Been a bunch of days since last post. I rode for those 4 straight days. Added in a morning of trail dirt work. Per Garmin cycle computer I set a distance and elevation climbed record today. Rode S Fork once. climbed Mrazek once, made a big loop of Phils down low, and last was abbreviated ride as mowing of the thinned forest prevented upper trails. No rain, trails drying out, lots of rigs parked at Phils but encounter nary a rider during my ride. During my rides mental activity above just staying upright and headed in correct direction thoughts etc spark. The thought might last a nano second  and never enter short term memory recall. Well, even ones that last a while don’t get stored either hence the title.

To my knowledge my black Revel Rail is no response from revel to correct their mistake. Frame is cluttering shop.

Power to Turner:

Thursday rode early then drove to town to do weekly laundry and take on food stuffs. Clean sheets stretched tightly makes for first night’s  sleep bliss. Following days the sheets loose their taught. I learned that the FS had removed the road closed barriers on 2 roads used for logging traffic. It might be possible to ride Ben’s to its end then ride an open road up to turn onto Phils. I hoped that Pine drops would be open but tape across the trail entrance said no. I pedaled the road then turned down Phils then at start of Kent’s I took it. Ken’s is a fun blue downhill that I work to coast. Work the shallow berms. I rode it again today. Kent’s to the bottom then work my way back to anchorage. 13 miles climbing 928′ pedaling for 1 hr 32 mins, mostly non stop.

Friday started with a trail care session on MTB organized by COTA. Maybe 15 volunteers carried tools of improvement out the trail. Effort was to either clear existing drains or cut in new ones. Locations had been previously marked from previous pudding observations.

Location was on Skyliner road which put me in the correct direction for a South Fork loop. Parked at the lodge. temps are rising. Geared up in light summer jersey and wearing a sweat cap under my helmet. Pedal up Tumalo Ridge which has a succession of gut buster short steep climbs before just climbing. Hit the haul road, took safety break, then pedaled nonstop for 18 mins to start of SST. Seems no matter how hard or high, or easy I pedal the time is the same.

SST is longer way to get to start of S Fork but I like riding it.

Challenge:

Beaten down from big ride today and slow pic upload and getting to bed time.

Record ride of Mrazek ridge loop of 33. 4 miles, Hot.

TBC maybe tomorrow. First thing tomorrow morning is another COTA volunteer trail care day, this time we will be cutting ceanothus back on Farwell that I rode today.

Somewhere back in March I ordered a black medium Revel Rail. Delivery was out in the future like tail end of May. I bought the frame only from an LBS to run the sale thru their books. The frame had to be shipped to them who in turn shipped to me here in Bend. I picked up the $1xx shipping cost which was mine. Fed Ex picked up the frame then lost it per tracking which originally said eob on the 15th. I checked the tracking this morning which showed out for delivery today. I checked the tracking around noon and saw it had been delivered. I headed for The Hub which is downtown with no nearby street parking. I parked several blocks away then pushed the RFX to the store. I got to open the shipping box. What strange color showed thru the bubble wrap? Mint Green ain’t black. I called the LBS in Prescott and asked them to check their record for what I ordered. So far so good, black was the color. I am now waiting to hear from Revel about exchange. Shit fire.

Several days ago while the frame was in transit I became melancholy about leaving the Turner family. I have decided to keep the RFX, it will not be RIP but RIR, Rest in Retirement as I could  buy moved over parts to the Rail. Cosmic Turner power keeping me on the RFX. Today I even tree sprayer rinsed it off from yesterday’s ride in preparation of time out.

Yesterday before lunch several bouts of showers passed over concluding with a short gulley washer. I waited awhile hoping for sunshine while managing my time for scheduled bike build. Numerous puddles on the trails I rode. I lollipop ride repeating the start of the ride and noticed fewer puddles and seemingly less water in the ones that remained. If I would have waited another hour the trails might have been completely dry. Empty trails during the week.

So, the RFX still reigns.

Right to the creep. Yesterday I parked at spot off rd 41 where I have stayed then went for my ride. Upon return I see the same guy who lives out of his Suburban parked close enough for my exhaust pipe to gas his if opened tailgate. I approached from the front seeing him behind the wheel. I had already seen his position. I nodded my head in greeting, he raised a finger off the steering wheel. Standard greetings from each. He must have  decided that if he parks so close to me I will leave. Which I did which was my plan anyway. Creeped out uncomfortable. My etiquette is to give others space, recognize that even if I could fit in, respect modicum of distance.

