Sunday morning I rolled into eastern edge of Bend on US 20 to intersection of US97 which seems like a precip demarcation as to east, which I drove in from, is dry: sage, juniper, with well irrigation fields where dirt and stolen water will support agriculture. On the west side enough moisture falls to support Ponderosa pine forest. albeit soil is volcanic. I bought an acre N of La Pine on the wet side of US97. Raw land except for timber harvest many years ago, trees standing today were not desirable then but present time are enjoyed standing. 4264′ elevation.

I planned my day to ride later after several stops on way out to trails west of town. Groceries at Newport Market to share greetings with familiar staff and them of me. Friendly. Project Bike shop had the replacement visor for my helmet. Then to USFS Welcome Center where trails go forth.

Enough vehicles to overflow painted parking spots said many people encounters to be made. Temp at 2PM was light top fabric. Very warm. First ride here this year and in the spring. Right off the trail was dust dry. As was the rest of 20 miles. I made a big loop to learn of my body’s performance, this was a big loop for me. Climbed 1834′ pedaling for 2hr 37 min. Data point is last July ride, same route. I exceeded previous  numbers of heart rate today 121 vs 124, less time in 80 to 90 percent effort zone, burned 860 cals vs 1193 ( per EDGE). Although I was  1 min slower. My perception of exertion was greater than what lower number reported. I better last year’s ride while being a year older. I believe I ride with the same focus which is pedal for exercise, pretty much eyes looking ahead.

Monday was vein DR appointment in afternoon which established my arrival in Bend. First visit with TJ at The Hub Cyclery, he who gave life to my present revel Rail. Vein clinic heard my story. They ultra sounded my leg which revealed the gluing has happened. Blood is returning on the alternate route, No further repair needed. I still pain and an ulcer on lower leg. I believe I was told that in time both will go away. Phew. Tylenol at bed time.

Afterwards I started S on 97 to my property. US 97 is major N-S artery, leaving Bend I head south against long traffic back up going, rather stopping, north. Smooth distances going my way. That was about 4PM. Data point.

Arrived at dirt 2 track entering my fenced 1 acre from the public dirt road. First business was to check on ragweed population. Over the years I have pulled plants in front and across the road. Those efforts made for an almost weed free patch, I pulled just few.

COTA responsible trails extend to almost Sunriver which is between here and Bend. Afternoon Delight TH is off rd 41 which is gravel. Google maps reported 1.3 miles of gravel that I deemed acceptable to drive on. I turned on said road as maps called the remaining distance which was 4 miles. Road surface was washboard bumpy that the inside and outside of my van don’t like. Tremors caused by bumps. Information gathered: this won’t happen. I turned around then drove to Bend Welcome Center for ride start.

Trails here are primo as no horses, no cows, and no motorized traffic except scofflaws riding M-bikes. M-bike because it is powered by a motor that receives electricity from a battery. However, little tread surface justifying full suspension as seen by numerous gravel bike riders. Up higher the trails are rougher and several are bike park like descents. As written, trails are dusty. Pockets of dead dry sand, how firm is that berm?

Yesterday, Wed, was to be another test, this one the 2nd most monster ride for me: South Fork loop. Arrived at Skyliner TH about 9 which was beyond packed. Many recreaters to be encountered. I parked at empty lodge lot. Ride climbed Tumalo Ridge to junction with SST. These trails are higher up. A vista opened:

The double track on Tumalo is a fitness test. Today, this being another test, I worked beyond comfort zone. The 1.83 miles climbing 394′ took me 20 mins, same as last year that was slower than 18 min 30 sec 2 years prior.

Ride SST to Swampy on west side. On Swampy snow melt ran the trail out near junction with Flagline.  Short pedal to the top of S. Fork, 3.17 miles dropping 935′. Tree cover broken conifers creating shadows on beaten track. 18 mins long. My Rail met the challenge, I was properly biked.  Turn down creek on Tumalo Creek trail to finish. I just hit 22.3 mph on the smooth stretch, record is 26.

Wed dropped my bike off for fork overhaul. Trevor, sole proprietor and wrench, will open the main guts of the fork for the first time of its long life. I have no indication of loss of performance as if any it has been gradual. I have exceeded manufacture’s recommended service interval. He will have it all day Thurs. Headed to La Pine for night, today, and tonight. Thurs is laundry day. The La Pine laundromat is now owned by same owners of Bend location. First rate establishment and people.

House site is outside trees drip lines hence little shade. I believe I saw 83 temp yesterday. This morning it was 34.  At bed time the driver’s window was down and covered by netting. I crawled under normal summer weight down blanket. At some time the temp dropped enough for chill to set in. Slither out to roll window up, slither back under, then switch on heater. 6 AM alarm went off.

Backing up to prebend arrival.

