Yesterday the skies were clear blue. The thermometer at mid afternoon start was 40 degrees. past peak solar gain. I wanted to ride. No such thing as cold weather, just bad clothing choices. I bundled up: knickers and knee socks and heavy weight wool jersey and wind jacket. Still long finger summer gloves. Earlier I stopped at The Hub to visit and also buy a better cold weather glove. I did not want to believe that I would need better warmth. My fingers remained toasty albeit could have worn my wool tshirt for core warmth.

I scored preferred spot off rd 41 for start, end, and sleep spot. Spot is right on Catch and Release trail. Short piece to Welcome Center and start of Ticket to Ride. Connect to ELV and all the gnome spectators. Nasty climb at start of KGB needed 1 blow stop. Becoming better acquainted with 46T gear on steeps.

Climbed up to high point at intersection of Voodoo over to Voodoo child intersecting Ticket to Ride south side down to Welcome Center then Catch and Release back to warm van. Temp was 44 degrees.

Been burning the cat-infrared heater since demise of Propex. This heater’s by product is CO2 and water vapor. That vapor condenses on the windshield and humid air wets van contents. I have a device that reports humidity which calculated just 43%, I failed to check outside air to see relativity. Definitely wetter inside but it’s a good warm but not short sleeve comfortable.

Wed is install of 3rd Propex heater. Tech person Todd suggested the controller might be failure cause. I kept the controller from last year’s heater. Short story I attempted to swap controllers only to learn the new does not agree with the old as the plugs won’t mate. New heater install will now need the included new harness  to heater and controller installed. Work to be performed this Wed. The cat heater uses no battery power unlike the Propex which needs power to run the blower. Short day light and cloudy reduces the solar charge but so far never enough to drain the camper batteries.

I stepped up for shocks and struts replacement this Tues. Anticipation of better performing suspension.

This morning PT Dave checked out my knee. He said that the hematoma has been absorbed, swelling is caused by irritated MCL which is causing current knee discomfort.

La Pine is colder than Bend, Bend’s low tonight is 19, La Pine is 10. Staying up here tonight for less cold. Today and Sat are forecast high of 40 degrees. Cloudy now, will hang in warmth while looking at overcast.

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.