Merino wool. So soft and functional, maybe less environmentally harmful than the synthetics. I tell myself that. I have jerseys of different weights each worn depending upon my comfort needs. It takes many rides to stink up. I recently treated myself to a merino hoodie for off bike wearing staring with first clothing put on after getting out of bed. The first day I wore it I was cocooned by its softness. Big ahhh. Subsequent wearings, while the material remained the same, that ahhh was not as strong. I have been told that a similar experience is noted with first time drug influence: user seeks that first buzz feeling. No, at $100 I will not buy another one seeking that buzz.

Another stretch of 90 degree days is forecast. So far air quality here is green. No environmental issue to drive me away. I ordered shorts from Patagonia hopefully to arrive by weekend as last hold on me. I plan on heading towards Hood River stopping for several days of riding on RD 44 trails then down to the town. I will inquire of rides in WA that locals ride. This will start my WA rides.

What to ride? Air quality paramount. Extreme dryness, a dry lightning storm could change that.

Yesterday I made a complete rest day, only exercise was taking care of myself, never 50′ away from home. Today I wanted a recovery ride sort of, one of pedaling with no big climbs. I rode from anchor spot off rd 41 on Catch and  Release to its end that started Afternoon Delight that ended at Roundabout around and back. Still 20 miles, climbing 1549′ and pedaling for 2hrs 34 mins in the heat. At least it was not 1 hr straight of road climbing. Lots of patches of shade and bright sunshine that my age affected eyes can’t light adjust fast enough to decipher any hidden features. I really like riding on cloudy days. Today I shared the trail with maybe 8 others, one guy twice, once when he was climbing and the next was me climbing. We both expressed Trail Love. Dusty.

Here in central Oregon I came with 3 rides I wanted to do, each challenging that required much of me. Completing each one is also a validation of my current age affected body. The first was ATCA that took me a second visit to Oakridge to complete. The second was Olallie O’Leary loop. The 3rd is Mrazek ridge loop here in Bend, I put this one off and put it off. Finally last Thurs I put on the big boy liners and got after the ride.

Mrazek ridge is a grunt. I started at Phils pedaling Ben’s to a catch over to a FS road that descended crossing Tumalo creek then climbing up to the start of the piece of Mrazel I was going to ride. So, from the catch off Bens to the intersection of Farwell, my get off trail, was 14.5 miles taking me almost non stop 2 hrs 15 mins. I pedaled it all, big grunt. Fast descent down Farwell, a screamer down Tumalo creek trail to Skyliner lodge water take on before climb up Skyliner etc. Hot day. I filled my hydration bladder to full at 100 oz of water, enough to get me to Skyliner water spigot. The spigot is outside the building, at the building a home services trade truck was parked. Hmmm? I lifted the spigot handle to turn on the cold well water. WTF? not even a drop. I inquired of a tradesperson who told me the water was cut off because of their work. This no additional water became a serious issue, I had maybe a pint remaining and miles still awaited me. Fortunately I had only the Skyliner climbs needing hydration then picking the most direct way back down to Phils was Pine Drops. EXT, Phils, then finale on Kents. I finished with maybe a cup of water. I pounded down water throughout the waking evening. At first my pee was stiff enough to stand a pencil up.

Ride was 32.4 miles climbing 3104′ pedaling for 4 hrs 21 mins. This ride put the goose in the oven as I pushed hard working my body, my average bpm was 122 (126 is upper limit). Recovery time was 72 hrs. The day before I rode Horse Butte trails that displayed 45 hrs recovery. So 2 hard rides back to back with less than reported recovery.

I made Friday a rest day. On Thurs I met with my medical person to discuss my clotting issue. She is new to mountain biking. She entered the room wearing a dress, I noticed an owie on a leg: pedal strike. She said downhill freaks her out, she rode the Round mtn Lookout mtn loop earlier this summer, she reported the trails were fine. OK, riding Round and Lookout would be bonus, not a required ride. Okay. Friday I drove out to bottom of Lookout which is in the Ochoco NF well east of Prineville. My plan was to ride on Sat in anticipation of weekend riders for possible support. The effects of Mrazek were not sufficiently recovered. Where I was parked I could ride the big Round Lookout loop, 23 miles and like 5,xxx’ climbing or either one individually. I chose Lookout.

Sat at 8 I pedaled away up the 6.7 miles of pavement climbing 1368′ pedaling nonstop for 1 hr 7mins. The 11 miles of dirt, the first 4 went uphill to summit. I needed to walk or take blows that in previous rides I would have pedaled thru. Once on top of flat mtn the trail turned downhill over short pieces of nasty rock gardens that I chose to walk. Once below those rocks the trail became a woods trail screamer down but 2 body sapping climbs in the mix. All by myself. 17.9 miles climbing 3025′ pedal time of 2 hrs 47 mins, 48 hr recovery. I was worked. Afterwards I drove back up the road and anchored at the TH where Lookout starting and Round mtn finishing. I sought the higher elevation for cool sleeping. Chilly enough to run the heater.

Sunday, today, I wanted to ride Round mountain. How to ride it? From the TH I could coast down the 6 miles of pavement then climb another 6 miles of pavement to start of Round to finish at the van. Or, I could drive back down so I could finish on a downhill. I chose the later. I started from the bottom riding pavement climbing 1306′. I have been working my pedaling effort by continually pedaling like a road rider. I worked myself on the pavement then the dirt. Today my goose cooked temperature button popped out. I walked and walked and stopped for blows. The EDGE reported little training benefit because of me walking. The ride was 22 miles climbing 3179′ pedaling for 2 hrs 47 mins. How about that the same as Lookout. My joy was coasting down the road I pedaled up the day before. The descent took 18 mins with average speed of 21.8 mph, I hit 33 while in a tuck. For the tuck I dropped my seat, turned in my knees to the frame, and gripped the handlebar at the stem all to lessen my wind profile. I raised out of the tuck several times to grip the grips which made my bike seem really wide. I was concerned about the tires remaining on their rims. Recovery time is 45 hrs. Will nibble at recovery by taking tomorrow as a rest day. My goose has been cooked.