Last Thursday after laundry in Hailey I drove to Chocolate Gulch TH staging for tomorrow’s last on to ride list of the Trade Route as named by Steve. The weather showed rain signs but forecast said nay. Several sprinkle showers fell with sucker holes. I watched rigs pull in then riders pedal away. I figured the heavy tree cover would keep them dry. A gathering of women geared up under the sprinkles, headed out. Rain had stopped prior to their return. I hoped that the trails received wet for my ride tomorrow. Skies cleared overnight. I pedaled out noticing dust, trees got first take of water.  Mountain town trail as Saddle headed up. Tree cover is dense Doug Fir, like wet side Cascades. Higher elevation. My breathing became gasping, air went in and out but legs needed more. I made the route high point and reconsidered rest of route.

Contrast scenery between the 2 above pics. This is a benefit of being where I want to be when I want to be, views change frequently.

Ride would descend below lessening its grade to return intersection. I did not have in my body the stuffing needed for the full ride. I turned around. 6.51 miles climbing 1155′. Steve would have lead me but he was recovering from a bedriding bug. I was on my own. I wonder if he were along if I would have continued. My body overrode my brain’s desire to continue. Back at the van I changed clothes. My breathing was like gasping. Blood O2 saturation was 97% meaning air exchange working. Figured my breathing muscles were fatigued.

Afterwards Friday I drove south, downriver thru Ketchum, Hailey, and Bellevue to Steve’s house. His recovery was along enough for visiting. He recently returned from a fishing trip to NW Arkansas. A tornado preceded his arrival, he viewed the destruction just days after. A mountain bike festival was underway in Bentonville that was destroyed. Trees were toppled blocking trails, mass quantity. Said fishing was great, he came down with the bug returning home. Spent the night. Sat morn I said goodbye and headed west to today’s goal of sleep spot west of Juntura where I have previously stayed. 5 hour drive. Drive highway US 20 through eastern and central Oregon to junction with US 97 in Bend.  Arrived at spot. 2 anchor spots, the first right off pavement in full sun, second was up remanent double track to a shade tree. Last spring I selected this spot. During that night a violent t-storm moved thru dumping wash running landslides over the highway back from where I had come. The dirt on the tread going up was loose before that rain. The next morning rain had saturated the dirt track making the exit a slither letting inertia and resistance steer. Why this is told: Today the weather forecast did not call for rain but the clouds seemed to think otherwise. Today I chose this spot. As I drove up the tread slipped, it was not as firm as my feet felt during my scouting . I wanted the spot for the shade so I believed the forecast. Nature happened as rain fell overnight. I slept through the night giving no impression on amount. Concern again was traction to drive back to pavement. Action time, van started, let off brake, shifted into drive then pointed out. The amount of rain made the dirt slippery again that the tires picked up slipping away from firm dirt. I used same inertia and hard points to make pavement. Picked up dirt started falling off. Driving west I saw standing water off the pavement meaning much rain fell.

Arrived in Bend, numerous days have since passed to where I am now. Tomorrow back to Bend to pick up my bike, drive up to Swampy for a ride and night then Sat a COTA trail love work day.

Today has been a rest day sitting in my van on my property with 2 bar speed and lots of unoccupied time. Enough. Over.

 

 

 

Mountains: they go up against gravity. Gravity pulls down. What goes down has to be climbed first. For the most part riding here is either up (work) or later down (smiles).

I have been staying outside Hailey up Democrat gulch at entrance to Lambs gulch. I have ridden Croy trails 2X from this spot, first was loop of Lambs Gulch over to Two Dog, second eliminated Lambs.

Trails are rideable climbing, however, A Real man is his own motor has been losing power for years with this visit meaning walking more. I can push bike but not so much pedaling. I heard from an endurance racer at Fruita tell of hard heart effort can damage the heart suggesting lower heart rate which I suppose I have taken to heart (literally) as I baCK OFF FROM NEEDED HARD PUSH TO MAKE THE GRADE ( no sig of caps, didn’t chose to correct). Rides here exceed 100’/mile. What went up somewhere turns down for coasting which drops my heart rate. My rides are of shorter distance and time, however the shortness takes perceived many minutes to pass.

Yesterday I rode Cow Creek loop, one of Steve’s favorites. From  Greenhorn Gulch TH the trail climbs up the namesake creek on a short piece of newly reconstructed machine built trail which provides vista point to riparian area reconstruct by beavers.

Trail then climbs up Mahoney creek with mix of tree cover of aspen and Doug fir, no Ponderosa here. Then sort of climbing and traversing over to descend not in the creek itself.

Just big open country. Excellent day to be outside. My stopping more frequently for blows and walking more allows me to savor the scenery. These trails are legacy condition. Descent of Cow creek and others are legitimate single track as sage brush and tall thick grasses constrain widening. Brush cover hides trail side pedal grabbers which frighten me for fear of hitting a foot.  This ride is the 3rd year in a row almost to same day, albeit without Steve who is recovering from some nasty bug. All by myself. 7.71 miles climbing 1152′ pedal time of 1 hr 12 mins, enough for me.

