Been hither and yon. Short term memory moved some experiences to long term storage, others went to the “huh I don’t remember bucket”

Last post was on 9/11. Selecting experiences and thoughts to record.

First is perhaps the issue of trust and credibility. Van issue. I was in Hood River, a newbie to the auto repair community. I picked a promising transmission repair shop as I thought the shut off was related to new transmission as perhaps a similar problem happen during install. Called the shop, guy said yes they worked on Sprinters and had in depth computer scanner to down load error codes and said stop by which I did. Spanish speaking owner translated by mechanic who had to dig around in the attic for the scanner which he plugged into data port. Result was code related to fuel. They did not record the fault code before erasing error. Problem did not come from transmission, I needed a more inclusive repair shop. I picked the next shop, woman said yes they have plenty of Sprinter knowledge and I could stop by for a consult which I did. I waited my turn while a short rain shower pounded on the roof. Rain. Shop owner performed diagnosis without error code knowledge to guide his problem understanding. He could find nothing not performing and would not charge me for his time. Meanwhile the front office was telling me things that should be serviced as maintenance such as injectors and glow plugs. Trust: I have confidence in Import Performance in Bend that I needed to bounce off her items as Import knows the van. Local shop told me to drive it for my visit to see if problem reoccurred then he would have error codes to work with. OK, drive he said. I drove back uphill to rd 44 trails for the night and a ride the next day. Van pulled the climb etc with no complaint. Whew as I was out of cell coverage and fear of being left sit.

In the mean time I made ride date with local Lee for the next day of rd 44 trails. I waited and waited for his arrival. No show and now electronic message. I took off after waiting 15 mins to ride the 8 mile loop. Climbing up Super Connector the phone picked up his text message sent 10 mins after meet time saying guests over ruled our date. I rode the 8 mile loop.

8 Mile Loop consists of an easier smoother tread which is a speedy descent or a more leisurely climb. The other part is more difficult  either way. I chose the screamer descent then paid the price climbing out. The descent is cool as sight lines are open and the tread is smooth. Zoom down. The climb out goes by a fire lookout that can be rented for overnights stay. Today for the first time of  all my rides there someone was in the lookout. Couple had 2 dogs up there that navigated the steep stairs both up and down that the last pitch is just short of vertical. I pedaled up Connector and Knebal Springs up and down to get to 8 Mile. 13.4 miles climbing 2113′ pedaling for 2 hrs.. average bpm was 125 which is my anaerobic threshold so ride was big effort. Spent night same spot at 4235′ elevation. Primitive as I seek.

That night I decided I needed to meet face to face with Import to discuss items HR shop spoke of. Because the possibility of van shutting off disabling power brake controls during the 5 mile steep descent. I worried myself sleepless of what I would do if failure occurred. Wed morn I headed down slope heading to Bend. Whew, van performed as it is engineered to do. I filled diesel for data check on mileage: 26 mpg. Van is healthy. Made Import for face time. One, the HR suggested items would be dealt with at failure versus possible damaging of said items. Two, instruments are so sensitive that failure was caused by tiniest obstruction and is intermittent, should it happen again it would rise to an issue. Comfort is trusting info. I turned around and headed to WA.

So the above happens to me with whatever issue arises wherever I am. I am new to repair community for most places I go. I need to develop a rapport to discern what’s needed and what benefits the shop.

Thurs early laundry day in Bend then cross the River heading to Devils Gulch outside Cashmere, one of my most favorite trails. late arrival at anchor spot at Blewett Pass.

My travel is determined by air quality from forest fires. Devils Gulch was yellow. Friday morn I drove up Mission Creek to TH. About a noon pedal off. This trail is one of few that I have ridden where the uphill distance is the same as the going down: 11 miles each way, however up took 2 hrs, downhill was just an hour. Trail gradient climbs well, I don’t like out and backs or ups and downs. 22.7 miles climbing 3383′ pedaling for 3 hrs 25 mins, average heart rate was 125 again. I beat myself feeling it the next day enough to nibble at the computer stated recovery time of 72 hrs. I spent the night again at same spot. rain fell as did several loud poundings on the van compliments of someone disturbing a sleeper. Just that 1 banging was fortunately all.

