So, last Monday I googled for septic and well driller. Tuesday I receive a phone call from the septic company. She shared the process for approval of a septic system at my house. An approved septic system is required before the building permit is issued. They are located not far from me. First up is site survey and the digging of 3 test holes for the county to examine for perking. We left it that if her husband, the operator, found time he would stop on by, could be anytime. Today up off rd 41 I had just completed a big ride and was recouping in my van when the phone rang. It was the operator who said that he could dig test holes this afternoon if I was available which I wanted to be. 1 hour later I am at my property where he has unloaded his big mini ex. I told him what I had in mind, he used his septic system knowledge and we created a layout and a plan.
The dirt here is like just sand, the holes could have been dug with a soup spoon.
He found the drain field the previous owner had installed but was never used which means I have to start from scratch. So the holes have been dug, he takes care of filing the permit and paper work to the county, now I wait for inspection. Could be 6 weeks. I have supporting tasks to perform.
So, moving forward with house build it will be part of my life.
But I am still riding.
Saturday late afternoon was that terrific wind event. I have been riding above Phils TH where it seems the tread was carpeted with green needle. Yesterday I rode up to upper end of Phils where Storm King starts.
Takes 20 mins straight pedaling to climb Pine Drop. Storm King is named after the forest fire in Colorado that killed 9 members of the Prineville hot shot crew. Ponderosa pine forest being fuels reduced with feller bunchers. Can’t stand in the way of money, nature cries. Trails here are pedal with very few tech features, I avoid those hard parts. 18.5 mins climbing 1578′ pealing for 2 hrs 23 mins.
Yesterday drove back into town for supplies. Gas station where I buy propane used to let me have spigot water for free. This year it is $2 for maybe 5 gals all I need. Bob’s red mill isn’t producing the Scottish oatmeal.
Drove out to rd 41 and parked at the closed off gravel pit. the trail Catch and Release goes right by where I park. My hope for chosing this spot is that I might know riders pedaling by. paid off. Craig formerly from Ashville, NC stopped. He rides a 29ner Turner bike. We visited, he pedaled off. Before I could start my dinner Joe stops. We ride identical Turner RFXs. He bought a PUSH 116 shock. We rode Lookout over in the Ochocos last summer. This spot will be the pedaling off spot for today’s ride. I parked here on Monday also with intent to ride today’s ride but bailed.
Night temps are low enough to enjoy the heat from the furnace. Some time passes before the warming outside air can heat the cold van interior. Being inside with a longsleeve shirt on then stepping out intot he sunshine almost beads sweat.
Big ride today, pushed thru. Started catch and Release to Storm King climbing up to junction with Funner where the big elevation gain happens. All the way to Larsen’s TH. Turn on to Tiddlywinks which connects to Kiowa Butte zooming down to start of Tylers traverse which is not all traversing until it starts down of the formerly terraced regrowth land. Loose dirt covered by even heavier blanket of P pine needles which broke loose from the dirt underneath making for interesting push turns. Places where there were sidewalls of berms the dirt was bare but in the main channel the tread was slippery green. Closest I get to a terrain park. Turn onto Larsens to end at Funner down to its end at Storm King taking it to its end at Catch and Release and pedal for cold beer. 24.4 miles climbing 2270′ pedaling for 3hrs 5 mins. Biggest day here so far. Encountered fewer than 10 people.
I’m tired. Tomorrow is laundry and a rest day.
Oregon has allowed opening of restaurants maybe bars. It will be a bit longer before I enter an establishment. Bike shops are doing the phone call we come to the door and conduct business thing. Missing out on people connections.