An exploration/ experiment

We headed up Ferris Gulch to a ridge road that is normally used pretty heavily by motocross riders.  We have been up this road before. We double backed last time because we missed the trail that hooks up with the top of ferris gulch.  It would have been a pretty easy ride if I hadn't kept diverting off the road and hitting the ridge motocross trails.  I was the navigator, I kept thinking we were reaching the end of the spur road and it was time to hit the trail.  All the trails except the last one tie up with the road.  The road is gated so there isn't any vehicle traffic up there.  We went on a week day this time so there wasn't any motocross traffic either- great day for a ride! 

No Granny Gear

I scored a few nice pieces of mountain bike gear for my birthday this year.  I got a Giro Hex helmet and a pair of Serfas Astro shoes.  These new shoes are super stiff, I was hoping that they would make a difference in power transfer.  Each pedal did feel stronger.  Up findley I didn't have to shift down to the granny gear, which was a big accomplishment for me.  Of course I was using number 8 gear instead of number 9.  I realized that I probably need to get some new in soles for my new shoes, they inserts aren't that comfortable...  I am thinking about riding to the Oregon Caves.  My family would meet me over there- about 27 miles, but a pretty good climb I'm sure.
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The Findley Double Double (Happy Birthday)

It sounds like we will call it the Findley Double Double.  Maybe it is the Findley Double Trouble...  Happy Birthday to me I got to go on a killer ride!  Anyway, the ride is up Findley Rd to the top of the Ridge (2000 vertical feet in 4.5 miles).  Then you tie into Panther Gulch and ride along the ridge (just a bit more climbing) and hook up with upper east fork.  It was 19 miles ride and a total of 2500 vertical feet.  We were supposed to bring the camera.  This blog needs a lot more pictures.

Findley

Did a quick ride by myself late tonight. The weather has really turned great lately. I headed out about 7:00 pm- the temperature was still in the mid 70's. It wasn't too hot on the heavy exposure areas since the sun was starting to go down. I saw a guy doing wildlife surveys from the BLM. I think I scared him... Just about everything is completely dried out at this point. I made pretty good time, right at 35 minutes to the top from my house. I keep forgetting to start the timer at the bottom of the hill.