Tack alert in full force

Rain had been falling off and on since Sunday. Yesterday a little less fell drawing Lee G., Mark, and Andrew from out of shelter for a killer ride. We rode in the clouds and mist getting soaked from the low hanging leaves and plants along the trail to ride 15 mile creek. Big ride. So the Tack alert is sounded when the trails are tacky for great woods traction. Mitchell from Dirty Finger sounds the alert.

So, it was the summer of ’09 I ran into this group of riders while on the NUT. We were going in opposite directions. Said hello. The next day I drove to the Toketee lake TH for the Deer Leap section and they were there. They invited me to ride along and shuttle me back. Two great offers. I said good bye after the ride. Later that summer I was on a ride here in Hood River and ran into them again. Lee was hosting the group and invited me to attend. Andrew is the chef that fed us. Ryan is working for the Fed government off shore. I said good bye the next morning. Several weeks I was in WA in a campground near Crystal mtn and found Ryan in the mist. said hello. Made plans for a ride outside Roslyn. Ryan, Andrew, and I rode. I said good bye afterwards. Lee texted me on Mon greeting me and inviting me on the ride that happened yesterday. That’s how the people contacts happened.

So yesterday the plan was to meet @ the Dog River TH on rt 35 @ 11:30. The rain probability diminished as the day wore on. It was raining @ the meeting place. Original plan was to shuttle up to ride Gunsight down to Dog River. We had no trail condition report for Gunsight, concern was winter downed trees. We changed the plan to ride the 15 mile creek loop up on the 44 road. On the way up I spied the Cog Wild van and a cluster of riders. I stopped to say Hi. They had just ridden Gunsight and reported about 10 trees down but manageable. Future knowledge.

We parked @ Eightmile crossing. We pedaled up the creek trail that I had only ridden down. Gentle climb on tacky woods dirt, going to be super descending. We crossed 44 rd still climbing up Eightmile creek. We hit the high elevation point b4 dropping down to 15 mile XG. From there is was 4.7 miles of sometimes challenging ST down to the bottom. Clouds rolled in during the descent but, hey, it is June and above freezing. Sure like the seat dropper and the strong braking of the front brake. All the while I am thinking about the grunt climb out. Mark hit a rock w/ his left Candy pedal and snapped the shaft killing the pedal. He pushed his bike up and wasn’t much slower than Andrew and my pedaling. I walked several sections. The climb was rewarded by a 7 miles down hill tacky trail and no rain. Super sweet. The 8 mile creek is just a killer high speed trail on a shallow grade that just keeps pulling the rider down. Seat dropper and front brake. Fly. Hit 25 mph. Andrew took the long way to get back to our cars, about 100 yards from my van my left quad threw a cramp. And Mark beat us back as he coasted the paved roads. 26.09 miles climbing 4461′ and burned 3406 cals. I spent 2 hrs 9 mins above my threshold heart rate of 136 bpm. I was spent and smiling. They drove home while I drove back to my camp spot off the 17 road. Hood was playing hide and see in the clouds.

Andrew and Mark
Andrew and Mark

I really didn’t sleep last night.

I have developed a dry non productive cough that has become a concern. Tues. I drove to an Urgent Care in Gresham that is under contract w/ my insurance. DR diagnosed it as bronchitis and prescribed antibiotic. He said if not better than I might want to call my pulmonologist in ST George. The daily dose did knock down the cough. Tomorrow will tell of success.

I am resting today. I did my wash, took a shower, and tested my blood. I am hanging on the street @ Dirty Finger.

Gary inside the shop.
Gary inside the shop.

My plan is to leave here on Monday for Sun Valley.

Weather is clearing and getting into the upper 80s real fast. No wind surfing winds. I asked Mitchell what the surfers do when there is no wind. He said they ride bikes. It’s raining, what do they do: like us: Drink beer.

My Garmin Edge 305 has been failing not holding a charge or dumping a charge. I stepped up and bought the Edge 800 that just arrived thanks Mr Brown.

I will miss the shop ride tonight but will attend the after ride party @ the shop. Mitchell has a good gig going. 10  Speed coffee roaster owns the building and shares the bldg. Yesterday I learned about specialty roasters and the quality of coffee they can produce. Brian has been roasting for 10 years. He made me 2 cups of coffee of different beans to sample. What a quality difference. He said that Starbucks roasts too dark so all you taste is the roast. He is better able to control the roasting which brings out the flavor of the beans. Pay more but enjoyment is justified.

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