Down at TH the FS district trails person was there after completing evaluation of Imperial Gulch reroute which will make trail sustainable. Previously I heard a local rider say the FS was hanging at a non motorized trail system to cite M-bike riders, local guy said LEO saw no motorized bikes. Today, this FS guy concurred that FS will be after scofflaws. He also said the FS has hired a non leo person to hike the trails as a steward that having no authority to write citations, they will tell the rider they must turn around.  Here in the valley there are many miles of trails open to motorized and others heart propelled. If M-bikes are permitted on a trail that is the law. I prefer to ride on only heart propelled trails.

Cleaned clothes are back in the van. I wore 1 shirt and pants all week long. Fresh undershorts every day as are my bike short liners. Dryer costs 25 cents for 3 mins but washer is $3,50. Revenue comes at the wet end.

 

 

 

Sat I rode from where I stayed the night before as I would this night.

Ride climbed up gentle grade single track Lamb’s gulch. Back in 2013  the Beaver Creek  forest fire  burned every plant completely leaving black dirt. Steve and I ride thru here I don’t remember how many years after the fire, I do remember the complete black and no sign of green regrowth. The sage was burnt to ground. Curious if burn was hot enough to kill under the ground. Steve and I rode this trail years later and saw green . Last year we rode it again and saw more green. This year on my ride to me the regrowth was stupendous, among new plants was sage. What remains as history to burn are several snags. Down low the flowering plants were past bloom noticeably the arrowhead balsamroot.

Plants respond to conditions. As I gained elevation, even in the same gulch, the balsamroot was still in bloom.  The salsify is a weed that nothing eats yet it consumes resources native plants need. The above area was completely burned. Lupine regrowth and amazing quantity of salsify plants as I saw elsewhere further along on ride.

Trail climbs out of gulch continuing as above to top out for a descent of an unnamed gulch, reward for earlier climb. Trail use short piece of road. I pedaled within prolly 16 inches from rattlesnake that was traveling in same direction. I heard a rattle sound then stopped several feet past. I looked back to see the snake

Passed the snake I turned onto social trail which connected to Two Dog trail to climb out. Years ago on a ride with Steve a rattlesnake rolled onto the trail from above that I stopped to allow it to move out of the way. Not same snake. I wonder if snakes survived the fire. I have been told there is a hibernaculum in the area, which is populated when temps drop, fire was in summer time. Trail topped out for descent ending at uphill climb out then dropped for last descent. Road ride back to van. 9.78 miles climbing 1152′, pedaling for 1 hr 22 mins.

Lack of disciplined breathing continues to adversely affect performance. I stop frequently for blows.

I drove back to town for social evening of dinner at KBs then out to Bullion basin spot.

Sunday I chose Greenhorn Imperial gulches ride. Sunday morning for a very popular place. Sure enough parking was plugged even rigs parking on horse trailer space, albeit no horses. At the start of Greenhorn a new machine built section of trail to reroute out of creek had just been completed. It joined original trail which turns up the gulch climbing. I stopped for many blows. Just last fall I rode all of it except for 1 steep climb.

At start of Imperial more climbing and traversing to top of gulch rewarded by a fast downhill.

Good things don’t last as cost of fun was a climb out of gulch then descent down to Beaverhead. On this last downhill I incorrectly matched body position and front wheel traction on a slight bend over unsettled dirt. Front wheel washed out sending me crashing to ground on my left side. Just a sliding stop. My bike was entwined with my legs. No body parts sending alarm signals, just places I hit the dirt. My lower leg was weeping blood, outpouring ran down into my sock. I spit hydration water over the wound for me to assess need for first aid. Just a flesh wound. I put off treatment as my van and more extensive bandaging was a short descent away. The trail at the bottom crossed the creek where previous bridge had been washed away making crossing a wet feet. I splashed clear creek water over the wound which opened the clotting. Blood continued to flow as I pedaled to van. At van I scrubbed the wound to see what appeared to be ground in dirt. I used a finger brush to debride. The a Neosporin covered large band aid was applied which contained the bleeding. Other scrapes bled enough to clot and not require bandaging. I resupplied my bandaging material at grocery store.

Back out to Democrat gulch for night and into today and for the night. Forecast wanted rain last night and today. I have made today a rest day. It’s 1:35 PM at 5518′ 55 degrees with heater running when controller sends signal.

My left leg is not happy either because of vein gluing procedure or same did not cure existing condition, I experience bouts of short lived intense pain, intermittent throughout day or not at all. Today I called a clinic in Bend that performs same treatment asking to be seen. Next Monday at 1PM appointment. I plan on enjoying Wood River environs till Sat morn when I will head to Bend.

Friend Steve lives here, Belleview. This visit he is fighting a massive cold of some kind such that he might not be well enough to even visit before I leave. He called me this morning, my phone said it was his number but his voice was not recognizable.

Blue sky patches are appearing, yet possible rain clouds remain. Sucker hole for a walk?

Enough for now.

Over.