Non Recreational Campers are populating public lands. Where I stay around in forest W of Bend I do not see these campers but E of toen has the problem. Today I am in Oakridge, OR where I learned the term and these campers are   problem from littering to flat out abandoning their possessions. Specifically for me is trail head at bottom of Dead Mtn just outside of town where I stayed until last evening’s drive by where hard to tell completely abandoned or just ramshackle, either way I traveled further up Salmon creek hoping for an open site in nmae sake campground. Too late: Full.

Yesterday evening I rolled into Oakridge. I drove up old main street passed the liquor distillery that was shut down. I picked this weekend in hopes of enjoying a low key local live music, a food truck, and drinks made from their spirits. Change: you only know it if you have seen it before. Continued up the street to brew pub renamed under new ownership, Three Legged Crane, only show in old town. Change.

Very hot sleep last night. I set up my small house electric powered fan and aimed from my feet to my head. I finally opened side door risking potential uninvited person. Chilled off as I slept to turn off fan. Sleeping short distance from white water Salmon Creek. Today Drove back to town, visited at Mercantile catching up.

Then drove to Greenwaters Park for start of Larrison Rock ride which is on N facing mountain right above town. Ride consists of steep pavement climb to top then steep single track back down. 5.76 miles taking 1 hr 12 mins climbing 1670′. Sheesh, this wasn’t my first rodeo. Part way up I entered the sports car hill climb race course, my timing allowed me to be on road between race heats. It was a hump, I even became friends with my 46T. I even switch backed on the 2 lane road. Then the goods, reward for the hump.

View the tree cover: dense. Trail drops steeply on steep hill side bench cut tread that shows signs of heavy use: Brake bumps and blown out corners. MBO was last weekend which put many riders going down. Trails are dry and dusty, not what should be on the wet side of the Cascades. 3.08 miles dropped 1998′ taking me 20 mins. Need powerful working brakes. Finished, ate lunch then short walk to shore on Salt Creek for rinse off. Creek much too cold for my comfort so I just swabbed myself down with the cold water. Visited with a woman mtn bike racer from Bozeman. Now sitting in hot van at the park creating this.

Backing up in spurts to last posting.

Yesterday I scored a seat on the transit bus from Welcome Center to Swampy lake for $5. One passenger which mtn bike on 5 bike capacity rack and joined by Mark whom I know. He was going to pedal ride but the $5 ride changed his mind. I debussed at Swampy, the other rider needed to remove my bike from the rack as I have no strength in my right arm. My ride climbed to add more descent to my downhill. I pedaled up Ridge to Dutchman Swampy to Flagline Tie which dropped down to Swampy loop continuing around the lake to SST down to Swede shelter. I ride SST to catch S Fork going the other way, trail is longer than Swede but this is the preferred shuttle descent. Sector 16 connects with Upper Whoops which is like a bike park single track. End at junction with Storm King and others. I descended Storm King to Grand Slam dropping don to Ticket to Ride back to Welcome center. 22.4 miles climbing 1388′ and descending 3038′ pedaling for 2 hrs 40 mins. Almost all by myself on an excellent weather weekend day. Then drove to Oakridge.

My heart condition continues to concern me. Thurs night I felt heart pounding that I thought was sign of heart failure, enough so that I checked into local ER. Data taken from me, blood draw, EKG, chest X-Ray, and diagnosis from ER DR. Per his exam all parts are in working order, saw nothing to limit my activities: Use it until it breaks. This DR spent time and shared medical info. Relieved so I rode my bike afterwards on short loop from Sleep spot off rd 41.

Wed I rode with Andrew, Ryan, and Jay. I met them first 2 years ago on the Umpqua trail then other rides. I have 20 years on them. We climbed Tumalo ridge to Swede shelter, today I was 1 min faster on road climb. Down Sector 16 continuing on Upper Whoops to its end. Descent was same as 2 days in the future, Returned on Skyliner. Andrew prepared dinner for us at Jay’s house. Visited, enjoyed Andrew’s creation, then dusk drive back to  rd 41.

COTA Executive Director Emmy treated me to lunch on Tuesday.

On Wed Import Performance in Bend performed van check up. results are some to be fixed suspension and brake issues in future before I leave area. Van is solid is report. Now if I can accept favorable van health instead of worrying failure.

Hot here, the 4th forecast high is 90 degrees.

I researched rides out on the coast finding Cave Mtn right on the ocean west of Eugene that I will check out on Wed. return over Santiam Pass stopping to ride O’lollie / Oleary. Haven’t decided to earn my turns or suck up shuttle. Alpine shuttle here is $37 to save pedaling up 1910 rd. It’s just $ and unburned calories.

Time to score sleep spot for the night.

Bend trails are fun to ride that extract effort. However, the joy of carving wiggles and waggles on a trail out weigh the climbs, I suppose because of my familiarity with the trails I know which way to ride a loop or simply not ride that trail.

