Training Log Archive: Bash

‘Bent and I had planned a ride from the Bell Rock Trailhead, close to the bike shop in case something needed to be adjusted. I’d rented a Pivot Switchblade from Absolute Bikes. It feels similar to my home bike (also a Medium Pivot) but it’s designed to handle rockier trails.

The bike was a huge success - it’s even bright blue! - but our planned ride was a flop. There weren’t any parking spaces at the trailhead and we could see lots of Sunday hikers on the trails so it didn’t seem worth starting at a different access point. We returned to our house and I planned a new route from there.



Our route was paved road from our place to Lizard Head Trail, then a bunch of trails with very different character in the area northwest of Sedona around Dry Creek Road. The coolest trail was Aerie - beautiful with a bit of exposure - but all the trails had their own highlights and terrific views.













I haven’t ridden a bike (including a trainer or fat bike) in almost 6 months. So this was a heck of a start to the season - 30 km on rocky trails on a hot day at noticeable altitude. For awhile, I was feeling pretty pleased with myself (“Training? Who needs that?”) but by the end, I was really struggling. I think it was mostly the heat, given my bright red face!







Time includes stops.

‘Bent and I wondered if this trip might have to be cancelled but we’ve made it to Sedona, Arizona.

‘Bent brought his big recumbent mountain bike. I can rent a Pivot in Sedona - a little beefier than mine but it should be good for the rocky trails.



We drove through saguaro country north of Phoenix, which made me think of Cristina.



Then we arrived at our cute rental house, Stardust Oasis. The neighbourhood streets include Stardust, Moonglow, Harmony, Rainbow, Windsong and Friendship.



After settling in (i.e. after ‘Bent had most of his bike assembled), we went for a short hike to stretch our legs after a long day of travel. We’re very close to Thunder Mountain trailhead but someone has built A Wall to keep foreigners from walking across the small piece of empty land between here and there. But walls don’t stop people from getting where they want to go. We walked the long way around. :)

It was great to be on desert trails with their bright colours, weird rock shapes and different vegetation.



We hiked up to a small summit with a great view of Sedona. It was actually a little sketchy coming down with loose sand on sloped rock. Then we went for margaritas and enchiladas.

So far every single person in Arizona has been extremely nice - from the airport car rental to the nearby bike shop. I’m sure we shouldn’t talk politics though. We drove past a “Pray to End Abortion” sit-in and got passed by a high speed pickup truck on stilts with a Trump 2020 sticker. But we can all still laugh together.

Very long day. A little 1-footed balance before a short sleep.

Long day. A short blast of foot/calf stretches and some glute strength.

Mom was discharged from hospital after 12 days! My brother was there today; she'll get lots of support at her retirement community. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. She's just glad to be sleeping in her own bed, choosing her own food, wearing actual clothes, catching up on her recorded TV shows, answering email and feeling much improved after a scary experience.

Another out-of-town hospital trip. Fingers crossed, Mom should be coming home in the next few days.

I bumped my head on the TV when I stood up yesterday. Not too hard so I'm not really worried but I could still feel mild pain on that side of my head and jaw today. I'd just read an article that mentioned concussions that were caused by relatively minor head bumps so I decided not to run today. To keep the blood flowing, I did a short leg strength session with free weights, mostly one-legged stuff.