weather forecast continued to call for some kind of rain that I factored into my ride route as I preferred to stay sort of near to comfort back in the van.

A bachelor group of guys rolled in Sat night, I spoke w/ them Sun AM as I was leaving for my ride. I was invited over to their camp later.

Sun I rode from my camp spot to ride up the River trail to pick up Storm King climbing up to Phils to ride back to van. I messed up on the river trail, several false starts. I found Storm King. Quite a lot of riders. Gripe is the riders using gravity as their locomotion do not yield to the heart pumping uphill riders. Not all don’t know their manners, but enough do that makes my ride less enjoyable. There is a tech problem on Phils that in prior years I walked. The first ride this year I set myself up to work it out. I rode it on the first go and I wanted to repeat my success. Nailed it again. Phils is a fun downhill. Lots of bermed turns. Again, I am getting better at speed in these corners. The LEV seat dropper works swell. My lowered saddle allows me to let the bike move around under me and lowers my center of gravity that allows for better angulation for carving. 3 1/2 hour ride for 28.46 miles climbing 2781′.

I stretched my shoulders on a balance ball @ Snap. I felt my right shoulder to release into a great stretch. I have the greatest movement in my right arm since b4 collar bone fracture. The cupping marks are fading.

Last night the forecast for today called for 100% rain. Clouds moved in way late that by sunrise dropped sprinkles. The guys next door packed up and left b4 I drove into town. The forecast was revised to 100% showers. The trails are so dry here, whatever rain falls will keep the dust down. I am making today a rest day after 4 straight days of riding.

Just making the day go by.

I like riding in Bend.

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.

Today the PT evaluated my shoulder and determined that I am all out of whack. Muscle inbalance which causes incorrect function of my shoulder. First off was “cupping” which softens up the soft tissue surrounding the joint. Next step is an exercise program to strengthen the correct muscles. I am pleased that my shoulder can be rehabilitated. I have another appointment tomorrow AM. Draw back is I am not to ride after treatment because I would assume the bad body positions which would negate her effort.

It was 27 degrees and lightly snowing @ 7 AM when i peaked out from underneath the covers. Snow fell on Bachelor.

Tonight is Bend’s mtn bike film festival. Social evening.

I electronically filed my King County jury summons asking to be excused because I am traveling.

Yesterday I readjusted my saddle position. My LEV seat post should be here this Fri.