Back in the 80s I lived in the south Puget Sound. I worked for Boeing for 2 years before the layoffs got me after the 57 and 67 were all planned. I subscribed to Outside mag. frequently an article about this new bike named mountain bike. While laid off an article about the Specialized stumpjumper appeared. Listed price was just south of $1,000. In ’84 I was rehired and the Stumpjumper was still around. The price was out of my reach. In ’85 I scored a year old Cannondale something bike, was state of the art with a 26″ front wheel and a 24″ on back with non indexed shifting, 15 speeds, old style flat pedals, poor rim brakes, and geometry to send me over the bars. I lived near a patch of woods that were laced with horse trails. After getting home from work I would ride those trails after the horses were turned loose. I parked my bike in the garage underneath my 1 bedroom “house”. One day I opened the garage door to get my bike out for a ride. Bike was not where I left it. I searched the 3 bays to no avail. My bike had been stolen from the unlocked garage. My upstairs sliding glass door entry was never locked as there was no lock. My skis and mountaineering stuff were all safe. A new magazine written for this new sport called mountain biking hit the news stands. I bought issue number 2 which the cover photo was of John Tomac riding down this steep pitch on a Diamondback Arrival which the mag reviewed. Pic was photo shopped turning a short berm on flat land to something that caused him to sit behind the seat.

The review convinced me that this was the bike I wanted and I had saved enough $ to buy my own. A store in nearby Tacoma, WA carried them. I walked thru the door, up to the counter, and said Gimme. The bike was ordered. Several days later I swung my leg over my first new bike. I took it home along with a cable lock. I rode the trails again. I learned of trails at Point defiance park to ride which were on the way home from work. Bikes eventually were kicked out because of user conflict from very short sight lines. My bike was serviced at the shop where I bought it. A young man started working there whom I met. Several years later I upgraded to a Klein Topgun sold from a different shop which switched my shop service needs. My riding became training for NORBA races and venturing further from the neighborhood horse trails. In ’90 I moved across the state to Spokane. Yesterday on my ride here on Grand Slam a rider was stopped working on his bike. I asked if they were OK. The guy stopped me and asked me my name. I said Craig. He said I suspected it was me because of my beard, which has since lost its reddish hue, now gray and then when he heard me speak my name he pegged me. It was Bob, the young man from that Tacoma bike shop from almost 30 years prior. We spent many minutes while he fixed his flat rear tire recalling old Tacoma mountain bike shop history. Just something from the past that still speaks to the present.

Smoke haze has descended upon Bend again, this year the air is still healthy to breathe. I have been paying attention to a web site for air quality, so nice to see Bend area air colored yellow for moderate. However , up in WA state the air around Spokane is red for unhealthy. Smoke blowing south from Canadian fires. No riding in that air. My visit to Spokane might be short  and wearing a mask.

So, I have 24X7 365 time to occupy my time as I choose. I have adjusted to me being the one to fill that time. My riding fills some of that time. I read books and internet. I walk. I socialize at 10 Barrel. I sleep by myself. I find enjoyment in my days.

I am parked at the FS welcome center on the way to Bachelor. 4 older guys roll up, one guy asks me if he saw me in his urology clinic in Hendersonville, NC. I said No but most dicks look the same. Hendersonville is nearby to Brevard. I get some socializing just by sitting still and letting it come to me.

Oh, I remember what I wanted to share. Sitting at the bar at 10 Barrell noticing fewer customers. Today is Tuesday, day 2 of “normal” work week. Oh, crowd is from visitors here on weekends and vacationers. On yesterday’s ride I saw few riders. Oh to have all the time for me. I was previously obnoxious to people who could only play on weekends. Back in ’78 hiking the PCT during the week I encountered few others and campsites were always open. Somehow a derogitory term emerged to describe the weekenders: Wally Weekenders. Once I put on a work harness I became one of the dreaded group. 10 years on I enjoy weekday trail ride and accept the Wally Weekenders. I am not as smug now.

However, younger and faster weekenders I might mention that no employer owns me, I am my own boss and live free. I have a faint memory of my youth, they have yet to experience aging to my age. Perhaps my attitude remains the same.

Had been hot and hazy last week till yesterday when the temp dropped to low 80s and the wind blew out the smoke. Several days of not riding because of above. One day the van thermometer reported 110 degrees. Heat builds up in van as the day progresses, I run the vent fan and the fridge has lost its battle to stay below 40 degrees. Not buying replacement food till temps dropped.

