“They say a person’s personality is the sum of their experiences. But that isn’t true at least not entirely, because if our past was all that defined us, we’d never be able to put up with ourselves. We need to be allowed to convince ourselves that we are more than the mistakes we made yesterday. That we are all of our next choices, too, all of our tomorrows.”

Anxious People pg 325, Fredrik Backman

This afternoon I visited Dudley’s bookstore downtown. Independent book seller. I buy all my books from him. When I finish one I give it back and receive credit which I use to pay for the book I am purchasing. Today a clerk(?) struck up a conversation about the writer and about the book. We went on for good discussion. I decided to buy my second copy of Anxious People for my next read.

Still temps in the 90s and on good days only 80s. Still below 70 at night for sleeping.

I am parked in ground squirrel and chipmunk land, I said that. This year I either missed the bitterbrush seed harvest or drought prevented providing food for these mammals. At my anchor I watch activity from chasing another to burying a cashew. Today i did bad by tossing out 4 cashews on the ground close to my open van door. Their sense of smell is very acute. A squirrel by itself moseyed up to first nut. It picked it up with its front legs then sat back on its  haunch then it scampered away. I watched it bound away stopping at a spot I could see. I watched it furiously did a hole with its front feet then stuff the nut down and cover it it. It worked its way back for another nut. This time it was a straight away grab and dash to an unseen place. Small critters are exciting better viewed when one is not scampering inside my van.

Sat I picked up my bike after fork service and a new book from Dudley’s then drove back to anchor spot. So far no tire or foot prints to my empty, but marked with stuff used for camping, anchor spot. Full on sideways sun from mid afternoon till about 5 intensity lessens. The van provides shade as the earth moves. OK spot as no one can crowd in.

Sunday I had visions of 33 mile Mrazek ridge ride after thinking about the ride last night after a day of rest. My hip is not happy but responding to stretches and exercise. I started up Ben’s listening to the signals being sent. I could do this but I would be happier with less. And so I kept straight at the junction to continue up Ben’s to continue climbing on Pine Drops. Today is Saturday meaning logging operations were discontinued and open for usual recreation. Pine Drops and upper portion of Grand Slam were open. Down Grand Slam to Catch and Release all by myself. The over to intersection of KGB and Expressway. Exp was the shorter route back. I read computer data and listened to my body. Go big or go home. I added the rest of KGB to start of Kent’s because I wanted to ride down Kent’s. 26 miles.

Today I rode N Fork loop. After breakfast and visit with Jimmi I drove up to Skyliner’s lodge parking. I filled water from outside spigot well water. I pedaled up Tumalo Creek trail, the one I have a speed record for, then thru the parking lot for N Fork trail which follows the creek up mountain. Lots of hikers going and coming. For bikes it is one way only: climb. Over time from the erosive effect of years of foot traffic many roots are exposed in the trail. They are not slippery, it’s just the size, quantity, and angle of repose. Juke and jiving ever upwards. I stopped for every hiker unless I was bidden to proceed. One woman hiker called out, “Hey, you are the green Sprinter guy.” Flabbergasted I stopped and asked how she knew me. She said we shop Newport Market. Several view spots to the flowing creek.

 

Time out. Functions are slowing down and down. Ride was not all that hard per computer data. I’m tired.

 

Next day, another go.

Forecast called for low prob of t-storms today, Tuesday. No thunder but off and on gentle rain, enough to turn on wipers and see puddles. Taking a rest day today which will prepare me for maybe brown pow tomorrow.

The N Fork pedal sticks close to creek offering views of waterfalls and the sight of free flowing clean water.

Then this is viewsheds on the trail

N Fork ends in Happy Valley which seemed to be mosquito free. Picked up Met Win over to start of Mrazek ridge then continue down to junction of Farewell for descent to pickup Tumalo creek zoom back to van. Ride was 14.2 miles climbing 1575′ almost the same as my S Fork loop. Farewell has several patches of exposed sharp edged babyhead rock sections where momentum and courage to steer a straight line are required. I am trusting the stoutness of my wheels to withstand the blows. Wide handlebar for leverage and a capable suspension.

This is a view of hand dug fire line around the small fire right off Farewell trail. I dug line like that 51 summers ago when I was on the Umpqua NF fire suppression crew.

Stans has sealed the tire puncture. I listened to a pod cast by Stans who said when a puncture occurs and sealant spits out to keep riding as the sealant will work. The sealant contains small particles in a carrying liquid which will flow out the hole dragging along the particles which clog up the hole and possibly plug the leak. Saved buying a new $85 tire.

Rail is 5 weeks old almost, I have ridden it 26 rides covering 432 miles, just about ready for new chain.

Pandora moths are flying, mating, laying eggs, then fall back to earth. The adult stage is the reproductive stage, they have no mouth parts or digestive system, they do their “courting” on stored energy. Pretty amazing endurance.

Men wear clothes, women wear costumes.

Trail tread is loose dirt over ridden in hard pack. That’s the extent of my analysis on trail condition.

