Today starts the 15th year of my vagabond life. Just so many of so many.
2,870 rides covering 41,485 miles traveling in my 15 years old Sprinter , 281,xxx miles, body is 72 years old, 4 bikes, and more. Been there, ridden, moved on. I learned about recording data back at work, I record in 2 spreadsheets, mountain biking and living. Data.
Yesterday I paid for shuttle up to Alpine with ATCA on my mind. However, my body was not sending positive vibes. This ride was the 7th in a row, previous 2 days rides were hard. Alpine starts climbing right away that I worked hard on a cold body, the first evaluation point.
Foggy up high
Bare stalks are dead bear grass from previous bloom 2 years before. That bloom was something to see as I did that year.
Continues mostly down.
Jedi section is through old growth trees
Above is the only open vista on entire trail which is under deep verdant tree cover.
Just through the above opening the intersection of Tire mtn, the T in ATCA. Put up or shut up. I did not want to make the big climb out of C in ATCA, Cloverpatch. I rationalized my abandonment of big ride was planning on a return trip in Aug to ride it and be in better recovery state. Yeah. I could make a loop ride trip first riding O’Leary Ollie loop as warmup. (?).
Oakridge is on the wet side of the Cascades. The trails are under deep tree cover, moist. Tread is mostly loose dirt tread. Narrow tread because of build and also no uphill riders to cause tread not in the tread. I spent last night on Larison rock road to enjoy the wet side.
Alpine, well established notoriety on bucket lists. Edge seems to not record when speed is low so its ride data is understated. It showed 12.7 miles, climbing 931′ and descending 4318′. Pay attention, all the challenges requiring skill execution to remain upright and some degree of control. I have become more comfortable on this Revel Rail bike. That elevation drop. Shuttle costs $30. 99% of ride I was alone.
This Wed I have a teeth cleaning appointment which means back in Bend. I anguished over how to spend the next 2 days. I needed to rest today then ride on Tues etc. I could hang in Oakridge today then ride ATCA on Tues then drive back towards Bend. I could have made a loop to McKenzie river to ride O’Leary. I chose driving over to La Pine for the night then on Tues back to Bend riding. I wanted to cruise La Pine for what I could see and sense. Ray’s grocery store ain’t Newport Market in Bend, even Safeway. La Pine is a wide spot on US 97 bordered by US land. It is what it is. Is that because lower income pinching pennies for food, or is it the store’s policy to not carry more expensive choices reflective of better quality of product? Yesterday I bought chicken thighs in Oakridge, the label read something grown in America, not organic or other healthful claims. Today at Ray’s in La Pine I found the better chicken I prefer. More $ here in La Pine. Still no aged Gouda cheese.
Celebration is time at my dream house location. And empty mouse traps.