with my own eyes but did not smell it with my nose but the buzzard did. Huh? Nature.

This morning I rode from sleep spot just off marvins garden. Ride starts with a not too strenuous climb to KGB, turn right on KGB stay on top swooping and bending bends until a challenging downhill with several climbing turns and basalt chunks, this will be climbed on the return to beer. Today while descending before the first turn I noticed a dead ground squirrel, prolly lost the sprint with a mountain bike wheel and was terminated. Dead squirrel was no big deal as maybe not common but frequent enough to know it happens. Shit, Several times I escaped being run into by one of the little buggers. So the dead one is laying there. I continue my long ride, hit my distant point then turned to home. Time, distance, and energy passed. I arrived at the now climbing turns that sometimes I make, others my engine fails to propel me over some rocks. Today I stuffed my front wheel into the face of a rock and stalled as I lacked inertia to punch over. I stopped and paused. While motionless motion above ground caught my eye, it was a large bird, not a bird of prey and not a vegetarian like grouse. I remained motionless and just watched. I made the determination that it was a buzzard. Several times I heard a sound like it was strongly exhaling or maybe breathing in. It was above the trail and the dead squirrel maybe 20 feet away and down on the ground below. It took several short hops from branches working closer and occasionally blowing. It then dropped to the ground near the squirrel that it walked up to it, found it, then proceeded to rip flesh away and swallow it. It discarded part of it then walked towards me a few feet to find the front end of said squirrel which it tore and ate. The a rider descended and frightened it away.

To me I witnessed nature using a sense that is so much stronger than mine find something that to them is just something of life. The squirrel body was under tree cover, just nowhere near able to see it from the air. It used its sense of smell so acute to be able to locate a small dead animal while above tree tops. And the dead body was so small.

I had visions of riding up to top of Tylers for a big ride. I chose COD from the welcome center to connect with Storm King. Years have passed since I rode this piece of COD which has many rock gardens and challenges, many I walked as above my preservation level. I mellowed out to a shorter ride as I hit Storm King then rode it down to Catch and Release, Ticket to Ride, ELV, KGB and the buzzard, and Marvins. It was 20 miles long requiring just 1 safety break pedaling for 2 hrs 38 mins climbing 1690′. New Ergon saddle passed this length of ride with happy cheeks.

On Storm King another badger hole was freshly dug almost in the tread of the trail. Earlier this summer I reported about a similar hole but mislocated it on Catch and Release, it was on Storm King also.

Much of the forest here in the collective Phils system has been feller buncher fuels reduction logging. I have vague memory of riding these trails before the environmental destruction. Now the forest appears to be park like.

Trails are dry and loose. Two wheels put up a plume of dust. Ride by myself so I do not have to ride behind another rider. Selfish but my snot is not brown.

Heated water in solar shower then drained that luke warm temp water into the helios for a pressure shower. I enhanced the heat with a quart of just off boil water. Wind chill. I washed my hair.

So tomorrow is only Saturday, I flashed that it would be Sunday which would start the day with scratch pancakes. Instead I will fall asleep with visions of Mrazek ridge climb and oatmeal and toast. Cold brewed coffee from local roaster, ground yesterday.

I am wearing a face mask whenever I enter a building and strive to keep a bit of distance between others. I believe this is the course of protection I must take to protect myself and others from me. I don’t wear the mask when I ride or live out here in wide open.

Back to riding here in Bend in more open forest and view of the sky. However, the trails here are dry, dusty and loose. One rider can stir up quite a cloud of dust when passing.

Yesterday I rode from the van working my way to the top of Phils, climbed Pine Drops, dropped down Storm King turning onto Grand Slam and others to return to cold beer. 8.9 miles gaining 1549′ in 2 hrs 24 mins of pretty much straight pedaling. Concern for my safety caused me to stop for a couple safety meeting well spaced out. Amazing how far and fast I can go when coasting. Drop the seat and angulate the turns.

My butt cheeks are bearing the brunt of the saddle contact points. I am riding a very old Fiziik saddle. I learned of Ergon’s well received saddle, I bought one today at Sunnyside, $110, and it has a 2 week test period. I put it on tonight and pedaled in just street shorts, hmmm, tomorrow I will be wearing normal padded liners for evaluation.

I learned some more about long distance pedaling uphill at Oakridge and the PT for my knee is strengthening my said butt cheeks which seems to increase the power of my stroke. Today I chose to ride from Skyliner up Tumalo Ridge which dumps out on the haul road to the shelter. I worked myself hard, I beat previous best by less than a minute on that rd.. So What? I push myself, so what? So why? I ride for calorie burn that to me is to push myself. Today I was 3 minutes faster, a new mark for the ride. My aerobic threshold is 128 beats per minute, today I spent 50 mins level one above plus another 7 mins higher. So what? I weigh under 145 #s, I have no body fat or friends. South Fork of Tumalo creek is 3 miles long, it’s an old legacy hiking trail. It drops almost 900′, it would be a tough hump to pedal up it hence the likelihood of abruptly sharing the trail with an uphill rider is rare. Today I corraled my speed well enough to yield to 2 separate uphill riders. then comes the smooth screamer of Tumalo Creek. There is 1 long stretch of wide smooth dirt with a good sight line. Today I clocked 27.2 mph, my fastest yet, at full tuck coast. I suspect I would have been spun out if I tried to pedal. Wore the shield glasses. Screamer.

