Not if you got ’em, but seasonal forest fire smoke blew Bend’s way earlier this week, enough to more the AQI level into now nasty. It is what is in the air. Tuesday I made a smoke rest day so I drove down to my owned piece of earth N of La Pine.  Hot and dusty. Earlier this summer I cut down more small trees hosting the smut and left them on the ground. This day I collected and hauled to existing pile and started another one. Quiet a big pile for future burning when I am here and no burn ban. The trees lost moisture making them lighter to drag. Still more trees to cut down. Figure by removing infected trees the parasite will have no hosts to infect. Later I drove down to city of LA Pine to check out a beer spot. It is what it is as La Pine ain’t Bend. Over time I had pulled knapweed plants, each year there are fewer and fewer plants, pulling before flowering prevents future starts. Spent night on the land enjoying darkness and dead quiet. Smoke is affecting the AQU such that riding decisions are based on the hazard level.

B4 bed the value was promising for riding back at Bend and the forecast supported my decision. Of course bad air can arrive. At wake up I looked out windshield to see air looking like a heavy fog. Checked Bend’s value which was good. Hmm, air sink at La Pine. After bfast I headed back to Bend. Smoke was heavy enough to use headlights for vehicle identification. Lit headlights on rigs coming from Bend did not bode well for riding. However, the closer I got to Bend fewer headlights. Rolling into Bend under slight haze skies. My experience, as I remember it, was being higher up the air would be  clearer. I drove up to Green Gate where Storm King crosses the Cascade Lakes highway where the air was healthy.  Logging closed lower Tyler’s both the trail and the climbing route. I rode up Funner by myself to its end at Wanoga, a shuttle drop off location. Shuttle riders would be most likely descending Tiddlywinks but not expending energy and skill to pedal further to descend upper Tyler’s as was the case. I rode thru dust from those riders even though I was back a good distance. Once I continued on Kiowa Butte trail to Tyler’s I was all by myself. Tyler’s up high is a mix of woods single track and structured rollers from previous reforestation. At trail closure I took Larsen’s down to Tiddlywinks then to Storm King piece to Green Gate and van. 16.6miles climbing 1601′ pedaling for 2 hrs 19 mins. 59 mins in 80 to 9o% of heart rate.

Back down to Bend air.

I researched exercise physiologist finding COCC lab. I made an appointment to be evaluated, schedule 8/8. I am seeking knowledge of my body’s performance and health and relative to my age peers.

Visited Crow’s Feet to take this pic which is close to summing up my life:

Last night I experienced a live music concert head lined by James McCurdy at Volcanic Theater across from The Hub Cyclery, TJ’s shop, a Revel dealer, he built my bike. Concert was to start at 8, doors opened, walked into venue which was bare floor with a stage. No seats, standing room only 350 max occupancy. Concert start was delayed. Opening act was a female singer that to me was as agreeable as fingernails scraped on a chalk board. The noise was not enjoyable. About 10 James started. Late evening was affecting me along with the live music scene shortened my stay to maybe 4 songs then I left driving back to rd 41 and hoping for an open spot. James’ dad, Larry, wrote Lonesome Dove.

Driving in dark in deer territory unnerves me. Made the spot but it was occupied by 2 cars like I had seen a few nights ago. I believe they were the culprits of trash dumping that I cleaned up. After they left in the morning I checked the spot out: shit, wads of wiped toilet paper left behind.

Air quality here lit up the AQI to now 169, Unhealthy. Previously decided to make a rest day after yesterday’s ride recovery time of 33 hours. Maybe I subject my body to effort beyond it’s health.

Tuesday parked on my land I heard a dirt bike on the road then is stopped abruptly. I looked out towards the road seeing 3 deer that had just jumped over the fence. My guess is they were scared by the dirt bike. I quietly watched 2 bucks in velvet and the youngster browse vegetation for many minutes. My camera location required me moving and possibly scaring them away. Maybe a 6 and 4 point buck.

Solar controller shut off again. Timely as replacement is scheduled for this Monday.

Deschutes county just passed an ordinance prohibiting over night stay on county land. To deal with large homeless population, some who create law enforcement attention and the massive amounts of trash. Push them off county land to the nearby FS land. I anchor on the opposite side of Bend on FS land, far away from the county problem. There problem might become my problem as some will over run my spots close to town. Change: you only know it if you have seen it before.

Still here in Bend. Last night smoke blew in, no rain since early June. Fire is SW of here. Air quality was 180 this AM, forecast calls for Wed good air from the N which is prevailing during summer I heard.

Trails are dusty but when I ride by myself I do not see dust cloud I roll up. Such a vast trail system keeps other riders away from me.

