Friend Steve from Bellevue, ID (Sun Valley) arrived Monday afternoon early enough for a late afternoon ride. I visit Steve at his home where he is resident guide. Bend is close to being called a home for me. He visits and I share my Bend knowledge and we carve out how to consume his time here. I am able to return his favor. His original arrival time was early evening on Monday which allowed me to plan my day which I figured to be a rest day, I even drank a chocolate malted milkshake not expecting to ride. Balanced the shake out with a strong short of dark rum. Steve shows up around 5 and suggests a warm up ride. Being the host I geared up and pedaled away with him. I kept my exertion level low to keep the contents of my stomach where they belonged. We rode up Bens to Voodoo to cross over to start of Kents for the zip back down. Steve packs 2 bikes, one is a Revel Rascal which is same suspension as my Rail. Pleasant evening pedal up and coast back. It was a late night dinner and finally bedtime.
Temps are still in upper 90s and cool at night. Desired outcome is acceptable temperature which means starting before like 9 AM. Our plan then on Wed was to be on the road up to Skyliner by 8 and riding before 9. Skyliners is up the ways from Phils TH. Ride plan was South Fork loop starting the climb first then rewarding our effort with the downhill S Fork then Tumalo Creek. That’s what we did. We did see dark spots on Tumalo ridge created by squashed Pandora moths, their quantity this year is way less than several years ago or it is early in the breeding season for them.
Presently parked at Swampy Snow park where internet speed is way too slow.
Today we played beat the heat by driving up to Swampy and riding higher. A gentle breeze plus overall lower temp made for a real pleasant ride.
On Friday we are going over Santiam pass then down the McKenzie river to be shuttled up to ride O’Leary ridge then on to Oakridge for weekend and more shuttles.
I have ridden my Rail 12 times covering 200 miles, that’s 12 times out of 14 opportunities. The chain is still wearing its stock lube. After today’s ride I had ridden 6 straight days. Steve is allowing me to take tomorrow as a rest day.