Is your brain and or body able to differentiate between indica and sativa? I have preferred a hybrid equal parts. Iam experimenting with strong sativa as I create this. I seem to notice a similar base buzz, maybe the choice strain drives what you do with the buzz. Maybe how badly do I need / want to clean up the kitchen? I’ll take another puff of that worry be gone then let choice be made. I always clean up after both bfast and dinner, I have never let unwashed items for the next meal. I never did that when I have a house kitchen. My present home kitchen is a 2 burner propane stove, about 4 sq feet counter surface, and a wet bar sized sink with cold running water from on board tank I fill 1 gallon at a time when I have access to a spigot. And a for me living size propane refrigerator, even a freezer big and cold enough to keep ice cream firm. A 10 inch bi metal skillet, a nonstick griddle, a small cast iron dutch oven. I minimize frying foods for letting the food send taste sensation versus wearing the smell until next clothing change. Well, how about that jump? Being buzzed with overtone of activity seems to cause my brain to come up with these thoughts and my non touch typing fingers. If indica were the source I would be just as buzzed but not near my set up laptop. My computer is stored in a soft shell case on top of the fridge tight against my large file box and secured by a bungy cord over my hydration pack then snugged into a screw eye. Both of these pieces need to be in place for proper retention. To begin this missive I  retrieve the laptop then set it up, I turn on my jet pack for internet access and wait for signal connection, Here I have 2 bar strength. I also have an unopened box wine box. Sativa motivation to add  to impairment. Opened the box, 3 liter or equal to (4)  750ml bottles, stays fresh for 30 days. Seems the box never reaches its time fence.

Quick read of Britt-Marie was here. It was like a Tootsie roll pop in that there was a candy shell covering the meat of the sucker, here, the writing did the same. There was substance. He also wrote Anxious People.

Why I like the southern Oregon Cascades:

Chocolate craving kicked in. I rose out of my driver’s seat which is turned around , took 3 steps to the refrigerator where the chocolate baking chips are kept, chilling keeps the chips independent, no chill means a big blob. fact is I performed activity instead of whining to be waited upon. If I whine in my van will anyone respond?

Computers can display so much. The above pic was spectacular live.

Oregon Cascades. How I came upon these mountains. Back in 1967 Vietnam was drafting men. My parents and I never discussed the altercation and my potential involvement thru conscription. They pushed me to be accepted at a college of my choice. I was accepted, I lasted my freshman year as I behaved myself, I just didn’t learn how to learn. College gave me a llS deferment and dodged pop quizzes. My lack of performance cost me that deferment. That summer my status changed to lA, primo, next stop is physical. I needed to reearn that llS that is bestowed on 4 year institutions unless you started at a 2 year. Rejection from colleges said I had to sit out a semester to be considered. That was like 4 months of being canon folder. I found colleges in the midwest, one John F Kennedy College in Wahoo, Neb called me on Tuesday after Labor day. He told me the school was a 4 year school and they would like to have me if the only reason I was not returning to previous school was that my dismissal was purely academic. I boarded a one way stand by flight to Omaha, Neb. While there I met a student who had spent previous summers on a 12 man fire suppression crew out of the Umpqua NF, Diamond lake district, Toketee ranger station. I wanted in on that.  I applied to the USFS that spring for a fire job, No openings but we can put you on in timer presale. I accepted the job then waited for early June departure. I flew standby while carrying a .22 magnum pump action rifle in my home made leather scabbard. (How about that for the days?). I slept on a bench inside the airport cradling my rifle. I spent my working summer as a tallyman for a timber cruiser. Our function was to start the killing process. Scramble thru the forest to the proposed sale then scramble more to location of plot center. I saw like 9′ dia doug firs. That was my introduction to these mountains. The next year I was accepted on the fire suppression crew where I spent 83 days in OR and worked for 81 days, 33 of those days were on fires. The Umpqua is S of here down the spine of the Cascades. The NUT goes right by the ranger station where I was based.

Clock on the wall says I should be starting dinner and eating process. Time out.

Creation, preparation, consumption, then clean up. Just switched to hybrid.

I am still around Bend. A logging operation has closed access to upper Phils trails meaning that Grand Slam is all the higher on Storm King can I ride, same with riders who comply with the closure. I have been mixing climbing rides with not so much climbing. Tuesday I rode South Fork loop from Skyliners climbing up Tumalo ridge, noodling mostly up on SST to a Swampy trail to start of S Fork. Solitary clear air. I do release the clapper on my bar mounted bell sending a tinkle of sound to open ears ahead. I ride looking ahead for clear sight lines or ride in anticipation of another user. The bike’s suspension just sucks up all the chatter, and no chain slap. Mixed shade and sunlight patches confuse my pupils. Root mats down lower: point the bike and me where we need to go then help suspension skip over the roots. S Fork is 3 miles long, drops  853′ lasting 15 mins. Somehow it is never more than too much Like Castle.

