Month: June 2015

Day 2 – Middle Fork Willamette River to Diamond Lake

Got up at 5:30 am and got going early, knowing this was going to be a killer day with steep climbs out of the Middle Fork River valley, over the Calypooya mountains, down into the North Umpqua River valley and back up to Diamond Lake. One tough day of climbing for this flatlander from low-altitude Plano, Texas.

The weather was hot and dry with not a cloud in the sky. Brutal conditions for climbing.

Ate breakfast (trail mix and dried fruit), broke camp, stowed the gear on the bike and in the backpack, checked my maps, and took off around 8:15 am.

Climbed the Calapooya mountains and crossed the ridge at 5,800 feet elevation. It was hot – about 95 degrees F and the sun beat down on me. Began my descent in to the North Umpqua River valley.

Sawyer water filter.

Had to stop and get water out of streams. I use a water filter that fits on top of a water bottle and filters out bacteria and other impurities.  Staying hydrated in the unusually hot and dry weather this week is key. Over the trip I will get many re-fills of water out of streams, lakes, and rivers.

Arrived at Lemolo Lake at 3:00 pm (elevation 4142 feet). Did not eat lunch in order to press on in the heat. Some roads and trails in the Lemelo Lake area were closed in the area as forest  firefighters brought in equipment to fight a lightening-induced forest fire. I may need to reroute my trip due to the forest fire.

Checked my maps and saddled up for the climb from Lemolo Lake to Diamond Lake. I pressed hard to get there, climbing in the heat. Ran out of water and had to stop at Thielsen Creek to fill up my water reservoir, using my water filter to purify the creek water. It was blazing hot and I was exhausted. But time was ticking and I resumed climbing towards Diamond Lake. Arrived at Diamond Lake (elevation 5,190 feet) at 5:30 pm. Upon arrival, I immediately vomited, most likely due to the heat, the exhaustion, the elevation, or a combination of all three.

Diamond Lake, Oregon Cascades.

Ate a sandwich and salad at the Diamond Lake Resort cafe. Thankful for the food and for not having to carry that food. Diamond Lake is a beautiful deep blue and is wonderful.

Set up camp at the Diamond Lake campground (selected campsite, unpacked, hung hammock). Cleaned the bike and inspected the equipment (must  keep the bike and equipment working). Night fell before I could finish all I had to do. I rode in the dark to a shower about 1/2 mile away and took a shower at the Diamond Lake campground showers – this will be one of the few showers I get. Rode back to camp in the dark and went to bed in the “shadow” of the Crater Lake dormant volcano. Thoughts of tomorrow’s climb to the Crater Lake Rim fill my head. Thankful to make it through this tough, hot, climbing day.

Tomorrow’s climb to Crater Lake Rim includes a Category  2 climb and a Category 3 climb, and many more unrated climbs (if you are a biker, you know what this means) – it will be brutal.

Day’s ride approximately 38 miles.

Rough map of Day 2 ride.

Day 3 – Diamond Lake to Crater Lake to Lemelo Lake

 

Day 1 – Middle Fork of the Willamette River

Started the day early. Checked out of my hotel in Eugene, Oregon, traveling from Eugene in a southeasterly direction to Oakridge, Oregon. Went to the Willamette Mountain Mercantile bike shop, and picked up my rental bike.

   Loaded up the bike with all the food, water, and gear – about 35 pounds loaded onto the bike and my backpack. Lifted up a prayer for safety and for protection from equipment breakdowns. Began from the bike shop  (elevation 1,184 feet) in Oakridge Oregon. Left Oakridge, Oregon at 11 am and began the bikepacking trek. The weather was 80 degrees F, and sunny to partly cloudy.

Bike setup for bikepacking trek in Oregon Cascades.

The first 10 miles were relatively easy – uphill, but on paved road. Pedaled along the west shore of Hills Creek Lake. The lake was an alpine blue-green, unlike the muddy brown lakes of Texas. 

After passing the place where the Middle Fork River enters the lake, I began to follow the Middle Fork River. My work output increased as the climb in elevation corresponded to the climb in the river valley.

I am not much of a speedster – God made me more of an endurance type biker. So I am not expecting to break any speed records on this trip. But I chug along, churning out the uphill miles.

