I can be where I want to be when I want to which means making decisions. Where do I want to be? Am I attracted or fleeing? As written earlier hot sets the comfort level. Only reasonable escape at Bend was go higher to Swampy. An Oakridge visit vision flitted around in my thinking. I checked the weather forecast for a visit. Oakridge temp finally dropped lower than Bend for past several days into near future. Cog Wild sent newsletter I read thru. I saw their Adventure Ride out of Oakridge for Middle Fork of Willamette River starting up at Tipanogas Lake down river. This is the remaining piece of entire river trail for me to ride. It’s a linear shuttle, not down and up and the road is stutter gravel which keeps me away.  Thurs I stopped at Cog Wild in Bend, visited with Lev, the owner. I asked about a spot, the staff checked the on line sign up, I would be the first. They decided not to run the shuttle. There still remained a desired visit.

I spent Thurs night on my land (possessive). Dry. Ground cover is just pumice. Comfortable enough for just a door window open, I did mosquito net cover. Fri AM the woman next door neighbor stopped by on her motorized unclassified category bike for a visit. Friendly and nice. Previous conversation was just after I bought the land.  Catch people in neutral places is key. Shared space.

I said I’m off to Oakridge for my break away. I chose the less traveled roads avoiding main drag of US 97. East side of Cascades is higher than Oakridge, 4,000′ to 1200′ meaning long descent. Tree cover on east was lodgepole, once at pass trees became water needers of Doug fir and cedar. Dense and tall.

I have been having adjustment problems with the effects of age on my performance. Oakridge provides an examination. Oakridge sits in river valley, everything is tilted. Rides up are on logging roads for single track descents. I parked at Greenwaters park outside of town to ride Larison Rock loop which is above town. Climb is on pavement with tree canopy provided many patches of shade. I did the same ride last year and other past years, so I know what the ride demands. Steep. I even used my lowest gear, 46T, for relief. 1 hr 23 mins pedaling climbing 1857′. I did stop for several short blows and to walk my sore butt. Today i was slower and higher heart rate average than last year. But I passed this test. The rest was downhill. However, this trail is hot looped by shuttle riders. The trail shows being beaten making it more challenging to ride. I modulated my brakes keeping my speed in control. I ride Formula Cura brakes, a 2 pot on the front and a 4 pot on rear. More powerful rear brake can easily lock up rear wheel which looses its traction and skids and not slowing down. Front brake is the power to be used judiciously. At several spots I wanted more front brake slowing down that wasn’t happening leading me to believe the pads were toast. I need my front brake. It still worked for controlled descent to finish. I checked the pads at the van seeing plenty of meat remaining. Solution would be to buy the 4 pot brake.  But I don’t ride these trails elsewhere so i won’t. 3.57 miles dropping 1998′ taking 25 mins. Entire ride was 9.78 miles climbing 2087′ pedaling for 1 hr 49 mins, average beats per minute was 122.  Entire ride elevation gained per mile ridden was 213′. 89 degrees at finish in shade. Monster. Few of my Bend rides make 100′ / mile. I was well beaten afterwards.

Oakridge is on the wet side of the Cascades, wet because rain laden clouds dump their contents to crest the divide. Lots of water supports mass amounts of greens both in density, and in height for trees. No view sheds. Darkness. 23% humidity now versus 9% in Bend. Poison oak .

poison oak patch trail side.

SO I now know I can drive my body.

I visited the Merchantile seeing same faces which meant no turnover. I planned on dinner at former Brewers’ Union, now 3 legged crane. Becky was working, I called her name, she called mine. We have known each other for years here. Last year I drew a blank on her name. Since then I moved her name to frequently used name list which served me well last night. She customized an entree to meet my preferences. I sat at the bar where I converse with people. Tonight it was a guy 20 years younger than me working for Boeing on a nasa project. We had shared experience.  I hung around for awhile hoping to spark another conversation to no avail. I left.

I drove up Larison rock paved road to camp spot where I have stayed in the past. Driving up went much faster and no sweat. Warm enough for open side door covered with netting. PA told me Benadryl is a sleep aid for my ulcer. I took one before sliding into bed. I stayed there to 8:30, The longest I have ever stayed in bed. I was groggy as told I might be.

Today I rested to satisfy the 22 hours recovery from yesterday per the Garmin. I touristed a bit. This year there are no homeless camps on Salmon creek rd. OR 58 is main drag for new town. Many unoccupied buildings, no feeling if more businesses failed, except the bakery.

Riding here is downhill supported by several shuttle companies. Tomorrow I plan on paying for the climb to ride Alpine. Another test opportunity awaits on this ride. Alpine has climbing mixed in with mass downhill. Straight shot down to finish at Red Fir. Decision choice is side loop of Tire and Clover Patch which adds miles and lots of climbing. Will decide at intersection.

Today during my drive I pushed harder on brake pedal which produced a growling sound. WTF? I braked with less pressure which did not produce noise. No warning light lit. Used to be a brake shop in town, used to be. Decision.

I have spent this writing time at the park under shade. Moving to dinner time. Internet signal is location dependent, even out of valley.

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.

Yesterday I gave the van and keys to Import Performance in Bend to remove worn and replace with store bought parts for the front end of van. They kept it overnight to complete work. I picked it up this morning. After settling up and returning the loaner rig’s key i drove away. Immediately I noticed the steering wheel required more muscle effort to turn. Shop replaced ball joints and tie rods and a spring which were well worn. I was aware of somewhat sloppy steering and suspension clunking. New parts tightened up the whole front end. They also inspected the van for whatever which came up healthy report. New front end this year, 2 years ago a new transmission. Van is solid. Diesel is more money that I choose to spend for long distance road tripping.

Shop loaned me a Honda crv with fewer bells and whistles than previous BMW or pickup truck that i couldn’t make transmission work. I had all day yesterday outside of my van to occupy time. I drove down to High Desert Museum for another visit. Very popular place. A FS ranger station building is on site. I walked over to visit and learn whatever. A volunteer worker there, 81 yo, told of story of building. Back in 60s he worked for the FS out of this building on the Toiynbe(?) NF in CA. He was a backcountry ranger and also on fire crews. We shared common experiences and shared experiences.

Last night I did not have my van for living. I could have motel camped for a fee or I could sleep on the ground in the forest. I chose the later. Dinner at posh mexican restaurant lubricated by a signature Margarita to consume daylight. I drove out to where I have been staying in my van, this time I carried my sleeping system out into the forest. Dirt here is pumice which is loose and soft. I selected a spot and pitched my tent.

It’s 1 person tiny. Body flexibility helps moving around inside, I lack. I sat in my Therm-o-rest chair reading into the twilight until feeding mosquitoes drove me inside. I slept OK. 6Am wake up time for teardown and packing up for drive to town seeking restaurant for bfast. Condensation wetted my gear overnight which needed to be dried before I reburied the stuff deep in my van.

Today I am in Redmond to revisit with vein care giver to learn cause of ulcer that he says is not venous. He prescribed low dose oxy for sleeping which mostly blocked out the pain.

On Sunday I rode another big ride of 19.1 miles climbing 1644′ pedaling for 2 hrs 35 mins, average bpm was 115. Trails on ride are below snow. Just fun trails to ride and no crowds, several of the entire trails I rode were devoid of anybody to share with.

I am thinking of an Oakridge visit this weekend. I am around Bend area until fix is in on wound.