Wed morn the odor of forest fire smoke greeted my nose when I opened the side door at wake up. Hmm, check of air quality is necessary. Slow internet speed accessed an air quality site. Harmful. Where is fire? World is at your finger tips if you have internet reception, stronger signal is always better. Map showed localized to Bend area. I checked nearby Sisters air learning all was green. Destination: Peterson Ridge trails outside Sisters.

A full on trailhead facility is what I drove onto. New to me. Before maybe 3 cars at TH, rest along residential street. Public. Peterson ridge system is 2 mostly parallel trails with numerous ladder rungs connecting. All previous rides were west up east down which I would duplicate. A local rider finished his ride next to me. We met thru a 3rd party. He concurred with route. Sisters is a little drier than Bend, the forest cover was Ppine and tall junipers. Mostly open. Trail climbs mostly to last connection to east down. Stopped at a vista point to view the Three Sisters from, what, the NE? Slow internet won’t load a pic. Anyway, the view of S sisters is snow on top, see a snow finger coming towards you, see a gap, that’s the bergschrund, then smooth snow down. I skied that line on telemark skis and leather boots back in maybe 1997.

 

Separate horse trail went is same direction. Last rung was descend point, trail down was less exciting than climb, however there were several rock gardens to stay upright over. Arrived at van unscathed. Changed clothes then drove back to Bend.

Oh, source of smoke came from a current 3,000+ acre fire just outside La Pine on the other side of US 97, Video showed fire started from a campsite. Rapidly blew up, Thurs high winds drove it into the forest. I am well aware of potential fire at my house site.

The wound care provider called to schedule my appointment. Score for Thurs at 8AM. PA examined leg, remarked weak pulse and cold indicating an artery issue. Now another ultrasound session focused on artery.

Next was dentist appointment. Teeth cleaned and examined. No further expense.

Laundry at the Bend location.

Temp outside was 30 degrees at 6 AM. I started the heater during the night. Sun warmth needs time, I started today’s rdie about 10, themp was 61, comfortable, but slightly chilly for short sleeve jersey. Solar gain favored the short sleeves.

8:47PM, side door open invite for several mosquitoes, temp is 68.

 

 

Pretty much all day Sat, where I spent in isolation on my land, I put energy to challenging myself on the Mrazek ride. Sun I slipped out from under the covers to start my day. Sunday is always scratch blue berry pancakes. No indulgence of second cup of coffee. I needed to be on my way to Phil’s TH outside of Bend. It’s like 33 miles away. I leave my driveway onto pumice dust road for short distance then pavement, speed limit 45 on county and 65 on US 97, 2 lanes with several 4 lane sections. Easy drive. First traffic stop is a light at S edge of town. Then residential street driving. SO, I seemed to be carrying a mental load of forthcoming ride. Was my heart not into it or was I protecting myself from failure? My pedal up Ben’s to decision turn was laggard, no spirit bubbling up. Mrazek will wait another weekend as recreaters are then allowed inside timber harvest area. Ambition to believe I can do the ride meeting with acceptance of not finding out about myself. Doubt remains.

I continued up Bens, which is one way uphill direction, to its end. Riding thru selective machine logged forest. Dusty tread. Rode single track EXT which parallels red FS road to turn downhill on Phils down to start of Kent’s trail down to start. Most of the miles of trails are so much fun to ride both up and down in preferred directions. Wiggles and waggles. Some sections have a telemark downhill race feel skiing gates: compression, upweight, edge change, compression.

Today my Revel Rain is starting its fourth year. No punches pulled on the inanimate object for a rest day.

589 rides covering 7657 miles climbing 679,069′. Original bearings and wheels, front brake, fork, seat dropper, handlebar. I first rode the fork almost 5 years ago, it now has 1005 rides and 13,708 miles. Sunrace cassette and Absolute Black chain ring have 331 rides covering 4069 miles. Numerous chains and tires. Been well ridden and maintained.

Riding here during the week day means trails almost all to myself.

Another day of not being scheduled for ulcer treatment. Tomorrow a rest day with a PT session on existing condition on left leg.

 

I remember my grandmother saying that.