The Willamette forest was filled with lush green ferns, birds calling, the fresh pine smell, and big beautiful butterflies with bold black and gold colors. God blessed me with the sights and sounds of the forest.

Stopped to get water at Sacandaga campground. The water came from a hand pump water well. This prompted a flashback to using the hand pump water well at my grandmother’s Kansas farm 40 years ago. The pump needed 8-10 pumps to start the water flowing. The 8-10 pumps to fill up my water bottle. The pump even had the same screeching sound as my grandmother’s pump.


Arrived at my the night’s camping spot around 3:30 pm. Temperature is about 92 degrees F. Biked about 32 miles uphill today to get to Indigo Springs campground  at 2,800 feet elevation. Unpacked and set up the hammock and sleeping bag. Checked bike equipment and cleaned the chain.

Met a couple who were passing through via car. They stopped to check out Indigo Springs, I asked them to text my wife Susan that I was well – I was outside of working cell service (as I was most of the trip) and I know that Susan would be concerned if I had not made contact.

Dinner was naan flatbread, turkey sausage, cheese sticks and nuts. Cleaned up with a sponge bath and went to bed at 10 pm. Weather was clear and in the mid-60’s. Went to sleep to sounds of Indigo Springs rushing down the mountainside on its way to meet the Middlefork River.

Bike, hammock, and rainfly for bikepacking trip. Indigo Springs, Oregon Cascades.

Hoping for a good night’s sleep – Day 2 promises to be a monumental challenge with some hardcore climbing and rough terrain. Up and out of the Middle Fork River Valley, into the Umpqua River Valley to Lemolo Lake, and further up to Diamond Lake at 5,190 feet elevation.

Days ride approximately 32 miles.

Rough map of the Day 1 ride.

Day 2 – Indigo Springs to Diamond Lake

 

Day Before The Bikepacking Trip (from a Disciple of Dirt)

My heart was full today as I watched my daughter Rachel run the 3K steeplechase in the USA Track Championship in Eugene, Oregon. She placed 9th and ran a good race in hot conditions.

Rachel just finished her NCAA eligibility and has an agent to represent her as a professional runner. Rachel has plans to enter races in Europe this summer.

She is traveling back to Texas and I have made final preparations for the long-planned bikepacking trip in the Oregon Cascades.

Went down the final bikepacking checklist and made sure checklist items were packed. Got last-minute supplies at the local stores in Eugene, Oregon.

Prayed for good weather, a solid bike, equipment that holds up, for good health, and for protection. No matter what happens, the Lord will provide. I am ready.

Tomorrow I start in Oakridge, Oregon, a town about 45 miles southeast of Eugene. There I will pick up my mountain bike and begin a seven day bikepacking adventure in the Oregon Cascade mountain range.

This is a bikepacking trip for which I have been planning for months, and for which I have been training for months, and I can barely contain my excitement! I am entering a rugged, sparsely populated area Oregon back country with  diverse terrain – lush forests, volcanic mountains,  streams, and waterfalls. Mountain bikers in the area belong to organizations such as the GOATS (Greater Oakridge Trail Stewards) and the DoD (Disciples of Dirt).  I will always be a disciple of Jesus, but for the next week I will also become a “disciple of dirt”, following mountain trails like a mountain goat, navigating the heights on a mountain bike, and being blown away by God’s handiwork.

Here we go!!!

 

Day 1 – Oakridge Oregon to Indigo Springs

Adventure Cries Out!

mtb_photo

There is something inside all of us that cries out for adventure. Each of us has that something inside us that drives us to explore, to create, and to navigate the universe beyond our known world. It is that something that drives me to take this bikepacking trip to the Cascades.

And for each there are those voices saying, “take care, stay home, and don’t venture out”. But I don’t listen to those voices, instead exploring beyond my day-to-day world. The spirit of adventure says, “Bring it on”.

And it is in those moments of exploration that I find out about myself, find out about others, and gain a new respect for the world God created. I discover wonders and miracles in new places, gaining experience and finding new insight. I find growth in the challenge. It is when I go outside my normal, when I travel uncharted territory, when I get outside my everyday experiences – that is when I grow.

