Ahhhhhhhhh, but that mt. bike will run on the road just fine. And a both way ride on the logging road is about the same distance as riding out and back from home base.
Let's guesstimate that the ride to Logan Rd. is maybe 4 miles. I really wanted to chart GPS distance on the trail, not on the road. And so we waited until the trail gate to start up the GPS tracking function.
It's HOT today, maybe close to 80F, sunny. Couple horses on Logan Rd, headed to the trail just like me. The riders appreciated that I announced "bicycle" way back behind before passing, and then got on the other side of the road. Some horses are "bomb-proof" (Equestrian term) -- They're fine around cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors. But these same horses can't figure out bicycles, and they get skittish. The deer in my pastures do the same . . .
I was stopped to set up the GPS when these riders caught up to me. The horse, "Honey Lacey" couldn't figure me out. I removed my helmet, dark glasses, stepped away from the bicycle, and then she realized I was a person -- and came over to say hi.
Those roads in the woods don't look like anything on the map and Google Earth! The clear-cuts have grown over and greened. Logging area roads are constantly being added to, new branches.
I got off on the wrong road, had to check the GPS and reconnoiter.
Mt. bike on gravel, a whole new dimension in riding: Gravel on the road is just unstable and large enough that it's difficult to maintain a line at slow speeds or while climbing. Loose gravel is a spill hazard at speed -- accurate line selection is a must, and use of the rear break, with careful application of the front break.
GPS got me back on the correct route -- though it's not like what the map in the GPS shows. Lots of side branches.
Terrain was much flatter than expected. Altitude plotting shows about 997 feet elevation gain. That's total, up down, up down. No real climbing. Gradual grades.
We scared up a Red Tail Hawk -- at close range, sitting on a branch at the side of the road. Pretty spectacular.
This is a lot like riding a logging road in the Oregon Coast Range . . . But then it is a logging road in the Oregon Coast Range. It's not "deep woods" -- but it is the edge of Weyerhauser holdings, and woodlot forever, miles and miles into the Coast Range.
We came upon the waypoints from the previous walking last week ("Youngs River Falls Access," March 30, 2011) sooner than expected. The route is not quite 5 miles, even with the wrong turn.
Steep coming down the hill to Youngs River Falls, gravel road, and every chance to slide and spill. Mt. bike riding has its own set of challenges! Gears on this bike are low enough to get the front wheel off the ground on uphill grades. Uneven gravel roads push the wheels off their line.
There was a Big River employee just closing the gate on the Falls end -- I got to ask about traffic during the week. He says it's not bad if they're not logging the area. They're not actively logging this area right now.
Then, coming up a hill on Youngs River Road I broke my chain! Jeez!
Of course I have a chain tool . . . at home, not with me.
I walked a bit, coasted down the hills. Then realized I can lower my seat (quick adjust feature) to the point I can sit on the bike and stride like the old "walking horse" bicycles -- before chain drive.
Sheriff and a couple cars stopped to see if I was OK. I'm OK with walking this distance -- a testimony to the fitness gains. I had water, couple bananas, and the mt. bike shoes are designed for walking in. Striding the bike is pretty efficient.
Home again, cut through the neighbor's on Youngs River Road -- That cuts off maybe a mile. Chain repair, remove one broken link, and the chain is too short to reach the extreme end gears.
Also, the large sprocket on the cassette is missing a couple teeth. Bikes & Beyond says I can find a replacement cassette . . . and need a new chain. $50 more or less.
I can live with that.
Actually, we're thinking about a new mt. bike . . . "It's only $$$, and these days I seem to have plenty." Off road riding is fun, a good workout, and a nice change. I can't hardly imagine how much fun it might be without a mechanical breakdown.
Protein shake before/after . . . chicken tortilla enchiladas. We're stuck at 220/215. What's it going to take to move the weight down?
Everyone hits this plateau.
Route images when we get to the WiFi -- probably before getting the bike parts ordered. Bikes & Beyond -- 11 / 4 on Sun. Open 'til 6 PM weekdays and Sat.
Ohhhhhh yeah . . . 8.78 miles, trail and Youngs River Road. I figure the logging road is about 4 3/4 miles. Another 4 miles for Logan Road to the logging road.
12 miles, 13 miles -- we get credit in fitness regardless what we think the distance might be. Couple, three hours.
Here's the image. The route for this day is in White, from Logan Rd. to my house. Try to sort though all the other lines (yellow, purple, blue-grey). These other lines are navigation references for planning this ride.
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