I map all my rides using backcountry navigator storing them in the same track database. I seek out trails I have not ridden this time to add them to a growing picture of the US.
Friday I added the Deschutes river trail riding from here going upstream on Catch and Release till I could get onto rd 41 then ride gravel roads down to the trail. Lots of water recreationists, here at this time were raft floaters.
Trail is popular. I yield to hikers. One such time I skootched my bike into the back slope causing a branch to really enter my left ear canal, I can still hear out of it.
The route climbed out of the river bottom, crossed the highway and took Marvins Gardens and several pieces of trails to pick up Bens to climb to Pine Drop climbing to top of Storm King for the 1000′ drop back to Catch and Release. Ride was 26.28 miles climbing 1906′, seems like an easy climbing day, seemed liked. Earn your downhill.
Drove into town for a shower, a beer, dinner then back out to sleep spot off road.
Nights are still cool and are now warm enough in the morning to not need the heater. July 24.
Saturday I wanted to add all of Tyler’s Traverse to my map. Big effort day as I rode from where I touch Catch and Release up to Storm King to junction w/ Funner climbing up to the Wanoga snow park taking Tiddlywinks over to Kiwa Butte which ends at Tylers. Tylers is mostly down hill w/ lots of kickers, drops, and bermed turns all in deep talc like dust. Glad to be riding by myself so I didn’t have to follow another rider and breathe their dust.Tylers finally ended at Catch and Release for a pedal back to my van. 22.96 miles climbing 2303′.
I am able to stay on the pedals. Tylers was a good test for all of the drops and high speed.
Yesterday after the ride and relaxing in the sun at my van I drove back into town for the town tasks. Tonight the Bend cycling classic was a criterium using the core city streets. I caught some of the pro women’s race. Those women can really put the hurt on a set of pedals. Carbon frames and wheels make a clunking sound sometimes when the wheels went over like a crack in the pavement. I wandered around till the pro men took off and that they did. So fast. I believe the race duration was 90 mins. The power and duration of their efforts were astounding.
Yesterday was a 4 beer day which is 2 more than my regular day. I drank one as a recovery drink after my ride, one at 10 Barrels, one at John’s place in downtown, then a short one back at 10 Barrels. Big dehydration from rides. I felt no effects upon sliding over the edge of my bed this AM.
Today I drove up to Swampy snow park to ride down the South Fork, a more rowdy trail in the deep forest cover. Drop the saddle, point the toes down. weight over the pedals and look ahead. Let the bike take care of the rough stuff. I am becoming more comfortable on my ride. Every downhill ends with an uphill, this one out of the creek bottom back up to Swampy.
Again, almost all by myself. 15.43 miles climbing1850. Another good ride.
Drive back down to town for city comfort then back to camp spot.
This week I will be riding a Raceface Turbine dropper post. Stealth routing which routes the actuator cable from the bottom of the post then out a portal on the downtube. This dropper uses a brake mechanism to lock the seat height instead of air pressure like the LEV and Reverb.
IMBA no longer has an umbrella liability insurance coverage chapters can access. IMBA also lost the Subaru sponsorship for all their cars.
My life is pretty staid here in Bend. easy living. Get up about 7, do my exercises, fix, eat, and clean up breakfast. Usually riding by 10. Drive to town for town stuff, drive back out here before dark. Maybe an appointment during the day. I am waiting here now for my shipment of new calling cards. Next stop is Hood River maybe next week.
Upgraded to Windows 10. Change. In several weeks I will have forgotten how well the previous version worked