I had always been of the belief the best buzz was leaving me firmly anchored to whatever I was sitting in. A friend told me about the benefits of sativa: being buzzed but not planted. Beings how I am in Oregon and a dispensary is close by. I bought sativa then inhaled away on my vaporizer. Strange being buzzed but still able and willing to be off the posterior. So that part works. Today at the Oakridge dispensary I bought a hybrid that is to be just about 50/50 so the buzz would be well, buzzed and active but able or planted. Hard to believe that being both active and planted happens. Well, today has been long, I no longer remember what my mix was thru the day. Must be sativa for me to peck out this blog.
So, yes I am back in Oakridge, OR home of GOATS of which I am a member. The Merch and the Brewers Union is all I need to know about Oakridge. The Merch is the bike ship and the Union is a replica of an English pub, all beers are hand pulled. Great place to hang after riding.
At Bend the forecast for last Fri was high probability of rain which would made hero dirt. Rain didn’t happen. Sat I decided to drive to Oakridge well ahead of the Middle Fork work project which is my reason to be here on that date. About a 100 mile drive going over to the wet side of the Cascades. Arriving here the effect of water is apparent with the density of green plant life. Checked in at the Merch, Richard, young Jack.
Nature’s recreation limiter:
Plan was to ride Larison Rock right above town. I drove to Greenwaters park on east end of town right on the river. The ride is a big hump: 2169’ climb on pavement taking 1 hr16 mins of nonstop pedaling for 6.3 miles. The descent took 20 mins lasting only 3 miles. Deep shade under the conifers with occasional patches of bright sunshine.
Then patches of slippery mud were not visible in the changing light. Slippery with maybe a root mixture. Trouble is happening when the front wheel and rear wheel pick different lines. The climb worked me. A wet wash cloth wipe down in the parking lot spruced me up for Sat night at the Pub. Quiet night. I drove back up Larison Rock road to a mowed flat spur road. Lots of mosquitoes and warm enough for the screens. The side door screen leaves gaps that mosquitoes used to her advantage seeking blood to lay clutches of eggs. My head was exposed while sleeping. At wake up time in the light I saw numerous bulging mosquitoes that when squished splotched blood.
Sunday I chose Randy’s shuttle service for a ride up to Kate’s cutin on Alpine at 11:45. $30 eliminated the long endless climb up the gravel logging road. I envisioned my ride to be the ATCA which is 24 miles climbing 3539 and sweet 6782’ down. I change my plan to just ride Alpine and save the TCA for another ride. Alpine still rocks, Oakridge’s crown trail. The shuttle drop off point now that the snow has melted out is Kate’s cutin a short access trail to Alpine. Derick and I built this piece of trail right before a Cream Puff race. Again deep shade hiding infrequent mud suckers making for 12.75 miles climbing 1138 but dropping 4390. The finish is at the Red Bridge, parking was a short distance at City Hall. The solar shower heated the water. Took a parking lot shower.
Sat night at the Pub. Oh Catrina.
Last night I parked off Salmon Creek rd. Today is a rest day. Olivia at The Merch fixed my hesitant shifting. I replaced the chain. I hung around a bit then left to drive way up Dead mtn to a spot in the sun which would keep mosquitoes at bay in spite of sweating. Sun has gone down and the critters are back and feeding.
No internet here.
Riding here is either up or down. The ups are covered by 2 shuttle services should a rider wish to checkbook ride. I did.
I am riding under deep tree cover. Bend is open Ponderosa pine. Oakridge is all about wet green and lots of it.
It was great meeting you at Randy’s place. Good riding to you.