Not initials, just wet, one rain event after another since Vernal. It is what it is, make do with what is outside or stay inside. Which is where I am now parked out near Phils TH outside Bend. may all the precip benefit the forest health as in no smoke.
Sunday at Vernal I finished my ride in drizzle. Forecast for Monday called for precip. Clay dirt becomes nasty when wet, not like the Slippery when wet trail . I headed west towards OR. Route went south of Sun Valley. I receive the weekly trail updates from Wood River valley which reported limited ride choices because of snow coverage and or wet. I decided to drive north into the valley for a social visit with no riding. Visited with Steve, slept in his driveway 2 nights while there. First night so much rain fell it puddled out on flat gravel driveway that I splashed thru water over the top of my sandals. I visited with Chip at Sun Summit South bike shop then drove up to Ketchum to Elephants Perch. Cameron of Club Ride invited me to a 5 PM Lefty’s beer. Kyle, the phone is smarter than me to retrieve our pic to post here. Spent night back at Steve’s. Wed AM I headed to Oregon, Bend. Long drive, windy. Van gets 27 mpg on the highway.
Drove out past Phils. Score my favorite spot which has been cleaned up as was the one below. Thurs was ride laundry, shower, 10 Barrel, hello to whomever.
Riding here is under Ponderosa tree cover, not much for visitas.
It is what it is: almost buff cupped tread, firm from wetness. Can be big pedals.
First ride was up Bens, pine Drops then down Phils till Kents back down to TH. Kents requires some uphill before descent to TH but more challenging and fum that lower Phils. 16 miles climbing 1562′. Nice day, even saw the sun. Walked into 10 Barrel, welcome home. Picked up from last year.
Drove out to favorite spot which was taken. Picked spot where I stayed last year right next to Marvins Garden. As I was positioning the van for the night I noticed a rider nearby who appeared to be in some kind of trouble. I walked over and offered help. It was a woman who had misjudged a rock feature and fell injuring her shoulder, she said dislocated. I offered and she accepted my ride out to the TH where her sister was waiting for her. They took her away. I returned to the spot for the night.
Fri. I drove out to spot off rd 41 and Catch and Release trail. Ride went out C & R to Storm King climbing up to Funner continuing to Wanoga TH. 9.9 miles climbing 1568′ pedaling for 1 hr 31 mins. Picked up Tiddlywinks riding ove several small patches of snow. Took Kiowa over to Tyler’s Traverse. I hoped with the rain firming up the dirt that the descent down Tylers would be firm which it was. Exciting downhill with various jumps and bermed corners. Great bike. Drop the seat and assume attack position and play with the terrain. Scoot. I chose larsen’s cutover to avoid lower Tylers then long catch and release back. Worked well. Climbed start to Storm King then settled in for a fun descent what I climbed earlier. So much coasting I planned on repeating the next day. 26.5 miles needing 3 hrs 29 mins to climb 2576′
Spent night off rd 41 trail side to Catch and Release on purpose to wave at riders pedaling by.
Sat. I drove over to Visitor center. Crowded parking lot. Started with COD which at the start is nasty chunky sharp edged basalt chunks, walked a bit of it. Then I lost my planned route trying to get over to Bens. I rode up to a rider who called me by name, it was Gary whom I met years ago and lives here. He is 5 weeks out from surgery to plate a serious collar bone break at Gooseberry. I globbed on to his route which climbed up to start of Storm King then down to COD which is mostly smooth here. He finishes on Ticket to ride piece that I had not ridden, worth the fun to ride it again. Weather required long underwear top and knee warmers, the weather deteriorated. We finished before rain started. 18.9 miles climbing 1804′ needing 2 hrs 26 mins of pedaling.
My desert tan is fading.
Rainy 3 day weekend in Bend.
Back out past Phils below occupied favorite spot but with good internet signal. rained off and on during the night. Furnace sometimes fails to start on 1st sequence but with turning on and off during start cycle will fire it up. Presently 11:35 AM, overcast rain threatening, 43 degrees and the furnace is keeping me toasty.
Yesterday I raised my seat several times seeking the height that would eliminate front knee pain which indicated too low a saddle. Seems that my legs have gotten longer here on these pedal trails. My legs are pretty shaky after yesterday’s ride. OK to rest today.
Back in the mid 70s I raced hare scrambles and enduros on a 250 Husky. Today I feel that my bike is like that Husky. I choose to not do work when I can coast which seems like riding that dirt bike without the motor. Carving and pumping.