Johnrg
Husqvarna
Pro Class
I took a nice 3 weeks tour of the NW to visit my old stomping grounds. I loaded my Sprinter with the Husky, MTB and SUP as the plan was to train on each on alternate days. Oregon and Washington are the best places IMO to do it all. The lakes in summer are scenic and peaceful in central Oregon so I meandered around and stayed a number of days in Bend before heading north to Seattle by way of the Columbia Gorge.
First stop was Chappie Shasta for a quick 100 degree ride to make sure the bike and all was in good order. 15 miles on trail 3 south of the dam was enough in that heat, so packed up and headed for Oregon. Day 2, after a night in Roseburg I headed east to Crescent Lake for a paddle. Crescent Lake is a quite spot with a few snow capped peaks I always stop at. Then off to Bend.
4 days in Bend... Paddle Elk Lake, the Deschutes in town and train on the mtb at Phils since the East Fork/Flagline Trail is closed till mid August. Last day drove 20 miles to Millican to see what riding in the eastern high desert is like. More sand than I care for but good to do some exploring.
Next stop was drive up to the Gorge by way of the McKenzie River, so I drove west through Sisters and across McKenzie Pass... Great view of the Sisters mountains. I rode up and back 31 miles on the McKenzie Trail (6 hrs saddle time) on MTB to Clear Lake and back. A lot of lava makes for a technical singletrack ride with a bit of hike a bike on the ascent. Most do this as a downhill. I'm not one to shuttle so ride the uphills and usually do it solo.
A quick stop in Salem to have a gasket sealed at Bills. Was too convenient on my route and big thanks to Bill for accomodating me. Next stop was the Gorge/Mosier staying at a friends shack for a few days to do some bike riding between Mosier and Hood River on the old highway.
A day of downwinding on SUP from Hood River to Mosier with a nice 20-30 mph breeze and 8 knots of opposing current. Convinced my buddy Mike to bring his moto so found the back way to Hood River from Mosier. Huskey Road was too appropriate and great views of Mt. Adams in this shot and Mt. Hood on the way over and back.
Then was up to Seattle where I paddled for about 5+ days getting my training in and finally a sprint race in Kirkland topped off that leg of the trip. So was back to a few days in the Gorge. I planned on a nice moto loop and a MTB/Road loop as a must do since these were my favorite rides when I lived there. The area around Mt. Adams is peaceful, scenic and best at this time of year or nearer fall as temps cool. Anyway.... My moto loop took me from the Bingen Marina to Northwestern Lake. Then was fireroads over Nestor Peak to Willard, then past the Huckleberry Fields to Trout Lake and back for a 91 mile loop. About 25 paved miles. My gearing with a 45 rear sprocket was perfect for this type of riding. Good for the fireroads and adequate for the pavement stretches though I'de keep it at around 45mph turning I figure 5-5500k rpms, and let cars pass.
Next day was my bicycle loop and the northern segment of my moto loop. Starting in Gilmer at the Trout Lake Ranger Station rode Rt 88, 90 and 23 for a 52 mile loop in 4.5 hrs. A gradual steady climb for most of the route ascending the shoulder of Mt. Adams. At 42 miles you get an incredible vista of Adams as you start a great 5+ mile downhill run back into Trout Lake.
Headed south the next day and a lunch break and paddle on the Deschutes River. Was smokey as I hit Klamath Falls and all the way to close to San Fran. So was a straight shot home to SoCal. All in all a great trip this year. Enjoyed the fact I could alternate activity each day and make the best of the NW.
First stop was Chappie Shasta for a quick 100 degree ride to make sure the bike and all was in good order. 15 miles on trail 3 south of the dam was enough in that heat, so packed up and headed for Oregon. Day 2, after a night in Roseburg I headed east to Crescent Lake for a paddle. Crescent Lake is a quite spot with a few snow capped peaks I always stop at. Then off to Bend.
4 days in Bend... Paddle Elk Lake, the Deschutes in town and train on the mtb at Phils since the East Fork/Flagline Trail is closed till mid August. Last day drove 20 miles to Millican to see what riding in the eastern high desert is like. More sand than I care for but good to do some exploring.
Next stop was drive up to the Gorge by way of the McKenzie River, so I drove west through Sisters and across McKenzie Pass... Great view of the Sisters mountains. I rode up and back 31 miles on the McKenzie Trail (6 hrs saddle time) on MTB to Clear Lake and back. A lot of lava makes for a technical singletrack ride with a bit of hike a bike on the ascent. Most do this as a downhill. I'm not one to shuttle so ride the uphills and usually do it solo.
A quick stop in Salem to have a gasket sealed at Bills. Was too convenient on my route and big thanks to Bill for accomodating me. Next stop was the Gorge/Mosier staying at a friends shack for a few days to do some bike riding between Mosier and Hood River on the old highway.
A day of downwinding on SUP from Hood River to Mosier with a nice 20-30 mph breeze and 8 knots of opposing current. Convinced my buddy Mike to bring his moto so found the back way to Hood River from Mosier. Huskey Road was too appropriate and great views of Mt. Adams in this shot and Mt. Hood on the way over and back.
Then was up to Seattle where I paddled for about 5+ days getting my training in and finally a sprint race in Kirkland topped off that leg of the trip. So was back to a few days in the Gorge. I planned on a nice moto loop and a MTB/Road loop as a must do since these were my favorite rides when I lived there. The area around Mt. Adams is peaceful, scenic and best at this time of year or nearer fall as temps cool. Anyway.... My moto loop took me from the Bingen Marina to Northwestern Lake. Then was fireroads over Nestor Peak to Willard, then past the Huckleberry Fields to Trout Lake and back for a 91 mile loop. About 25 paved miles. My gearing with a 45 rear sprocket was perfect for this type of riding. Good for the fireroads and adequate for the pavement stretches though I'de keep it at around 45mph turning I figure 5-5500k rpms, and let cars pass.
Next day was my bicycle loop and the northern segment of my moto loop. Starting in Gilmer at the Trout Lake Ranger Station rode Rt 88, 90 and 23 for a 52 mile loop in 4.5 hrs. A gradual steady climb for most of the route ascending the shoulder of Mt. Adams. At 42 miles you get an incredible vista of Adams as you start a great 5+ mile downhill run back into Trout Lake.
Headed south the next day and a lunch break and paddle on the Deschutes River. Was smokey as I hit Klamath Falls and all the way to close to San Fran. So was a straight shot home to SoCal. All in all a great trip this year. Enjoyed the fact I could alternate activity each day and make the best of the NW.
