More days of Hood River local

Friday I beat heat finally back up into mtns @ 4000′ with about 20 degrees cooler.

It was suggested that I rest my leg on Sat instead of bike riding especially w/ Les. (she didn’t say that). heeding her advice i drove up bumpy 6 miles of stutter bumps to TH for Lookout Mtn trail @ High Prairie. Wore my new Sportiva approach shoes, ones that Shortt’s in HR says the PCT hikers buy for their last 500 miles which takes them well into Canada. i wore out the previous pair and plan was to replace them while in OR to save sales tax. Plan succeeded. Also I used my ski poles as helpers. The walking forced new muscle activity on hip. I did sleep better Sat night. Just a partial foundation of lookout ground house remain.  A man was there as i arrived. he is an alternative HS teacher teaching resource economics. We chatted about an hour on economic issues and his kids while I sunburned on purpose my bald head. I bid adieu and hiked back to TH.

The shoes felt good and the hip was used. Ride on Sunday will tell healing.

I discovered a small piece of road that dropped onto Surveyor’s Ridge trail near intersection of roads 44 & 17. My reason for camping here is that it was directly on trail and I hoped that I could chat w/ riders as they went by. First rider was training for Fools Gold back in Dahlonega, GA. He is from there. I chatted about Jon @ Wheelworks and my quest for ‘shine. Kid says every christmas he gets a mason jar of the good stuff in his stocking. Do well Bob and say Hi to Jon.

Next rider stops, Michael, and conversation ensues. he asks if I have extra h2o and I tell him yes but I have been drinking unfiltered h2o from a chosen stream. He declined. He told me Stienar Smith in Albuquerque sold him his bike. I met Steinar when i was there. Good chat. He is an engineer @ Tri-Cities @ Hanford. He took pictures of me w/ van and with stickers Steinar sent to me.

A woman stopped and Michael set me up for her. She winters in FL and summers here. We both shared Santos. She told me I should have driven to next 100 miles to Alaphalia.

And that was the end.

Peaceful night. No mosqs up here, just a few horse flies and biting black flies that don’t bite too often, just irritating landing on me.

Sunday I added another monster climb and steep downhill ride up to, along and then down from Gunsight ridge. Killer road climb w/ grades up to 18% on gravel. Ridge was 5.2 miles of challenging ST. The 2.5 miles down dropped steeper than an enjoyable ride would have been. Too bad to loose vert so quickly. Gradients of 6 to 10% are enjoyable, like skiing powder and making turns vs figure 11s.

I misplaced my heart rate monitor strap, I don’t remember when I last touched it. I believe it was at Thursday nights camp site. I searched where I parked and no strap. Bummer. First thing I lost on this trip. I need to replace it as it’s data keeps me from blowing up my heart. My theoretical max HR is 144. And I have experienced 152 beats. At 40 max was 153. 20 years older means fewer beats. My heart just keeps beating pounding in my chest.

Tomorrow I will drive back into HR and hope to schedule a ride w/ Dave & Jimmy. And to check out Post Canyon for Chris.

I have warranty replacement Specialized Mtn Comp shoes in brown this time. The body glove geometry corrects the knee bend to a more up & down movement eliminating the knee flexing in & out. However, the shoes have wearability issues. This time it was the fabric tearing @ the toe that caused the replacement.

Spotty internet access up here.

Les, I apologize for Verizon’s voice mail delivery. I heard your Friday night message this evening. May you have enjoyed your bike ride.