On the 4th I drove down to La Pine and my property and did not ride, I rested. At my property I slid off the cable across the entrance then drove in. Quick check revealed no visitors during my absence, no winter down, and just a few knapweed plants. I pulled up the invasive plants. Previously I noted many of the smaller lodgepoles had pine-pine gall rust infestation. I sawed many of them down with my Sven saw and piled them for future burning. I conceptualized the house sitting location. Quiet and dark night. The road in front goes 4 properties then turns 90 degrees north to run along the forest boundary to a dead end. This road config eliminates thru traffic. The forest is public land open to many abuses including being a shooting range.
Left Thurs AM after restringing the cable then doing Thurs laundry at La Pine. Drove over Willamette Pass at 51xx’ down to Oakridge at 12xx’. I parked at the park outside of town then geared up and rode Larison rock right above town. The rdie can be shuttled as 2 rigs drove up the steep paved road climb as I put effort down on 46T granny gear. 5.76 miles climbing 2089′ took 1 hr 19 min nonstop pedaling. The reward was 3 miles down on legacy hiking trail under deep tree cover, lasted 16 mins to drop 1955′.
Back in the park I noticed 2 mtn bikers with bike packs attached. I walked over and joined them and struck up conversation. They are from Scotland and are here bike packing among other miles the newly created Timber trail. They were waiting out the heat of the day before making big climb up onto Bunchgrass trail.
I hit Brewers Union, Oregon’s only Real Ale Pub and Brewery per their web site for a beer and dinner. The pub attracts many visiting mountain bikers plus locals. Another place where I have local cred. Maybe 8 mountain bikers with loaded bikes arrived, they are from England riding the Timber trail. Several of the bikes were full suspension to which packs were attached. I saw them again this AM at Lion Mountain Bakery enjoying a zero day.
Visited at the Merchantile catching up with old acquaintances.
Today is a rest day for me as my shoulder is really starting to bother me. I am parked in Ray’s grocery store with internet. The only stop light in town produces brake squeals and smells as drivers bring their rig to heel. Ray’s is like an IGA, a small town grocery store. If you prefer slightly exotic food stuffs you must drive to Eugene 35 miles further west.
Dunno.
Woody invited me to his trail pitch on Tuesday back in Bend meaning I will head back that morning.
So far no mosquitoes. I stayed last night at the bottom of Dead mtn trail which in the past netting was put up to avoid the laying of eggs of the next brood.
Wet side is the land west of a mountain range, here it is the Cascades. The tree grow tall and densely populated. See the Larison rock pic above.