Slept in same parking lot in Frisco.
Up & at it drove out to Dredge TH for another go on CO trail. Today I will add the extra that i attempted several weeks ago and missed because of my map reading error.
Rode out & made correct turn, passed several texas wheelchair camps. Found CO trail. This section noodles up & down slightly and is more technical which is fun. Cross road to repeat previous rides. This time I made the previous stal place, I did take a breather further up. Encountered a single woman hiker sitting on her pack, another pack lay nearby belonging to her fiance i learned later. Heather, they are hiking CO trail. They met last year on their thru PCT hike. They are getting married later this summer in Leavenworth because they liked it and another couple hiking the PCT will be there. They picked their friends over family for celebration. I told of my 1978 attempt which sparked amazement. They had 4 days of rain in Cascades, I had 7 days of no rain.
Afternoon thundersprinkle hit. Rain drops made craters in dust.
Drove to Breck rec center for a shower, then groceries. I walked uptown to headshop & bought Vapor Brothers vaporizer to save my lungs. Ran into Heather & finance on downtown street. I recognized them because of backpacking equipment, they not so lucky in that I am in street clothes. They hiked off trail for night in hostel.
Bought a piece of wild salmon and steamed it for dinner. First salmon since Tom’s dinner back in Sept.
Slept @ same spot in Frisco.
Checked blood pressure on a store machine. Sistolic pressure was 107 to me indicating low pressure which maybe explains my light headedness.
Mark Wiard, the web master, and wife Brenda live in Salida, CO invited me to invite myself to visit. I am trying to hook up w/ Tony Boone who lives there also for a ride. Tony appears to have a trail building contract in China.
Today i drive to Eagle for a ride w/ Larry Grossman who is a race promoter and involved w/ Squirt chain lube. He has some great trails he says.
Off to attend to tasks.
August issue of Bike mag page 40, “Elvis Sighting” keeps it going. Chris, if you are reading, we were the riders mentioned.
Boeing keeps selling airplanes, their data shows 3,000+ unfilled orders. Wish i could ahve completed my work @ Boeing instead of being sold as chattel.
Update:
Found Charlie Brown jr.’s bike shopMountain Pedaler in Eagle. Hot afternoon, threatening to rain. They are a Turner dealer where there was an actual built up DW Turner.
Larry arrived, we met, he drove home changed his clothes and rode back to shop. Skies getting darker and threatening. We headed out West of town into the pending storm. We climbed up thru sage on gysum dirt. Lightning & thunder came close till one exchange occured right over us. We pulled the plug and swooped downhill in widely spaced splatter rain drops making craters in the dust. Storm was short lived w/ strong winds as we rode back to shop. At the store the storm semed to run out of steam. This part of the state is like high desert w/ almost just sage for ground cover. The storm hung on high spots East of town where the Boneyard trail is located. We waited out the storm to move on and then rode out. Tenderly hand cut ST worked its way upward. Larry is stronger than me and chatted while I huffed. My breathing is an issue w/ me. We cleared a hill and looked down at Eagle cty airport where like 737s serve. Downhill was fast and sharp rocks w/ some dust mixed in. What a bike I have.
Larry & I rejoined @ Dusty Boot saloon in Eagle Ranch for a beer & dinner. Larry is involved w/ Squirt. I am now a sponsored rider as i have stickies & a large jug of Squirt. Over the Edge in Hurricane convinced me to try it. Best lube I have ever used. Got a shower before bed @ Larry’s then slept in his condo’s parking lot.
Craig,
I first read about your adventures in June “Bike” Mag.
I must say I wish could experience a small sample of your adventures.
I work for Boeing in Gresham, Or. and yes things are very good for Boeing right now. Especially when the 787’s finally start going to customers. It is a shame what happened in Spokane but it is what it is. We all know how aerospace business can turn up and down, so I just hope I can ride this wave out until I can retire. 54yo now.
I have worked for Boeing for over 25 years and nothing surprises me.
Insitu (Boeing Co in the Columbia River Gorge) just was awarded a large contract yesterday. Maybe when you get tired of traveling around they could use your talents. Like that’s going to happen…..
I just did the July Mountain Bike Oregon on my Turner Sultan two weeks ago. I was alot of fun for this weekend warrior. I just got back into mountain biking about 4 years ago and really enjoy the sport.
I enjoy reading your blog. If you get up into the Columbia Gorge area before winter give me a call.
Thanks, Jack.
Working for Boeing was like sleeping under a heavy warm comforter: nice and warm and secure and little risk. Ride it as long as you can. I am thankful to SPEEA negotiations to include medical in my retirement. Couldn’t be doing this odyssey w/o it.