Air quality reflects the smell.

I am sitting in parking lot of PT clinic writing this because of strong internet signal. Now to pull musings from my memory.

What has made impressions since last posting?

Last Sat I parked at spot off rd 41 where Catch and Release trail goes by with mtn bike racers putting pedal to the medal. I sat on my chair in the sun soaking skin color change. When a racer passed I cheered them on by ringing my cow bell. Audience participation.

Last week I surrendered my fork for overhaul on Tues, I picked it attached to my bike on Sat. I made most of days off to rest, no couch to veg on. At last data summation the fork accumulated 1193 rides covering 15,710 miles since installation back 7/19/19. Just numbers. Recently an article in Single Tracks reported manufactures moving away from 650b wheel size. Fork is still performing at that date of technology.

I have been staying up at Swampy snow park at 5791″ which makes it cooler than rd  41 at 4043′. Early evening empties the day recreaters.

I wrote about down sizing my oval chain ring to 28T which makes pedaling easier albeit slower but I am enjoying pedaling up more.

Riding is riding on local trails and condition. Bend’s dirt is volcanic ash and pumice and dry. I don’t ride behind other rider or plural so I have no idea of the dust I stir up.

Speaking of dirt. My property down at La Pine is same stuff. The dirt is not compacted, walking on it sinks in. The land is topped off with ponderosa pine needles and cones. Apparently growing conditions there prevent vegetable gardens even with raised beds. I will only disturb the land for house construction. What I end up with is space, distance between other houses. I contacted an architect to create a plan for my future house. We are meeting next week. I found a local company that build with ICF, insulated concrete forms which I would like the house built out of.

Yesterday while riding trail SST I saw several more trees that had been cut flush to the ground which eliminated those tight spots.

No pics taken to share. Just deep tree cover albeit not a heavy as deciduous forests. Remaining snow on Tumalo face is just cornices.

Summer temps are in 80s and 90s. But it’s a dry heat. I am amazed at how much water I need to drink to lighten up my pee. I drink well water at the closed USFS Welcome Center. I grew up on well water and at my house in Spokane.

I have 3 referrals for PT, both shoulders and my right knee, 2X/ week till end of month. My body is responding as it can overcoming previous damages.

Several days ago the house mouse took the almond butter bait after days of taking the walnut piece w/o snapping the spring. I discarded it on the ground outside my van with purpose  to observe process of returning it back to the earth. So far ants gave an initial feed. Ground squirrels passed it up when it was fresh.

So much for recounting.

Seems humans have strong desire  for speed. Running only goes so fast. Build a bicycle makes for going faster. Put a motor on it and speed increases.

Who changed a trail feature? Upon occasion a conversation with a local rails about altering or dumbing down a feature that they like. Last one said that it’s the visitors that who make the change. He didn’t want to blame locals. I find it hard to accept that a visitor on a short visit would invest time and effort to alter the trail and would instead walk it. First ride for me of SST this season I saw a tight handlebar banging tight spot that was missing one of the bangers, what remained was a stump cut clear to the ground. When both trees were standing clearance was maybe 1/2″ each bar end that I could clear with concentration. I posted a pic of the feature previously. Someone packed a chain saw a long distance in to remove one tree. Us or them? Dunno who packed the saw in and out. Tree is gone now. Only bar end scrapes on remaining tree.

Been hanging up at Swampy to escape the high temps down low with trade off of small population of mosquitoes. I rode around Swampy which was clear of snow. Another ride I rode Ridge up to Flagline Tie which was melted out. The traverse  on Tie had many patches of melting out snow that required walking over. Lower Flag down to Swampy was snow free. Trails here are mostly on volcanic ash and pumice which is dusty because. Not scary loose. Base is firm.

There’s more of it behind the trees. This face is very visible way to the east. I telemarked it several runs over 2 days on deep powder in a white out. Best powder skiing ever, face shots over my head. But that was years ago. Still brings back the tale I tell myself.

Swampy snowpark sits at 5791′. Tree cover is different and non man managed. Road 41 close to Bend sits at 4043′ with Ponderosa pine cover and view of only tree trunks.

On Tuesday a short lived strong thunder storm moved in and out treating to rain, noise and light resulting in almost 40 degree temp drop. In the morning I rode up here at Swampy then drove down to town for physical therapy treatment of my left shoulder. I made Wed a rest day for a morning crown install. I missed riding the temporarily dampened trails. On Monday my right knee was examined, report is no damage to be repaired,  body part added to existing PT. Body parts wearing out.

Tomorrow is the 4th. Staying up here away from crowds. Bend is a tourist draw to float the river etc. Experiencing heavier traffic this year.

On June 24 my Revel Rail turned 4 years old. It was ridden 769 rides covering 9,956 miles. I am working on its 5th year.

Just numbers.

On June 25th I rode my South Fork of Tumalo creek loop, 19.4 miles climbing 968′ and descending 2595′ pedaling for 2 hrs 8 mins. That’s on the above bike. I paid $5 to a transit company to ride their bus up to Swampy to the start.

Et cetera.

Three wash days at Washable laundromat in town.

Three PT sessions working on my wearing out left shoulder.

Down sizing chain ring from 30T to 28T and now able to climb easier with fewer blow stops.

My brain maybe making promises that the body might keep. Do I want to run risk of failure?  I like riding S Fork which is a hand full of a ride. I had apprehension of ability to complete it. I did it. Performance instills confidence.

Riding down low here to high point at start of Storm King is in open Ponderosa Pine forest. Swampy is just under 6,000′ in different forest, no P pine. Smells different also. Shadows flicker on trail creating or erasing shadows, how to prepare for what wheels will be going over?

Anyway.

I see many badger dug holes near trails. I read they dig searching for prey. I stuck a stick down 1 hole, its length was up to my rib cage. Why they chose proximity to humans is unknown.

Might run out of propane tonight or breakfast, I failed to check the gauge before heading out of town. Bonta makes very enjoyable gelato, local maker.

Susan called her fitness watch “Boss”, I placed mine in my clothes drawer. Just numbers.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind.

Kitchen clean up and gelato to eat.

Good night.