ALS on XM: Yankees and Orioles, 13th inning. Watched a bit of it @ 10Barrels over pizza and a pint. That was after a shower @ SNAP (free: Fitness Program), wash, and a big ride. Oh, slept well, started my day per usual 7:00AM to listen to the Bob Edwards on AM.
Today’s ride is to find COD from camp to Storm King then down the Deschutes river trail then back to camp. 30 degree start. Sun warmed up. Trails are so dusty. COD is the most technical i have ridden here: lots of basalt chunk problems. Most I can ride down w/ gravity as my engine. On the uphills most times my engine hits the governor and shuts down. Then I walk up. Today my strategy was to ride @ lower effort by using lower gear and more pedaling. Still, 25.36 miles in 3 hrs 3 mins. Met a group of 3 riders and that was it. Fall season. The river scenery was absolutely gorgeous.
The sky was clear and deep blue, camera didn’t catch my perceived reality.
Today I was out biking 4 hours then I moved to the insides of van and buildings. I think back to my thru hike on the PCT that I was outside mostly from light to dark. Biking I am getting some but leaving lots on the table.
I changed clothes and drove to laundromat for Thurs wash. Clean clothes. Next was a shower. Cleaned up off to beer me place.
Yesterday was another run of the mill Bend ride day. Cold morning. wait till sun warmth. This time I drove to Shevlin park for Mrazek Ridge out and back. Almost consistent climbing grade. Trail snaked thru madrona patches that were just high enough and certainly very dense that could have blocked my view of approaching rider. The riders I did encounter were in the thinned out forest. Grinder up. Going down was slow because of the tightness of the trail w/ no long range sight line which prolly reduces head ons.
Then a shower, groceries, a beer, then back to camp spot for dinner.
Riding here is fun w/ just a bit of tech challenge but very aerobic. Yesterday was a climb, today was undulating pedaling.
Rain is forecast for this weekend. It had to fall sometime and is very needed. It could be a wet 62 miles. Wonder if the trails get sticky when wet? Shouldn’t be as the dirt is volcanic ejecta.
Orioles won in 14 innings, series tied.
Tomorrow is a rest day and preparing for Sat ride. I have been averaging roughly 7 mph on my rides. 62 miles is 9 hrs riding. Sack up.
My van smells of dust.
Saturday looks pretty good. Only 50% chance of showers and lows of 40 at Bachelor. A good day for the epic and the showers will knock down the dust. Our week in Bend ended last Saturday. Awesome week of single track. Try to ease up a bit as you approach the steep climbs. My 22 ring is my best friend! Middle ring climbing is for young legs. Best of luck for your ride. RM