So what got me there.

Rain fell while I was awake sitting up in bed reading a Steven King novella. Enough rain fell to create pooling right outside van door. Peaceful night quiet neighborhood.

I asked google maps for directions to above spot. 41 mins thru Bend, a longer route came at it another way almost into SunRiver. I chose this way as it stayed out of Bend. I made first turn correctly heading towards Sunriver. At first stop sign I needed to make a decision with just memory recall. I saw a road sign for Cascade Lakes Highway which goes by my start stop. Scenic forest paved road. Came out on said highway only way to the west of Bachelor. I coulda woulda and prolly will shoulda next time to navigate with map displayed on phone.

Visions of ride selections played on my brain. One thought was to ride the Newberry volcano rim at La Pine,which as I remember, was on soft pumice. Clouds appeared to be just above rim. Postpone that ride. Next was riding from above spot up Funner over and down Tylers as recent rain would have lessened the loose. However, I realized that the day was Saturday and trails are  shuttled. Nix again on weekend ride. I stuck with down low with Catch and Release climbing Storm King where riders and I happened to pass, compliments to almost all for practicing trail love while yielding to my uphill pedal. Turned on to start of Grand Slam, intersection overseen by kidnapped gnome.

I rode Grand Slam before it was logged and while it was being harvested. Now this is man’s version of the new reality.

Grand Slam to jnct of Ticket to Ride, I took the longer north leg finishing back at van. 14.3 miles climbing 1116′. 1 hr 46 mins, abusing my heart for 35 mins.

Drove back to anchor spot hoping my spoor would be honored by others. Score, relax. Went for a hike later wearing Bedrock sandals on bike trails, bashed over recently burned over forest floor, and dirt roads. I walked past old favorite spot seeing just Tom’s van and further back just pulling in was a VW Westy that could be Jimi. I waited, guy slid out of the van, looked like Jimi and I hailed him. It is Jimi. We visited for awhile then I split for home and dinner prep.

Yesterday I needed water for today. As I drove by the park spigot I saw it was occupied by athletes so I didn’t stop. Next place is at Skyliner Lodge way up the way. FS land, well water that I enjoy, but if an event is booked the spigot is off limits. Saturday afternoon could have been a wedding reception which would block access. A drive for nothing and I  could make supply last till dinner.

Today I drove up to Skyliner which is higher than start of Phils and start of loop to descend South Fork. I changed my route to this Tumalo South Fork loop. Happenstance. I worked the road climb in 17 mins 45 secs. I hung at the top while other riders pedaled up. Younger, all from here. Started conversation about trail courtesy that they agreed with and cited some of their seeing bad behavior. I started telling them about my Grumpy Grandpa burma shave gnomes when Emmy, the executive director of COTA, arrived. I emailed her last night asking for a get together. Happenstance, in person, I shared my idea which she embraced. Will make a sit down meeting to not take away from riding. She pedaled Petersen’s and I took SST.

I arrived at top of S Fork. Then skills application, performing bike, and courage came into play utilizing gravity and trail features to like dance down the trail which is under deep tree cover broken by small patches of bright sunlight which confuse my seeing sense. My bell dinger was released clanging at each jar. Sound carries. At the log crossing there was a woman rider waiting. I approached and she called me by name. Barb, she was part of the Pittsburg group ride of O’Leary as was Lenny from the previous Sunday. Mosquitoes were thick. Previous rides I would stop then walk across the log then continue coasting. I was not still for long. Today for what became a short conversation because of the cloud of mosquitoes. Again, maybe all the girls had been out during  previous rides but I did not remain standing long enough for the word to get out for new blood. Later I caught up with her group for more trail side conversation where the mosquitoes were not thick enough to cause us to use speed to avoid furthering the species. Down at crossing of Tumalo creek a man and woman pedaled towards me. One of them started a greeting saying that they saw my van. They are from Flag and they had seen the van in Sedona. I asked how they connected me to the van. I do have 2 large pics of me on van. We chatted. They are on the road for summer with their 12 and 14 year olds back at the camper. This S Fork ride will be the last on the Turner, next will be on new Revel Rail next week.

Happenstance meeting these riders.

87 degrees at anchor spot at 4 PM. Prolly no additional heat will be required.