Snug as a bug, warm and dry as temp is 47 and light rain is falling out here just past Phil’s TH, a place I found years ago and is my go to place. The FS opened the gate earlier this week, I learned of the opening on Fri ride. Three day weekend and the woods around these parts are populated w/ campers, all bikers. During today’s ride I missed an intersection of Storm King to cross the highway then down the river trail. I hit a road and thought I could ride it down to hwy then back uphill to Storm King. I saw a smokey campfire ahead of me. Camp appeared to be deserted. Shit, an unattended campfire. No, a woman jumped up and greeted me. She said have a drink. I said no, she asked again saying it was Bailey’s straight from the jug. I obliged her w/ a small sip. She said she is part of a group of bikers who are attempting to start a like Burning Man. She said last night they had a stripper. She hadn’t arrived yet.
That was one group. I saw several others that were unoccupied. Hopping holiday weekend in Bend.
So, I sat thru several movies @ the film festival. I bailed. The music grated on me.
Thurs I helped on a COTA trail maintenance project in the evening. A carpool out to Farewell TH then hike up a ways. I cut branches of this woody shrub w/ green leaves encroaching on the trail. I was pleased w/ my harming nature. Back to Web Cyclery for burgers and beer. Kevin provided vegie burgers. He put a slice of cheese over a cooking paddy where the cheese didn’t melt like on the beef burgers. I stayed out @ choice spot.
Fri my LEV seat dropper is to arrive @ Web. I rode from camp out past Phils. There is so much trail mileage here and the ability to make all kinds of loops. I put one together. 1 long climb up Ben’s to intersection of Phils and Storm King. That was the major climb while there are several short ups going back. Down Storm King the wandered back to van. I saw the road was ungated so I could drive to favorite spot @ Phils. The trails here are 85% pedaling on smooth narrow single track. Lot of turning on banked turns, even berms on the flat. Dusty. I ride by myself and I breath no dust.
I showered @ Snap which is between me and 10 barrels then over to Web to pick up and install my new dropper post. Kevin loaned me a required cable cutter. I dug out my tool box from the JOBOX on the back of van. Wind blew the instruction book askew hindering my knowledge to set up. Success! Test ride in the parking lot passed. Smooth. I learned that not like the Reverb that for the seat to drop I need to push the lever b4 sitting on the saddle to drop the seat. Learn new skill set. The Reverb still works albeit slowing from need of replacement seals. This post has a speedy return speed. First ride Sat.
I bought dinner @ a downtown Mexican restaurant. Drank a beer @ 10 Barrels then hit camp. I ran the heater on low all night.
Sat was sunny and chilly again. Forecast called for precip. I wore knickers and a long underwear wool top. New dropper. Climbed up to start of Storm King. A woman rider stopped there hollered my name. She and her husband met @ Dave’s in Sedona. We chatted. Storm King drops many feet on climbable grade. Berm turns. I have been dropping the seat and beginning to carve the corners becoming comfortable w/ sandy trail tread. Trails are cupped which creates small berms. Then the opening paragraph happens. Ride thru that w/ a slight temporary nausea. Met Kevin & Annette heading my way. Another long chat. Rode 23 miles.
Campers next to me, first time ever I had company. I chose to drive into town for a shower, a social beer, and groceries then drive back out. I accepted the risk someone else would choose my vacant site. John the bartender was right on w/ a beer to me. Groceries then back out. Scored my spot.
During dinner sprinkles fell and have continued sporadically. A tent camper moved in between the first group.
I checked 3 day weather history for Roseburg, closest city to NUT. No rain of forecasted rain had fallen. Oakridge has also been dry. Bend trails need rain.
Forecast is for wet tomorrow. Conditions will determine.
I am here until at least Thurs for my PT appointment. Then prolly back to Oakridge.