Fitness level prior to injury? Yesterday’s ride was 1 day short of 3 weeks riding after 6 week recovery layoff. I had been avoiding painful heart pounding rides because, well, they are not pleasant. Yesterday I swung my stiff leg over the top tube and pedaled away on a demanding ride up Tumalo Ridge trail to descend S Fork. Well, while I pedaled everything there were blow breaks on the steep part of the Ridge.

33 mins later I arrived at the start of the old haul road climbing up to Swede Shelter. I let Garmin compute my time, I knew from effort that more minutes longer passed than previous rides. My time was 2 mins slower but felt longer as I teetered wigglin my handle bar to remain in balance. I was worked for effort. Plenty of time to plan rest of ride as my brain processes thoughts faster than O2 / CO2 exchange. Initial route was to ride Swede ridge to Swampy then descend S Fork and finish on Tumalo creek. Other choice to descend was to take Sector 16 to Upper Whoops down to start of Skyliner, a mix of down and short ups, back to van. Both of these trails had been closed during the summer for forest management and would offer longer single track pleasure than speeding down Tumalo creek. I chose this route albeit not excitement of S Fork.

The trail was ridden in back when handlebars were shorter and wheels were 26″. Wear indicates wide bars and 29″ wheels. There was about an inch clearance for my bar width.

My breathing is lagging muscles leaving me gasping. Still met challenge learning I can still body wise ride this challenge, it’s that my body wages conflict with brain planning. 13 miles climbing 1476′ pedaling for 2 hrs, average heart rate was 121. Earlier this summer on same ride with faster riders pedal time was  1 hr 48 mins.

Will cardio level return?

From Sunday’s ride:

Yesterday I returned to my place because weather forecast called for precip today, snow, to hole up for better weather tomorrow. About 6AM I raised my head to look the length of my van out the windshield. I saw snow. Daylight revealed white covering but little depth. Forecast temp would melt it off. I needed water and propane today meaning the 6mile drive to La Pine. Roads were wet but not slippery. Made the town. I buy propane from gas station that has a water spigot for must be public use as I have watched numerous rigs fill jugs but not buy fuel. One attendant, perhaps owner, and I have conversed about Alabama where his son is attending school. Nice connection, Back to property and melted out, just wet land.

So, my new heater will be installed next Wed. I will leave here then the next day heading to Moab. Better weather in Bend tomorrow for return and more riding what is snow free.

Next Tues new shocks and struts will be installed on my van to improve ride.

Last night while snuggled under my summer weight down blanket the heater failed, not even flashing leds. No current to make even the blower energize. Chilly out of bed crawl to stand by cat heater which lit. After the sun provided light I opened the passenger door to access the heater fuse that was intact, no blown fuse cause. I texted the shop where I bought the heater, my tech contact. I drove back to Bend to Fit garage who installed the replacement and for possible removal. Made appointment for next week. Left voice mail with tech support. Slithered underneath van and chased the wire which appeared to be intact. Still not even blower power. I left the blower control open and somewhere on my drive the blower turned on. Van way too hot for thermostat to command ignition. Appears to have current, heater did light but switched off as van was still too warm. Sitting here in Bend with door open cooling van.

No word from ortho here. Thought came to me to check for a repair opening in ST George, UT in Dec, better to recover out of snow there than here. Scored 1st step appointment for 12/10, PA exams then determine surgery and learn when it will occur. Soon I will be leaving Bend heading south, prolly straight to Moab.

Friday the septic install company returned my contact. Learned that they are able to do all the dirt work as in septic, foundation, and electric. He said he will send me names of contractors he can recommend.