I did ride S fork loop last week, still a hoot to descend and the climb out is now an accepted fact. Still takes 18 mins on the old haul road. Spent the night at the TH which is at 5500′. Slept with the side door open.

I have ridden several days from out past Phil’s TH where I sleep. Learned that name of trail is for Phil who worked for the FS years ago. Story is he would ride his bike down thru the timber harvest which burned in his namesake trail.

Rides are still in the 2+hour times, straight thru pedaling. Bend’s trails are pedaling friendly.

Web Cyclery hosted an open house in their new location in the Old Stone Church. Visited, drank 2 cups of beer, wrote my name on a raffle ticket, name picked, I picked a shop jersey. I am now Bend branded.

Examined by a PA to connect with a care provider. She said diverticulitis is not responding to antibiotics, I agreed. Next treatment is PT to learn if pain is from deep  muscle issue. Appointment is this Thurs thus lengthening my Bend stay. I believe that something other than the divertic is causing my poor health yet all blood work and CT are normal. Not sleeping well or long. I will stay here until health is fixed.

Stopped at a newer bike shop to see what they are up to. I had heard about a beer vending machine, trust your eyes as yes it exists and it is in the shop. Beer costs a nickle that the shop gives to you.

Yesterday I rode from Phils climbing Ben’s then continued on Pine Drops up to top of Phils trail where a helispot is on the summit. From there back to TH is mostly downhill or gently sloping. At the top there is a tricky rock drop which I now am comfortable to roll down. Up high the trail is still 2 way with spots of very short sight lines which keeps my speed down to avoid a head on. Only once this year have I encountered anyone riding up. Lost of carving turns. Down lower the trail uses a slight canyon that goes over several rock gardens. My bike and me just bound over the stuff. yesterday a guy caught up to me just before the rough stuff. I kept the lead gapping him as he was slower on the tough stuff but would catch my wheel on flats. Still have stuff to be in front even as I ride the back on the uphills.

I am still riding the Catalyst pedals and still having lots of fun while still staying on my bike. Man, drop the seat, full weight the pedals, press feet onto pedals, and smile.

only 76 degrees at 11:17 AM in full sun.

Yesterday after my ride I pulled up many knapweed plants. I sunburned my back and top of my head.

Bend has been my take care of things stop for bike, body, and van. I have spent $2560 on the van for front tires, 3 batteries, front brakes, and transmission fluid replacement. Body work is all covered by insurance. Bike has been less expensive. I did spring for a luxury Wolftooth dropper lever which has very light action to activate. Sweet.

Trails here at Phils don’t tear up tires as the tread is mostly pumice dirt.

Yesterday Lenny picked me up in his pickup at O Reillys auto parts where I slept, positioning myself for a buying new battery because around 5PM attempting to start my van in the snap fitness parking lot after taking a shower after a sweaty ride after I chose to stay at a slightly different place past Phils because a guy in a van had parked too close, etc. Some info to follow.

But the cooling off is perhaps more mental than physical after riding for the 3rd time the O’Leary ridge trail above McKenzie Bridge. Jeff seemed to have been the gatherer of riders for this ride, 11 riders rode in the Horse Creek high lifted 4X4 van the very long shuttle to the ride start. Driver Eliza kept the van a good clip on the logging roads. Lots of bikes and people. Ride started off with gentle climb, this year this part was freshly brushed back which revealed the line changing stuff that last year’s ride was almost riding blind. Several riders stared ahead of me. We all made the correct direction change at the first intersection, however, the next intersection as a hard left was part way down a swell downhill on woods dirt. I made the turn as did Lenny. Lenny blew me up on the first hill to which he paid for the rest of the ride. I saw nobody ahead of me leading me to believe that I was getting dropped. No kidding there are some busting hike a bike parts. At the treeless Macduff mtn I parked my bike on the downhill side of the steep rocky trail then climbed to the short pitch to the summit. As other riders arrived I learned that I was off the front as the group ahead of me enjoyed that little downhill missing the left turn we were all told about. We are back together for the upper downhill section. The original trail was  CCC built now with corrections to unsustainable parts with hand built full bench cut tread. Old stuff dry rock masonry out slope still bearing up to maybe 80 years of users, however only recently has it been hammered by mountain bikers. Just narrow tread on steep mountain side, maybe 18″ wide, some woods dirt some loose, some loose rock maybe fist sized, steep switchbacks. In the deep forest cover. I rode with maybe 4 other guys out ahead. We all just rode well and fast. There is climbing on the ride, like 1850′ including the 563′ climbed in 2.5 miles, that’s 225′ / mile just before the final downhill off King Castle. Grinder hump. The last return on our sweat equity was the 4.1 miles dropping 1,621′, huh? 395′ per mile? Deep tree cover from some ancient trees. It just kept going and going. What a ride!. My heart rate hit a max of 165 bpm, which is out of my ball park. Ride is only 16.4 miles pedaling 2 hrs 10 mins, humping 1827′ and descending 5150′. $35 shuttle. Just amazing ride. Post ride recovery at the shuttle parking lot.

