Wed I drove over to Oakridge after a 9:00 AM massage treatment for my back. My back wasn’t freed up as much as I hoped but way better and better movement. 3 different masseurs w/ 3 different results. Perhaps the time spent not playing while shoulder was healing is haunting me.
Arrived in Oakridge, picked up where I left off greeting people I have met. Catrina. Derrick at the Merchantile. Randy of MBO, Ted, the head man at the Brewers Union pub, etc. Cask conditioned beer. Conversation w/ Jim, the mayor of Oakridge. Drove up Salmon creek for camp spot.
Thursday I rode Larison rock above town. Big uphill pavement ride to the top of the trail: 2219′ in 11.16 round trip. Classic case of long road climb for short single track downhill. Trail is old legacy hiking trail. Good test for my ability and what my body could withstand. I made it, I pedaled the entire uphill nonstop and stayed on top of the rubber on the downhill. The road was pretty steep and long w/ many turns as it climbed. For every corner or bend I turned another stretch of uphill became visible. Umph, I made it. Tight single track. At some speed the wind blows across my eyes causing them to tear up blurring my vision which distorts my image of what I would be riding over. Keeps my speed manageable. Formula brake pads on the front make a loud squealing sound when pressed to engage, my early warning sound, don’t need to stinking bells. I checked the pads to make sure they weren’t worn down to metal, just semi metallic pads for better stopping power but louder. I am a nuisance. Seat dropper is key. Get one and use it over and over, repeat often.
At the Pub, which is a social hub, Mtn bikers hang out some dressed in street clothes, others wearing riding attire. 2 women took seats at the bar. They started talking about mtn biking which opened the door for conversation. Women on a break away from home. They were talking about taking the shuttle for ATCA ride on Friday. I was thinking the same.
Fri the shuttle was to go @ 8:45. The women and a bunch of men and me waited for the driver to show. Maybe 10 of us loaded into the van as well as bikes on the back and on the roof. Shuttle drops off at Kate’s Cut In. Trail starts w/ a climb, no warm up. Derrick and I made this piece o0f trail several years ago. Turn left to join Alpine climbing more on a cold body. Work. I stayed close to the faster riders.
ATCA is Alpine, Tire Mtn, Cloverpatch, and Alpine trails is a new classic here. I sing praise of these trails as to me this is what mtn biking is all about: Riding on old hand built hiking trails way back in the woods. Oakridge riding is special, way different than new purpose built right outside of town. Ride was 22.37 miles climbing 3592′ and descending 7013′. Pedal time was 3 hrs 10 mins. Cloverpatch tie is a newer trail that connects the bottom of Cloverpatch to Alpine. Mixture of closed logging road and newly purpose built trail. Steep mountain sides that are obscured by tree cover: big trees. Narrow bench cut trail: eyes focused on anticipated line. Seat dropper, wide handlebar and short stem. Riding in attack position w/ elbows out and bent, squatted down, and leaning forward. Carve the turns, float the drops, decrease speed for the corners. My shuttle ride was comped but I am willing to pay the $30 for the ride to ride this again….. if I stay long enough. Deep conifer tree cover shades the trail which is dark which hides tread details. Look where you want to go and let the bike and you negotiate what’s under your wheels.
Really, really great challenging riding here. Maybe no lift front wheel stuff.
My back allowed me to ride the entire ride. My sit bones took a beating during the long uphills. The callouses on my baby and ring finger are starting back. My shoulder just hurts. Oh, I did not get a cortisone shot as the DR did not offer it.
Back in town I took a shower @ shuttle place.
Oregon on 10/1 allowed selling rec pot from medical dispensaries. A dispensary is located several doors away from the bike shop. Shop marked by a green cross. I walked in to check it out. I shopped for pot w/ the highest THC content of 29% and bought a gram for $10. I want to learn what a strong pot high is like. Well, I’m writing this under its influence. A label w/ your name on it is created and attached to the plastic tube container. It’s placed in a brown paper bag. Customers enter front door passing scrutiny and exit out a back door between 2 buildings. Kind of like a speak easy.
Spent chunk of evening at the Pub. A guy approached me wearing a WSU Cougar shirt. Go Cougs. He introduced himself saying he follows my blog. Hi Dave(?). Another conversation w/ the mayor and Ben of Goats about the future of Oakridge and how it is going to get there. Emphasis is on green tourism money. Mountain biking. How are trails being considered to support a strategy.
Back up the creek for sleep. Forecast called for slight chance of showers. Before sunrise I heard rain pattering on my roof. Didn’t last long.
Taking a rest day today. recuperation is just as important as riding. The ride yesterday was the hardest I have done in months. Sunny.
Fall colors. Big leaf maple leaves are golden color and litter the forest floor.
Come ride Oakridge!!!!