Steve and I traveled to Oakridge on Sat stopping for short visit in town then drove up river, the Middle Fork of the Willamette parking at Campers Flat then riding in his Dodge van he is home converting to Paddys Meadow for a shuttle then descent of the river back to Campers Flat. Mosquitoes are just hideous. Upper section of trail called for skillful crossing of parts of trees plugging the trail. This one I experienced last year which went way above just blocking the trail. It fell at the switchback and the trail below the switchback. Only way to cross was to lift the bike to a rider on top of log then hand it down. Creative clearance solution as the tree is too big for FS issue chainsaws.
My body does not react to mosquito “bites” from her sucking mouth part. There are many bloody splotches in my van from a squished bugger, my blood in her abdomen. Steve welts up adding to itching.
Spent the night at Campers.
Tuesday we left in time to make the Cog Wild shuttle for ATCA. Olivia at the Merch applied her feminine touch fixing my shifting issue. Van shuttle to Kate’s cutin. First part of trail is a short climb up Kate’s that Derrick and I built several years ago. Climb up to Sourgrass mtn and a meadow of blooming bear grass. Next week prolly and the meadow will be covered in white blossoms. Down the way the trail crosses a meadow for way out views.
Then on to Tire mtn trail
Tire mtn drops down into old growth forest, old growth because it has never been logged and I hope it remains that way. Massive trees, climax ecosystem.
Joined Cloverpatch trail for grown up left over trees form first cut, up then a final down to the resource extraction road. Payback for our fun was about to lay its crushing hand on my body for the climb out. Starts out on descent on single lane gravel road. Steve and I coasted raced. My rear tire kicks up gravel which kept him off my tail. Rd 130 starts the climb. I thank the persons who cut out the blocking trees. This ride I rode the entire road w/o stopping albeit in granny. The climb up the newly built single track climb linking 2 logging roads is purpose built and under tree shade. Well built. Single track connects with more gravel taking us to Buckhead Shelter. Big climbing is over. Mostly downhill on Alpine to Red Bridge finish. Trails are becoming dusty and have noticeable amount of poor riding wear. The front brake is the more powerful stopper, use it when you need to slow down and the rear brake gently which will not create brake stutter bumps right before corners. Corners were blown out. Big effort for just 23.42 miles pedaling for 3 hrs 22 mins climbing 3704′ but rewarding and punishing 6995′ descent.
Solar shower in the toilet stall of the park restroom. Socializing at the Pub. Visited with local Kathy learning some back stories. Camped at Dead Mtn trailhead.
Worked yesterday, recovered overnight, big eyes for riding Heckletooth. Local Jim has ridden this route several times short of 200 times. Steve has a van, I have a van, miles of pavement, shuttle friendly. We parked his van down low, loaded him and his bike into my van then drove the pavement to the bridge crossing Salmon creek and rd 2408 start. Just a pleasant grunt uphill as mosquitoes drained life blood from us. Nasty. Road climb to access the dirt. Tops out on top of Heckletooth, site of past USFS fire lookout.
Some nasty shit in there.
Trail drops down Dunning road which is paved, curvy, and some places steep. Again another coasting race. I ride a 27.5 wheel and Steve rides a 29, both have I9 hubs and big tires. Steve is taller than me and close to my weight. I stayed ahead of him. He said he would suck my wheel then slip out attempting to pass me. He said that as soon as he hit the fresh air he lost speed. Side lugs hold well under hard lean on pavement. Max speed 32.5.
Beer and dinner at the Pub which became very busy. Early arrivals for MBO.
While still in Bend Steve and I did researching to learn that MBO is here this weekend which brings in maybe 350 riders for 3 days of shuttle riding. Our original plan was to ride here this weekend. Wise choice to enjoy a less crowded experience.
Spent 2 nights at Dead mtn TH.
Today is a rest day. Clean clothes, 6 days of riding duds drying inside my van. Soon I will drive over to McKenzie Bridge on namesake river for 2 nights. Tomorrow Steve and I will shuttle the river trail then the big day on Sat of Oleary.
I grouse at to me unacceptable riding behavior. Steve nailed it when he called us elder statesmen. Be nice to the trails. Riding locations that gain bucket list status attract riders who add their wear to the trails. Who maintains those trails: Locals. Are you as a local to your riding area a trail volunteer? You visit another’s back yard and leave. Are you taking care of trails in your own backyard for the enjoyment of riders who found your goods?