Another Alpine Shuttle

More trailer park life. More heavy dew.

Helped Scott unload stuff from his van and place inside closed school that is the center of the race. Next he loaded John, a repeat racer who has a VW Westie w/ an adjustable solar panel, and me for a shuttle to the highest point of the Alpine trail. John’s & my roles are to flag an upper piece of the trail and check out an optional ending. In between was just ride pleasure. Part way down I stopped to visit w/ a government work project that Bruce and I met on our Tues ride. Rhodies are kicking off blossoming out.

Walked over several small patches of snow. Just another enjoyable ride down. Catch this: w/ a shuttle i climbed 2146′ and dropped 4699′.

I attached myself temporarily to a cane of wild raspberry on the lower end of Alpine trail. My momentum tore the thorns from my right forearm ripping freely bleeding lacerations. No stopping. It did seem worse than it was: streams of blood.

Drove to Merchantile hoping for my new tire. Ah, Catrina was working. Enjoyed a community activist conversation. My tire, another Maxxis Ardent 2.4, arrived. I installed it, what a sight it is to see new meat on the wheel.

Back to Pub for a cask conditioned Imperial pint of their ESB. Front page of local section of the Eugene paper was about a budget crisis in Oakridge. Decreasing consumers decreases local tax income. Some budget improper actions suspected. Return trip took me by the meeting place, the high school, to see the street and parking lot plugged w/ cars.

Back to trailer for evening shower.

Yesterday I hiked the 2.3 mile river trail to cut brush back. Carried a lopper and a shrubbery shear that works better than a lopper when vegetation is almost all vascular. Walked thru lots of poison oak, I cut the “trees” down. I wonder if I will break out from poison.  Tonight checking reveals maybe a streak on my right forearm, I might have some around my eyes.

Tomorrow is more preparing for the race.