Run-In With Three Amigos

While out on a solo-ride (well it started out being solo) I ran into two amigos (John & Al) who I hadn't seen in over a year on Fort Lewis trails. They were indoctrinating a new amigo, Doug from the Puyallup area.  Doug just retired and has lots of new free time to go ride now so be sure to say "hi" should you see him.

 

I got to ride with the amigos for half of "Race Track" before I doubled back and they took off for other duties.  One of them had even managed to volunteer hosting 100+ Rotarians at his home and acreage (i.e., ranch), left his wife at home preparing for the event, and was able to finagle getting a ride in!  I've got to get his recipe for finessing that!

Sometimes I enjoy the solitude of a solo ride yet by far enjoy the camaraderie and fun engagement with other riders so this ride was a treat.  Another highlight of the past two weeks was a text-message starting off with one rider, who then invited another and they invited others -- ending up with five (5) highly charged guys all pushing the fun-factor on the trails.  The ride included a very painful wrong turn downhill peppered with 4'-5' thistles and stinging nettles.  All you could hear coming down the hill were shouts of pain, much yelling, and I thought perhaps a few expletives aimed at the trail lead.  I must say I left that ride and had warm and fuzzy feeling for the rest of the day and evening on the legs and arms after that!  What a memory!

By the way, Race Track is becoming far "racier," now that the ferns and grass on the sides of the trail are beginning to wither and die out.  This amazing trail goes through a few notable seasonal changes throughout the year and near August and September is a time I always look forward to.

Helpful hint:  If you have spare jingle bells or a cow bell, put it on your bike.  The equestrians who help punch in much single-track will love you for it.  "Adopt a bell and they'll love you for it!"

Getting Bend Dialed In

Three months into living in Bend proper (after 8 months in Sunriver) I feel like I am getting my "local" trails dialed in.  We landed in NW Bend, a stone's throw from Shevlin Park.  What does this mean?  Well, Mrazek is out my front door - great for a steady climb and fast down-hill out-and-back ride of however long I want to make it.  Two weeks ago I made a bucket list ride - up Mrazek, down Farewell, Skyliners into the Phil's network and back home for a monster 5 hour, 35 mile ride.

I've recently figured out the route from the house over to Phil's - about three miles of single amd double track to get there.  And now have three good loop rides I've dubbed "Local 1, 2, & 3" which run around 16, 18, and 20 miles respectively.  Rode Local 3 tonight which includes VooDoo that has nice technical rock sections.  These are now my go-to after work rides.

Am also starting to get introduced to the real "local" trails outside of the famous Phil's network.  Proud to have joined the Central Oregon Trail Association (COTA) and joined a work crew last weekend building "Tyler's Traverse" which I plan to ride this weekend.

Great ride this last Sunday up Sector 16 and down South Fork with my new riding partner Tony.  The South Fork descent was fast and furious, leaving me with two of four chain ring bolts gone and the other two like Leon Spinks' front teeth after a couple of rounds with George Foreman - loose.

So happy to be riding here in Central Oregon and missing my Olympia riding partner John.

Happy to host a "local" ride for anyone keyed into this blog who visits Bend - give a ring to 360-870-5053.  Jeff.

New Riders and New Bikes to the Area . . .

Greetings to new riders in the area and their owners' new bikes!
Welcome Tonda:

Greetings to Kevin:

And a warm greeting to Todd and his new ride:

Thank you for your support of the area! 

Today was Mud, Mud, Mud, and Mud in Yer' Eye

Took a day away from riding at Ft. Lewis single track and decided to go up the Kennedy Creek area (off Highway 101) approx, 13 miles.

It was a mistake as they re-bladed the nice double-track dirt road and it's now peppered with sharp 3-5" rocks surrounded by nice thick soup of  . . . mud. I can't complain too much though since it did get me outside!

For a map of the route I did, go here: http://mtnbikersblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/solo-at-kennedy-creek-double-track.html 

Eatonville - Great Services for the Outdoors, Coffee & Baked Goodies

Eatonville Outdoor & Cottage Bakery = Great Services!

