Yesterday I continued my drive to Hood River attempting to beat the strong head wind. Last night I slept w/o the heater on. The flies were almost comatose, if I had a vacuum I am sure that the population would have been reduced sufficiently. Alas, no sucking. I drove to Hood River. I drove to Walmart and shopped for a battery powered vacuum to either suck up the living or the dead bodies. As long as the temp was warm they flew. And no dead ones.
Found Dirty Finger Bike shop owned by Michell. I visited here last year. Great rapport. New location almost on main drag. The power of reconnection of a road traveler. Hopping shop.
I drove out to Surveyor’s ridge road 44 to a camp spot where I previously stayed. After dark but the timber harvest debris was visible in my headlights. I found my spot which is just off the ridge trail. Chilly night so I burned the heater. The warmth kept the flies active. I chased what i could until the battery played out. The vacuum is not strong enough to pluck an escaping fly. Just incredible in the fact that they have not eaten in 2 days but are still alive. Frost warning for tonight. I will remain warm w/ the heater and the flies will be active. Pretty soon they have to starve to death.
Hood River is about 500′ elevation. Surveyors ridge is 4200′. Big climb out of gorge.
Windy during the night: if the van’s rocking, don’t bother knocking. Only the wind created the motion. No internet access on the ridge.
Woke up this AM w/ MT Hood right out my front window. The joy of wheel estate.
I dallied waiting for sun warmth b4 starting. As it was it was long fingered gloves and long underwear top and windbreaker and knee socks. I rode out to S TH and back past my van then out to N end @ the power lines. Dusty conditions. And wind. I am cramming some conditioning for Bend’s Big Fat Tour and my 62 mile rec ride on Sat. 25 miles was my ride today. The bike is soooo quiet, all the skritches are gone. A timber harvest along the ridge used the trail as a boundary. To the left is treeded, to the right has been abused during thinning.
Drove back to HR for grocery shopping, wash, a shower @ Snap Fitness, visiting @ Dirty Finger, and dinner. The shop has 3 beer taps and sells beer. Great mtn biker hang out.
Clean sheets & clean body w/ sleeping temps @ 4200′ is ahead. I have 6 days of riding shorts. Every week on Thurs I do my wash. I have a dry pair of shorts for tomorrow’s ride while the other 5 days of shorts dry.
Back out to ridge for the night. Will ride tomorrow and Sat up on ridge then on Sun drive to Bend. Sleeping high causes my body to adjust to elevation. 4,200 is better than nothing but Bend is higher.
Can see South Spur of MT Adams melted out. I skied that face many times, great spring corn snow. Once I skied it Super Bowl weekend after skiing 1 day approach to normal parking lot.
Off to get high