Seems like I can work in word which is stable then copy and paste into this.
Going to give it a whirl.
Until then I am now in Bend, OR.
On Wednesday I rode Steve’s trade route on Fox and Chocolate. I put my phone on the handlebar holder and used it to keep my route on course. I made 1 mistake not understanding what the screen was saying that took me to the middle of the route which would have shortened the ride. I retraced my path and figured out my error and continued on. The trail dropped down to Fox TH. A hiker couple watched me descend at great distance. As I neared them the man, who was in front, made good on getting off the trail, his female partner stepped off and turned sideways w/ her fanny pack sticking into my space. I hit the pack w/ my handlebar. I didn’t expect it, prolly neither did she. I kept control of my bar after it was twisted off line. The weather wanted rain which finally started falling as I was climbing the last climb. I stopped and put on my rain jacket as the clouds said I will be dropping wet for a while. Just a tease. I stopped and removed my jacket. I crested the last climb and dropped onto the wonderful downhill. Old narrow single track not beat up by motorcycles. Sweet. Just let the brakes go only using them to control my smiles. By myself I made the choices. When I rode behind Steve he controlled my speed, if he could do it I could stay right behind him. That also worked for climbing. By myself I push too hard and blow up. Steve is more disciple and I worked hard to stay with him. Rain fell in earnest when I got back to my van.
I drove back to Ketchum. I took a shower at the Y where the boys locker room is being remodeled. Today a church group visited and the boys plugged the locker room. I had a long wait time till a shower opened up. Shower stalls were being used as changing rooms.
Dinner at KBs in Hailey, grocery shop at Atkinsons then down to Steve’s for the night.
Wed was a drive day into Oregon. My diesel mileage was 27mpg. I drove hwy 26 towards Prineville. Lots of ranching and farming in the broad river bottoms. Eastern Oregon is sagebrush. I drove into the Ochoco NF which has had several big burns. The ground under the burned trees is green from new grasses etc. I drove over the summit heading down mtn towards Prineville. I turned back up hill on the old highway to find the Ochoco XG right at the start of today’s ride. Senior’s pass lessened the debit. Chilly enough to run the furnace.
Today I drove about 100 yds out of the XG to a TH parking lot as checkout is at 12 and I didn’t think I would be back in time.
Today’s goal was to get to the top of Lookout Mtn. The big loop climbs up Round Mtn then over to Lookout for 29 miles. This time I kept my belly making the decision keeping my eyes on just Lookout via a center paved road. Forest cover is a mix of big Ponderosa pines on the dry slopes and Doug fir on the wet. Big trees. 6.81 miles on pavement. Noticed a steady brown streak on the pavement. Suspected cattle trucks leaving their manure bilge open while hauling cattle. I saw 2 trailers go by that confirmed my suspicion. Raw manure dumped on the road. Above me I could see white on the trees which was from the fresh snow that fell last night. I wore a long underwear top under a long sleeve jersey and knickers for which I was glad as the higher I got the chillier it became.
Next up was the Independent Mine trail to the top of Lookout. Right off the start I encountered winter downed trees that had not been cut out. Lots of them. The last batch I worked my way around had fallen on the trail. The new fallen trees joined a bunch more previously downed. Real bitch crawling over the mess. Mind you my right arm has no strength to lift my 29# bike. I managed.
Snow was still plastered on the branches but not on the trail. I finally topped out on the summit of Lookout. The views were to the horizon except where rain clouds obscured. From the summit the trail drops almost 8 miles back to the bottom. There were several climbs mixed in. Pieces of the downhill smoked. Towards the bottom hail fell. I rode through w/o stopping to put on my rain jacket. Big country ride. 19.23 miles climbing 3640’ for 189’ / mile.
I was worked. My breathing can’t keep up w/ my heart rate. Today was a big effort ride.
Back at the TH I saw a woman working on a FS fence. I pedaled over to her. Yes, she is FS. I told her about the trees and the manure streak. She didn’t know FS law on manure dropping.
I drove into Prineville where I found a laundromat for my weekly wash. Clean clothes, some hanging inside my van drying. I found a previously read local paper on a table. I read about a bike blitz in Bend today. Race started up high then dropped down finishing at Tethero posh golf course. Just pro racers about 25 each women and men.
Going to paste this in and go to bed as I am fatigued. Tomorrow is house plans day. Rain is forecast. And chilly. Furnace is running now at 10:30. Outside it is 43. The gate that allows access to the FS roads past Phils is locked. My camp spot was blocked. I drove further out of town to the first road. Shit, it’s packed. I slithered between closely spaced trees. Rain falling, mostly sprinkles.
I will add pics later. Pics added