Yesterday, July 8, in Bend city proper the temp hit 102 degrees as I drove out and away and up from the city to Swampy Trailhead at 5810’ elevation where it was balmy 91 degrees. Nature goosed the throttle raising the temp to 101 then earth rotation started chilling to 63 at bedtime of 9:42. This morning at 6:37 a chilly 49 degrees awaited me. Able to sleep between bouts of scratching on the wound care wrap around my left calf. Today forecast high is 103, I am staying the night up here.
SO, hot, dry, dusty, and LOOSE. Finally acknowledging the looseness on the tread. Pumice sand lacking moisture to bind the clay molecules to the grains that bike tires move around makes for sand puddles. Pedaling over the bog is a bit unnerving as front and rear wheels have different tracking ideas. Pick a focus point out the way for reference, pedal in a bigger gear, while keeping balance on the XYZ. I have been riding the trails up here at Swampy just after the snow melted out with no rain, I believe that the puddles have become deeper and now more frequent. Sucks energy pedaling on the loose.
I seemed to be adversely affected by this heat. I started pedaling about 9 this morning from Swampy already feeling heat. However, at finish time of 11 temp had only reached 82. Presently at 3:15 it is just 88. Back a bunch of years ago I went into heat stroke as I finished riding a piece of the NUT. I went into convulsions and only saved by 2 campers who heard my cry for help and drug me to the Umpqua River. They lowered me into the chilly water, I went from convulsing to shivering in a short while. Perhaps my cooling system or perception of temp was reset. As people age(me) the body becomes less tolerant of high temps.
I like riding the trails up here out of Swampy as fewer riders venture this far out of town which lessens impact to trails making them a little more rugged. And certainly more backcountry. Today’s ride stayed high climbing Ridge right from start up to Flagline Tie, that is snow free, to Lower Flagline. On Flagline dirt work created soft dirt spots at their drain work. Disturbing dry dirt means unpacked tread. I switch on my clanger bell for notifying my presence. Rode around Swampy to catch up to Ridge. This climb takes about 10 mins. This year I stopped for several blows where last year I pedaled nonstop. Once back on Ridge geography tilts downwards for no pedaling mileage. So much fun, riding is like driving a performing sports car on a twisty road. 9.34 miles climbing 991’ pedaled for 1 hr 19 mins, average heart rate was 113.
Yesterday was another wound care session. The PA-C says that the ulcer is healing. Last Thurs he wrapped chemicals over the ulcer with crinkle tape. He said wrapping might make putting a shoe on too tight. I so wanted to ride the next day. That morning I widened my shoe then slid my foot inside. Squeeze fir enough to ride.
Last Sat morn I rode the bus from Welcome Center up to Swampy for ride start. Highlight was descent of South Fork. Climbed Skyliner, descended piece of Storm King, finished on Ticket to Ride canyon. Hot, 96 degrees. At the van I put the oral thermometer under my tongue, dinger went off, it read 102.3 degrees. Overheated. Outside spigot at the WC provided source of well water cooling. The thermometer is located near the roof of the sun heated van which was prolly that temp. I put the thermometer in the fridge for a short time for chilling. Back under my tongue to read 97.3. I was fine.
I enjoyed 2 separate conversations with Woody and Bruce about our similar ages and how we are connected to current mountain biking. The FS is proposing M-Bikes on trails out of Phil’s TH. None of us are a proponent of opening trails to motorized bikes. We are being aged out as younger and less wisdom people are pulling for legally allowing what is not being enforced. COTA position is to allow them. Seems some of us older riders are adjusting to reduced aerobic performance and place a hex on motorized propulsion. We ride slower, take more blows, and ride shorter distances but propelled by our body.