to try out oil from fat by melting (dictionary used the word “try”)
Still dry and still very warm should mid 90s be relatively cool to you.
Yesterday I rode another one of my wants but fears ride. Approach avoidance. 3 miles of exciting downhill on S Fork lasting less than 20 mins followed by hours of climbing effort to return to cold beer. Wed I drove up to Swampy Snow Park for the night and be positioned for this ride. Temp was only 3 degrees cooler 2,000′ higher than at Phil’s.
So much fun descending South Fork of Tumalo Creek in deep tree cover left alone by man since it was cut way way back when. Trail shows signs of use as in brake bumps prior to a reason riders have to scrub speed. Trail is cupped which creates berms. Pick a line to which ever edge of the trail at stutter bumps then roll thru. Dirt is pumice, tree roots are exposed as a result of traffic either foot or wheel which causes them to “grow” out of the ground. Little bumps just right for lifting my wheels. Compress the suspension then spring off just before the root. Suspension soaks up the landing. My bike has more than enough travel to avoid bottoming out. Just fun and nobody ahead of me creating a dust cloud.
Too soon the fun is over then the dues payment started. Short piece of Tumalo creek trail before it becomes the North Fork climb. Bikes are allowed uphill only which is good because many hikers walking up and down to view the numerous falls. It’s a hump. 4 miles gaining 1169′. Trail routes to several small falls. (photo editor was not happy with rotating image)
Deep tree cover
The climb is doable: just push down on the pedals. However, for me the hard part is the Metolius Windigo trail heading south skirting Flagline. It undulates while gaining elevation, places loosing it then paying it back. Topped out at 6871′. Same patch of snow still present. Pretty ride if it weren’t for the demands placed upon my body.
Somewhere high on N fork I sensed that my front tire was all but flat. I looked over the tire which showed no signs of wetness from Stan’s sealing a puncture or blown bead. Attached my wonderful Lezine hand pump to eh tire valve then pumped. Air went in to sufficient firmness. I use Presta valves. The Stans clogs up the valve core. I tightened the valve core with the tool. Tight. Pedaled away after minor harassment of small biting flies. But the tire continued to loose pressure as I rode on. I stopped 3 other times to pump it up. Hmm, this ain’t right and I did not want to run the risk of completely deflating the tire to remove the valve core which I determined was the source of the leak. I made Dutchman snow park then found a stump to sit on for my first rest stop. Next trail was a greener Flagline Dutchman tie which is a wide track mostly descending on patches of loose pumice. An unsigned single track left the “road” MTBproject didn’t show it or that what I was on. I was running out of fat to render. I chose to continue the “road” which on the downhill had vicious new log water bars installed. The “road” went under the highway. I was no longer on fun dirt. I bailed to ride the pavement back to van. Nice wide shoulder and smooth pavement. Zoom. I was concerned that the tire would go flat which would make for a bad crash. Air held for 35mph max speed per Garmin. Safely in the shade at my van I removed the valve core and cleaned off the gelled Stans. 22.5 miles climbing 2847′ taking 3 hours. I was spent.
Drove back down to town for living chores. Clean body and clothes. My Wingnut pack made the washer to wash off the encrusted salt. Then out to Phils where I scored my favorite spot. The clothes I air dry inside my van were almost completely dry at bed time with no exposure to sunlight.
Making today a rest day as temps are in the mid 90s again.
It has been many years since I sailed on the sea of youth.