My spouse and I have recently been seeking out hiking and biking trails in the Eatonville area.  In process of seeking out a “resident expert,” we were consistently referred to the Eatonville Outdoor store www.eatonvilleoutdoor.com  and owner, Len Throop.  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eatonville-Outdoor/257035973299?fref=ts    Len has profound knowledge and is well-known for their local bike sales and service support.  He also knows where to go ride the best (unpublished) single and double-track areas, including the Pack Forest area that has hiking, biking, and horse trails (note: bikes can use the horse trails).  If you have other outdoor interests though such as fishing and seek the most promising fish holes in the area, then Eatonville Outdoor is definitely THE place to stop for the latest and most successful bait and lures that work. 

We’re Impressed!

Eatonville has a great ambiance and accommodations that make a trip there well worthwhile.  Be sure to check out Len’s store and a great bakery you will not want to miss;

Cottage Bakery and Café (212 N Washington Ave).  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cottage-Bakery-Cafe/306580729385393    We experienced  awesome fresh coffee, nice full-bodied espresso, and fresh baked goods, salads and sandwiches! What a find!

Did You Know?

Eatonville has miles and miles of double-track and logging roads that lead to promising fishing areas?  In fact, there is a very significant tributary where the Mashall River meets the Nisqually River.  In some cases, one may have to earn your way there (bike or walk) but it looks most promising for a very rewarding day! Thanks Len for the bike services, and for the fishing recommendations.  (Also appreciated your store having ammo on hand.)  

And, thanks to the Cottage Bakery and Café for providing a great send-off back to Olympia because you more than made for a great day!

All the best to you,

Mtn Bike Man

New Riders To The Area!

It’s not often that while riding Ft Lewis’s single track that one runs across new riders to the treasured areas.  When that happens -- to me – it is an event worth celebrating and sharing.  The single-track trails are remote and spread out enough that a special camaraderie naturally exists when meeting others.   (This includes our equestrian friends who have helped punch through new trails and assisted in maintaining existing ones – specifically, Laura and the Back Country Horseman of Washington Chapter. Many thanks!)

Terry

So, be prepared to offer up a warm welcome and best greetings to your fellow comrades at the next turn in the trail to: 

ü      Terry (pictured) and Amy (sorry, no picture yet).  About Terry & Amy: I ran into them about three weeks ago when they were walking their dogs on "Race Track."  Terry was excited enough about the trail that we met up and rode some of the trail network a week later.  Amy, an avid runner, has run the trails there a couple of times out and back for a 13 mile exercise jaunt while Terry rode it out ahead.

Jeff

ü      Jeff (pictured).  About Jeff: Terry liked the area so much that he brought Jeff, a good friend of his out for a ride. Jeff seems thrilled enough that he’s mentioned bringing his kids out to ride the area.  (There’s certainly enough diversity in the network of trails that you can find something that surpasses everyone’s desires!)

Brian

Yesterday provided another random yet totally complete surprise.  I was heading back to my truck (about 3 miles away) from a half-day invested in riding out and clearing trees and fallen limbs across some wonderful weaving single-track (an area across area 22’s Race Track).  The trail I was riding crosses an old overgrown road and as I was coming out from the trail to cross, I looked out to my right and was surprised another rider!  

ü  It was Brian (pictured). About Brian: he had ridden out to this point from off the gas pipeline road and Rainier Rd area where he lives and figured that instead of heading out to Capital Peak area for a ride -- that there just had to be some type of trails in the vicinity.  Spot on Brian!  We chatted a bit and it ends up he’s well connected with other racer-dudes both roadies and single-trackers so hopefully we’ll see even more camaraderie and support in the future. There’s an offer out to Brian to introduce the trail areas of “Race Track” next Sunday so check back in soon!

Greetings all and make yourselves welcome!

Unusual Recent Finds While Riding

The last two weekends riding Ft Lewis's single track has yielded some unusual finds.  The first find was running across a number of mammoth concrete weights used by Chinook helicopters to practice maneuverings.  They were located in the middle of a meadow and area that had been closed off for about 6 months. 

The second find was today about 3-4 miles from the nearest road.  I was riding roughed-in single track, turned a corner, and there were two five-dollar bills.  Took a picture (who would believe this?), got on the bike and rode another 20', looked down and saw a twenty- dollar bill!  (Probably horse back riders lost it.) It was a profitable ride today and it paid for a Venti Americano on the way home.