Last several nights the furnace has been enjoyed for its warmth accepting the whir of the circulating fan. Chilly. Rest day yesterday after 4 straight days of riding and weather forecast wanted rain. Today’s forecast wanted same rain system. Something significant weather wise for time of 11 AM which is cutover time for showers.
So, last night parked at favorite spot past Phils TH, I studied the site to pick the spot that got good sun exposure for the solar panel effect charging the batteries but could be leveled and was not in a puddle basin. Settled on a spot. Thinking was a rainy day here which would shut me in and battery power would be needed for heat tonight. This morning the rain did not fall and the forecast again reported 11 AM. 47 degrees at start, chilly enough to seek comfort of knee warmers and a short sleeve long underwear top underneath the midweight wool long sleeve jersey. Packed my rain jacket. Thing about the lower Phils system is there are ways to affect the length of a ride. With the rain jacket and in many places the P pine canopy was thick enough to suck up the rain before it hit the ground or me. I also was interested in the effect the changes I made to my bike. One, new rear tire, same as worn down Maxxis Aggressor 2.5 WT, and a longer stem.
Stem swap: On Sunday I looked at the relationship between the handlebar and the front hub. Previously known standard of correct relationship was you could not see the front axle because the handlebar blocked the view, this would place the weight of my hands to be over the contact patch of the front wheel which would maximize the grip of that front tire. My line was my hands were well behind that contact patch which affected the cornering and carving. I kept the previous longer stem because sometimes I hang on to swapped parts, plus it took up little room. Also the stem length effects the leverage of the handlebar and greater upper body movement to alter steering. On today’s ride the bike seemed to stay hooked up in the turns much better, both items receive credit. Possible that older tire with worn knobs broke loose. 2 variables screw the scientific experiment. I did enjoy my ride.
I have figured out how to ride these trails, some rides are the same. On the 13th, Sat, I rode the same loop as on 6/3. 24.4 miles with ride time just 5 minutes difference.
Pandora moth caterpillars are emerging, green squash slime wetting the gray pumice dust. The males emerge first, both sexes climb up P pines to dry their wings. The males pounce on the emerging females before they are able to fly away. Nonconsentual sex. I read about cedar gnats where mating appears to be female selecting a mate as she favors youth, she distinguishes the age of her suitors, old guys go home. Age is measured in hours.
Also during previous summers the California tortoiseshell butterflies lived in several patches of ceanothus bushes that trails went by. The caterpillars are the feeding stage swarming the bush leaves. While their leaf consumption is never enough to kill the plant the remaining leaves bear the effects.
The trails here are on the Deschutes NF and are located west of town which has built up to property line. Forest was clear cut some years ago and replanted seems to be at same time, result is the trees are all the same size and packed denser that virgin forest would have spaced. Tight trees can create crowing forest fires which could spread onto private structures. Solution: fuels reduction and mastigation. FS uses paint colors for coding. Orange for leave trees and blue for harvest. Today on Phils climb I took this pick of today, note the blue bands.
Some day in the future this will be cut, should I be around and remember to I will take a pic after harvest.
It’s 4:35, 49 degrees, and the threat of rain is abated by blue skies. Comfortable inside van buttoned up. Furnace has not fired on. Weather forecast seems to miss reality. Seek a sucker hole and pack a rain coat.
Today on the climb up Pine Drops a faster rider caught up to me. I stopped. We talked, last year we met and talked about bikes something. Today he was riding his created Mullet which is a 29ner frame with a 29′ front wheel and a smaller 27.5″ on the rear. His frame is rigid. He said there are noticeable advantages of the wheel size mix. My first bike was a Cannondale that was a smaller version of today’s mullet at a 26″ front and 24″ rear. I don’t recall how the bike benefited from the wheels, I remember my shins having numerous scrapes from shitty bear paw pedals and non sticky shoes.
Forecast calls for heating up as the week progresses. Sat is to be 86 degrees. maybe I can get a solar shower. Last solar shower was back in May when down in Sedona. My ride clean up is swabbing off with a wet wash cloth while inside the van. I am clean and don’t smell. I wear clean clothes and brush my teeth twice a day, floss at night.
Grocery stores are still short of good brown rice. Beer choices here tend to higher bitter units which I don’t like. Washington asparagus at Newport market. Years ago when I lived at Spokane I read that the only asparagus packing plant in the state closed down which would kill the industry. Appears enough is still grown to make it down here. I have yet to enter a public house let alone drink a beer there, same with dining in. Today I wear a mask for my inside forays. I live and recreate away from people which does not necessitate wearing a mask. My body has no underlying health issues.
Sunnyside Sports, the bike shop I support, opened their doors to public on Monday. Previously it was like a speak easy where a shop person would serve you outside. You would call them while outside their door and someone would unlock the door and greet you.
My left index finger is becoming numb after riding. I hook the front brake lever with the first joint which concentrates the pressure of the handlebar grip to the base of the finger.
Forecast tomorrow is favorable. Mrazek ride , 33 miles, maybe?