Previous 40 degrees was a heat wave. Sat AM temp was 16 degrees. The water vapor from cat heater solidified on inside of windshield, not vapor but ice. Sat day temp was closer to 30 degrees. I could ride but I could also hang in environmentally  controlled spaces. Sunshine, as day progressed, solar gain  lessened the bite. Made it a rest day. College football, Buckeyes of OSU played later in day, listened to game on XM.

Life lesson: resort bars cater to visitors who spend day away from resort then return later. I pass the 7th mountain resort on way out of town. Sat I finally stopped in with anticipation of socializing and watching a football game. I was only patron but did get pick of which game on which TV. The bartender and I traded self help conversations. Stayed for an $11 glass of bottle wine. Back out to rd 41 spot catching late afternoon warmth, as sun lowered in the sky the temp dropped.

Sunday forecast called for high 40s warm enough for a ride. At wake up time temp was 16 degrees out, 54 inside. Humidity  was 54 % from heater. Again solid ice on windshield. Sunshine.

PT Dave spoke highly of riding conditions at Swamp Wells east of town where I had not ridden this visit. Last year I rode there on trails that were dry and loose. Not enjoyable. He said trails were solid. OK, I will go experience them myself. Driving heading east with bright sunshine in my eyes. Arrived at TH, temp was just 31 degrees, temp would only climb per forecast and solar gain. I was there. OK. Knickers, knee socks, wool t-shirt, heavy wool jersey, wind shirt, and new winter riding gloves. Stuck my head outside for breath check: no cloud. I would be chilly until muscle contractions warmth made the bite be a memory. Tread was firm for sure, not dusty. Rode up Swamp Wells trail which climbs, P Pine tree cover. Pedaled for solid hour before stopping for a clothing break to remove t-shirt. Scattered patches of snow in plant shade but not on trail. Trail continued climbing as were the increasing frequency of snow patches now that were on the tread.

Riders had preceded me perhaps just after snow had fallen several days ago so I was not making fresh tracks. I remembered the trail still climbing to a traverse across the face of Kelsey Butte. The tread became snow covered. Made hairpin turn on the face.

Self inflicted mental angst from earlier safety meeting made riding on the snow scary for fear of sliding out fall. I kept my wheels on the ridden in track. I linked small bare ground patches for braking. I never tested my traction limit, I knew trail would loose elevation out of snow, I just had to stay on top of my bike. Back on brown dirt.

I paid attention to ceanothus bushes that their leaves were slightly curled upwards, adjustment to cold and no water to freeze.

Beautiful day. Lower sun, fewer hours of light. I became antsy as the return trail was still a ways away. The intersections were marked with FS signs that I had yet to see. There were no social trails for confusion. The trail kept going away from comfort of van. I could not have missed the return that could have meant more climbing and snow cover. I rode pieces that I remembered so I was still heading  correctly. Whew, hit intersection, now 2 hours of solid pedaling. Return was mostly downhill with the sun at my back. I was on way to home.

23.1 miles climbing 1955′ pedaling for 3 hrs 11 mins. Average heart rate was 127, 1 beat into anaerobic zone. Spent 1 hr 57 mins in 80 to 90 % effort. Temp at van was 61 degrees facing sunshine. Once out of sun temp hit 48 degrees. I encountered just a few riders, non heading in my direction. Riders were climbing up what I was coasting down.

Returned to Bend for propane, pot, and groceries then back to rd 41 spot. Forecast for today is increasing warmth that I will wait for before riding prolly my last Bend ride. Sunshine has melted ground frost, 27 degrees on way to forecasted 56. Tonight’s low is up to 30 degrees.

Cat heater raises humidity to almost 50% which is higher than outside.

Tomorrow is new suspension, Wed is new heater install. Thurs is laundry here then on the road west and south to Moab.

Yesterday the skies were clear blue. The thermometer at mid afternoon start was 40 degrees. past peak solar gain. I wanted to ride. No such thing as cold weather, just bad clothing choices. I bundled up: knickers and knee socks and heavy weight wool jersey and wind jacket. Still long finger summer gloves. Earlier I stopped at The Hub to visit and also buy a better cold weather glove. I did not want to believe that I would need better warmth. My fingers remained toasty albeit could have worn my wool tshirt for core warmth.