Sun I drove down to Welcome Center to pay $5 for a bus ride back up to Swampy so I could ride down S Fork then work my way back to Welcome Center and my van. I like S Fork as it is an older trail that is wearing its signs of use and neglect. Deep tree cover with speckled sun patches creating excitement about what I will either roll over of should avoid. 3.13 miles dropping 889′ took 16 mins. I feel the effects in my shoulders. Payment came from climbing Skyliner to top of ridge to drop down Storm King. Turn down Grand Slam where I discovered to gnome’s new home in  a tree. These 2 trails have been man adjusted logging out trees. I learned that max dia tree to be cut is 21″ which is about my shoulder width. I remember riding these trails before the thinning, now I don’t know the trail. Time needed to adjust to change. Grand Slam to Ticket to Ride back to van. I upped tire pressure to 22 rear and 20 front, I noticed right away the things I hit but no loss of control, maybe higher speeds. Temp was in 90s at the van. Hot and dry. Parking lot was almost empty. 18.9 miles climbing 1001″ descending 2582′ pedaling for 2 hours 8 mins. I hardly stop.

Fri an Sat I spent up at Swampy almost 2,000′ higher than rd 41 which is higher than Bend. Enjoyably cooler. Trails are rougher and fewer riders.

Sat evening I visited with Barb who is traveling also. She pulls a smaller trailer. She was up there last year but I neve conversed. This year I caught her outside  for a conversation.

No pics taken.

Just more of the same: tree cover, some deep some thinned, dry trails. Pedal trails up and down, albeit I have no desire to pedal up S Fork like a woman rider did. I met her last year with her mother. She likes this climb which is almost 300’/ mile. Ran into her later on my ride for a reacquaintance.

Same ol same ol.

Second Chiro adjustment to eliminate same ol head ache.

Watching ground squirrels harvest seeds from grasses. Seems bitterbrush either isn’t ready for harvest or did not produce seeds. A place where I stay sometimes there are 2 badger dug holes indicating predators. Last summer at this spot I saw 3 badgers traveling nose to tail.

Yesterday, Jul 18, 2023, marked completion of 15 years of my odyssey Mountain Biking the States. Fifteen years.

Numbers from my spread sheet: 3,060 mountain bike rides covering 43,992 miles, climbing more than 518,716 feet. Van mileage is at 294,673 miles ( figure 18,000 miles prior to leaving Spokane), spent in excess of $33,447 on diesel. Haven’t dug to find out how much I spent on bike stuff.

Just keep adding to the numbers.

My travails, numbers as in dollars.

SO, the solar controller is being replaced end of this month. The shop will keep my van overnight and not allow me to sleep in it. Made motel reservation: $178 to have store bought bed and running hot water.

Yesterday my sink pump started send burping sounds. Not right. Previously I installed an in line switch so I was able to shut it off. Short story: I stopped at a local RV store to buy fittings on the intake side of pump and installed but sound remained. Figured the electric in the pump was suspect. Shop pump price was $184. I found one ata major chain for less. I parked in a parking lot and installed new pump. Hit go switch: sound still there. I tore down the electrical connections. Still there. I wondered if the solar controller was the culprit. Called the solar shop, guy said to check for open faucets. I did, could not find a leak. I did notice that water was on the door step where I keep a filled gallon jug that had a taped over hole that I thought was the source. I bought a new jug but step remained wet. Right below the wet spot I have a hose and a valve. I checked the valve: darn, it was ever so slightly cracked open which explained the wet step. Once closed the sound went away. Shit, pump was fine/ I asked to return it but store said I bought it. I don’t need previous one and I lack room to carry it as a spare. Numbers: I visited a local bike shop where I heard a guy was building up a van and maybe he or someone would buy it. Wrench said he needed on, struck a $50 deal.

Numbers: Yesterday to celebrate I rode North Fork which is a monster climb up n fork of Tumalo creek. My engine continues to reveal its age as I lack umph to make 1 or 2 pedal strokes to surmount a feature but otherwise I pedaled it all but for several blow stops. Trail ends at Happy Valley with feeding mosquitoes. Several miles on Met-Win trail to Mrazek Ridge for more miles to start of Farewell drop down to Tumalo creek trail back to start. 14. 4 miles climbing 1732′ pedaling for 2 hrs 10 mins. Average heart rate was 121 just below 85% max rate. Deep virgin forest up the creek gorge. Really pretty. I like the Oregon Cascades.

Farewell drops down from the ridge to Tumalo creek. There are several patches of nasty rock gardens of pointed rocks. In years past I timidly picked my way over the points. This ride I went after the line using the points if they supported my line. Learning lesson for me as to what my bike can handle and what my confidence will support. Crashing was not an option. Tumalo creek offers that piece of downhill speeding, 24.9 mph, 25.x is fastest but done on the RFX.

Celebrated last night dinner out at food court on west side. finished with a second glass of wine at 10 Barrel. You only know change if you have seen it prior. Place no longer has local watering hole feel.

Temps in 90s here. I’m parked on a side street in the shade of a small deciduous tree. Strong internet to post pics. i don’t seem to be drinking enough fluids which I hope is cause of general malady. I did have a chiro adjustment yesterday.

Tomorrow afternoon is my cardio DR appointment.

Where I stay off rd 41 a population of ground squirrels and chipmunks scurry around doing their thing. Upon occasion one will be bold enough to crawl into the van. None have stayed long, their hearts continued to beat albeit faster after I scare them.

Rest day. Right knee still sore. Pounding water down. Morning temps have been upper 30s. Not long enough to run the heater.