Van now driven by proper performing transmission making it such a joy to drive which I have been, However price of diesel curtails long travels.
I swapped out the longer stem on my bike for the shorter length Revel specs and bike performance jumped in control. And my body is asking for time off. And the new derailleur that tightens up shifting to happening now.
This about that.
So, I have been really working over my right leg on the hard rubber ball loosening muscles that control the knee cap with great success in reducing / eliminating knee pain. In all likelihood a tear exists caused by course of living and using, muscles have lost elasticity. Age.
I rest one day and the next the knee is quiet: Cured, go ride. Yesterday I connected with Emmy, the executive director of COTA for a ride, ostensibly for her to see the brushing on Farwell. Our ride would require climbing N Fork Tumalo Creek, big climb, not good for my knee. I really should not do this ride, I did not want to bail on last moment. Yesterday morning air quality was yellow with smoke in the air. Maybe air quality would be my out. Day progressed and air cleared. 2 PM meet time at Skyliner TH. Emmy was quiet. Okay, drove to TH. Emmy arrived. I briefed her on my knee condition. She allowed me wiggle room if I didn’t want to ride. My stiff upper lip I can ride through this discomfort is lessening its rigidity as accepting what is. We pedaled up Tumalo creek which is gentle climb, the one I like to set speed record on. I led huffy and puffy while Emmy kept up almost nonstop chatter about club actions and becoming a professional organization which I really dig learning about. I could hear her when she was behind and she said she heard my words. She said she could ride Farewell at another time that I finally embraced. She suggested returning then riding Skyliner out and back to which I agreed. Sped back down Tumalo, I hit 26 mph coasting. Skyliner is a wonderful trail in each direction. We reached the end of trail where a now destroyed log bench marked a major trail junction. Bike swoops the turns both up and down and steering is sharper and quicker, bike flicks as some reviewers have stated. Emmy being under 50 climbs stronger than me. I told her to lead which she did. However I could not hear her words.
Fall weather. Up near Skyliner scattered aspen were showing gold. I will miss the Wood River fall aspen colors this year. Conditions for me are so pleasant. Fall.
Memory recall sometimes fails to find the information. Case in point was / were the reason (s) I swapped to a longer stem on the Turner then installed on the Rail. Recall is strong enough to not drink 2 shots of Tequila.
Resting today, next se day will be Sat for trail work. Saying that sitting in my van while outside is another beautiful fall day. Albeit still no precip.
Still Life with Woodpecker. Robbins stretches my mind, no hard rubber ball required. Pot pokes holes.
Last night I attended the Bend chapter COTA meeting, speaker was Lev, owner of Cog Wild, on chain sawing. Lev and I met years ago when he invited me to join his customers on first ride of O’Leary. Prior to that I read about his trips in several bike mags, articles I have saved in the file folder on top of my refrigerator. I am seeking his autographs on those articles.
COTA celebrates its 30th year creation this weekend.