AH, yesterday. I filled myself w/ gusto for the Hardesty ride knowing what turns to make. I filled my h2o tank and solar shower b4 leaving town for the ride. I parked @ the TH right off rt 58. Several rigs were in the lot. I hung the shower on the hood of my van which was full on facing the sun. I geared up and pedaled up the Creek.
My route was up Goodman creek, to the paved road to nowhere, then up and along Sawtooth to intersection of Hardesty then down to van. Only part that was easy was the paved road. Goodman is in the trees and climbs on single track for 6.15 miles and 2077′, taking 1 hr 19 mins of solid pedaling. Big hump to start. The road was 2.85 miles climbing 303′ in18 mins. Next was the killer Sawtooth for4.5 miles climbing 2100′ taking just over an hour. Hardesty dropped 5.19 miles and 3215′ in 30 mins. The downhill required output. Total ride was 18.73 miles in 3 hrs 21 mins climbing4545′ all in deep tree cover burning 3139 calories. I encountered a couple hiking out in the steep side hill meadow. They were surprised to see a mtn biker. Just a great classic Oakridge ride. The solar shower produced nice and toasty h2o temp for a parking lot shower.
Oakridge riding requires more effort than say Bend w/ the same distance and time as reflected in the EDGE calorie consumption calculation. Oakridge is all about climbing then descending. Lots of work to get to the top of downhill start. Great riding. The above Hardesty route was great because it was almost all single track. Precipitation and humidity over night keep the trails carving moist. Sawtooth was a blanket of hemlock cones. Poison oak grows in an elevation band. Great micro pub @ Brewers Union, taps are all cask conditioned, and great hang out where many mtn bikers visit. It seemed that every night I was there (only 2 nights not there because of overnight trail work party) that someone knew me or about me.
I camped on a dead end stub of paved road out Salmon creek. No cell phone coverage. Tucked in among the encroaching blackberry bushes. Just 3 miles outside of town.
Friday I rode up Salmon creek trail then crossed the bridge over the creek where I saw the elk cow days before. Today was the hump up the logging road affectionately known as “The Wall”. Sucker posted some 24% grade, I walked several times to shake out my legs. The climb lead me to a TH for the Eugene to Crest trail that skirted Aubrey mtn then dropped down to finish on a long downhill paved road back to camp spot. Narrow bench cut legacy trail on steep hillside in deep tree cover.
Years ago logging and milling of timber was huge business that was Oakridge’s economic engine. The mills are gone as is the logging allowing the trees to continue growing until the next “crisis” that will call for clear cutting.
I plan on leaving Oakridge tomorrow. Next ride plan is King Castle – O’Leary loop @ McKenzie Bridge.
Come ride Oakridge. Do the full on Mountain Bike Oregon or buy shuttle rides from Oregon Adventures. Just special riding.
Today is a rest day, first since last Sunday.
Yesterday I checked out riding shorts @ the Mercantile. I found the same pair of Endura shorts in size small. I compared the pair I had in same size. The new ones were significantly smaller. I tried them on and found that they would stay up in place. I bought the pair.
My short term travel plans are to ride King Castle then over to Fall City for Black Rock, head N around Portland to Sandy ridge then over to Hood River. The big drive over to Sun Valley. I might drive over to Washington to buy and smoke legal pot where the fear of being caught is a nonstarter.