At a lower temp setting the heater errors out. The heat is nice,61 degrees seems warm all over where as w/ other heater it was a cold 61 degrees. W/ the former I always knew I was going to sleep cold whereas w/ the Propex I sleep too warm. My down blanket is too much insulation. The interior warms quickly before crawling out of the covers. The temp setting control is right above the outside edge of my bed: I am able to make adjustments while still snuggled or too hot. Propane burn seems acceptable, battery has lasted the night, perhaps an issue will be lack of solar power to recharge the batteries for the next night.

Today was my last to do ride. I started @ 10:00 today allowing some sun warmth. I parked @ Phils TH and rode up one way Bens missing the junction  to cross the road for the climb up to Mrazk ridge trail. I found an exit onto Skyliner road and coasted to the road to take me up to Mrazk. Great all season road crossed Tumalo creek then the road climb to the trail intersection w/ Mrazk. Almost constant climb till junction w/ Farewell. A tree barked my right hand that I didn’t give respect to the spacing. There are several bars stoppers trees showing their bark removed.  Several riders passed me going down. # single women. Everybody was cordial and exchanged greetings and trail respect. Overlook:

The topography is volcanic w/ the 3 Sisters a bit to my right. Lots of cinder cones. Big grunt. I walked in places as i was so beat. Just b4 Farewell junction I encountered a big group. I was told that I rode w/ several of them on O’Leary w/ Cog Wild. Again, I am always way last I never learn anything about them as they are so far ahead. Melanie from Cog Wild was in the group w/ her husband. We had a pleasant conversation. She said they bought a Sportsmobile Conversion Sprinter and are just digging it. she gave me credit for their purchase.

I fianlly arrived @ Farewell intersection which meant mostly downhill to Tumalo Creek.

Last weekend I helped cut brush back on the trail. We hiked 2 miles uphill and worked down.  Trail broke out in the open

All good downhills cease. My route was back down Tumalo Creek trail from yesterday to Skyliner. I climbed up Skyliner mostly pedal struggle but walked as was beaten. I was getting thrashed. Today I soaked up the lower Whoops w/ its tabletops and berms. Getting more comfortable w/ piles of dirt. The trail dumped out onto a road to pedal up to pick up Phils for the finish. Ride took 4 hrs 11 mins of pedaling climbing 3397′ in 32.72 miles. Biggest ride this year.

Forecast is calling for rain, low probability. I checked Oakridge’s forecast which calls for rain. I decided to wait out the rain here in Bend prolly till end of week. Might get some hero dirt.

So, on the 3 way back rides every rider was friendly. This changed as the trail got closer to Phils TH. Riders were almost rude, certainly not cordial. Another rider caught my wheel in silence. Riders are certainly more friendly on outback rides. Maybe lower Phils appeals to racers who ride fast.

Computer ate opening words.

Today I rode a big ride up Tumalo Creek loop. Trail crossed under Tumalo peak which was obscured by low cloud layer. Brilliant blue skies in the dense hemlock forest. Snow was melted off the trail from storm 2 days ago. Trails were just super.  Years ago I had two days of spectacular powder skiing in white out conditions down Tumalo above me.

Not a cold evening, I ran the heater on lower settings, seems to stay lit. Temp fluctuation makes the down blanket too warm. Definitely warmer back by bed, much more so than the catalytic heater. Jury still deliberating on this heater, waiting for below  freezing temp for final vote.

Mr Crabby has been parking back in the spot from where he attacked me for camping so close. I get here b4 him, funny, let it go.

I drove away just after 9:00 heading up Skyliner to Skyline TH. Ride is to get up on Flagline. Route will circle Tumalo creek watershed. Temp was mid 40s when I pedaled out. Climb, climb. Just a few warm blooded folks out.

The North fork trail climbs along Tumalo creek then above its source. I rode thru old growth hemlocks. Snow was melted off the trail. I topped out @ 6800, Good grunt.

Up higher the clouds burned off letting the bright blue sky to show. It hurts so beautifully. Somewhere up on Flagline the elevation started dropping almost constantly. Rocky chunks, roots, water ruts, smooth, good turns, etc all on hero dirt. No dust. Drop the seat, squat into attack position, take advantage of huge wide bars for leverage, let the suspension suck it up or leap up. Just keep eyes focused far ahead. Great ride.

Back @ van I savored a beer and lunch sandwich of whole wheat bread, almond butter, local honey, and hummus. Finger licking good. I drove into town to Sunnyside to use their bike wash station. Stuff  on the bike was woods dirt consists mostly of hemlock needles, hosed off easily. Took a shower then drove into town to Crows Feet crossing to experience Sat night in town. A Zombie race happened. Drove back to 10 Barrels for dinner.

Friday I rested. I checked out Crows Feet Crossing that Dirty Finger told me about. I met the owner, Dave. He initially drew a blank on me. Later he remembered that we rode together @ Amasa Back 8 years prior. Time is correct because it was the initial van trip to Moab back in’06. I drew a blank on him but remembered a bit of the ride together. And I met Hailey….

Beautiful fall weather is forecast till Tues. I still have 1 more big ride to do, prolly tomorrow. Be a pig and enjoy it.

Yesterday in the grocery store check out line I read the front page of the local paper seeing a tease about Bend’s mtn bike trails. I bought it. Later I read the article while sitting @ 10 Barrels. I checked his route against the map, good to go. I drove out past Phils to camp. No sign of MR Crabby.

Plan today was to get going at 9 to do the ride, do my wash, take a shower, and be @ PT @ 4. Put the hustle on. I drove out Century  Drive which goes to Bachelor to where Storm King crossed the road and there is a small parking lot. Chilly. Today clear, no rain or wind. Pedaled up Funner to the snow park then Tiddlywinks, then Tylers Traverse to Larsens trail back down tiddly to van. Trail still damp from rain, too low for snow that peaks got. Nice loop. 16.43 miles climbing 1787′ .

Here is what most of Bend’s   trails look like:

Clean clothes and clean body. PT Dave told me how my shoulder is supposed to work and how to make it work that way. I have no external rotation strength. He gave me the same exercises Paige gave me. I am this way because I did not continue what Paige started. He said I should relax my arms and straighten my arms out on climbs, but only on climbs.

Got after the exercises tonight such that I am sore.

Last night I turned the Propex temp setting lower. Several times last night it shut off. I turned the temp up and it seems to have fixed the problem. The battery voltage was 11.65.

Sunrise 2 days ago

Sunday I fixed scratch pancakes for breakfast

Bend has a very good bunch of trails. technical challenges are chunks of basalt, I walk a few.

Tomorrow’s  forecast calls 20% showers. I want to ride up high like Flagline. Weather will determine my route.

Elk season opens this weekend which curtails riding choices. 2 years ago on the BBFT a hunter harvested a elk where we were riding.