I drove back to Bend for the night staying at a spot off rd 41 at the quarry site. I have stayed here many nights. I park almost at locked gate to not block the gate. Several times a drive has driven to the gate then turned around leaving me alone. Last week I was parked as described, I was in bed lights out when a van drove past me then stopped then set up for teh night. WTF? Not 30′ away close. I fumed about the social faux pas the person just pulled. In the morning I saw it was an older woman. I bit my tongue to not confront her to educate her per what I experience as distance between each other. Earlier this summer a camper set up at this same spot, I stayed there also, my spot being out towards the paved road where small trees sort of made a cover. We greeted each other as they came and went. To me my distance and partial visual block was acceptable as I respect distance.

Both of those rides were 2 hrs 47 mins, and climbed the same elevation, not long by rides.

Finally finished Sometimes a Great Notion.

Bed time 9:10, 61 degrees, door closed

 

 

Next day Round Mountain:

This area is   wild horse and burro protected. I was told stallions mark their territory with their droppings. Some pretty big marking piles on  the trail.

Take away on Lookout Mtn: the trail is 11 miles, the first 4 climb to summit the remainder is down except for 2 small climbs. It can be shuttled up the hard road to eliminate the first price of admission, the 6 mile road climb. The single track 4 mile climb is a filter  for the excitement of downhill. On the downhills I was struck by the deep rear brake drag ruts. To me the price of admission would be earned by skilled riders, not rear brake draggers. All by myself for Lookout and next day Round for a Sat and Sunday ride, so much for riding popular days. There is a well water spigot at the trailhead.

Several years ago Joe and I rode the big loop of Round and Lookout, each of us on a Turner RFX with PUSH 116 shocks. As I struggled on the climbs I kept saying to myself,  “Where’s Joe?” The big loop is a big ride way out there. Not a bike park ride. The Cura 4 brake is powerful and does what I want: almost instant wheel lock up, modulation is great as my mantra is squeeze. I am not a rear wheel brake dragger.

So Covid kept me off my bike for 5 days. On day 6 my fever was down low enough to give a pedal a go. Success on that ride of 7.9 miles encouraged me to up the gain, and so I did, next distance was 13.2, next was 17.8, nxt was 13.6 and yesterday was 16. Distance tells the length of the tape, what’s not share is the climbing. I seem to be fully recovered.

Sat and Sun I rode from Swampy at 5791′ well above Bend’s under 4,xxx’. Trails up there are more primitive and less populated where the rides feel bigger than down lower in spite of the ride data almost the same. Yesterday was a big un of riding Flagline from Swampy.  Flag opened on the 15th.

Flagline: pedal up Ridge gaining elevation then start Dutchman which starts out as single track dropping that gained elevation then becomes a snowmobile right of way climbing and descending and climbing again up to Dutchman snowpark.

Flagline tie climbs to junction of Flagline which climbs some more mixed in with descents then back up again until it finally gets after it dropping all the way to Swampy. A  lot of climbing on Flag for same amount of descent. Deep forest cover, no thinning just fuel load. There was a spot on Flag where I caught a big whiff of campfire smoke which should not have been. I didn’t see fire activity. Finished ride back at Swampy and hung out in the heat. Late afternoon a FS pumper truck pulled into parking lot. Hmmm? Pumper crews normally stay on roads. I walked over to engage the crew boss as to what’s what. He said a fire had been spotted up near Flag. A helitack crew was dispatched and the pumper crew hung out. I shared some of my fire experience from 52 years earlier.

I sat in the sun at Swampy waving at riders either finishing or starting out. One rider, a COTA person, visited. I told about the Dutchman slog and how much more enjoyable the ride would be if a bike specific trail could be built, he said it is in the works. 4.4 miles climbing 435′, not bad but a bigger than double track and all the reclimbing. Ride was  miles climbing 1903′ pedaling for 2 hrs 18 mins.

Chilly at Swampy, 40 degrees both mornings, heat is welcomed.

Cedar Creek fire nearby is uncontained, it’s burned to Waldo lake shoreline.

Some days I anchor off rd 41 at the quarry about 50′ off Catch and release trail and watch riders go by. One day I watched 2 young men, prolly not old enough for college pedal by. They just smoked, so fast with little effort. That’s youth. I also watched lesser performing riders. It is what it is and that’s all I am able to do. Because I ride by myself and mostly during the work day I see few riders to watch for me tpo compare my effort to.

Last week while riding Ticket to Ride I noticed garbage strewn at a dispersed camp spot. It was the first I have encountered in a very long time.

More trash than shown. It takes effort to make that kind of mess and something missing in the litter’s mental makeup. A week later the site was picked up. I thought of creating a sign to welcome future litters as it would be just like home. Years ago I spoke with an LEO at another location. He said people visiting the forest don’t leave their home behavior at home suggesting that the above litter was prolly what their home place looked like.

Making today a rest day after 5 straight days of riding.

Putting thought into when and where to go from Bend. Dunno. Perhaps leave after Labor Day with families attending to kids schooling.