Bend trails are fun to ride that extract effort. However, the joy of carving wiggles and waggles on a trail out weigh the climbs, I suppose because of my familiarity with the trails I know which way to ride a loop or simply not ride that trail.

Sat I drove up to Swampy TH for the night and staged for Sunday’s ride. I had been watching trail report for Flagline Tie that comments have provided current info. Days ago condition was snow and downed trees. Sat condition reported was rideable. I set out Sunday morn to learn first pedal what snow I might have to carry my bike over. Note: my bike weighs 30 pounds, ebike weights are dropping but still in upper 40 pound range. My right shoulder is permanently damaged leaving me with little lifting strength so I was able to lift. I have no desire for an ebike that I might not be able to lift. I prefer to ride where ebikes are still considered motorized and land managers, USFS and BLM so not allow on non motorized trails. That was an aside. I climbed Ridge that became Swampy Dutchman climbing some more to junction with Flagline Tie. No snow here. I figured snow might be closer to junction with Flagline as the trail was N facing and under heavier tree cover. And so it was: maybe 6 snow patches that had a bike track over it. I did not lift my bike. I hit Lower Flagline that had been reported riding well. Good to let off the brakes and get after it. Trails up here are don’t get the rider traffic and are less manicured. Enjoy Rail’s suspension. Down to Swampy Loop to Swede to its end at Swede shelter, returned on SST to Swampy then climbed Swampy tie to Ridge for descent back to van. Finished on downhill which angle is shallow enough to climb. Carving bends. SO much fun.

However, Swampy Tie piece is .7 miles long climbing 207′, that’s 295’/ mile. Took nine minutes, heart rate was average 128. I pedaled some in granny 46T 30T chain ring. I forced myself past settling as After the top I would be smiling. 13.5 miles climbing 1496′ pedaling for 1 hr 55 mins. Shared trails with fewer than 15 riders.

At Swampy occasionally I saw a transit bus with bike racks attached. I saw a sign post in the parking lot, I walked over and read it. It is a shuttle stop for the town to Bachelor public transit. I learned the shuttle runs from downtown to Bachelor with several stops. $5 one way. Wheels started turning for taking the shuttle today. $5 is affordable. I planned today to mee the shuttle at the welcome center hoping for scoring 1 of the 6 bike carrier spots. I arrived over an hour early and put my bike at the bus stop sign. 10:18 is scheduled stop time per their info. 10:18 passed, more minutes passed. More than being late. I called customer service and waited maybe 20 mins on hold till my caller number 3 order was answered. Short story, learned the shuttle does not run on Mon and Tues but their notice did not show that. grumble. I made today a rest day on Ticket to Ride which is a greener. 5.88 miles climbing 522′ pedaling for 45 mins. For a greener that’s almost 100’/mile climb.

Several rides ago I started hearing a clunk. I traced the sound to the derailleur clutch that was previously solved back at Moab. Before I started I performed the fix of squirting Boeshield on the swing spot. T he clutch has a break away bind when the chain is stretched which it should not. The lube was a short term fix that ran its course. I drove to Crow’s Feet mountain collective bike shop on west side and demonstrated the problem. Shop had a bike on the floor that had the same derailleur, no break away hitch. It’s the hydraulic clutch in the derailleur. Shop has new derailleur now being installed. I’m parked on the street in front of the shop waiting for completion. It’s just money. Shop said they will submit for warranty.

No pics. Tree cover and terrain block views.

Yesterday evening I walked up Ridge trail a ways. I am a hiker that bikes are to yield to in addition to yield to uphill traffic. I know to keep my eyes peeled for downhill traffic. Pays to pay attention as I saw a rider speeding towards me. I stepped off the trail as he frantically mostly rear braked stopping before he would have hit me. No harm. I saw him earlier today. I engaged him in conversation learning that he works for the USFS as a silva culturist. He rides a fully rigid bike with cable pulled disc brakes and wide tires.

Long time ago I drove a ’71 air cooled VW van, get the picture of one that you might have followed up a hill. I had seen a sticker on someone’s rig that read ” Go Around, I’m Retired.” I thought adding that sticker to that VW model and drive being retired would be humorous and fitting. I’m retired and drive a more powerful Sprinter but I still drive slower than speeders.

And so the oncoming darkness gets longer until Dec. So much to look forward to. Summer solstice is in the books. Daily change at first and at end is very slight, greater difference is in belly of change: not a straight line. SAD coming on.

Okay, moving on.

Today marks the start of the third year for my Revel Rail. Total rides is 416 rides covering 5612 miles per my spread sheet over 2 years.  On today’s ride I mentally went over components identifying either move over from RFX or new to the build. Not many. These have not been serviced. Bottom bracket and cranks ( Praxxis). headset, handle bar, front brake (Formula), Original suspension bearings. I9 front wheel. As a package it continues to perform and please me.

