Today in Bend the forecasted winds blew in w/ steady 25 and gusts to 35 mph. And my hat clings precariously.
Thursday I drove over to Oakridge over on the wet side of the Cascades and into a light rain. I visited the Mercantile and D Rock Derrick. We’re buds. He found my mail.
Later I visited Brewers Union, I arrived before the employed people arrived. Derrick arrived then Ben. Randy who owns MBO arrived later just another stop on his 47th Bday. Raucous laughter. I have history here. Randy is still running Alpine shuttles @ 9:30AM. Derrick said he might join me, if so I could ride his new trail.
Randy let me stay @ his campsite just outside of town and down by the river. The drive is secured by a hurking metal gate that needed to be lifted to free the latch. My arms weren’t strong enough but I bent down and put my shoulder under it and stood up freeing my entrance. It was well after dark driving down a narrow graveled road until I made his spot. Too dark and wet to explore the river.
I turned on the Propex just for grins. Darn thing took off and ran correctly all night. Dry hot heat evaporates the humidity.
Rain fell off and on during the night and into the morning. His camp spot is right on Salmon Creek. I needed to be @ the Red Bridge in Westfir to pick up the shuttle which arrived @ 10:00 w/ just the driver, no Derrick. I chose to pay the $25 fee for the shuttle up to Kate’s Cut in. Long drive up which is the same way I would have had to pedal it. In the clouds and heavy mist. The driver dropped me off @ Kate’s. She asked me if I was alright and comfortable. I said I was nuts but a capable rider. Derrick told me the trail could weather my tires.
I wore wool knee socks, wool knee warmers, liners and heavy shorts, wool long sleeve top, Pisgah wool jersey, and a rain jacket. It a short while I was soaked from the waist on down but warm. Alpine is the iconic Oakridge trail and I had it all by myself. Rain, drizzle, and cloud mist, puddles. My disc brakes squeal when wet and lack immediate stopping power. I squealed and slowed down. Light was as scarce as the sunshine so that the tread was hard to read. I discovered early on that a puddle could have a mud bottom which would immediately slow the front wheel. Not all puddles were the same. I carry my camera in an outside pocket on my Wingnut pack, it’s water proof, however the lens collected the mist giving a blurred image.
GPS view of sky was obstructed collecting only 11.62 miles, climbed 533′ and descended 2706.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/621610205
Check out the above garmin connect website. I enlarged the map to study the route which sticks to the ridge line. Impressive layout.
Back down @ the red bridge temp was 51 degrees. I stripped off my wet clothes on the pavement. My lower legs were brownish from muddy water going thru my socks. Dirt was nice woods dirt: no mud. Dry clothes then a drive back into town.
The weather forecast called for more rain and high winds for days. I decided that I didn’t need to ride in the wet. I bid Oakridge adieu and headed back to Bend. I drove the Cascades Loop scenic drive instead of US 97. I chose a logging road and drove back aways and found a camp spot. The heater seemed to work OK.
Today I finished the drive back to Bend. The road climbed up to MT Bachelor ski area then dropped east into Bend. The closer I got to the western summit the rainy it became. Then as I descended the wind picked up. The closer I got to Bend the drier it became and more windy. I decided I didn’t want to ride.
I stopped @ Sunnyside to wash my bike and ask some tech questions. I hosed off my bike and the still wet riding clothes that I later laundered then hung on my inside clothes line.
Very windy.
Showered.
Sun Valley is getting colder w/ freeze thaw mud possible which will cause me to skip a visit.
The state says I need new plates to go w/ the tabs. I need to make a planned destination to receive the plates.
Too windy to drive exposed desert today so I will leave tomorrow heading east.
