Yesterday I bid adieu to the rd 44 trails and headed down slope to Hood River. Visited with Mitchell at to be former location of Dirty Fingers bike shop. Years ago he gave me a shop jersey that I still wear. Problem with printing on the front is the name of a gear maker and on the back is his shop info which I cover up with my hydration pack. None the less the garment is wearing well. Looking at the short sleeve jerseys I wear all of them have been given to me.
Gosh awful windy as I dropped down to river. Driving across the river on the steel grating narrow lane with buffeting breeze kept my fingers white on the steering wheel. I drove east on US 14 on the WA side to intersection with US 97 and climbing out of gorge. Winds remained stiff. Hopes for a pleasant drive was not to happen. Sheesh, I used almost all of my lane to counteract the wind gusts. I was not bored. Reminded me of sailing over waves causing the boat to change course. The van was that way: let the gust move me then correct location with turning steering wheel. This van has sail area with not much underpinning to remain attached to the pavement. Very windy drive all the way to Bluett Pass where I spent the night in a USFS trailhead parking lot. I have stayed at this place many times as it is a good stopping place before dropping down into Wenatchee River.
At the lot there was one car parked. I watched a woman trail runner approach that car. I asked her if any branches hit her caused by high winds. No she said, then she commented about my van. She started a conversation and I engaged. She is now working for an avalanche center nearby.
No service at the pass.
Today I drove down to valley floor and stopped at Cashmere, WA where I found service. Diesel is $3.59 / gal. Sheesh. I found an eye glass clinic to correct adjustment on my glasses as I was having problems seeing. Guy noticed a missing nose pad which caused vision misalignment which gave me head aches and upset stomach. I had difficulties reading. eyeglasses fixed allowing me to see as I should.
Soon I will be heading up Mission creek to ride Devils gulch today and Red Hill tomorrow. No service location.
I really enjoyed the rd 44 trails. Sat I repeated the High Prairie loop grunting up Cook’s meadow to High Prairie. I ran into a couple going my way and that was all. However, when I reached the prairie there were scads of rigs, none appeared to have bike racks. What I experienced was empty trails. Monster climb on purpose built single track closed to motorized and 4 legged trail destroyers. First part of return is on a FS road that has been rehabbed with crushed rock of varying sizes packed by wheels. Grade dips provided hucking. Then the descent of Lookout trail, a legacy hiking trail. Old school method of diverting water off the trail used embedded rubber rises placed at an angle to the direction. The rubber is just stiff enough to slightly deflect the front wheel if hit. Solution was to loft my front wheel just before contact then let the real wheel squirrel sideways until the front wheel established contact back on earth. I climbed this trail several days ago riding all of it yet I flew down it. At the packed Bottle Prairie TH I climbed then descended Knebal springs. I sat at a high point where I had service to research conditions of future riding locations. While there just 2 riders went by. Amazing with such a trail network how few riders were encountered in spite of many rigs. No where near like Phils crowds. I reached the Super Duper connector and decided that I had more in the tank to ride again Thunder road, a new piece of Surveyor’s Ridge trail. Well built trail. My ride was 21.8 miles climbing 2677′ pedaling for 3 hrs 24 mins. Wonderful ride.
Great back slope. Did not see where the cast off dirt went outslope. On this piece I did encounter maybe 6 riders.
Spotted knapweed is an invasive weed that I pull up when I chose. days before I hiked up from where I was camped noticing a few plants that I pulled up, as I went on I saw plants on the trail tread that I pulled. Then an open hillside was completely covered with knapweed.
I closed my eyes to ignore. I discovered that pulling the plants up prevents regrowth as seen in places around Phils and my property. If left alone it will continue to propagate and crowd out native plants. No animals eat it. If only people would pull it up, a concerned citizen’s effort. I parked at MT Hood on hwy 35, I saw this patch of dried plants, this is what happens as the plant regrows from established plant:
Heat wave moved on during my stay up off rd 44. I ran the heater during the night. Mornings temp hit 33 degrees, day times barely raised a sweat.
Some days MT Hood was visible
Anyway, back in Washington state where most of the license plates look like mine.
Off to Devils Gulch for 2 days then back into connection land to figure out next location based on fires and air quality.
Bike has been ridden 43 rides accumulating 725 miles since June 24 birthday.