Sat I drove up to Swampy TH for the night and staged for Sunday’s ride. I had been watching trail report for Flagline Tie that comments have provided current info. Days ago condition was snow and downed trees. Sat condition reported was rideable. I set out Sunday morn to learn first pedal what snow I might have to carry my bike over. Note: my bike weighs 30 pounds, ebike weights are dropping but still in upper 40 pound range. My right shoulder is permanently damaged leaving me with little lifting strength so I was able to lift. I have no desire for an ebike that I might not be able to lift. I prefer to ride where ebikes are still considered motorized and land managers, USFS and BLM so not allow on non motorized trails. That was an aside. I climbed Ridge that became Swampy Dutchman climbing some more to junction with Flagline Tie. No snow here. I figured snow might be closer to junction with Flagline as the trail was N facing and under heavier tree cover. And so it was: maybe 6 snow patches that had a bike track over it. I did not lift my bike. I hit Lower Flagline that had been reported riding well. Good to let off the brakes and get after it. Trails up here are don’t get the rider traffic and are less manicured. Enjoy Rail’s suspension. Down to Swampy Loop to Swede to its end at Swede shelter, returned on SST to Swampy then climbed Swampy tie to Ridge for descent back to van. Finished on downhill which angle is shallow enough to climb. Carving bends. SO much fun.

However, Swampy Tie piece is .7 miles long climbing 207′, that’s 295’/ mile. Took nine minutes, heart rate was average 128. I pedaled some in granny 46T 30T chain ring. I forced myself past settling as After the top I would be smiling. 13.5 miles climbing 1496′ pedaling for 1 hr 55 mins. Shared trails with fewer than 15 riders.

At Swampy occasionally I saw a transit bus with bike racks attached. I saw a sign post in the parking lot, I walked over and read it. It is a shuttle stop for the town to Bachelor public transit. I learned the shuttle runs from downtown to Bachelor with several stops. $5 one way. Wheels started turning for taking the shuttle today. $5 is affordable. I planned today to mee the shuttle at the welcome center hoping for scoring 1 of the 6 bike carrier spots. I arrived over an hour early and put my bike at the bus stop sign. 10:18 is scheduled stop time per their info. 10:18 passed, more minutes passed. More than being late. I called customer service and waited maybe 20 mins on hold till my caller number 3 order was answered. Short story, learned the shuttle does not run on Mon and Tues but their notice did not show that. grumble. I made today a rest day on Ticket to Ride which is a greener. 5.88 miles climbing 522′ pedaling for 45 mins. For a greener that’s almost 100’/mile climb.

Several rides ago I started hearing a clunk. I traced the sound to the derailleur clutch that was previously solved back at Moab. Before I started I performed the fix of squirting Boeshield on the swing spot. T he clutch has a break away bind when the chain is stretched which it should not. The lube was a short term fix that ran its course. I drove to Crow’s Feet mountain collective bike shop on west side and demonstrated the problem. Shop had a bike on the floor that had the same derailleur, no break away hitch. It’s the hydraulic clutch in the derailleur. Shop has new derailleur now being installed. I’m parked on the street in front of the shop waiting for completion. It’s just money. Shop said they will submit for warranty.

No pics. Tree cover and terrain block views.

Yesterday evening I walked up Ridge trail a ways. I am a hiker that bikes are to yield to in addition to yield to uphill traffic. I know to keep my eyes peeled for downhill traffic. Pays to pay attention as I saw a rider speeding towards me. I stepped off the trail as he frantically mostly rear braked stopping before he would have hit me. No harm. I saw him earlier today. I engaged him in conversation learning that he works for the USFS as a silva culturist. He rides a fully rigid bike with cable pulled disc brakes and wide tires.

Long time ago I drove a ’71 air cooled VW van, get the picture of one that you might have followed up a hill. I had seen a sticker on someone’s rig that read ” Go Around, I’m Retired.” I thought adding that sticker to that VW model and drive being retired would be humorous and fitting. I’m retired and drive a more powerful Sprinter but I still drive slower than speeders.

And so the oncoming darkness gets longer until Dec. So much to look forward to. Summer solstice is in the books. Daily change at first and at end is very slight, greater difference is in belly of change: not a straight line. SAD coming on.

Okay, moving on.

Today marks the start of the third year for my Revel Rail. Total rides is 416 rides covering 5612 miles per my spread sheet over 2 years.  On today’s ride I mentally went over components identifying either move over from RFX or new to the build. Not many. These have not been serviced. Bottom bracket and cranks ( Praxxis). headset, handle bar, front brake (Formula), Original suspension bearings. I9 front wheel. As a package it continues to perform and please me.

