Non Recreational Campers are populating public lands. Where I stay around in forest W of Bend I do not see these campers but E of toen has the problem. Today I am in Oakridge, OR where I learned the term and these campers are problem from littering to flat out abandoning their possessions. Specifically for me is trail head at bottom of Dead Mtn just outside of town where I stayed until last evening’s drive by where hard to tell completely abandoned or just ramshackle, either way I traveled further up Salmon creek hoping for an open site in nmae sake campground. Too late: Full.
Yesterday evening I rolled into Oakridge. I drove up old main street passed the liquor distillery that was shut down. I picked this weekend in hopes of enjoying a low key local live music, a food truck, and drinks made from their spirits. Change: you only know it if you have seen it before. Continued up the street to brew pub renamed under new ownership, Three Legged Crane, only show in old town. Change.
Very hot sleep last night. I set up my small house electric powered fan and aimed from my feet to my head. I finally opened side door risking potential uninvited person. Chilled off as I slept to turn off fan. Sleeping short distance from white water Salmon Creek. Today Drove back to town, visited at Mercantile catching up.
Then drove to Greenwaters Park for start of Larrison Rock ride which is on N facing mountain right above town. Ride consists of steep pavement climb to top then steep single track back down. 5.76 miles taking 1 hr 12 mins climbing 1670′. Sheesh, this wasn’t my first rodeo. Part way up I entered the sports car hill climb race course, my timing allowed me to be on road between race heats. It was a hump, I even became friends with my 46T. I even switch backed on the 2 lane road. Then the goods, reward for the hump.
View the tree cover: dense. Trail drops steeply on steep hill side bench cut tread that shows signs of heavy use: Brake bumps and blown out corners. MBO was last weekend which put many riders going down. Trails are dry and dusty, not what should be on the wet side of the Cascades. 3.08 miles dropped 1998′ taking me 20 mins. Need powerful working brakes. Finished, ate lunch then short walk to shore on Salt Creek for rinse off. Creek much too cold for my comfort so I just swabbed myself down with the cold water. Visited with a woman mtn bike racer from Bozeman. Now sitting in hot van at the park creating this.
Backing up in spurts to last posting.
Yesterday I scored a seat on the transit bus from Welcome Center to Swampy lake for $5. One passenger which mtn bike on 5 bike capacity rack and joined by Mark whom I know. He was going to pedal ride but the $5 ride changed his mind. I debussed at Swampy, the other rider needed to remove my bike from the rack as I have no strength in my right arm. My ride climbed to add more descent to my downhill. I pedaled up Ridge to Dutchman Swampy to Flagline Tie which dropped down to Swampy loop continuing around the lake to SST down to Swede shelter. I ride SST to catch S Fork going the other way, trail is longer than Swede but this is the preferred shuttle descent. Sector 16 connects with Upper Whoops which is like a bike park single track. End at junction with Storm King and others. I descended Storm King to Grand Slam dropping don to Ticket to Ride back to Welcome center. 22.4 miles climbing 1388′ and descending 3038′ pedaling for 2 hrs 40 mins. Almost all by myself on an excellent weather weekend day. Then drove to Oakridge.
My heart condition continues to concern me. Thurs night I felt heart pounding that I thought was sign of heart failure, enough so that I checked into local ER. Data taken from me, blood draw, EKG, chest X-Ray, and diagnosis from ER DR. Per his exam all parts are in working order, saw nothing to limit my activities: Use it until it breaks. This DR spent time and shared medical info. Relieved so I rode my bike afterwards on short loop from Sleep spot off rd 41.
Wed I rode with Andrew, Ryan, and Jay. I met them first 2 years ago on the Umpqua trail then other rides. I have 20 years on them. We climbed Tumalo ridge to Swede shelter, today I was 1 min faster on road climb. Down Sector 16 continuing on Upper Whoops to its end. Descent was same as 2 days in the future, Returned on Skyliner. Andrew prepared dinner for us at Jay’s house. Visited, enjoyed Andrew’s creation, then dusk drive back to rd 41.
COTA Executive Director Emmy treated me to lunch on Tuesday.
On Wed Import Performance in Bend performed van check up. results are some to be fixed suspension and brake issues in future before I leave area. Van is solid is report. Now if I can accept favorable van health instead of worrying failure.
Hot here, the 4th forecast high is 90 degrees.
I researched rides out on the coast finding Cave Mtn right on the ocean west of Eugene that I will check out on Wed. return over Santiam Pass stopping to ride O’lollie / Oleary. Haven’t decided to earn my turns or suck up shuttle. Alpine shuttle here is $37 to save pedaling up 1910 rd. It’s just $ and unburned calories.
Time to score sleep spot for the night.