I've been getting out on some rides but not doing a good job getting pictures posted. Last Saturday I snuck out with a few guys early in the morning. We jumped on some singletrack for the commute to the two-track forest roads we'd planned to patrol. Incidentally, one guy's wife was in the process of having a baby.... more on that later.
Got up to my spot to start exploring and found old overgrown roads to the top over a very cool ridge above the Tumalo Falls area. This was the end of the line.
[ame="http://vimeo.com/43327999"]Little Butte by Tumalo Falls[/ame]
[ame="http://vimeo.com/43328000"]From The Top[/ame]
Unfortunately the mountains were totally socked in or this would be an amazing view. My old buddy James.
Yours truly. Really liked the trail on the way up, with Manzanita trying to grab you the whole way.
Equally nice heading back down... eventually needed to be on top of that ridge in front of us.
[ame="http://vimeo.com/43327998"]Heading Back Down[/ame]
Cruising along quickly in a tight group of four, we came around a corner and started going uphill quickly... and up... and up, until we all started flailing. I tell ya, after living in Texas for a dozen years, hill climbing is not my strong point.
Save that one for next time and new tires I think.
Remember the guy's who's wife was in labor? Well her water had broken and labor wasn't really coming but still... couldn't believe he was on the ride (you're a crazy dude Jeff!)
And then he got a rear flat... no 18" tube, no tools, no air. I donated everything and we also discovered that his wheel bearings were shot in the process.
I'm considering making some half-serious requirements for my rides. Don't be late. Wear appropriate gear. Wait for the guy behind you (duh!). And carry tools and tubes.
Once we got him going he took off for home (healthy baby girl, 9 lbs 13 oz!) and we kept going up, eventually hooking up with another buddy. We hit this spot only this pic is from the week before, more snow, more drama
Anyway, back on course, we blasted up NF 370, one of the most fun roads I've even been on, and quickly ran into snow of our own.
Also ran into a husband and wife, he on a 500 EXC and her on a DRZ or WR I believe. She'd just finished mutt-parking her bike in a mud hole coming off of a snow bank. I asked about his 500 EXC and he had less than 100 miles on it. It was replacing his 2011 530 EXC.
Paul trying to make it to the end of the line. In the 2nd bit of drama that day, the buddy we'd hooked up with turned around and went home without saying much. I didn't realize it until he was long gone, because it was slow going and we were navigating snow fields. Turns out he may have been in shock after punji-sticking himself on a 3/8" diameter sharpened stick that went through his boot and into the arch of his foot.
Turned out to be a pretty serious wound.
The End of the Line - still .7 miles from where we wanted to be.
As we were sitting here discussing our good fortune a runner comes up to us out of the woods (and deep snow). He was from the valley and training for the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. Needless to say he was lost as all get out. His wife had dropped him off for a ~ 10 - 12 mile trail run back to town and he'd went the *wrong way* on the trail.
Time was getting on so we headed back to town. Like I said, most fun road ever once we got out of the snow. I've never wanted a Go Pro except on that road... perfect dirt + huge water bars + 60 mph = huge fun.
Got back down into the trees and caught forest roads back home. Thankfully no idiots running their pickups like they were racing the Baja 1000 this time.
James took a foliage sample. That bugger is headed to Mt. Hood for the Black Dog Dual Sport tomorrow and I'm dying with envy.
Good day! Gotta remember how to post Vimeo vids and I'll get 'em in there.