Playing weather forecast which had been calling for precip to plan ride days. Yesterday was to be wet so after Saturday’s ride I drove back to La Pine to hole up in the rain which didn’t fall until mid afternoon. I needed water from spigot in La Pine. Sunshine. I Drove off on a tourist looky loo drive. I saw on the GS map that a butte, Pistol, on the other side of the Deschutes River. The summit once was home to a fire lookout per Kresik’s book. Good enough for a hike. I drove several miles of stutter bumped all weather gravel road turning onto a less developed rd to where it started up the butte. While I was deciding to hike the forecasted squall dropped heavy downpour. I waited out the rain, sunshine. I did wear my rain parka just in case. The “road” was running runoff. Steep. I hiked and hiked forever gaining elevation. I finally arrived at site of former lookout. My land was raven fly maybe less than 10 miles away. Hike was 1.1 mile climbing 709′ took 26 mins walking which seemed to be less than I thought effort would have been.  Drove back to property for the night.

On Sat I rode from rd 41 to do the same route I did on Sunday. remarkable: just 1 minute difference on a 2 hr 47 min ride. This ride generated 36 hour recovery versus 67 hours. Better conditioning. Still a big ride.

Snow forecasted later this week but won’t last.

I figured on riding this afternoon but bailed. Concern is being caught by lack of day light. Prolly stay here tonight for ride tomorrow.

Life goes on. After all, it’s just money.

Caught between lifestyle of Mountain Biking the States and taking steps to have my house built. I can put up with shoulder pain to be able to ride such that I can continue traveling. And put off building.

Calendar supports. Me, upright and unscathed. Light is lower angle which creates shadows. Dirt is damp and firm, snow melt soaked in. Nary another person to share trails with.

Tues morn I drove into La Pine for fuel and water at same location. Visited the newly remodeled Deschutes County Library to print an advance directive. Printed it, it requires 2 witnesses to state I am able to ,make health decisions. Line appears to be just for a signature. Hmm? Drove up to Swampy thru Sunriver and up towards Bachelor, once out of town land is FS, pleasant drive. Still 30 miles and 40 mins drive.

Riding at Swampy at roughly 6,000′, will be feeling effects of winter soon, I chose to ride up here as I can before snow drives me lower. Arrived at empty TH parking. Geared up. Chain brush on chain to knock off the luggies, wipe down the shock, dropper post, and fork legs, check the tire air pressure usually requiring adding air. Digital pressure gauge. Knickers became too warm.

Ride was up haul road Swampy east as I sought to ride a trail only once. Got the job done as I warmed up. Took catch over to W Swampy continuing around lake

Took Swede Ridge to its end then returned on SST. Dirt is amazing in its transition from blown pumice to brown grains sticking together firm tread. 9.21 miles climbing 909, pedaling for 1 hr  21 mins. Algo rhythm read 33 hr recovery. Conditioning reflected in recovery hours.

Spent the night at Swampy. Sunrise is like 7:28

Sunset 6:14.

Fall temperature is ground giving up heat to chilly air. More enjoyable than spring when ground sucks the heat. Fall is slower, summer vacations over, stuck putting in time till next time off.

I park my van with the rear facing the sun. Again that is where the heat controller is which senses correct warmth but the front is not benefiting from that solar gain. It is what it is. I dallied waiting warmth from the sun before pedaling away. Around 10 I pedaled away, starting with climb on Ridge. Rode over many newly constructed drains built by COTA volunteers last weekend. Continued up to junction with Flag Tie, today just brown firm dirt. Down to lower Flag down to Swampy. Lower angle sun creates shadows that my vision can not see thru. For the most part when I keep my wheels in the tread there are few challenges.

Swampy around to the catch up to Ridge. This piece before fall took 9 mins, punishing climb for me. Earlier this year I walked this trail right after that heavy rain storm I experienced and watched down pour. I observed in places the hillside above the trail slid. Today I checked out several of those spots seeing little sign of slide.

Today I broke my ride into rest stops.

Camera allows light over the darkness.

9.26 miles climbing 984′, took 1 hr 22 mins. Recovery is just 26 hours.

Drove back to town for groceries and a new book. Happy Camper bread is now at Newport in time for breakfast tomorrow, today I ate the last. Drove back to La Pine. Fall is so pretty. Air is clear.

Rest day tomorrow, laundry at La Pine. Maybe library to read Bend paper.

Still no return call from surgery center for my date. Not at peace. My shoulder supports riding but typing this doesn’t allow lifting my forearm, not so much hurt as not moving correctly.