I am now in 100 degree Oakridge, left upper 80s for low 100s. And I can be anywhere I want. Friend Kevin from SW Utah is to be coming this way so I dove over to visit. Sitting in the city library enjoying a bit of air conditioning. Other wise my finger strokes would have been rpeceded by sweat drops.

Drove over yesterday afternoon. First was a furnace repair session witht eh Propex importer who conveniently lives part time several miles from my La Pine spot, not that it matters. He pulled off the furnace and discovered huge amounts of dust in the fan. The furnace intake is right on the van floor. Blew it clean and opened the pressure regulator. Furnace started with a strong ignition, had to put an ice cube on the control panel to convince it that it was cold enough to turn on.

Running out of time.

Sunday worked on COD at Bend, rock work

Today was pedal up Dead mtn on pavement then gravel to coast back down on dirt.

5:00 library closing. Back to the heat.

Just hanging around west side of Bend and riding from Phil’s TH area. I have done 2 big routes about a week apart, the second ride most of the snow was melted. And on Mrazek fallen trees had been cleared up to the last road crossing. Rains have moved elsewhere leaving good firm dirt although Tylers is loosening up as it it hammered by shuttle riders.

33 mile ride climbing 3199′ is the longest one to date as recorded by the EDGE. Route went from camp spot picking up last piece of Marvins to Phils TH. One way climb up Bens until unmarked social trail splits off that will connect to gravel road crossing then climbing out of Tumalo creek. Mrazek ridge single track. On the first ride I encountered big snow patches and many fallen trees, elevation affected. As I neared the intersection with Farewell, my downhill trail, I saw footsteps that appeared to be out and back as an attempt to ride Mrazek but they must have deemed the snow and trees to cancel their ride. Several small patches of snow up high on Farewell caused corn snow squish to get over.

Upper part of Farewell is mixture of loose and anchored sharp pointed rocks. Be light and keep the bike pointed straight ahead. Bike is really stable. Drop down to Tumalo creek trail descending to Skyliner TH. Big grunt climb over the ridge to fly down Phils. Big 4hr pedal.

Ran into Gary, a local, on a ride on which he showed me the way out of a series of misunderstood intersections. He told me about the new piece of Ticket to Ride that drops down to finish at the Visitor center. I followed. Trail finally arrives at a descent down a drainage that had the remnants of an abandoned haul road. trail swings back and forth across the drainage. Like Kessels run at Fruita but more interesting. FS has prescribe burned much of this area after feller buncher logging. On a subsequent ride I chose the same trail.

I repeated the Mrazek ride a week later.

Sat I helped at a COTA work day on lower Tylers to correct tread wear issues. I hung out with another older trail worker. He is a retired counselor, I grew from that discussion. Funny, the other 3 guys are younger and they got after it as us 2 older guys found a way to rest on a tool. Old friend Derrick from Oakridge called me by name and stopped to chat. I was wearing my blue GOATS hardhat.

After that trail work I headed to Prineville to ride Lookout. I picked a brew pub in town and researched trail conditions: heavy snow covering the trail. Enjoyed the beer then headed back to Bend. The drive is the pits with heavy traffic and towns. Glad I picked La Pine as US 97 is non stop until southern outskirts of Bend.

The other big ride is riding up Storm King to Funner up to Wanoga TH. Tiddlywinks

over to Kiowa Butte to start of Upper Tylers. Years ago after the trees were cut out apparently bulldozers worked to create terraces. regrowth and mtn bikers discovering the man made jumps etc. First ride this year I was on firm dirt. Hammered by riders wanting downhill speed loosens the dirt but riding alone I don’t ride thru dust kicked up by those ahead of me. Storm King. Catch and Release.

Today I treated myself to an easier day with little climbing as I rode Catch and Release then took roads over to Benham Falls to pick up the river trail going downstream. Big river.

I seem to either be having a super cold or I am allergic to something as I am stuffed up, nose running, and sore throat. No temperature. Takes the snap out of my pedal stroke.

Out here past Phils TH sleep spot the internet signal is 3 bars. Sleep spot out of rd 41 is barely a trickle. I have been staying multiple days at spots instead of driving to town. 10 Barrel isn’t brewing Sinister, my chosen beer. Going to check out other brew pub beers.

Tomorrow is laundry day then I am planning on driving down to La Pine to spend the night on my property. I have very little interest in furthering the construction of my house.