On Tuesday I rode S Fork Tumalo creek from Skyliner up Tumalo Ridge single track then becoming beat up road to Swede Shelter. Took SST to Swampy loop CCW to S Fork trail then let it rip. Trail is ridden hard, too many riders rear brake dragging causing brake bumps going into the turns. The suspension sucks up the bumps. Trail is in virgin forest, dense conifer trees. One of my favorite trails, it’s a real earn your turns loop. Deep brake bumps at T intersection of Tumalo Creek to home. There is a piece of trail with open sight line and sustainable grade for no braking for max speed. Darn, still 24 mph.

14.2 miles climbing 1732′, 2 hr 5 min pedal. I was 2 mins slower on the road climb. Measure whatever and live with results. If not measured no objective evaluation,

Drove back to town for supplies, water, and propane. Nights had been cold enough to run the furnace. Parked out at spot off rd 41. Ride today was down low and not so much climbing on Catch and Release to Afternoon Delight to Roundabout loop reconnecting with Afternoon Delight for return. Last 2 trails are recent addition. For an “easy” ride it was 20.5 miles climbing 1558′ in 2 hrs 39 mins. Handbuilt purpose trails favoring bikes. Lots of carving turns on rolled firm dirt.

Thursday I drove into town to do laundry at west side laundromat. I met the new owner several years ago just after he bought it. Today his wife was in. She told me they just bought the one in La Pine and are working on buying the one in Sisters. Rest of day was resting my body but mentally taxing after listening to permit process for my house. There are time fences for work completion such that when I start I need to keep the pedal to the metal. Early July I will consult with a contractor to learn if my $ will cover construction.

Friday I rode from anchor over to Phils TH. I wanted to see what FS had done to camp spots around there. First was spot where I stayed for years but last 2 years campers squatted there. FS was serious in addition to chewing up the ground they placed several large dead trees blocking access. Open area still open. Pedaled around parking lot reading license plates: almost all Oregon plates. Fuels reduction logging , felller / buncher machines, is going which has closed some trails. I studied Trailforks and Bend trails to pick open trails. The FS had stapled their trail map dated 5/11 that showed closed what my sources showed open. I picked my data and headed thru thinned patches. 16.7 miles climbing 1296′ in 2 hrs 6 mins, Average speed was 7.98 mph.

Recent rides my heart rate has been lower than on last year’s rides so far. My limiter is my breathing, my engine is aging. Measure.

Today was another ride from breakfast. I checked map sources for trail closures which only apply Mon to Fri. Ride went from here on Catch and Release to Storm King climbing to hub intersection of Storm King, Funner, and Tiddlywinks. Climb a short piece of Tiddly against downhill traffic of which there was none today. Turn left at start of Larsen’s to Tyler’s Traverse for downhill to Catch and release to van. Tyler’s is a popular cross country downhill, I joined it midway. From my joining the trail was deep forest with bermed turns and hardly brake bumped. The trail crosses an access road into previously fuels reduced and a full on screamer bermed downhill. Horribly brake bumped from riders only riding this piece. Not my enjoyment. Turned onto Catch and release for pedal back. 15.1 miles, climbing 1332′ in 1 hr 56 mins. Average speed was 7.78, last year it was 7.77, this year my heart rate was lower for same result.

Back into town. Visited with TJ and The Hub to celebrate the bike’s birthday as he built it up. Water from a stand alone spigot at a county park on west side. Groceries from Newport Market on west side. Coffee beans across the street. Cross the river into downtown to visit Dudley’s bookstore for a new book. Then back out to empty spot off rd 41.

Mosquitoes are numerous  noticeably inside my van as I have not covered the open door. I keep the door open until a chill sets in then close it shutting in a population of biters. I kill what I can before turning off the reading light and pulling the covers almost completely over my head. I swat at ones that I hear and accept feeding the next generation from the remainder. In the morning I kill blood gorged females. My back is very popular feeding spot, biting thru my shirt

I encounter very few riders during my rides. Few riders in  spite of number of rigs at THs.

I searched for carpet cleaner service to clean my small piece of carpet. Amazing, ones I contacted charged min charge of $150. No way. I will apply that amount to a new piece of carpet should enough of this month’s allowance remain.

Chilly 59 degrees at 8:23 PM, 3932′. Shut the door trapping tonight’s blood suckers. Sundown is 9:04.

Sativa vs Indica. My experience is Sativa allows me to be mobile yet buzzed like the indica would but without the in the couch buzz. Indica would not have allowed me to write this. Earlier I switched to Indica which is affecting my effort here.

Local Don found me up at Skyliner on Tuesday, He is permitted chainsaw operator per the FS. He and several of his friends have been responsible for cutting out the trails. I have been riding trails he has cut out: big trees and lots of cutting. Wed he cleared 102 trees off N Nork trail. He said FS doesn’t participate in clearing. All volunteers.

Finishing up No Country for Old Men.

Dinner dishes won’t do themselves. I have never left the mess overnight. More indica.

Tomorrow up to Swampy.

Slow internet means no pics.