During today’s morning ride I stopped at Swede ridge intersection where I noticed a brown rabbit appeared to be eating dirt. I approached slowly watching the rabbit while it continued to nibble at what appeared to be a wet spot on the ground. When I closed to say within less than 10 feet the rabbit hopped away. The wet spot was perhaps water spilled by someone. I opened my hydration bite valve spilling more water over the same spot then stepped back. The rabbit hopped back to spot then got after “lapping” water. I suspected the rabbit was a snowshoe rabbit in its summer coat of brown. As winter approaches it will shed the brown replaced by white for camouflaged on white snow where its defense mechanism is to freeze. Suspect same strategy is used during no snow cover. Nature, adaptation.
Then yesterday I walked up a ways on Ridge trail at Swampy snow park seeking a strong internet signal. I sat on a log reading info on my phone. I happened to look down as motion caught my eyes. The ground was crawling with brown ants all of a sudden and were headed in same direction. I followed them but lost their progress. It was a mass movement from their hive under another log. Then I noticed motion again although it not of the numbers. I saw several carrying a white object. Closer look guessed that the white objects were eggs. It seems that charge of ants was to raid another nest and steal eggs. I had heard that ants raid other nests and steal eggs then enslave the emerging adults. I told Tom about what I saw and thought and he concurred.
Then there is just physics of gravity, either to overcome it or embrace it downhill.
Tom and Nicole are a young couple I met last year here when they shared a sleep spot. Tom and I have interesting conversations, we share some experiences and knowledge. At the end of the month they are leaving to hike the CO trail.
Another piece of nature. Last year while riding this piece of trail between Swede ridge and SST I fell but I did not understand what caused me to fall. That fall I was spit off my bike and splat on ground where I landed on my left side causing a cut on my arm that bled sufficiently enough to warrant stopping and bandaging it. Yesterday I rode that same piece of trail and smacked my right pinkie on a tree. Reflexes kept me upright. I went back and looked at tree and churned up dirt off the other side of trail. I and others landed almost onto either of the 2 logs sticking out.
Last 2 nights I slept up at Swampy snow park as the 2,000′ elevation gain from town was slightly cooler. Plus trails here are less ridden and more difficult. I rode yesterday and today there.
My right hip has developed a painful problem and is seeking a solution. Perhaps it’s my IT band. I have stretched it and rollered it and even went after my hip with a small hard ball. I have iced it after riding. I have described Bend as a repair station and I am availing myself of a returning patient to PT next week.
I have now owned my Revel Rail for 22 days, I have ridden it 19 times.
Swampy is at 5800′. Sunshine warms, let’s be honest, heats my van up. I open windows and roof fan for cooling. High 80s. This morning was a chilly 34 outside and 50 inside. I pulled the down blanket over me for warmth, once out from underneath the warmth I put on my heavy wool sweater. Sunshine as the morning wore on made the chill a pleasant memory.
This Saturday is the 100 mile mtn bike race using miles of trail system.
Yesterday morning at Swampy a Cog Wild van pulled up and disgorged a shuttle rider. I walked over to talk to the driver about trails riders are taking back to town as a logging operation has closed a middle piece of that ride. The driver was none other than Lev, the owner. I recalled him inviting me on what was maybe the inaugural O’Leary ride.