Chilly morning yesterday with forecast saying warmth was coming, like 65 degrees. I postponed Mrazk chosing a lesser price but a higher reward to ride South Fork from Skyliner. What about temperature? Skyliner is 1,000′ higher than Phils and the top of S fork is at 5,600′. Temperature drops as elevation is gained. Chilly at 3,900′ camp means mid morning temp at top was not going to be balmy. I started with just the long sleeve mid weight wool top eschewing the knee warmers. However, I stepped outside warm van after dressing to outside chill, knees said “OK, maybe you should pack the warmers, like just in case. Knees, be quiet, your job is to just drive me to the top so I can coast back. Left the warmers. I filled up water at the well spigot allowing time to pass and warmth. Ride starts with big climb right off the bat. Body warmed up to the effort. My right knee is balking at the pedaling. Hmm, pain is in side of knee which cause is unknown to me. Pain in the front or back of the knee indicate seat height issue. I checked seat height, I raised it a tad which lessened the pain. I pedaled on. Swede shelter view was this:
Environmental conditions change with elevation which affects tree cover. Down low P pine are dominant, up at Swede ridge Lodgepole pine are dominant.
Ground is pumice, tires have rolled firm the tread.
Now the reward is right at my front tire: Gravity pulling me down the next 3 miles lasting only 15 mins, loosing 912′. Old growth tree cover creates scattered small patches of sunlight and shade. Light reveals the tread to figure out how to ride, shade is like a dark room where shadows don’t exist hiding opportunities or proactive actions. trust bike, ability, and physics to just stay off the brakes. The trail has small challenges that can be ridden over at speed. Juke and jive. Even with well tuned bike and fitness I still get beat up. Old legacy hiking trail. Tread went over a root on fall line, water flowed down trail, hit root, flowed over root, then carved a drop on the downhill side. Over time the drop deepens. Pop the root to gain air then land beyond the drop. Assume attack position, be loose, be looking ahead. One last rock chunder and then it’s done. Encountered a rider pedaling up, he said he counted 10 riders passing him going down. I was passed by 2 guys who were enhancing their speed harshing my coast, why work when I can rest? My enjoyment is coasting and playing with trail.
Then the in places high speed coasting on Tumalo creek trail which is wide, smooth, firm berms, but in places limited sight lines caused by ceoanothus bushes. There is this one section that offers sight line and straight line. Today fastest speed of 26.9 mph. Zoom.
Drove back to town. Propane fill. Bought new chain. Drove out to Phils to where gravel road crosses marvin’s garden as I wanted to sit at the trail and interact with passing riders. Darn, both possible spots were occupied. Drove out to favorite spot which was empty. Today I chose partial shade. I finished settling in when one of the other occupiers pulled in the closest ever. I allowed myself to get worked up. Young man walked up and introduced himself as he said we have been neighbors. Learned that he attempted a thru hike of the PCT back in 18. OK, guy is accepted. Learned that the second van is his girl friend’s whom they met on the PCT. later I did pack a beer and stool and walked to marvins and sat in the sun and watched the few riders that went by.
Sat is a COTA volunteer trail work morning on private property that I will be participating in. 1st volunteer work after covid.
Working on revisions to house model this week, getting close to finish.
10 Barrel pub has been opened several days. This was my being around people place in years passed. I am squeamish about stopping in for a beer.
I worked over my right leg in particular over my ribbed roller which seems to have loosened up muscles surrounding my knee, I feel the discomfort but do not have tange of motion issues. Suspect discomfort was caused by the knee not tracking correctly created this residual pain that will go away. I am making today a rest day. There is always tomorrow or the day after or after.
5mg THC gummies start the day off with gentle buzz. I found that later in the day one feels like a bust. Read article about effectiveness of high content of THC in flower, finding was less costs less and produces same buzz.