Hi,

I've been riding a road bike for years, until a bad accident a few months ago. I spent about three months off the bike (but ran for two of them) and now have a GT Grade.

For a few years now, I've been wanting to ride to Slate Peak. It will be a scenic and challenging ride, and I've spent a lot of time backpacking from the top of the road so this will be especially meaningful for me. The Mazama Store seems like the natural starting point, which means I'll ride about 20 miles to the top. Almost half (?) of it is paved, and mostly flat, then it becomes a dirt road. It's mostly hard packed dirt, with potholes, and rocks embedded in the road surface, and I think the very end is looser gravel. Over the last 10 miles or so, on dirt, I'll gain 5,600+ feet of elevation. Here is a ride report, and the route on Strava.

I'd love to hear any advice anybody has for me. I'm concerned about the fitness I've lost. I don't have much experience riding on dirt. I'm used to not carrying much as a roadie and not sure what to bring beyond lunch, a light jacket, and a water filter. I don't want to carry much to the top and know of two year-round creeks to drink from. The road will probably be closed (snow) until June or July, I'd like to go when it opens because the surrounding peaks will all be snow-capped; failing that I'd go in October when the larches turn gold.

Does anybody have any advice on how I should prepare? I'll be doing the obvious: ride lots of dirt roads as they melt out, and as much uphill as I can. Hoping for more specific advice than that, mostly on the technical side and how to regain enough fitness and endurance in time.

Thanks.