Devils Gulch trail had received enough rain to collect in pools up high, then other places running water used the trail which was sane every time I have ridden the trail. Mud puddle water was stinky leaving its smell on my bike and lower legs. At the TH on Mission Creek I filled my tree sprayer with water and spritzed off the souvenirs. I chose to share this pic for drought riders who have forgotten mud.

I searched for trails to ride around Ellensburg, I found Manastash Ridge trails. I called a local shop inquiring about camping at TH. Was informed not permitted. Sunday AM I retraced route back to Ellensburg to trailhead. Trails are on exposed steep sage brush covered ground full on sun exposure, sun warmth would be appreciated. I picked a Trailforks route for my ride. A rider unknown to me was waiting for me to start. He joined me leading me up Chest Pains trail which is the preferred uphill trail. Namesake climb that my body just sent hard work climb. 40year old leading rider talked while I struggled behind rendering my talking almost nonexistence. Trails are on State wildlife land which does not permit ebikes different from state parks. 19.3 miles climbing 2726′ pedaling for 2hrs 51 mins, heart rate average was 128 beats, 3 beats above threshold, recovery time was again 72 hours. Tread was hard packed and fast. Descending Wildcat, the preferred downhill, was a screamer. Thing about hard pack is dirt offers little braking friction, still a whole lot of smiles. However, numerous alt lines were present with no directing signs, the alt lines were steeper. At the TH, which is wide shoulder, lacked signage, I could have spent the night there.

I finished later than I wanted as I planned on driving state highways to Spokane. Instead I drove 3 hrs of I90 to former neighbors driveway. Back in ’92 I had a log house built across the road from them, 30 years ago. I drove though short rain showers none had fallen on their land. WA I90 speed was 70 for cars and 60 for trucks, the slower truck speed was my choice. van performed for 283,xxx miles and almost 16 years of operation. New transmission is such a joy.

So, I am now around Spokane. I have reached out to old friends for visits. Dunno where I will head to nor when next, again dependent upon air quality.

The Cedar Creek fire east of Oakridge has grown to 113,322  acres is 11% contained, 2,577 personnel working to contain it. Fire has burned over the Cascade crest into the Deschutes NF. It’s a big one that only fall rains will put out.

Presently I am sitting in Hood River. Sitting.

Fires, big ones sending smoke downwind. All along this summer my travel plans were almost day to day as fires and air quality potential and reality would determine where to go. Cedar Creek fire up on the Cascade Crest on the western shore of Waldo lake is the big one and getting bigger and no corralling it is figured or perhaps possible until fall rains if and when the precip falls. Cedar Creek has forced the evacuation of Oakridge, closed Cascade Lakes highway, rt 58 over Willamette pass: it’s burning east and north. Dry with wind events. Per the official incident site it shows almost the entire perimeter of the fire is uncontained.

Thurs I left Bend after laundry driving towards MT Hood then up to rd 44 trails. I encountered 2 work projects on that rd: aqueduct pipeline digging and burying and a logging operation affecting Surveyors ridge trail. Last year I found an anchor spot which is past the aqueduct and before the logging. I dropped anchor there. On Sat’s ride I saw that a previous favored spot was prolly a logging landing. I scored.

Rd 44 trails are old school hand built trails in virgin forest mostly in watersheds which keeps the trees standing except for Surveyors. There were 2 rides there I wanted to do: High Prairie and Bottle Prairie. Prairie is relative description of small natural clearings in dense forest.

