I felt no unhappy signals sent from my body after yesterday’s ride. So, today I pedaled again from my land. Land is flat. Somewhere over to the west is the Deschutes River. I navigated by Backcountry Navigator on my phone. I wandered with a sense of direction. I found my way to miles climbing a piece of shoreline. Rough single track that had 1 bike track on. Tread stayed on short bluff above river. Made it back. I am affected by a meniscus tear in my right knee which happened inside my van when I twisted on my foot levering knee, small pop. Pain of varying degrees. So I pedaled for 1 hr 7 mins climbing 226′. Heart rate average was 135. Majorly affected by 6 week no elevated heart rate.
That night long time friends Randy and Lisa visited for the night on their wander about. Randy shared salmon he caught on his Alaska annual fishing escape. He rides a Turner Burner, 650b non boost frame. I listed my rear wheel, I9 Hydra hub laced to Ibis carbon rim, on Pink bike which did not sell. I picked the wheel up from Steve’s then gave it to him. It will be ridden I told him he has to ride it b4 snow and report to me.
Thursday morning during wake up I felt a tear in bottom sheet. Wash day anyway. Found that I finally wore out that sheet. Need to return to Bend to purchase new sheet. Bath and Beyond was previous point of sale but store closed. Ended up at Target for single flat twin sheet then drove to Doug’s laundromat in west Bend. Clean clothes I drove back to my spot near La Pine State Park. I so like anchoring here.
Friday back to Bend for presurgery exam. An EKG was taken, heart rate 52 beats.
Also, I intended to ride out on Ticket to Ride from anchor spot off rd 41. Scored the spot, geared up, then pedaled away on short piece of Catch and release to Welcome Center. Started Ticket. many rigs in the parking lot but rode all alone. 7.83 miles climbing 614′ for 1 hr 2 mins. Average bpm was 128, lower than 2 days ago with more climbing.
Spent night at rd 41 spot. Before my lights out numerous cars drove to gate, stopped, then turned around. I saw a motorcycle rider who got to the gate first appeared to turn the correct combination into the lock. Couldn’t make it happen. I suspected all those cars would have been part of a party on the other side of that gate.
Sat I increased the length and difficulty riding from anchor spot out Catch and Release to start of Storm King. Climbed. Passed crowded Green Gate TH, again, all by myself. Down COD to mid point of Ticket to Ride to Welcome Center completing on Catch and Release. 10.4 miles climbing 879′ pedaling for 1 hr 26 mins. Average bpm was 125. Improvement.
Wet wash cloth clean up then drove up to Swampy TH for ride on Sunday. Intent of Sunday’s ride was to continue to test myself and to return to my latest tumble spot. Ride starts with gentle climb up Ridge. My body struggled with the exertion. I got passed by 2 dads leading 2 groms. I stopped for blows. May I recapture what I lost. Stopped at junction of Ridge and Swampy cut over. Visited wit a couple. Guy is 59 and works at the west side Center, branch location of east side where I have been going. He works knees but not shoulders. Finished climb to Flag Tie over to join lower Flagline down to Swampy back.
On Swampy I stopped at my tumble spot to learn what I could from my loss of contact with my bike.
Near as I figured was the tread was deep small grain size pumice that stalled the front wheel per above. Mistake was not commission, it just happened.
Today was 6.8 miles climbing 735′ pedaling for 1hr 2 mins. Average bpm was 124 but stronger.
Back to my vacant land. Today I drove thru Sunriver. Long descending FS road. Beautiful day. Took on propane and sink water at a station in La Pine. Weather forecast is for several days of rain and I did not want an attendant to stand in the rain filling propane. Me standing outside filling the sink tank.
Beautiful fall conditions. Light is flatter which affected reading trails. Some aspen in La Pine. Native tree cover here is green Ppine and lodgepole, little color. Did see this spot on Flag Tie:
My shoulder whimpers while riding, not hurtful enough to prevent future riding. Seems lesser pain than what happens during normal van living. Concern is meniscus tear in right knee. Knee works, no clicking or locking, just burning. Weather will clear on Thurs for next ride.
Tomorrow I will start pestering shoulder repair shop for fix date so I can plan my life. I figure I will stay here waiting for repair. I really like hanging here.
Hematoma is shrinking but it still has a constricting influence when bending. Six weeks out.