Title of Ken Kesey’s novel about an Oregon logging family. I think of this novel when I think about Oakridge. Not the same but sort of. This might be my 3rd time reading this, it’s a handful lots of pages and small print. Me? Sometimes a great notion.
Choosing a book: so many choices, many new writers, so few to make a lasting impression. But which new writer will be the new Kesey or ? who have weathered time. Read the past, how far back? Newly published books are already about the past. Dudley’s in downtown Bend, independent bookstore, is loaded with Tom’s choices. Overload. I seek critical reviews for me to choose from. Taking a flyer on a book? I have made choices like that, some were enjoyable, I have given away for me no connection books. Kesey, settle in.
So my digestion system continues to send distress signals. Last Tues visit with Whitney for diagnosis and plan of recovery. She said go 2 days on a liquid diet which will allow recovery. I drank orange juice with some pulp, chocolate pudding, jello, and lots of Ensure. It was sharp reduction in daily calories. My guts have quieted down. I did not ride for fear of bonking plus 100 degrees settled in. Sat was first ride day.
Local Walgreens where my prescription refill was sent to is temp closed. I called the other Bend location sent to voice mail, there are more than 3 callers ahead of you. I gave up after 45 mins. I discovered a location in La Pine, I asked for store change. Thurs I drove down to La Pine and picked up the meds. I googled ice cream in town finding a food truck stand, locally made small batch, 17 to 20% butterfat. My reward for a chocolate malted, black and white. Spent night on property, so nice, quiet and dark. However, my dusty road dead ends into the forest, access point sends off road rigs past. Plumes of dust. I have pulled up knapweed in front of me on both sides of road.
Friday was another hot day. Returned to Bend to The Hub Cyclery to pick up m y bike with newly installed Cura brake. TJ said wrong brake, I ordered a road bike brake. I checked my order, yep, on me. Pot, internet, money, not my 3 favorite things. I am asking for exchange for the Cura 4 which is what’s available, it has 4 pots making it much more powerful. I am running Formula Cura brakes both ends for maybe 4 years. I want a backup which put me in front of the computer.
Blue Danube waltz on my iPod.
Been staying up at Swampy which is cooler for riding, sleeping and living. No mosquitoes. Side door open all night plus small fan moving air. Sleep under just a sheet till temp cools for single layer of summer down blanket. Drinking lots of water.
Yesterday’s ride kept me up Swampy level. Joy is familiarity of trails from which to chose pleasure and pain. Ridge right from van climbs up to right hand turn onto Flag Tie over to Lower Flag for descent to Swampy, around down Swede, return on SST, short piece of Swampy then hump up an unsigned tie to Ridge for mostly downhill back to hot van. 13.6 miles pedaling for 1 hr 50 mins. Same time as previous ride. Amazing. Although on this ride my heart worked harder.
Today was another ride here. Need to ride something different. Swampy goes around the lake, S Fork leaves at the former shelter site. S Fork descent. And what it was. The bike is so stable and confidence inspiring. Literally point it. I decided to not learn my time, I just let the bike carry me while my involuntary reflexes had the controls. Trun right on Tumalo creek with its speed section, I hit 25.88 mph w/o check braking. Climbed up Skyliners. Then the killer Switchback city climb, descent, then climb it back social trail to junction of Sector 16. Encountered 5 riders. SST to Swampy back to van. 20 miles climbing 2251′ in 2 hrs 43 mins. My planned route would go by the water spigot at Skyliner lodge, the lowest point of my ride. I started with less than full hydration bladder as I planned on filling up at Skyliner.I was committed to descending S Fork. Temp was just 89 at ride completion. I drank lots of water and paid attention to perspiration and not dry skin. Switchback is its namesake climbing and climbing. My engine lacks power for riding it all and with today’s high temp I pulled back effort to walk in places. I had ridden this trail once before, I remembered that ride. I did it to myself this time. All by myself.
Early evening weather threatened T storm, all about noise here. May it not have been a dry lighting storm sparking forest fires. So far just 2 fires west and south at CA border.