High Prairie was the big climb up Cook’s Meadow, all full on woods hand built single track. MT Hood was visible:

Cooks is Lower and Upper with Lower being the serious hump 3.6 miles climbing 1237′, Upper is lesser at 3.2 miles climbing just 829′. Big time hump, I used cry baby gear (46T) on several climbs. Pay back is descent of Lookout trail which is heavily used and worn wide. I encountered 2 riders pedaling up. I finished on Super Connector that I helped build years ago, more later. Chilly enough to wear lightest wool jersey. 16.7 miles climbing 2598′ pedaling for 2 hrs 42 mins, average heart rate was 117 beats, up from resting 47 pumps. Chilly night needed heater.

Sat was work to get fun downhill on Bottle Prairie. I rode up the Connector and would return on same trail. Today I encountered no one. 17 miles climbing 2556′ pedaling for 2 hers 38 mins with heart rate 117. Rides were almost identical. Smoke haze but no smell.

The “dirt” here is pumice flour as it lacked the size to carry it further from erupted Hood. Talc. Glad to ride by myself. On Sat I was first track, I saw clawed foot prints in the dirt, figured to be badger but I never saw a badger dug holes like at Bend.

I learned of a county campground, Tucker, just outside of Hood River that for $25 I could sleep legally outside of town. I drove down to it, selected a spot and paid my $ then drove to Dirty Finger bike shop at its new location. I walked into shop deserted except for Mitchell the owner. Cool, we spent quality time, he sharing rides across the river up towards Mt ST Helens where I figured to go today. While there former FS trails person Jimmy rolled in. We met years ago building that Connector trail, Great, I made a measurable impression on him. He was responsible for much of RD 44 trails. Good visit. Mitchell is hanging on battered by bike parts supply chain and new bike issues. He sold bike number 7 and 8 for the year as those were ones he could get. He lacks parts for replacement or custom build.

I treated myself to a belated birthday dinner and a margarita then returned to campground. Warm night. This morning scratch blueberry pancakes, my Sunday breakfast. I drove into town to provision myself for up north riding. I drink filtered water where the 2 grocery stores water machines were out of service. I bought 2 bottles of water. I wanted new stickers and a book to be found at funky 2nd hand book store and new books. New stickers and book.

While driving the engine quit, I dead sticked on to a side street, put the transmission into park and turned the key, engine started. However, the check engine control warning light lit. SHIT. I have to wait till tomorrow morning to call Bend shop for help. I will stay here again tonight as the van is saying it needs to be taken care of.

Smoke: I planned on driving towards ST Helens for rides then heading east on US 12 which is now closed due to a fire in the Goat Rocks. The drive to the ride is 3 hours from here then prolly less than an hour north to highway 12. I don’t want to return to HR to head east. Spokane’s air is unhealthy. I can be anywhere I want to be but conditions are affecting my choices.

Bend pics:

Trail was built when we were riding like 22″ bars. See the gouge marks, see the clearance at red grip.

Up at Swampy the yellow jacks were plentiful. Sink bucket eliminated many

Fuel load virgin forest on Skyliners captures what fire fighters are dealing with:

Logging occurs, logs skidded to land to be limbed and bucked then left over is piled to be burned.

Resulting in

Result

Hood River is home to Post Canyon trail system which is a bike park. I have no desire to ride there.

Just hanging hoping the van will get me to and from the campground about 7 miles away.

Season changes with school. The groms aka as upcoming riders of maybe grade school age, that were attending local riding academies are now behind a desk and not on the trails. Grand parents are the new population of riders, well, maybe just retired people. On today’s ride I encountered all riders of social security benefits age. One guy was 75. Friday I turn 73.

Peanut butter doesn’t seem to stick to the roof of a ground squirrel. I sought to learn that fact. At the spot off rd 41 ground squirrels abound. Sometimes I sit and watch them go about living above ground. A person told me he saw a ground squirrel with a chipmunk in its jaws. Squirrels eat flesh? Research revealed that they do eat meat. I put a piece of raw chicken on a stick near my van and watched. I watched a squirrel pull the piece loose and scamper away with it in its jaws. I learned that they do have the dental tools to chew meat. To the peanut butter, again I was curious if a squirrel ate peanut butter would it stick to the roof of its mouth like a dog. I laid a bead of butter almost as much as I would use on a sandwich. I watched a solitary squirrel find the stick and with no competition it ate the entire bead. Butter seemed to not be stored in pouches. When the butter was finished it walked away, I have a phone pic that captures the bloated belly. Underneath my van my sink water drains into a 12 qt plastic bucket that has been a water source for their kind albeit several have not survived the dip. This one perched on the lip to drink from the almost full bucket of sink water. I offered a bowl of fresh water that it drank from. Then it disappeared. No way to mark it to follow its full belly. Did it get a belly ache? Did it become bound up?