Wed TJ installed my rear Formula Cura brake and hose. I needed to strip the pad compound from the Shimano pads from the rotor then bed in the MTX pads. Proper bedding in puts a film of the pad compound on the rotor under controlled braking. In time the pad material is sufficient to grab the pads themselves in the brake caliper. Pay attention to process and your brake will be what the advertisement said. I did get an evening ride in. Sunlight casts different shadows.

Thurs was laundry day preceded by a long lower Phils ride. 22 miles climbing 1700′ pedaling for 2 hrs 42 mins. My heart rate remained below threshold.

Riding pretty strong. Somehow I got hooked up with Ninjas who send out articles. I watched one by a PT teaching about hip hinge. I wrote out this prior. getting back to it the payoff has been strong aggressive hill climbing as exercises have strengthened my glutes. Big improvement.

Friday, that’s today. I need to drop off my bike at Sunnyside by closing for fork service tomorrow. Today would be a climbing day from Skyliners. I rode Tumalo Ridge up to Swede shelter. I am working on the slowest time to climb the road from record of 17 mins to latest 18 mins 29 secs. Today climb time was same slow even after safety meeting puffing the sativa. Descent was Sector 16 connecting with lower Whoops to Skyliner back. 13 miles 1 hr 52 mins climbing 1378′, entire ride I had trails to myself. Upper Whoops takes a long time to loose elevation which makes the ride longer and the trail is more twisty and not fall lineish. Drop the saddle on the coasts and carve the turns.

My digestive system is acting up differently. I will be seeking knowledge from my support people here before I leave.

Ran the furnace this morning before leaving warmth of single down blanket.

I buy locally roasted coffee beans. I ask for coarse grind for cold brew method. Present source’s grinder won’t do coarse. I shopped for a burr grinder so now I hand grind coarse to my liking. That was yesterday for today’s coffee.

Stan’s still has the puncture sealed. Hooray, defer purchase for new tire.

I have ridden 18 days out of 23.

Good night Lucile.

 

I HATE THIS FUCKING COMPUTER AND THE SOFTWARE CHANGES AND THE FUCKING PROGRAMMERS. Time is to be cherished, not wasted for computer response. My temper stops just short of turning this thing into smashed bits.

But that is not what is size connected. Maybe my oversized temper.

For several days my rear tire loss air overnight. I looked over the tire looking for the tell tale white substance from Stan’s leaking out to seal a puncture. Past problems have been because of a gunked up valve core. I check tire pressure before each ride, the rear is usually about 1 pound light. After a recent ride I checked the pressure and it was still the 20 psi I started out with. Yesterday I parked at Skyliners’ lodge to ride my South Fork loop. I did have to add some air. Again, looking over the tire I saw now Stan’s leakage. I pedaled up and away. Today there were an abundance of riders to share the trails with. How dry are the trails? Foot steps poof up dust  calf. riders ahead create a dust plume. I made the road section and just pedaled, I passed several groups of riders to be ahead of their pace and dust. At Swede shelter I took SST heading to Swampy and start of S Fork. After a fun coast as fast and far as I can then start pedaling I heard a phsst, once, then again, then again. Shit, that sounds like air excaping a tire, only one there was either my front or back tire. Only way to ascertain the source was to stop and spin the wheels. I found a wet spot between the knobs on my rear tire, just 300 miles worn. Stan’s was spitting out, the hole was too large for sealing. Ah, OK, when visiting Durango Cyclery I bought a Stan’s Dart plug device. I have this covered. At the puncture site I forced the Dart tip in but failed to make the dart go into the tire. The device has a second dart which I tried again with same lack of success, seemed the nose of the dart, while small, was not small enough to enter the puncture. Hence the blog title. Next up on solution list was to install a tube. I pulled out the tube, a tire iron, multitool, and pump to begin the install. Way lot of work to install a tube. I thought that I could pump up the tire and orient the wheel so the hole was at the ground which would allow Stan’s access to the hole and hopefully seal it. I waited a short bit then looked at the tire. No Stan’s, temporary, perhaps permanent fix. South Fork is a chunky ride with lots of suspension hits that I feared would blow out the clot so I would be asking for a flat tire. I turned around and rode back to Swede shelter then rode Sector 16 and Skyliners back to van while the tire held air. I had forgotten Sector 16 as it is a shuttle route and I avoid it for that reason and it had been years since I rode down Skyliners. I did like these 2 trails but not as well as S Fork. I bought a dart refill package at Sunnyside. I explained what happened that I could not get the nose of the dart into the hole, I asked for tech assistance and he also could not poke the nose in.

This morning the tire is still holding air although I do not know what pressure. The sealant is a bandaid that might be permanent, at least it will not grow in size. I will add more Stan’s and always carry a pump. I will defer purchasing a new $85 tire until such time the present tire leaks enough pressure on a ride to have to pump up the tire. Very hard to throw away a very new tire and spend $ for new one.

Today’s PT session diagnosed hip problem caused by lack of muscle strength and muscle tightness. I was told to do exercises and stretches and I will be fine.

Today was a rest day.

Freehub Mag told me film will be released after July.

I am thinking of returning to living on the road life next week, where I go is determined by fires and or smoke but looking north to central WA then east