Finally got a chance to leave SoCal and making my usual stops.... Rode 20+ on the mtb the yesterday afternoon after I got to Bend... Today I worked till noon and then decided to ride Millican. I thought the sand would be not so bad but was pretty bad. I am better in sand and more confidence keeping the power on, but wasn't into all sand so did a few laps of the pit and then out the powerline road till it decended and turned around. Good to get some riding in. Been riding the MTS most of the time so good to get the dirt bikes out on the trails. Tomorrow I'll be in Mosier/Columbia Gorge for a few days.
Excellent stuff-getting fit and dirt biking, don't forget the well earned beer afterwards. Keep us in the loop on your trip if you will.
Yes, 9% IPA at the Deschutes Brewery did the trick. Glad I was walking back to my motel. In the gorge now and may be on the river for some downwind paddling. The Columbia is fuller than I have seen in 30 years. Dual sport ride going on today around mt hood. I may do my own on the Washington side between willard and trout lake, before heading to Seattle.
Fantastic, always wanted to ride in the NW. Did a little in San Diago in the 70's when I lived there for a year. But the scenery in the NW just has so much on offer.
whoops.... Johnrg I forgot to text you. Friday, when I got to Portland, my kid got me drunk and convinced me to ride the Tillamook State Forest instead of the Black Dog/Mt Hood DS ride. And it was killer stuff; we had a great time. (but I hope you didn't try hooking up with us at the event). swing by on your return trip.
A couple of friends did do the Black Dog but said they mapped a lot of road out to The Dalles so they hooked up with some Dalles locals and took the back roads. Sounded like would not have been so good on the 310s and wearing down the treads. The Gifford Pinchot was empty and was all by myself. I'm sure you guys had a better time in Tillamook. Up in Seattle now taking advantage of the sun till Thursday. Will be in touch on the way south if I time it right.
The last few days I've been in Seattle paddling on Lake Washington and surfing freighter waves off Ballard. Yesterday in Bend was snowing and the Cascade Lakes Highway is closed past Elk Lake and snowed in for hiking too, so did 7 miles from Swampy Lakes to Vista Butte in the snow. Luckily it was packed but snowstorm blocked the views of Bachelor and the Sisters. Today I wanted to get a loop in at China Hat so did a wide loop with a stop at the fire tower, but was closed, so continued on. I think it was 30, 36, 32, 80,70 for 51 miles in the pouring rain with 38 degree temps. Excellent conditions. The 310 just runs. Year 5 and 4k dirt miles. The sign says Vista, so I stopped... Otherwise rode straight through. I realized 20 miles in I forgot my pack, water, food, tools and Delorme se :-)
Was anxious to get home so drove straight through Bend to SB in 15 hours flat with a few stops and heavy traffic in San Jose. Strange summer weather this year. Snow flying on the mountains when I left Bend and rain/clouds and wind all the way home.