On Tuesday I rode S Fork Tumalo creek from Skyliner up Tumalo Ridge single track then becoming beat up road to Swede Shelter. Took SST to Swampy loop CCW to S Fork trail then let it rip. Trail is ridden hard, too many riders rear brake dragging causing brake bumps going into the turns. The suspension sucks up the bumps. Trail is in virgin forest, dense conifer trees. One of my favorite trails, it’s a real earn your turns loop. Deep brake bumps at T intersection of Tumalo Creek to home. There is a piece of trail with open sight line and sustainable grade for no braking for max speed. Darn, still 24 mph.

14.2 miles climbing 1732′, 2 hr 5 min pedal. I was 2 mins slower on the road climb. Measure whatever and live with results. If not measured no objective evaluation,

Drove back to town for supplies, water, and propane. Nights had been cold enough to run the furnace. Parked out at spot off rd 41. Ride today was down low and not so much climbing on Catch and Release to Afternoon Delight to Roundabout loop reconnecting with Afternoon Delight for return. Last 2 trails are recent addition. For an “easy” ride it was 20.5 miles climbing 1558′ in 2 hrs 39 mins. Handbuilt purpose trails favoring bikes. Lots of carving turns on rolled firm dirt.

Thursday I drove into town to do laundry at west side laundromat. I met the new owner several years ago just after he bought it. Today his wife was in. She told me they just bought the one in La Pine and are working on buying the one in Sisters. Rest of day was resting my body but mentally taxing after listening to permit process for my house. There are time fences for work completion such that when I start I need to keep the pedal to the metal. Early July I will consult with a contractor to learn if my $ will cover construction.

Friday I rode from anchor over to Phils TH. I wanted to see what FS had done to camp spots around there. First was spot where I stayed for years but last 2 years campers squatted there. FS was serious in addition to chewing up the ground they placed several large dead trees blocking access. Open area still open. Pedaled around parking lot reading license plates: almost all Oregon plates. Fuels reduction logging , felller / buncher machines, is going which has closed some trails. I studied Trailforks and Bend trails to pick open trails. The FS had stapled their trail map dated 5/11 that showed closed what my sources showed open. I picked my data and headed thru thinned patches. 16.7 miles climbing 1296′ in 2 hrs 6 mins, Average speed was 7.98 mph.

Recent rides my heart rate has been lower than on last year’s rides so far. My limiter is my breathing, my engine is aging. Measure.

Today was another ride from breakfast. I checked map sources for trail closures which only apply Mon to Fri. Ride went from here on Catch and Release to Storm King climbing to hub intersection of Storm King, Funner, and Tiddlywinks. Climb a short piece of Tiddly against downhill traffic of which there was none today. Turn left at start of Larsen’s to Tyler’s Traverse for downhill to Catch and release to van. Tyler’s is a popular cross country downhill, I joined it midway. From my joining the trail was deep forest with bermed turns and hardly brake bumped. The trail crosses an access road into previously fuels reduced and a full on screamer bermed downhill. Horribly brake bumped from riders only riding this piece. Not my enjoyment. Turned onto Catch and release for pedal back. 15.1 miles, climbing 1332′ in 1 hr 56 mins. Average speed was 7.78, last year it was 7.77, this year my heart rate was lower for same result.

Back into town. Visited with TJ and The Hub to celebrate the bike’s birthday as he built it up. Water from a stand alone spigot at a county park on west side. Groceries from Newport Market on west side. Coffee beans across the street. Cross the river into downtown to visit Dudley’s bookstore for a new book. Then back out to empty spot off rd 41.

Mosquitoes are numerous  noticeably inside my van as I have not covered the open door. I keep the door open until a chill sets in then close it shutting in a population of biters. I kill what I can before turning off the reading light and pulling the covers almost completely over my head. I swat at ones that I hear and accept feeding the next generation from the remainder. In the morning I kill blood gorged females. My back is very popular feeding spot, biting thru my shirt

I encounter very few riders during my rides. Few riders in  spite of number of rigs at THs.

I searched for carpet cleaner service to clean my small piece of carpet. Amazing, ones I contacted charged min charge of $150. No way. I will apply that amount to a new piece of carpet should enough of this month’s allowance remain.

Chilly 59 degrees at 8:23 PM, 3932′. Shut the door trapping tonight’s blood suckers. Sundown is 9:04.

Sativa vs Indica. My experience is Sativa allows me to be mobile yet buzzed like the indica would but without the in the couch buzz. Indica would not have allowed me to write this. Earlier I switched to Indica which is affecting my effort here.

