Topped at 88 degrees. Back end of van is much warmer, chocolate melting. 9:39 PM it is 75.
Yesterday, Sunday, I made a rest day and went buying necessities. I buy only necessities as what I acquire must have a purpose. If I buy clothing it must be that an item is worn out and will be let go. Self limiting as I buy mostly Patagonia which lasts years. Likewise my bike clothes. I did buy a chain for the Rail as a horde item over concern of future need date. Took 3 stores to find oat flour and avoided Whole Foods. I drove up to rd 41 at the Welcome center which still has winterized water. Last year the center never opened which meant the water was turned off. Every time I pass by I look for stars and stripes flying indicating water is turned on. My anchorage was side road at gravel quarry in front of locked green gate. I’m back and so is a man who lives in his like Suburban(?) and listens to religious fervor. Last night he parked the closest, about 100′. He left before my bfast.
I chose this spot as I had visions of riding up Funner and across on Tiddlywinks to go down Tylers etc. Big vert ride. Today is a holiday and I suspected holiday crowd as these trails can be shuttled. Better to ride them during the week.
Plan B was climb Mrazek, descend Farwell, down Tumalo Creek, climb Skyliner, descend Phils to Kents back to main TH. That’s what I rode. I wrote Bend’s rides are time based as what I ride I can pedal. I add a modifier to increase the effort of elevation gained. Today that ride covered 31.6 miles and I climbed 2960′ in 4 hours of pedaling. My average bpm was 123, I spent 1 hr 46 mins anaerobic. Garmin said I burned 1845 cals. I just beat myself. Today, maybe midway up Mrazek, I visited with a middle age couple, appeared competent and fit riders. They pedaled away as I rested after 56 mins solid pedaling to arrive at my stop. I pedaled away eventually catching up to them. The woman pulled over to let me pass as I was telling her keep going as I could ride behind her to slow me down. Didn’t happen, self imposed beat down continued. The piece of Mrazek I climbed was 10.8 miles climbing 2031′, took me 1 hr 44 mins pedaling. Forest Service is fuels reducing up high which really opens the forest up where as it was under tree canopy. Will add element of sunheat to the climb effort.
Manzanita is blooming not like the drought killed kindred in Sedona.
Down Farwell letting the bike have its head over the rocky sections. Nasty exposed sharp edge rocks with unanchored beer can size mixed in. Sharp edged which seems to lock them in place when leaned against. Steer where I want to go while making reflex corrections to adjust to what trail gave me.
First viewshed
Encountered a pleasant woman climbing. I stopped to let her pass and she motioned me to continue. We were at a stalemate leaving opportunity for visit. She pegged me to my green van hoping to meet me.
Down Tumalo creek trail where I encountered the most number of people and they were all hikers. And they were on the screamer downhill. I was looking for speed faster because of the Hydra hub but the sharing of the trail scrubbed speed.
Climbed Skyliner sharing it with 2 approaching riders. Climbed to start of Phils down Helipad down and down to junction of Kent’s to empty TH. I met Kent in Sedona this spring where I led him on a local ride.
Arrived at almost empty trail head big parking lot. Packed up then drove back to tuck away spot. I sprayed off my bike using the 1 1/2 gal tree sprayer stashed in the JOBOX. Washed off ID mud and cow shit.
Big effort ride today. Many muscles in my legs are spasming precramp lockup. Roller time. I find withstanding the pain from the roller on tight muscles makes for a more agile body.