Log Loops and headed over to the BMX Loop. First, I got semi-lost on the way over, ending up somewhere in a tangle of social trails at the end of Severe Consequences. When I got close to the entry trail to BMX Loop, I noticed a guy approaching on a bike with squeaky rim brakes and a nice front basket, blasting music. He dismounted and started walking his bike up the trail, so gave him a few minutes lead. Started up the trail, smelled cigarette smoke, and Rudolph Reindeer on an e-bike, there is an established homeless camp right there on the trail. Kept riding on what I think is an added part to the trail, which loops around just a few feet from the back of that same camp. Gack. There is also an abandoned camp with trash. Just overall creepy.

Highest, best use for e bike technology: power-assist hand cycles. Too bad these are so expensive, but I'm sure there will be trickle down technology that will lower the cost in the future. Bike-on Maddiline Race-Xe Handcycle $11,975

So yes, harmless to you, but possibly not to young women. Red flag creeper behavior.

Signed up for general volunteer. See y'all out there! Pace Ben park day use fees, CASH ONLY at the entrance booth. They do not accept credit or debit cards. $5 per person $3 per person for seniors Kids 12 and under are free

A massive search is ongoing after a woman didn't return from going on a hike in Calaveras County on the Arnold Rim Trail in California. myMotherLode.com: Sheriff’s officials noted that a total of more than 64 searchers, 3 canine teams, 2 UAVs (drones), and 9 e-bikes have been deployed in this continuing search.

I just came across an Instagram post on Station Mountain in Marble Falls. Shuttles pulled by a tractor! stationmountain.com/

Topped off the antifreeze yesterday; 15 degrees forecast for tonight, the last night in SW Colorado. The aspens finished up a week or two ago, a few cottonwoods are still a stunning gold when the sun hits them just right, and there's snow on the La Platas. Was going to do one last ride at Phil's World today, but too cold; time to head back to TX.

Did a little late afternoon hike today along the McPhee Overlook Trail starting at the west end of Dolores, CO -- all pinyon juniper by the canyon rim, plus sage brush. It was a warm afternoon and as I was "just walking along" I noticed a twig on the trail, then realized the twig was moving, then realized it was a tiny snake, then realized it was a teeny baby rattlesnake. How small? The head was smaller than my thumbnail, maybe more like index finger nail size. No rattle, of course), it hadn't grown one yet. All this realization took place in a matter of seconds -- just glad I didn't step on it -- I probably would have yeeted myself into the next county.

I've used Ride With GPS off line in airplane mode and it was great. I've been contemplating TrailForks, so will do. @RedRider3141, thanks for that clarification. In the meantime, we've made a commitment to stay together, really together, while riding. We each had cell phones, but had service in different spots at different times.

Motorola Defy is available and the reports are not good. The consensus is that it was released too soon, without sufficient testing and tech support is, "Try this. It might work. No? OK, how about this?" Many people report that set up is not easy. Also, get this, it won't work in heavy tree cover or in canyons. You need a fairly clear view to the south, because it's trying to lock in on a geostationary satellite. We're not spending $$$ for something dicey. Anyway, I do have a question for the hive mind. Our phones (Moto G Power, Android) are GPS enabled. We've had two episodes this summer where we got separated on a trail system and didn't have cell service to sort things out. It is possible to download an app like TrailForks or mtbproject, and it can track where you are even if you're out of cell phone range. What I want to know is, is there a way to track another cell phone's location (Android, not Apple) on one of these apps?

If you're not on tight singletrack with a lot of vegetation, I really like the rear rack with panniers. So much easier to pack and unpack. I have two smallish Mountain Smith panniers that are ancient but still completely serviceable; YKK zippers last forever and the fabric is still good. Mr. June Bug bought them for some long ago bike touring trip before we were married. He uses a seat bag. Since last fall, I've bought the ZinBivy 25 degree Core Quilt -- light weight and compact. Relatively local in the state, BikepackingRoots.org just posted the 280-mile Pine Curtain Loop. The north end is just south of Palestine, heads south between Crockett and Lufkin, through parts of the Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests and as far south as Point Blank on Lake Livingston. Looking at the map, it seems like the route could be cut in half (north loop, or south loop) by cutting over just a few miles on Hwy. 7 in the middle of the route. On google maps, Hwy 7 is a two-lane highway with a good shoulder each way. What's amazing and quite impressive is that there is 11,000' of cumulative climbing along the route. Really local is the 105-mile Texas BBQ Tour Overnighter, starting and ending in Lockhart with an overnighter at Palmetto State Park. Gravel roads and chipseal.