Us or Them?

Who changed a trail feature? Upon occasion a conversation with a local rails about altering or dumbing down a feature that they like. Last one said that it’s the visitors that who make the change. He didn’t want to blame locals. I find it hard to accept that a visitor on a short visit would invest time and effort to alter the trail and would instead walk it. First ride for me of SST this season I saw a tight handlebar banging tight spot that was missing one of the bangers, what remained was a stump cut clear to the ground. When both trees were standing clearance was maybe 1/2″ each bar end that I could clear with concentration. I posted a pic of the feature previously. Someone packed a chain saw a long distance in to remove one tree. Us or them? Dunno who packed the saw in and out. Tree is gone now. Only bar end scrapes on remaining tree.

Been hanging up at Swampy to escape the high temps down low with trade off of small population of mosquitoes. I rode around Swampy which was clear of snow. Another ride I rode Ridge up to Flagline Tie which was melted out. The traverse  on Tie had many patches of melting out snow that required walking over. Lower Flag down to Swampy was snow free. Trails here are mostly on volcanic ash and pumice which is dusty because. Not scary loose. Base is firm.

Tumalo face

There’s more of it behind the trees. This face is very visible way to the east. I telemarked it several runs over 2 days on deep powder in a white out. Best powder skiing ever, face shots over my head. But that was years ago. Still brings back the tale I tell myself.

Tree cover
Broken Top

Swampy snowpark sits at 5791′. Tree cover is different and non man managed. Road 41 close to Bend sits at 4043′ with Ponderosa pine cover and view of only tree trunks.

On Tuesday a short lived strong thunder storm moved in and out treating to rain, noise and light resulting in almost 40 degree temp drop. In the morning I rode up here at Swampy then drove down to town for physical therapy treatment of my left shoulder. I made Wed a rest day for a morning crown install. I missed riding the temporarily dampened trails. On Monday my right knee was examined, report is no damage to be repaired,  body part added to existing PT. Body parts wearing out.

Tomorrow is the 4th. Staying up here away from crowds. Bend is a tourist draw to float the river etc. Experiencing heavier traffic this year.

 

It’s just numbers

On June 24 my Revel Rail turned 4 years old. It was ridden 769 rides covering 9,956 miles. I am working on its 5th year.

Just numbers.

On June 25th I rode my South Fork of Tumalo creek loop, 19.4 miles climbing 968′ and descending 2595′ pedaling for 2 hrs 8 mins. That’s on the above bike. I paid $5 to a transit company to ride their bus up to Swampy to the start.

Et cetera.

Three wash days at Washable laundromat in town.

Three PT sessions working on my wearing out left shoulder.

Down sizing chain ring from 30T to 28T and now able to climb easier with fewer blow stops.

My brain maybe making promises that the body might keep. Do I want to run risk of failure?  I like riding S Fork which is a hand full of a ride. I had apprehension of ability to complete it. I did it. Performance instills confidence.

Riding down low here to high point at start of Storm King is in open Ponderosa Pine forest. Swampy is just under 6,000′ in different forest, no P pine. Smells different also. Shadows flicker on trail creating or erasing shadows, how to prepare for what wheels will be going over?

Anyway.

I see many badger dug holes near trails. I read they dig searching for prey. I stuck a stick down 1 hole, its length was up to my rib cage. Why they chose proximity to humans is unknown.

Might run out of propane tonight or breakfast, I failed to check the gauge before heading out of town. Bonta makes very enjoyable gelato, local maker.

Susan called her fitness watch “Boss”, I placed mine in my clothes drawer. Just numbers.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind.

Kitchen clean up and gelato to eat.

Good night.

Nothing catchy

Friday 20, 8:21 PM Bend elevation 4008′ outside thermometer reads 47 degrees. The town hugs the shores of the Deschutes river, a white water river attracts floaters from inner tubes down towards town to large inflatable rafts. Today was a light weight jersey and wind shell for my muscle heat generation. People were on the river? I saw the raft shuttle folks hauling people and empty rafts, I did not get over to the river to count perhaps the blue lips of floaters.

Riding, the trails are dusty. I have been riding down low from Welcome Center area as it is closer to town than higher up. Plus snow long ago melted. The trails are pedalable with manageable elevation changes, never too steep nor technical. I have been nibbling at length of ride. Last Sunday I established the longest ride so far at 1 hr 47 mins. During that ride my left shoulder started sending pain message. Serious concern. Seeking PT which treatment requires a DR referral. I visited an urgent care seeking referral. Tendonitis. PA suggested letting a sports DR across the hall to examine. I scored an appointment several days out because of a cancellation. Xrays were taken and the DR ultra sounded it. This shoulder was surgically repaired back in ’97 and is showing signs of wear which is what is causing my pain. I asked for PT recommendation and he circled several. I called 2 but they did not reply. I tried a 3rd one and scored an appointment for today. The PT is quite knowledgeable about shoulders. Today she gathered performance measurements. She said yes its worn but pieces are still connected and is confident that her treatment will make the shoulder happy over he next 6 weeks and will avoid surgery repair. I went into a funk after the DR’s findings thinking that I would be dropping anchor here for repair and a lengthy recovery. I would need to live outside my van. I was making myself glum. It will now be up to her treatment plan and my execution of it.

Wed was dentist removing  cavities and crowns from 2 teeth. bill is $4,700. In 2 weeks I return for the installation of the permeant porcelain crowns. On the ceiling was a flat screen TV that played a video about the ocean and living organisms that enthralled me.

A bunch of days ago I noticed mice chew holes in food stuffs. I still have not learned their entry point. I set a trap with almond butter bait that failed to attract. I checked out the storage compartment under the fridge where I store my shoes. I pulled out my shearling booties, 1 seemed to have lumps in it as well as chewed shearling. I shook the shoe and 3 blind hairless mice fell out. That’s not good. A ground squirrel ate them after I threw them out. I did not find the mama. I continued to see mouse chew holes while ignoring the baited trap. Yesterday I bought a plastic tub into which I put all the edibles in. I baited a trap with a piece of walnut. This morning I saw a trapped mouse, a female. Again a ground squirrel dined. May I be mouse free. I will leave edibles stored in place.

Last sat I joined the No Kings protest in La Pine. Tomorrow is a protest on public lands sale in the proposed budget.

Typing hurts my right shoulder.

I am still liking the Outlier Pendulum pedals.

Trails down here are in Ponderosa pine forest that much of it has been fuels reduced that lessens the density. The trees prune lower branches as they grow which opens the visibility. Ceanothus, manzanita, and bitter brush make up the shrub cover. Ceanothus is blooming sending their fragrance air borne.

OK. I’m finished.

Good night.