Yesterday I told Cog Wild that I would buy a shuttle ride this AM. About 5:30 the winds gusted thru so strong that my van was rocked. I could hear the wind passing very quickly thru the P-Pine needles. The wind made my mind up: I accepted responsibility for my own safety and bagged the shuttle. I made my labor intensive scratch pancakes w/ store bought blue berries imported from Argentina.
Winter laying snow down on the roads is a real possibility. My rear tires are getting short of deep tread. I decided that I will replace the rears w/ 55,000 miles on warranty of 50,000. The tread is not @ wear bar which would give me a few more thousand miles but if any of those miles would be snowy I might go in unintended directions or nowhere. Drove to Discount tire to buy. So popular they are sold out locally. New tires are coming from Eugene tomorrow.
The winds in town were manageable. I drove back to Phils for a ride. Flagging from the ride was still up. I called Lev and asked if I could pull them down. Yes he said. I pulled several during my ride. The trail tread was absolutely the best as the ground is well saturated offering excellent traction. Rain fell pretty hard last night. Sometimes my track was the first on the dirt, like skiing first tracks in fresh powder. No dust. I encountered several riders along the way, so great because there was no dust. I rode down Phils which I really like for its drop and flow. Just fun. Drop my seat on the downs & carve the bermed turns. Beautiful fall day. My bruised cheek doesn’t come in contact w/ my saddle but my power moves were injured weak.
I wore long pants today for the first since I left Sedona back in April.
Shower @ SNAP. Groceries @ Newport Market. I stopped @ Sunnyside bikes to seek a can of skritch remover to quiet a pedal induced squeak. It came back during the BBFT. Mike recleaned the derailleur hanger which seemed to chase the skritch away.
Enjoyed a beer @ 10 Barrels then drove out to same camp spot and fixed dinner. Tonight I cooked another batch of Jasmine rice and topped it w/ the left over black beans.
Tomorrow I am buying a shuttle ride from Cog Wild to ride the McKenzie river. Leave @ 8. We are allowed 5 hours to complete the 26 miles all of which is downhill except for several spike climbs.
Forecast calls for good weather tomorrow and Thurs. Plan Thurs is to ride Waldo Lake up on the Cascade ridge. Should be a beautiful fall day. Friday is calling for rain. Buy the tires. Sat is trail work day.
At 9:30 it is 32 degrees. My night ride will need to address this fact. Tights, Shoe covers, & insulated long finger gloves?
There are so many buff men and women here. So many mountain bikes on rigs. Phils TH is almost always full by afternoon till after dark. Trim women’s bodies in shape hugging garments. Stellar. Many Audis & MBs. Showy money. Some very expensive houses.
Bend is awesome (Whistler Light) We just returned from our week in Bend. 3rd time in 3 years. I can imagine riding at Bend well into my retirement. Our friend made the same observation about Whistler. Active population equals attractive population.