Two in a row

Yesterday was beautiful.  Today was snowing off and on most of the day.  I didn't think there was much of a chance to get out on a ride.  Thankfully, I was wrong!  About 5:00 Dan, Mike and I headed out just at the right time.  The snow, hail and rain stopped and it was partly cloudy with an occasional glimpse of the sun.  It was quite cold- my thermometer said 41.  I don't know it felt a lot colder than that.  We had a pretty quick ride up panther gulch to the lower road and then down the single track near the old rock quarry.

On the way up the lower road, we caught a great view of the valley with the sun peaking out.

Here, Dan is heading down the steep section of the trail that hooks up with a BLM road that eventually comes out on East fork road.

There has been some water running down the trail so it's rugged.

Panther Gulch and Jeep Road Downhill

Headed out this afternoon about 4:30.  Was hoping that Dan and I could ride together but ended up going solo today.  This route is a pretty easy climb with a fun downhill.  Quite a few road miles.  The weather today ended up being amazing.  Partly cloudy skies, some sunshine and not too chilly. 

On the way up I had a bit of trouble- a flat.  I have been running pretty low pressure lately and I think that it finally caught up with me.  Replaced the flat and I was on my way in about 10 minutes (maybe less).

It is good to be prepared.

Here you can see the turn off from the main road it follows a short portion of the Layton Ditch Mine trail and then you connect with an old jeep road. 

Take this trail then make a sharp right.

The downhill is actually quite technical with the ruts and down logs that you have to navigate.  Was a bit muddy with all the rain we have had lately.  Looks like a river has been running down the old road.

Good ride other than the flat:

Findley West Peak

Unfortunately I haven't been riding enough lately to keep up the fitness level that I would like.  The last two "real" rides that I have done I could really notice my strength and stamina was lacking.  The west peak up findley is a pretty good climb.  It took me a lot longer to do this ride compared to the last time.  About 10 minutes slower this time.  I ran into a lot of snow in a shady section up there- actually had to walk through it.  There is a pretty steep section the last push up to the peak, today I couldn't make it up without walking.  It is steep but add some slick conditions and it is near impossible.  Not to mention my legs were pretty tired.  Great view up there today.  Here are a few of the pictures: 

My stats for this ride are a bit discouraging but I can gain back my strength pretty quickly.  I still feel like I have a pretty good base.  Lots of extra daylight now and hopfully some good riding weather will help in that process.  I need to train for my Birthday ride this year.  I'm planning to ride in the hills above applegate lake.  Stein Butte, Squaw lakes and possibly little grayback mountain area.  Shooting for around 40 miles of intense singletrack and a lot of vertical.  It will take some definite training for this one.

A serious ride

It has been a while since I have went on a ride other than Cathedral Hills.  Today I ended up riding solo on probably what is one of my favorite rides.  I headed up Findley Road, wondering how much strength I have lost since my last charge up this hill.  It turned out that it wasn't too bad.  I worked pretty hard to get to the top of the ridge in 34 minutes.  If I would have headed back home at that point my legs would have been in pretty good shape.  I kept heading up to the top of the Eastern Findley Peak.  I started feeling it the last 1/2 mile or so.  It was easy to notice that I had lost some of the strength in my legs- I was getting fatigued.  Before I climbed over the tank trap I ate a Gu hoping for a charge to get me up the rest of the way.  There was still some snow at the top.

 This is looking back down the peak.  There was actually pretty good traction heading up.

There is a view up here but it is hard to see out with all the trees.  This area hasn't been logged for a while like the western peak.

This is looking down the trail, pretty fun section to follow.

On the way down to the Layton Ditch trail I took a picture of the beautiful day and the beautiful view.  Once I hit the Layton Ditch Mine trail, it was fairly easy to the point where it connects with Panther Gulch.

This is the sign at the trail head on the Panther Gulch Side.  Rather than heading down panther gulch road, you continue across the road and follow the ditch trail.  There is a sharp cutback down the hill that is a great downhill trail.  A very old road that has grown over.  There are a few sections you have to get off the bike and jump over logs.
I realized today that for some reason I hesitate to take pictures.  I guess I think that I am wimping out by taking a "break".  I really enjoy pushing myself to going as fast as I can up the hills.  Today I most definitely did that since I haven't been out on tough ride for a while.  I have had to dial back my speed on the downhills after I saw Dan's horrific crash.  It was just under 15 miles and just under 2 hours.  About 2000 vertical feet.  A great ride!

Cathedral Hills

Josh and I headed out this afternoon hoping to beat our record of 1hr 16 minutes.  Josh just scored some new gear from the Pearl Izumi store in the Woodburn outlet mall.  He was set with a nice pair of shorts and some leg warmers.  It was a beautiful day.  We came in at 1hr 6 minutes a real fun ride with only 1 minor wipeout...

Heading up the backside trail.

Cathedral Hills ride

Josh and I did the same ride as last time.  There is a pretty nice climb on the hogback section, I did it twice again- well maybe 1 and a half.  Josh is really gaining on his climbing/endurance.  It was a lot of fun and we took about 13 minutes less than last time.  No crashes though...

Cathedral Hills

Josh has been wanting to get out on the bike more.  A great chance for us to hang out and have some fun!  Today we had a little more time to ride.  We headed out after school today, the weather was a little cool but no rain.  We road up the backside trail up hogback(which is pretty steep) and then around outback.  Here is the map for Cathedral Hills.  I rode the hogback up two times for a little extra fun.  Unfortunately Josh had a wipe out on a tough climb section.  At least he wasn't going fast and thankfully he wasn't hurt.  Regardless of the mishap he still had fun- and so did I.