I scored preferred spot off rd 41 for start, end, and sleep spot. Spot is right on Catch and Release trail. Short piece to Welcome Center and start of Ticket to Ride. Connect to ELV and all the gnome spectators. Nasty climb at start of KGB needed 1 blow stop. Becoming better acquainted with 46T gear on steeps.

Climbed up to high point at intersection of Voodoo over to Voodoo child intersecting Ticket to Ride south side down to Welcome Center then Catch and Release back to warm van. Temp was 44 degrees.

Been burning the cat-infrared heater since demise of Propex. This heater’s by product is CO2 and water vapor. That vapor condenses on the windshield and humid air wets van contents. I have a device that reports humidity which calculated just 43%, I failed to check outside air to see relativity. Definitely wetter inside but it’s a good warm but not short sleeve comfortable.

Wed is install of 3rd Propex heater. Tech person Todd suggested the controller might be failure cause. I kept the controller from last year’s heater. Short story I attempted to swap controllers only to learn the new does not agree with the old as the plugs won’t mate. New heater install will now need the included new harness  to heater and controller installed. Work to be performed this Wed. The cat heater uses no battery power unlike the Propex which needs power to run the blower. Short day light and cloudy reduces the solar charge but so far never enough to drain the camper batteries.

I stepped up for shocks and struts replacement this Tues. Anticipation of better performing suspension.

This morning PT Dave checked out my knee. He said that the hematoma has been absorbed, swelling is caused by irritated MCL which is causing current knee discomfort.

La Pine is colder than Bend, Bend’s low tonight is 19, La Pine is 10. Staying up here tonight for less cold. Today and Sat are forecast high of 40 degrees. Cloudy now, will hang in warmth while looking at overcast.

Fitness level prior to injury? Yesterday’s ride was 1 day short of 3 weeks riding after 6 week recovery layoff. I had been avoiding painful heart pounding rides because, well, they are not pleasant. Yesterday I swung my stiff leg over the top tube and pedaled away on a demanding ride up Tumalo Ridge trail to descend S Fork. Well, while I pedaled everything there were blow breaks on the steep part of the Ridge.

33 mins later I arrived at the start of the old haul road climbing up to Swede Shelter. I let Garmin compute my time, I knew from effort that more minutes longer passed than previous rides. My time was 2 mins slower but felt longer as I teetered wigglin my handle bar to remain in balance. I was worked for effort. Plenty of time to plan rest of ride as my brain processes thoughts faster than O2 / CO2 exchange. Initial route was to ride Swede ridge to Swampy then descend S Fork and finish on Tumalo creek. Other choice to descend was to take Sector 16 to Upper Whoops down to start of Skyliner, a mix of down and short ups, back to van. Both of these trails had been closed during the summer for forest management and would offer longer single track pleasure than speeding down Tumalo creek. I chose this route albeit not excitement of S Fork.

The trail was ridden in back when handlebars were shorter and wheels were 26″. Wear indicates wide bars and 29″ wheels. There was about an inch clearance for my bar width.

My breathing is lagging muscles leaving me gasping. Still met challenge learning I can still body wise ride this challenge, it’s that my body wages conflict with brain planning. 13 miles climbing 1476′ pedaling for 2 hrs, average heart rate was 121. Earlier this summer on same ride with faster riders pedal time was  1 hr 48 mins.

Will cardio level return?

From Sunday’s ride:

Yesterday I returned to my place because weather forecast called for precip today, snow, to hole up for better weather tomorrow. About 6AM I raised my head to look the length of my van out the windshield. I saw snow. Daylight revealed white covering but little depth. Forecast temp would melt it off. I needed water and propane today meaning the 6mile drive to La Pine. Roads were wet but not slippery. Made the town. I buy propane from gas station that has a water spigot for must be public use as I have watched numerous rigs fill jugs but not buy fuel. One attendant, perhaps owner, and I have conversed about Alabama where his son is attending school. Nice connection, Back to property and melted out, just wet land.

So, my new heater will be installed next Wed. I will leave here then the next day heading to Moab. Better weather in Bend tomorrow for return and more riding what is snow free.

Next Tues new shocks and struts will be installed on my van to improve ride.