I enjoyed a normal sleep in spite of shoulder pain. Rescue resources left just after dark.
This morning I did my normal exercises which elicited no failure to perform and little pain. I told myself that I am good to go. Hence I fixed bfast, cleaned up, converted the van back to the driving mode, then pointed down hill to Toketee and upper end of Deer Leap section to ride an out and back. Skies looked like rain and the weather report supported possibility. I added my rain jacket. I parked same place as I did on the heat stroke ride.
This section climbed away from the river and highway. Deep woods, old growth. All by myself, all alone for entire ride.
Mixed conifer tree cover. Only a recently fallen small tree blocked the trail. Excellent work by all involved to cut out the trail here and dread and terror.
Trail was fun w/ diversity
Poison oak appears around 2600′ elevation
I did catch rash on my right calf from Oakridge. Didn’t itch as much and took less than 2 weeks to clear up. Tonight will reveal how careful I was on today’s ride to avoid it.
On yesterday’s ride John and I identified plants. Today I noticed plants only for me.
On my heat stroke ride I rode about another 3 miles each way to the end of the section. Per the elevation profile on the trail brochure a big elevation drop occurred in this 3 mile piece. I rode for 57 mins when I hit a paved road before the drop making this my turn around spot. Catch the ride data: 6.81 miles pedaling 57 mins and climbing1708′ which is 250′ climb per mile. Returning it was 6.39 miles taking 59 mins and climbing 2371 for 371′ per mile. Brutal. Knowing this data readily explains why it beat me years before. The elevation gained are hard to comprehend. I did walk when I needed. Amazing that I rode almost all of it. I do like the flats. My shins are unscarred.
I rinsed off woods dirt from the bike using my new tree sprayer.
I stowed everything then drove back over the pass. Highway 138 drops off the crest in a straight line east down to rt 97. I stopped for groceries in La Pine then took a shower at anytime; cleaned I drove out to my property. Rain fell during the drive quiting before my place. I slipped off the blocking cable and drove onto my all mine property. Later rain fell w/ a vengeance (if possible) for several minutes. Clear and chilly.
I did hurt my shoulder as I have a burning sensation and pain. I am still able to make it work. I might have torn more tendons or maybe just over taxed what is left. Pain is what it will be.
Tomorrow is back in Bend for an early ride to hopefully enjoy the wetted dry trails.
Crater Lake was created after MT Mazama blew its top and collapsed into the caldera. Pumice spewed landing not far away. Highway 138 travels thru some incredible deposits of pumice. What’s fascinating about the pumice is there is a mature forest on top of it.
