Hill-Pumper

I have thought about quitting posting about my rides. Mostly because they garner very few comments, and I am not sure that anyone really enjoys hearing about them. I did decide to post this one because it was such an epic and unique experience for me, that I thought that I would share it. I am expanding my riding into the mountain bike arena and am still learning all the right techniques to be a better rider. I have as yet, to experience real single track to this point. That changed this weekend when I decided to explore some areas that I had found before, but not gone into due to the very wet conditions at the time. The ride started on an old abandoned logging road, which is a good climb. As I came around a corner, I noticed a garter snake laying across the path. I was in a steep section that I did not want to risk stopping on and had no where to go but over the top of the little guy. I am sure that it was not good for him but it really was him or me. I made it to the top and started to ride in a new area to me, looking for a way to make a loop out of the ride. Coming down a hill, I noticed something moving in the brush down the road. I stopped to see what it was and was glad that I stopped. It was a cow Roosevelt elk, but that was just the first of it. Another elk came out right after her. It was then that I noticed 2 calves on the far side of the first 2. They stopped and looked at me for a second and kept going. I tried to get to my camera, but they were gone. I continued on the ride, and could not find a way to make a loop out of the section, so, I returned back to the way that I had come. I had some time on my hands, so I decided to check out the section that I had seen before. The last time I had seen it, there was water pouring down the logging road, but it looked promising. The old logging road led to an erosion relief trench that looked good on the other side. After crossing it, I found single track nirvana. It had it all, logs across the path, dips, tight tress, off canters, just the stuff mountain bike guys love. I unfortunately, am not a good enough rider to ride all that stuff yet, but I walked where I thought that could not ride, and made it up to the top with very little issues. I did see a couple of cute little coyote pups along the way. I stopped and watched them as they checked me out and let them run along their way. The last thing I wanted to do was raise the ire of their mother , whom I could not see. After making my way back down, I went back to the SUV to go home. I checked my GPS for the days stats and was surprised to find out that I had only covered 12 mile, but did 2200 feet of climbing . On the way out, I had to stop for a couple of deer crossing the road, but seeing all the wildlife seemed just to be part of this ride. I was unable to get any pictures of the animals, because for some reason, they did not want to pose for me. So, I will show a few that I took from the single track area.

This the erosion relief trench that I had to cross to get to the single track.


The far side of the trench was a steep embankment, that I had to side crawl to get up with the bike.


Various single track spots.



From the top, going back down.


My legs got some good cuts on them from blackberry bushes, but the did not seem to show up in the picture real well.


A dirty bike, a sign that had I found something good.


Overall, one of my favorite rides EVER. I was very tired on Sunday, and had some cuts and some bruises that I don't know how I received, but all well worth it.

Daspydyr 

Now those pictures are why we ride with fat tires. Awesome adventure. Stupid Elk should stay and pose for you.

DoubleTap

Cool ride recap. I did an easy single-track ride on Saturday, but it doesn't compare to this. Nice pics!!

Neil_B

However did you develop the idea we weren't interested in your ride reports?!? Of course we are. Please post about them!

wild animals

If you like to post about them, do it whether people respond or not.

I usually read or skim ride reports, especially if they have photos, but I don't usually have anything worthwhile to say so I don't respond. I like to read yours because you're in Oregon, too!

Also if you say "elk and snakes" then I'm totally there. Sorry to hear about the snake, though. I'm hypervigilant about not running things over, and I hadn't run over a snake in my entire driving/riding career, but I recently ran over two in 3 days. Awful.

Hill-Pumper

Case in point, this thread, 4 replies, 2 of which probably would of not answered if I had not said anything about not posting. I'm not going to worry about it though, if I find some ride that is post worthy, I'll post it too.
I am guilty of not responding to every ride reports here too, so I'll remember that next time that I am feeling sorry for myself about it. As far as the snake, I really did not want to run him over, but I was on almost on top of him before I saw him.


I did ride the same single track today, and made it up without getting off the bike most of the way. It had dried up quite a bit, so that made things much easier to deal with. The total for the day was 17 miles and 2700 feet of climbing. I did happen to find the guy who had built the trail in the first place. He happens to be the mechanic who helped my at the LBS where I bought the bike. I went in after today's ride since I need a couple of parts for my bike. He gave me a copy of his personal map of all the trails in the area. So, now there will be more adventures to find.

Neil_B

You are assuming that a lack of postings in response means people are not reading, and enjoying, your ride reports. That's a false assumption. Personally I read every ride report I come across. I don't respond to every one since the day is too short for me to come up with something encouraging, insightful, or snarky in reply every time.

txvintage

I like reading ride reports, especially those that involve things like mountains and/or jungle warfare

Wehn I was living up in Puget Sound I was a dedicated light weight road nazi and never really thought about getting out on the bike for the sheer pleasure of sight seeing. If I had the chance to redo my Northwest experience I would have taken way more advantage of my time there and been better about experiencing more than work and training

wild animals

Ohhh yeah. I'd get a lot better exercise if I didn't spend so much time rolling to a stop looking at birds and deer and herptiles and creeks. But it is worth every ever-loving second!

funrover 

Looks like a great area! Glad you slowed for the Elk

Neil_B

Brava! Brava! Another poster who isn't a "mileage guy."

Wogster

Add me to the list as well

Pamestique 

Just because people don't post a response doesn't mean your posts aren't worthy.... I enjoy reading alot of stuff but don't always have time to post a response.

That said, sounds like a fun and exciting ride. Although I admit, I feel for the snake. I would have stopped even if it meant injuring myself. I'm foolish that way! I was out for a ride yesterday and the most exciting thing I saw were lizards. Count yourself very lucky to see all that you did!