Do Tell,

Tonight I’m back down N of La Pine on an acre of land I have legal ownership of. Spent the day resting while avoiding 101 degree temp as displayed by van thermometer. 75 degrees at this time of 7:30PM under shade of Ppine and lodgepole trees. Dry on volcanic ash stirs to clouds at slightest contact. The land here is same, dust, my land is covered by pine needles, nothing organic to hold moisture. Will have no grass to mow. Better internet speed here.

Last Sat I gave volunteer labor to the COTA cause helping paint the bulletin boards at Wanoga TH. That day was very blustery and chilly between snow showers. I stayed at Swampy for several nights which dropped low temp enough to enjoy the heater. Sun morn I checked propane level, dial said better fill me up pretty quick. At refill down in town was 5,4 gal, .2 gal left.

Been staying at Swampy and rd 41 to ride from either location. Rd41 is down low at 3932′ sort of at bottom of Phil’s trails. I join Catch and Release from sleep spot to either traverse on low trail or climb from traverse. I rode C&R to Afternoon Delight out and back, 16.7 miles climbing 1284′ traversing. I’ve ridden Storm King both ways, descending is more fun. Swampy elevation is 5825′. One ride was up Ridge to Flagline Tie at 6200. Several snow patches on ascent were beside the trail. Next was the Tie, at first snow free then exposure became more N and snow patches became the tread. Snow patches are solid winter snow pack which needs many more days to melt out. I wheeled my bike over, some places maybe 30″ deep. Made junction with Lower Flagline to descend to Swampy on snow free but very dusty trail. So few bikes had ridden this piece yet it was already dust dry dirt.

I prefer riding at Swampy as trails are more rugged and fewer riders. Several rides have taken me thru the turn where I fvell last year. The turn is just a bucket of pumice, I avoided the belly of the turn and carried enough speed for front wheel control.

A pay for seat public transit bus started running on Tuesday. $5 buys 1 way ride from town all the way to Bachelor with stops along the way. Yesterday I slipped a fiver down the money slot at the FS Welcome center and dropped off at Swampy. I was the only rider. This year the bus pulls a bike trailer for maybe 20 bikes. Last year maybe 7 bikes. This ride, to me, is my favorite. Rode by above. Downhill challenge starts at South Fork dropping down to Tumalo creek trail that bottoms out at Skyliner for start of earn your turns climbing up same. Short climb at start of Phils then more descending on Storm King to Grand Slam to join Ticket to Ride finish. FS has been burning vegetation, here I rode thru recent burn

No organic dirt, duff is just pine needles. easy digging of fire line. Back in 1970, 54 years ago, I dug fire line on the wet side of the Cascades where the organic was deep and rooty. We dug line with one foot in the fire, flames burned to shorten my pants hemline.

Ride was 18.9 miles climbing 974′ while descending 2691′, I pedaled for 2hrs 15 mins. I was spent. I will ride this again. South Fork is a sporty descent, riders do ride up climbing like 300’/mile meaning it’s not that steep. I let gravity pull me downward letting bike suspension suck up terrain changes and Formula Cura brakes to reduce my speed. On Tumalo creek I hit 25 mph.

Specter Suspension services suspension units now co located in The Hub Cyclery shop. He overhauled my Fox fork damper, its first.

Received sad news that my long time friend from Spokane, Randy, suffered a massive heart attack during a ride.

My left leg, the one with the glued closed varicose vein has a venous stasis ulcer that is causing frequent / infrequent pain. A vein person finally told me this condition was not in their care. A wound care specialist is needed. I googled to find several prospective care givers. Learned I needed a referral to get in. I visited an urgent care office and was given referral. Now waiting for that office to process me before an appointment is scheduled. It hurts randomly.

Tuesday Import Performances gave my van a going over. They identified worn front end parts to replacement tune of $5,000.  Explains the clunks and shudders. Replacement   is July 1. Passing condition of rest of van which now has 307721 miles and almost 18 years old. House needs a new porch.

Rediscovered Bonta, a local gelato maker. Salted dark chocolate. Break for same. I make a pint last for 4 servings, that’s 1 per day.

Tomorrow back to Bend. I have visions of last ride test up Mrazek ridge, it’s a big ride. Monday bike will be 3 years old.

Time to put this to print and sharing.