My new bar that is. My old one was 26.5, an inch & 1/2 is daunting. I performed a sidewalk swap out on the street replacing the bars. Went back to my round Ouray grips. And then I was off to rides above Hood River.
Drove out hwy 35 towards Hood River then up rd 44 to the ride areas. Today was a drive day. I found the place where I camped b4, uninspiring, out in the, but a full on view of the east face of MT Hood. Deer sniffed around me at dusk. On the 26th @ 6:45 AM it was 38 degrees outside and 51 inside. real heavy dew.
Wed I drove down to 8 mile creek TH to start my Hood River tester: 15 mile creek. A group of riders arrived b4 I headed out. A guy said that I prolly didn’t remember him. I asked him to hum a few bars and I might recognize the melody, no not really. But he started to share about himself and I pegged him because I rode w/ him and his wife, Mary, @ Durango. The 2 of them work as guides for Western Spirit out of Moab and they were there guiding a group. I rode w/ them off and on during the ride.
The ride: this time I rode the trail w/ the other riders instead of the easier road climb. Today is the first rdie w/ the wider bars and newly acquired skills. Climbed up the trail. At a creek crossing is where I remet Andrew and gang 2 years ago. Trail dumps off @ 15 mile creek XG, from there the trail drops down on the west side of the creek in the deep woods. Several tech spots that in years pass I walked, today I rode w/ confidence and used my front brake almost exclusively. The down is the easier part, the hard part is the hump out back to the XG. OK, I blew up several times and walked my bike till I could recover. In all I rode more than in the past and I would pay that effort price the next day. 20 miles and 3743′ climbed, grueling. Fun dropping down 8 mile carving the corners and lofting the front wheel over the rubber water bar diverters.
I had filled my solar shower and hung it from the van where the sun struck it. I parked in deep woods where the sun exposure was fleeting leaving the h2o too chilly for comfort. I drove back to where I camped last night which is just off the Surveyor’s Ridge trail. I spotted 2 guys on extra loaded bikes looking @ a map. I walked down to check them out. They are circumnavigating MT Hood and today was their first day out. I shared w/ them what i recalled from 2 years ago about their route. They said their Scotch ration was heavier than their 2 man tent.
Chilly night and heavy dew again. Thurs was another ride out of same TH as yesterday only this ride will be less taxing. Today is Knebal Spring and 8 mile creek loops. I was beat from yesterday’s thrashing making the hills daunting and speed an unobtainable aspect. The Western Spirit group returned. Shortly after starting I ran into Mark whom I met yesterday and recommended the route. He is staying w/ Bill and Emily who apparently rented the USFS fire look out. In heavy lupine bloom just like last month down @ Twin Falls. Sweet.
B4 I left my camp spot in the AM I hung the solar shower from an elderberry branch and attached a note claiming ownership and I would be back. Still not hot enough so i hung it on the van hood facing directly into the sun. I opened the awning as a sun shade then enjoyed a navy shower to wash off the swaet and dirt but not to luxuriate under it. More deer again.
Today I need to drive down to HR for supplies and do wash. I camped @ 4200′, HR is 390′ and hot. I checked out Mt View Cyclery in downtown. No rapport spark. One other shop is Dirty Fingers uphill. I visited there when I was thru here 2 years ago. I was looking for a place to socialize. I was just another customer until Mitchell walked in and recognized me. He was jacked. Good visit, I ended up there for several hours eating up in town time. Where I am camped there is not even cell phone coverage.
Did my wash in an Eco laundry using environmentally friendly methods, not like beating clothes on a rock down by the river. The laundromat adjoins a Wal_mart shopping center. I checked out posted signs that prohibit overnight parking. Bought a small YoCream self serve yogurt dish where the customer pulls the handle. One more step to eliminate labor, next up is Burger King where you cook your burger the way you want it.
Back up @ Dirty Fingers for Fri night festivities. His store was poached by a look a like in Sandpoint, ID. Temps are just below 90. I will drive back up to where I have been for Sat & Sun rides. Riding here on trails that have not been dirt biked is way more enjoyable than what i will find up north in WA.
Gotta go drink beer.