The pre-flight weather observations and forecasts were iffy with moderate winds in the high-country. I had an external factor, Kathleen wanted me home to watch Liam by 12:30. This meant the first outing would be short, which worked well, since the weather was foretasted to deteriorate in the afternoon. Buena Vista (KAEJ) is a 50 minute flight from Metro, with an early start you can land by 7:30 and make the trail head by 8 for a 2.5 hour ride.
According to web sites, BV has some respectable trails starting from the downtown park. Having never been there, I found the website vague and rider reports inconsistent. To know is to go and find out. My plan was to wake up at 5, check weather and eat, make the airport by 6 and take off by 6:30. I would make BV by 730, borrow the courtesy car, drive to the park, and ride.
I left my favorite MTB shoes at the office, so I picked them up on the way to the airport, not a big deal but it cost me 10 minutes. So, I was wheels up by 6:40, still in good shape. As I mentioned, the winds were active (not ridiculous) but in the mountains a little can go a long way. Leaving this morning, I knew to be respectful and be ready to turn around. There were periods of chop, but mostly smooth air with a steady 20kt headwind the whole way. After I crossed Wilkerson Pass, the radio picked up automated weather from BV, it looked like we were in business wind 140 at 15 knots, that's a go for me.
As I neared the west side of South Park the report updated to 110 at 25 gusting to 28 and I could see some small rotor clouds forming over BV just above my altitude of 12,500. It's best to be respectful of these signs, I can certainly handle a 15 knot crosswind, but add in the changing wind on the field, deteriorating forecast, and small suspicious looking clouds above...best to leave BV for another day.
Salida is 30 miles south, has a nice airport and also on my list to checkout. I tuned into the AWOS and winds reported 200 at 7 and the sky looked clear, so Salida is our date, only there was no plan for what to do after landing. The field was easy to find and the landing smooth. The approach end of runway 24 sits on the edge of a Mesa...wish I'd thought to take a picture. Plenty of parking and the ramp was in good shape, the FBO was open, I checked out a curtesy car. Now after 815, I was 30 miles further south of BV, so riding was getting unrealistic. I left the bike in the Cheetah and headed out to check out Salida, driving into town and get information...I knew with the time constraint a ride today was iffy.
Notes:
-wind aloft @ 12000' was 220 @ 20-25kt (a good upper limit for SW wind)...lower your limit if the wind is from west to north
-tie down fee $3, but I just used chocks (free)
-Curtesy cars are two retired police cars, big enough
-Drive time from Airport to base of Tenderfoot Hill 10 minutes by car (downhill)
-the bike ride back to airport is a slow incline until the last 1/2 mile (steep climb to the Mesa top)
-downtown is sleepy in April, but plays hosts to many events in summer
-F street seems to have everything: the park, shops, restaurants, bars
-pleasantly warm for 830 in the morning in April
-the town is welcoming to dogs, bikes, anglers and paddlers
-many riding options south of the airport and away from town,but all require a car
-must return and ride here
Lessons learned flying:
-have ride plan for alternate airports ready, BV experienced an isolated weather event a common thing, I'll gain agility with experience and do more research
-Recognizing the weather and rotors forming was good, but I should have taken a picture of them for the blog. These clouds don't look like much, but can be bad news. If you see these near the airfield and winds are changing, you could find some wicked turbulence with them. If you land safely, will the weather be fun on the ground? Put your macho in check:)
-Leaving Salida at 1030 was good, I hit a few small pockets of moderate turbulence on the way back, the weather deteriorated shortly after noon.
Lessons learned bicycle:
After I landed at home, I took the bike out and put it together, things to improve:
- forgot to shim the brake pads, if you have disk brakes don't forget this (rookie mistake)
- my front tire still has a slow leak, new tube installed before leaving this morning - action: need to find the goat head in the front tire and verify it holds air in advance
- after I reassembled the front derailleur was not able to pop to the big chain ring from the top three granny gears. Action: fabricate better protection for the derailleurs, readjust and test shifting before next weekend
-bike repairs away from the comfort of the hangar - must minimize
*In general be militant about bike maintenance and prior proper testing, or the ride may not happen
* these faults would have cost 20 minutes for each bike, must do better
In the posts ahead, I'll write a bit about oxygen and discuss considerations around weight and balance. It also appear a few people read my intro post, I hope you liked it.
Salida KANK
old school mountain town - it's obvious the place is nuts for the river and biking scene. Bike racks everywhere and it sports a large parking lot at the base of Tenderfoot Hill on F Street across the river, look up you'll find bike trails.
Tenderfoot Hill (the one with the big "S" on it)
Jason handed me the free Cycling Guide and said it had maps of several popular trails, for a day trip this is all you need. He said the topo map showed more trails and the camping area. It covers all of Missouri Park, Sand Park, Maxwell Park, and more so I bought one, because I'm a map geek. http://www.subculturecyclery.com/ this shop has a good vibe, they rent, sell and repair bikes; free of tourist t-shirts and plastic trinkets.
Bodie and I wondered if you were flying this weekend! :) You and Bodie will need to take a biking flight sometime this spring!!
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