I didn’t stop to take any pics. Passed the view point for the steep face off Tumalo Peak which has melted out in just a few days down to red cinder.

Forecast for Bend is hot and below normal rain. Dusty trails. So far no forest fire smoke. Still closed door chilly at night, furnace has been turned on, well, because I have it and it makes me more comfortable.

Oakridge seems to be about vertical as in exciting going down with the climbs to the top are either by lungs or pocketbook. But there are riders out there that will pedal up 1910 and 1912 to top of Alpine, I no longer know any of them. Pocket book choices are from 2 shuttle companies, one the original and the other a new comer. I accepted offer of free Alpine shuttle from Oregon Adventures in recognition of my volunteer trail work on Sunday. On Friday I paid $35 to Cogwild, the newer hauler. Over the years I have pedaled all the climbs that the shuttles carry riders up. Sunday, 8:45 at Randy’s.

But first I needed to learn if my poor climbing on Alpine the day before had legs. I needed a hard climb test. I chose Larrison Rock which is just above town, like almost straight up. The ride starts with a flat stroll thru Greenwaters park onto a powerline road ending at start of pavement climb. 5.03 miles climbing 2011′ took nonstop pedaling of 1 hr 8 mins. grunt of climb on deserted paved FS rd. Reward is 3 miles downhill dropping 1929′ in 19 mins with riding the brakes. So much sweat equity for so short a pay off. Do you relish the calorie and quad burn in what relationship to the pull of free speed? I would not want to pedal up this trail. Steep, twisty as it followed rib contours. Came around sharp bend to greet a woman hiker trying to climb up the steep backslope. She had on ear buds, I have no idea if she heard me. I was able to stop before hitting her. Abusive downhill.

My body and brain passed the test for tomorrow’s ATCA.

Oakridge seems to be of 2 towns, the newer more commercialized on the state highway, the original town across the railroad tracks where the Pub is located. Several blocks away on the same side of the street is a distillery, Deep Woods, creating liquor. Friday and Sat they were open serving various cocktails made from their creations. I drank 1 each of 2 nights I attended while listening to live acoustic guitar music. Crowd is composed of many of the same people from the pub which is now named Three Legged Crane.

Sat night after music quit at 8 I drove out of town towards Larrison rock road to a side piece of pavement for the night. Way too many vehicles passed for my liking. Drove back to less busy place on salmon Creek at the bottom of Dead mtn trail, where I have been staying. After dark numerous explosions of varying strength pierce the night from afar from where I suspect would have been on the powerline road just above me. Perhaps was was lacking in sights was made up for in sound.

Sunday I roll into Randy’s for the shuttle ride up to top of Alpine. 1 other rider, we rode in an SUV instead of a less comfortable van. Dropped off at the top of Alpine. First piece of trail is known as Kate’s Cutin, oh but I have written about that previously. Anyway the first part of today’s ride is repeat of Alpine down to Tire Mtn trail junction. Beargrass just as breath taking. Today I am wearing the shield like clear lenses glasses which keep my eyes from tearing and the clear lightened up visibility. Tire mtn trail sees fewer riders hence the tread is more “pristine” in not widened or brake stutter bumps. All by myself.

After short bit of above the trail dro[s into old growth forest, meaning never logged. Nature where it is allowed to live. An experience to be cherished as so few acres are left un damaged by man. Tall straight trees widely spaced with just ground covr plants. There is never a forest succession as it is always ongoing as trees die which creates opening for young trees to grow.

Last winter knocked down trees as is normal. The fallen ones that are noticed are the ones that cross a trail. Thanks to all the people who cut out the trees. On Tire descent I encountered several that were too big or difficult to cut, several I slithered under. This one was an over the top using the chain saw cut notches. My right arm has little strength as is known which caused anxiety about me getting me and my bike over the log.

Tire drops down to junction of Cloverpatch and the ceasing of coasting. Big hump then descent down to logging road. A screamer descent on loose gravel blind corners all season logging road. It is passable by a passenger car which presented the possibility that an uphill bound rig could be around the blind bend. I rode to create a defensive line and kept from temptation to let ‘er rip. Then the payback for the free speed, the grunt climb back to join Alpine. 3.69 miles climbing 1342′, I pedaled non stop for 55 mins. I did suck on the 46 T sprocket which was low enough. What a change from lesser ridden in trail to hammered Alpine. Another high speed descent enjoying that cushioned ride from the suspension. Can’t say that I could hold a glass of wine without spilling as I needed both hands in control of the handlebar. Clear glasses with fuller coverage really made this ride more enjoyable. 23 miles in 3 hrs 27 mins almost identical to 4 previous rides, 1 each year, climbed 2644′ and coasted 6217’. Shuttle ride.

Dinner and a beer at pub then returned to bottom of Deadman.

Tuesday I have a PT treatment for my hurting right knee back in Bend. Sunday night I thought about riding on Monday then driving back to Bend. Again riding here is about downhill and humping the climb. In 3 rides here I climbed 5,791′ and descended 12,273′. I chose Deadman right from van. It would be another 2,xxx’ climb for short downhill. As I was getting after breakfast I talked myself out of riding. I drove out of town and over the pass to dry desert and P pine and lodgepole forest. Bend enters water shortage plan.

Such a difference from high desert pedaling trails here in Bend to steep dark downhill trails at Oakridge. I’ll prolly go back over later.

I made transfer payments to community of Oakridge in the 3 dinners, a shuttle, and numerous adult beverages. I made short connections with old acquaintances. Just no real hanging.