Today I drove up to Swampy TH to ride something my mind and body agreed on. I rode out to Swampy Lake then dropped down the South Fork of Tumalo creek which is an incredible deep woods legacy single track. Challenging and sweet as an old trail built for hiking. No bike purpose built flowy stuff. At the bottom I turned up stream climbing up to car packed Tumalo Falls TH. From here bikers are required to hike a bike until the first overlook. Never seen so many people. 2 weeks ago the road was closed requiring about 3 hiked miles each way. Road was opened. Once back on my bike I encountered beaucoup hikers heading down, I stopped for each one and greeted each w/ a pleasant something. One guy complimented me saying I was the first courteous rider to interact w/ him. Trail climbed along North Fork under deep tree cover. Pedal short distance, stop and wait for hikers to pass, clip in, pedal some more, repeat.
I encountered a group of riders heading uphill that we met yesterday. I watched a woman ride a 12″ wide foot bridge then go over the bars at the roll off, she looked down and tapped her front brake. Slow moo action. Her friends treated her for embarrassment. Trail reached Happy Valley up in Lodgepole forest which climbed up to join Mrazek ridge,
Many promo pics use this setting.
The trail entered snowbush elevation, the first part I helped cut back last year maybe, one other volunteer was JoJo, wife of famous trail builder Woody Keene. Our cutting blended in, down lower what we didn’t cut was over grown, then a piece that had just been brushed back being very noticeable. Trail finished in the Tumalo Falls packed TH. I encountered no one as I pedaled down stream past the South fork I descended earlier. I took the next up which after single track it becomes a recently used skidder road having been graded out. Long climb back to Sector 16 then on to Swede ridge connecting w/ Swampy back to the TH.
I am on Swampy and a rider approached. About 25′ away he asks if I want to say Hi to an old friend. We stopped side by side. It was my old 5 Spot being ridden by Scott who bought it sight unseen, he lives in the Bend area. I called out a spot of tape residue still on, he said no, the bike has character and it will be ridden bearing whatever I left. I did wash off the red dust before boxing it up. Just so cool. And even more connected he is friends w/ Turner, Scott is riding a new carbon Flux also. He has a house inn the Pisgah area, we talked about common people. Just so cool.
The smile is genuine.
Big ride of 25.03 miles climbing 3204′ pedaling 3 hrs 19 mins. I am working on pedaling heel down which is what flats permit. Push the pedal away, no using the clipless to pull up. Bike gears powerful makes for powerful legs and spares the lungs.
I drove down to town. Today I rode up to 61xx’ then drove down to town at 36xx’. I took a shower at snap then drove down to 10 Barrel where I scored an empty parking space 1 rig away from the intersection and I sort of parallel parked. In for a slow beer. I walked up street to Longboards for a halibut burrito. Good filling simple dinner for $6.50. I returned to my van catching 2 women exiting a full size SUV parked about 14″ from my bumper as they even overhung the yellow no parking curb. I hailed them and asked if they would help me back out as I had about 4′ in front behind a VW bug. The drive backed up and let me out. I drove back up to above Storm King crossing, just off Funner trail.
Yesterday I rode from where I am camped the night before and tonight. Split the loop and cut out piece of Storm King by starting from camp. Trails are dusty everywhere. Funner is what I climbed to Wanoga TH. The trail parallels the highway. More riders than I have ever shared the trail with. All mostly friendly. At Wanoga I took Tiddlywinks to Kiawa butte trailI encountered the same group of riders I would meet today. No crashes although I watched the same woman who fell today stay upright somehow over what i walk. Both feet down paddling. Watching other riders solve same problems. Next up was Tylers Traverse fun backcountry flow trail over soft dirt. Just before a logging road crossing 4 riders were sitting off the trail. They greeted me as I coasted by, a woman called me by name. It was JoJo. She was riding w/ her husband, Woody. They hail from Pisgah area. Dale Wiggins is from Phoenix, I know him from his trail and mapping info he shares on line.More members of same family. Woody recognized the Pisgah Stage race stage winner jersey Todd, the race promoter gave me.
Finished at the van then drove down to town for a shower, beer, and dinner. Tonight it was at The Lot which is near 10 Barrels. 5 food trucks are parked on The Lot. An open air tap room shares the space for sharing space and time with almost no one you know. Share tables.
While still light I drove back up towards Bachelor where I go to camp about 15 miles from 10 Barrel. Tonight I chose a road to the right just b4 the left I usually take. I passed occupied campspots until I made my own just off a less used dusty dirt logging road.
Mosquitoes are present where I camp, just a few.
Outlaw Country XM radio station. Anybody out there on satellite radio? Steve Earle, channel 60. 10PM PDT.
Yesterday was in mid 80s, forecast drops temps back into pleasant 70s. I ride about 1000′ higher which drops 5 degrees(?), not much but under lots of shade.