Local Don found me up at Skyliner on Tuesday, He is permitted chainsaw operator per the FS. He and several of his friends have been responsible for cutting out the trails. I have been riding trails he has cut out: big trees and lots of cutting. Wed he cleared 102 trees off N Nork trail. He said FS doesn’t participate in clearing. All volunteers.

Finishing up No Country for Old Men.

Dinner dishes won’t do themselves. I have never left the mess overnight. More indica.

Tomorrow up to Swampy.

Slow internet means no pics.

Thurs AM I drove into La Pine to do laundry at only 1 around. Clean clothes. Spent the night on my land. Internet speed and my patience don’t match, I gave up on attaching a pic this posting.

Fri AM I arrived at The Hub Cyclery, local Revel and I9 dealer, right after he opened. He said no parts. I spoke with I9 who said the tracking number was on the file attached to my email. I had searched the files for tracking info the night before but did not see it. He researched my order, found the tracking number, and said that package was delivered on Thurs. I thanked him for help. Visited with the packing store down the hall who found the envelop. The address lacked the shop name but did have the suite number. Perseverance is my game. TJ installed new bearings. I put wheel back on bike and torqued axle to 10 nm and spun the wheel. All is free again. I relooked the efile and found the tracking number, the font was very small that I did not pay attention to. Take a way: read the small print.

Dashed back to spot on rd 41 for a ride. Geared up, spun the cranks enjoying quiet. Catch and Release to bottom of Storm King past Green Gate and across the road to junction of lower COD descending to Ticket to Ride to unmanned Welcome center, across the road to pick up Catch and Release to my van for the night. Last week an unusual heavy rain fell inflicting erosion damage on Storm King. A COTA crew leader organized 2 work parties to heal the trail. As I rode up I saw many places showing fresh tool marks. The trails down here lack tech features for most part and what there is can be walked. Here it is more about pedaling. 10.7 miles average speed was a smoking 7.72 mph, climbed 932′. Back at van and not driving back to some base.

Sat was COTA trail love day up at Wanoga TH. Trail work day open to anybody, 48 volunteers out of 2,xxx members. I used my personal loppers to further trim back what was back. I worked on Fuller trail along with several other teams, other teams worked on other trails. Well organized effort. COTA owns the tools and has FS permission which makes for lots and timely trail love. Creating drains on all but flat slope to carry off the water carried pumice. Particle size is tiny that the slightest water flow will carry until terrain goes flat. Social gathering afterwards that I added my presence to.

Then drove further up mountains to the Swampy TH for the night. TH is at 5748′. Plan was to spend night, ride here from van the next day, then return to town for resupply. Towards morning some state of precip was landing on my roof. Later at crawl out of warm bed time did I see that snow was the state. Snow flakes, temp was low 30s.

Forecast didn’t want it this early. I fixed scratch pancakes and drank a second cup of cold brew coffee while waiting out the weather. And my level of comfort. Snow was squall intensity broken by clearing. Sucker holes is what it was. I geared up wearing knickers, mid weight long sleeve wool jersey, and wind shell. My teeth chattered as I prepped my bike. Start climbed Ridge trail. Trail had been cut out and tread was hero. Turn right on Ridge Loop Cutoff to descend to Swampy Loop.  I would return on these 2 trails for and pay back and earn my turns direction. Swampy look to Swede to its end then back on SST to Swampy and the above 2 trails. Every tree that had fallen and blocked the trail had been cut out. Appreciation to the sawyers. Curious what the FS effort is? Did pedal thru several small snow patches. A web site for summer trails captures trail reports. Trails I ride were reported  as riding well which they were. I wanted to ride Flagline tie to descend lower Flagline to Swampy but trail report was lots of snow and fallen trees. I could of but chose what was known. Sucker holes, snow quit, sunshine, more distance away from van, snow flurries, sunshine. The wet just dampened the surface which was enough for dirt to stick to tires. At one point I was making a wiggle move while seeing my front wheel spinning a blob of said stuff that was going to go underneath my glasses into my eye. I needed sight for move so for overall body safety I had to keep my eyes open. My left eye received dirt. I stopped afterwards to clear my eye. I could have used a water flush.

Drove back down to rd 41 at 3932′ and 57 degrees and sunshine. Spent the night heater ran throughout the night as controlled my thermostat.

Today was a rest day. I filled my sink water tank. Drove into town. Visited Dudley’s book store and visited with Tom, the owner. Next was a visit I have been putting off which as a house contractor that I visited last year but didn’t follow up on. Guy is on 2 week vacation. I avoid meeting is because I will learn about cost of building my house which I next step to settling down. I am really avoiding settling.

Back out at rd 41. On Friday’s ride I saw that the FS obliterated camping spots. Depriving public access to land we pay for.

Dinner time.