Then the same bucket with sink water up at Swampy harvested many yellow jackets attempting hydration. I believe the soapy water was their demise. The yellow jackets are seeking meat protein. I put a piece of raw chicken out then watched them chew bites out then fly away.

See many badger holes dug right along side trails. maybe they are digging these holes in preparation of disaster by providing them with hole up options?

So, Still riding here at Bend. last weekend I stayed at Swampy for its cooler temp, several  mornings heater running drove away the 35 degree temp. Last week I helped brush a piece of SST and Swede with the purpose of creating better sight lines. We were cutting mostly manzanita. Prior to brushing its branches finally encroached the trail which gave an interesting ride as perhaps the trail was obscured blocking line decision. Even light brushing opens the trail which is less out there type trail. I did ride down Swede afterward with more enjoyment or less caution as the sight lines were longer. It was time to brush.

The night before I helped on another brushing of Catch and Release on the rock sections. Another improvement for vision.

On Sunday I rode from Swampy up high dropping down S Fork. My descent is back to under 15 mins of screaming legacy hiking trail. 3.2 miles dropping 915′, my average heart rate was 123 so there was more than just coasting , perhaps fear contributed to the elevation. Down  Tumalo creek trail. I refilled turned on spigot water at Skyliner then pedaled up its name sake. Shit of logging road climb up to Sector 16 trail which is a popular descending trail. Several riders came close to pinning me as their sight line wasn’t far past their front wheel. And then the ones with ear buds. This was a big ride of 20 miles climbing 2041′ pedaling for 2 hrs 40 mins.

Afterwards I drove back down to town for water and propane. Then drove back to rd 41 spot for the night and next day’s ride with intention to ride all of Storm King as the piece that is closed because of logging will be open to ride. I like Storm King either way. Upper Storm King is getting the forest thinning treatment. Labor Day and no other riders to share the trail with. I rode lower Tylers which is a mix of old ridden in trail to built berm turns. Very popular for coaster geeks and I was all by myself. I finished on catch and Release riding where we had brushed several days prior. I now could better see what I was going to walk because the features exceed my degree of confidence and balance reflex.

Where I stay off rd 41 is maybe 40′ off trail Catch and Release. I sit on my chair in the shade and greet riders going by. They are the performers and I am the audience. This spot is favorable as it is just off the hard road and the FS gravel road is blocked by a locked gate, and the dirt is red volcanic rock that doesn’t create dust like the other spot nearby. Weak internet signal is draw back.

Cedar Creek fire on the west side of the cascade crest is almost 18,000 acres. Last week a wind event blew the fire from almost 9,000 acres to ever growing size moving it north. It has burned to almost the entire west edge of Waldo Lake. No precip forecast. Today evacuation alert was posted for FS lands this side of the crest. Cascade Lakes highway is closed. Here in Bend the air quality only touched orange briefly in town, up at Swampy air was clear. So far no smoke smell.

So, tomorrow  after laundry I will be heading to rd 44 trails near MT Hood. To date I have ridden 912 miles over 58 rides in OR after arriving June 13. My rear tire could be replaced as the blocks have worn down past the sipes yet still holds traction.

Sundown is around 7:32, darker ever earlier.

During today’s ride a guy rode up on a Turner DW 5 Spot 26″ wheel, triple chain ring like I previously rode. Blast from my previous ride.

Once I leave Bend I will be out of info sharing range. I plan of riding there 2 days then head down to Hood River.

No mosquitoes, so nice to be outside.