Last night’s forecast for today had wet starting about noon and becoming more likely as day wore on. Possible window was early ride and pack rain jacket. I started about 9 from Skyliner overflow parking and packed my jacket. Chilly, long underwear top. Sky did show signs of wet and a particular bird song I have associated with calling for rain was singing. Ride was my South Fork link of trails. Again starting with fitness challenge up Tumalo Ridge trail, this is where the meat of the elevation gain happens. It is 9.21 miles gaining 1404′ taking pedaling 88 mins. Turn onto S Fork trail for 3.0 miles dropping 886′ the reward. Dirt was watered down firm with just a few tracks ahead. Good dirt. Overcast that held its water. Wore the shield glasses again. High speed descent aboard well behaved bike. Old legacy hiking trail. Deep virgin tree cover. Deep shade in spots. roots.
View from Swede shelter, low clouds but snow capped peaks.
I pedal a 30T Absolute Black oval chain ring which smooths out the pedal stroke as the ovalization matches the gear size to power position of stroke. I had believed that it eliminated my power pulse which is seen by the track in the dirt. Today on Swede ridge steep pitch I pedaled in 42T I did not notice nor have I ever previously observed the tell tale power pulse sign. A round chain ring makes those dig outs because that’s the way legs work.
I made the climb.
Too many people and some are not practicing posting up for the night near me. Last night a pickup with maybe 4 people parked about 40′ away right on my bumper. I put up the window blind. They picked the first open spot. There were other open sites further out the road. Tonight I moved to my favorite spot here past Phils. I discovered this spot many years ago when it was just a faint track off the main gravel road between 2 large rocks. Over the years various users have driven in another entrance and cleared spots. Before dinner tonight 2 vans drive right past me and parked about 50′ away. I picked this spot tonight believing I would be alone. Yes, years ago, right near here, I was accosted by a guy who said I parked too close him, go away.
Yeah but I have 2 gallons of good well water.
Forecast for tomorrow has similar unsettled rain. Oh, today, I stayed dry the entire ride and into the evening. Actual wet once at 30%, dry at 50%.
Mashed potato pancakes for dinner.