Yesterday was just right. Successfully completed a 35.5 mile ride out here from Phil’s, 4 hrs 29 mins, climbed 2910’, Bend miles. Again, the trails here are almost all pedal w/ very few tech challenges. Riding is what it is: I am still making my body work. So, the route went like this: Started from campspot past Phils, short piece of gravel rd to a tie in to Marvin’s Garden which has the first climb like right out of the start. Turn right on KGB, turn left on Expressway, turn left on ELV, turn right on Ticket to Ride, turn right on COD, turn left on Storm King, cross the highway, turn right on Funner to climb 4.2 miles in 41 mins to Wanoga 55 mins into ride, start on Tiddlywinks out to Kiowa Butte, turn left at start of Tyler’s Traverse, descend the whoops, turn left on start of Larsen’s, turn right on Tiddlywinks, turn right on Storm King down to Catch and Release to Welcome center which is still closed w/ water shut off but outhouse open and stocked w/ tp, join Ticket to Ride (north), left at start of ELV back to Expressway, right on KGB, left on Marvin’s, right on tie to left on gravel rd to van. I started just after 9 and completed breakfast at 7AM. I carried 2 Clif bars and about 80 oz of water. I believed that the breakfast fuel would fuel me augmented by the 2 Clif bars. And I was carrying sufficient water. On paper I could make this ride work. On the ground I learned that 2 Clif bars didn’t slake my hunger and water was sparingly drank towards the end of the ride to not run out. Thing is I carry the water in my Wingnut pack on my back. I sucked on the mouth piece for water, for every sip water changes its storage places, from the pack into my body to be changed into sweat, respiratory breath, and pee. Hardly any water goes out in last water loss. Take away: pack a sandwich in addition to 2 bars and fill bladder.
Just totally amazing is how empty the trails are in spite of crowded parking spots. Once at Wanoga I was only person I saw. Tyler’s has several pieces of whoops tread results of past FS practice of terracing the clearcut forest. Mild terrain park. Pay attention to body position. Full out coast braking only to scrub a bit of speed to maintain control. Seat slammed down, feet placed properly heels down on big catalyst pedals. Loose upper body w/ bent elbows. It’s one way downhill, no horses allowed and no hikers. That means game on, no user conflict. Seems the shuttle crowd from drop off at Wanoga pedal out Tiddlywinks, which at first is a pedal trail requiring a bit of work, to gain the descent. Tylers is further out requiring more work to get upper Tylers. Tylers has an up hill route to top. Trails are dry and loose, 1 bike stirs up a dust cloud which means if you are not first (or alone) you ride in a dust plume. My tires look like gum sidewalls.
35.5 miles, a feat? Or just got ‘er done? Bend has miles of opportunities to create a route. Trails here go a ways between trail choices.
Friday I rode South Fork from Skyliner again. The ride is 14.6 miles long, climbing 1499’ and pedaling for 1 hr 54 mins. To me what is amazing about this ride is each one takes the same amount of time. Same 17 mins on haul road grunt. Consistent. I work at pedaling effort. For me biking keeps me fit and trim and stimulates my decision making to negotiate challenges. Enjoying a buzz while riding doesn’t affect length of ride time. S fork descent still same time. Trail is dusty. Swede ridge is under deep tree cover. I hung the solar shower on the hood of the van b4 pedaling away. Upon return the water was sufficient hot not requiring adding sink water to lower temp. Public shower in the lodge parking lot. First full soap wash of body and hair since some time back at Sedona.
On Thursday I put quarters into front loading washer to make it jostle my clothes in presence of water and detergent. When door unlocks I sort clothes that can stand high temp drying from those needing air dry. Washing my sheets now every other week.
Thursday afternoon I patronized favorite tavern 10 Barrels. Wore mask. The management has implemented their solution to social distancing. Still, it was a significant event for me because of concern of COVID. I did not linger over my beer.
I have been replenishing on board water at the spigot up at Skyliner, it is a 7 mile drive, the road has bicycle lanes each way. Every drive I see road riders either grunting their way up the climbs head down eyes like looking at front tire, or same position but not grunting on coast back down. Road riding just seems to be about working out. Yes, I have a road bike and I did find some satisfaction riding it, on this odyssey I rode it 5 times before I transferred it to my former neighbor’s barn. My mountain bike riding has the similar goal and benefit of working out. It’s just the riding on natural surface tread is more stimulating and no fear of unfriendly interaction with motorized traffic.
This is the year for the Pandora moths. I have written about this earlier.
Rest day today. Forecast had been teasing high probability of rain and strong winds. It is chilly 55 degrees and windy blowing dust. Snug in my van.
My knees are hurting enough to seek physical therapy starting last Thurs. Since this bout of discomfort I have been rolling on my ribbed foam roller which does help. Dave, the PT, gave me several exercises to do, next session will prolly be his infamous elbow on tight muscles which will be more painful than my roller. Tuesday at 9 AM elbow time.
I have ridden 35,022 miles on 2415 rides since July 19, 2008. 13,081 miles and 921 rides on my Turner RFX. Just data.