Yesterday was laundry day, drove up to Hailey’s laundromat. Washer runs for 37 mins, that is washing. I am sitting in my van out front when a decked out Sprinter parked along side. Guy hops out and starts up a conversation. He hands me a sticker for Dirty Finger in Hood River as if I had not been there. I said I have 2 of his stickers already on the van and Mitchell and I know each other. He kept it. He tried again with a Tomichi cycle in Gunnison, again just one sticker and I sleep in shop owners’ Bill and Susan’s driveway. He kept that one also, he had no others. He said he and his wife just finished a 29 day road trip. I told him I have been at it for 12 years. I guess I won the big dick contest.
Stopped for short visit as that is all it can be at Sun Summit South, Chip’s shop. I asked about Deer Creek, a ride I have not done yet and it is close to Hailey. He said I would need to go ride it to find out about it and report back. He rode it last earlier this what was summer. OK. Drove north out of town then turned west on Deer Creek rd. The road was paved for several miles then became washboard bumping gravel road. Quentin told me about driving the Gooseberry bumpy road was over 35 mph the bumps go away. Shit eye tooth rattling as I sped just over 30 mph. Sheesh. Van and its contents remained in place. camping is permitted in signed sites, I picked 1 which was right on the bank of Deer Creek which was flowing bubbling babbling. I stayed here once before. Last year I scored the first site about a half mile from today. Plenty of sites to chose from further out but I had enough as did my possessions and be satisfied with this spot. The ride tomorrow would continue up the road.
Last night strong full moon light lit the south face of the big hill above me. Appeared to be slightly cloudy. This AM, sunrise 7:48, I peered outside to discern clouds but no precip anywhere in the forecast. I sniffed, can’t say that I didn’t smell smoke but that’s what was in the air. No forecast for that. I could breathe the air which met my need for air quality. I geared up then pedaled away up the road. Washboard chattered even my 27 1/2 ” wheels and full suspension.
Pedal gentle climb yet effort required to N fork Deer Creek TH. 4.46 miles climbing 564′ took 35 mins. Single track took over. Narrow single track, motorcycle worn. Area was burned several years ago which also burned the soil which loosened shattered rock. Energy sucking causing me to walk. This section was 2.3 miles gaining 577′ took 31 mins of panting. Did not ride it clean. Lots of aspen groves decked in gold and some trees showing reddish hue.
Then I began the descent down Deer Creek.
Trail crossed the ever deepening Deer Creek. Rough trail.
Beavers found these upper reaches of the creek acceptable for their home improvement. I watched several fish swirls in the impoundment.
3 dirt bikes used their engines and suspension to climb past me as I headed down. They were the only people seen on my ride. This piece was 6.3 miles dropping 1138′ needed 46 mins of pedaling. Followed by 3.8 miles of gravel bumpy road to van. I coasted over a section of washboards enjoying the suspension isolating me from the chatter. I loosened my usual loose grip even more which let the grips rattle inside my fist. Sweet. Brings to memory recall of a past washboard riding experience while riding a fully rigid bike ( because at that time it was state of the sport) being bounced so hard that the muscles attached to my eyeballs became fatigued unable to hold my eyes. I had to stop to rest the muscles. Same thing happened once I started. Experience that sometime.
Because of my gut issue I am eating a very restricted diet plus gluten avoidance. I have no body fat. I can’t seem to eat enough calories to add storage. I can’t eat Clif bars but I have not sought a replacement. Today I ate what I thought would be enough to last till lunch. I ran the tank all but dry, close to a bonk. I rode this ride last year but do not recall how worked I was. Forgetfulness makes for unintended repeats. However, this year’s ride time was almost the same as last year.
Loaded up then began the washboard. Speed still close to 30, very active suspension. Reached pavement then slowed down savoring the quiet. Drove into Hailey. Reported to Chip. Drove down to Steve’s for the night.
Ketchum AQI earlier was 139, unhealthy. At 9:30 air has improved to 85. just moderate. High pressure keeping smoke in from Oregon fires. Air quality is again a concern. My new brake rotor arrives Monday here so I will stay till then. I checked other locations seeing Ketchum was the worst by far.
Nasty hard ride. Here these rides, while shorter, seem to require more effort than Bend’s pedal trails. At Bend my rides went for more miles as I just sat and spun. Not so much here and the trails are more technical. But the mountains and remoteness factor are greater here.