So, to Friday. I rode from here starting out on dusty FS roads, dust is like talc, to avoid more than I want to do of COD, Picked up new Ticket to Ride stopping at the welcome center seeking trail info. I checked the info board seeing nothing on trail closures. I remember logging on Grand Slam to which I asked about. FS late in posting info. Trail is closed till 5:00 PM fri, open Sat and Sun. This info is important to consider when planning a route. I rode up Storm King into destroyed forest cover from mastication which appears to be like mowing the woods like a yard. Stopped and visited with a man doing the destruction. Grand Slam dead ends on Storm King. This time the FS rigged a closure board that left no question that the trail was closed. At the same intersection I saw the Gnome sitting on the trail marker post. Its found after being moved or moving itself from the upper end of Storm King. The Gnome still rocks.

Gnome on place, FS closure sign in the trees.

Which gets me to my shower at snap and van. After my shower I put the key in the ignition and turned it: no electric to the instrument panel and no signal to the starter. I call AAA to use my membership to tow my van to repair shop that has serviced my van. I called to make an appointment and ask permission to live in their parking lot. Permission granted. Tow truck’s arrival at 8:48. Guy suspected the battery was dead but the instrument never displayed a warning light attesting to an electrical issue. Cutting to the chase ample charge entered the van battery to allow it to start and it continued running which said the alternator was working. Don’t shut it off. I first bailed on the ride as I couldn’t drive to Jeff’s house. I reconsidered by asking if I could be picked up. I drove to O Reillys car parts store on 3rd avenue which is the business 4 lane street. I scored a good parking spot with the van nose pointed at the double outside doors of the store. Took several orange blocks to raise the left rear wheel to level. I went to bed listening to traffic. I missed dinner and buying groceries. Well before my wake up time loud noises were coming from a guy using a power pallet mover moving around stock. Well, I got up. Needing Bfast I googled a feed spot. Black Bear was almost across the intersection. Part store opens at 7:30, time for food and buying a battery before being picked up by soon to meet Lenny. I bought the battery then asked if someone could install it. The clerk accessed data in their data, she said it requires a professional installer. Hmm. I opened the hood and looked at the battery and stuff attached to it. What did they know that I couldn’t see. I asked for suggestions for an installer. She looked up 2 mobile repair guys. Neither answered my call. Hmm…. I know I am unable to muscle around the battery. So close. Then later during the ride I told my story about needing install. Tim said he has skills but not professional grade said he would see if he could make the change. He met me. I was able to loosen the nuts holding the connector to the terminals, easy peasy. Next were the battery hold down bolts requiring a long reach socket wrench. Tim researched the battery install leaning of the tool as I was texting him. He arrived with enough extension to remove the bolts. He switched batteries and reconnected nuts and cables. Now came the moment of next data if the van would now start. Turned the key and the instruments lit up… good sign. Glow plug light turned off, turn the key to start: Contact, turn over, and catch.Van back on its wheels again and I am free to roam the country. Thanks Tim.

I developed a dehydration thirst needing many ounces to finally slake.

Operating the phone camera skills are learning slowly with gaps of frustration of making it do something simple like snap the shutter at what I pointed it at. On Fri’s ride I thought I had it sussed out stopping at FS closure sign and the Gnome. I tapped things starting the camera that I lost control over. I was swearing at it while pushing, tapping to no avail. I succeeded in turning it off. I looked at the place the pics are stored. I saw a selfie. Clicked on play. seems I turned both selfie and movie on. Over a minute memory of my face and voice as I wrestle with the controls. Don’t need to hear my words as lip reading is irrefutable.

Sitting on an open spot nosed into a windrow of wood chips, full sun. Haze from forest fires upwind but only 80 degrees. Haze becoming thicker, now paying attention to smell of smoke. resting today.