May each find his own adventure, be blessed, and grow during the journey.

Mountain Biking Rocks! (And Here Is Why)

mtb-silouette

Mountain biking rocks – and here is why:

1) Good cardio workout and a great way to stay fit.
Why not experience the real hill workout on a mountain bike (versus a hill workout simulated on a treadmill or elliptical)? The scenery from a mountain bike changes your focus –  off the pain and on to the awesomeness!

2) Moves you outdoors (and who doesn’t love the outdoors?)
The trees, meadows, streams, and varied terrain create a feast for the eyes and for the mind. God created a great universe and you can experience it up-close. Mountain biking is all about fresh air and getting away from the concrete jungle. Get out there.

3) Provides a sense of accomplishment.
When you finish that climb to the top, finally nail that technical trail section you never could do, or finish an epic bikepacking trip, you know you have accomplished something. Celebration of an accomplishment is as personal as each individual. Mountain bikers celebrate well – having fun with a contagious exuberance.

4) Adventure calls!!!
Whether you are exploring a local trail, or taking that epic ride on a well-recognized trail, adventure awaits. Mountain biking allows you to “explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.”

5) It is therapeutic.
After a good ride you feel loose and rejuvenated. It is hard to wipe that grin off your face after a great ride 🙂

6) Provides community.
Mountain bikers are friendly and helpful. Stop along a trail and you will always hear a good word and an offer to help from mountain bikers.

7) Develops mental fitness.
Processing the terrain, sights, sounds, smells, pressure, and shakes while reacting instantly to the experience engages all the senses and stimulates neurons. Maintaining balance while powering through a roots and rocks technical section is a considerable neurological, physical miracle. Its a rush!!!

8) Generates great stories.
Mountain biking provides a wonderful way to start conversations and tell stories.

9) Makes you tough as nails.
Fixing a flat, learning to navigate, getting lost, riding in a storm, becoming exhausted, and other mountain biking challenges – these help you become self-reliant, and increase your fortitude. Some of my best rides have involved some mud, blood, sweat and (sometimes) tears. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

10) Increases your faith.
When I consider all that God created – the mountains, hills, streams, trees, weather, it blows my mind. And when I consider how I am intricately made (Psalm 139) to process it, experience it, enjoy it and to acknowledge the creator of it all, it is miracle to me. God gets the praise for all of it!

My Curse and My Blessing 

I have been preparing for a 250 mile bikepacking trip this spring. Part of that work involves loading up my bike with 35-40 pounds of extra weight (in order to simulate the gear I will carry on the trip) and riding several hours. I am now less than 30 days away from the trip and am doing this workout three times a week.

The problem this spring is that Texas has had and unusually high amount of rainfall for several months. We were in  severe drought leading into this spring with lakes far below conservation pool levels. That all changed this spring – the Texas floods filled the lakes and sent them above their conservation pool levels. This is a blessing – the rains and flooding have lifted Texas out of the drought. But it has been a problem for my training – local off-road trails have been unrideable due to muddy conditions. Some trails along lake shores are now under water.

As a result of the wet conditions this spring, I have been training on-road. For several months I have been performing hill repeats (up, down, up, down, …) on a wide cement sidewalk that leads up a hill on Windhaven Parkway. It is the only significant hill for miles around where I live in Plano, Texas (Plano means “flat” in Spanish). The Windhaven Parkway Hill – here it is…

Winhaven Parkway Hill, near Plano, Texas.

Yesterday, I loaded up the mountain bike with extra weight and got out in 90 degree weather for another hill repeat session. The sun was beating down and the Windhaven Hill beat me. I rode 26 miles that included 20 hill repeats on the Windhaven Parkway Hill. It was one of those workouts where the heat got to me. It was not pretty. Goo was flowing out of my nose like an over-worked horse (the kind you see in  movie where the horse is driven too hard and is foaming at the moth and nose). I felt a metallic taste in my mouth. I got nauseous, feeling several times that I might throw up. Drenched in sweat, I was exhausted. Most likely I was suffering from heat exhaustion even though I drank lots of water from my hydration pack. When I arrived back home, I laid down on the cool tile floor in the kitchen and cooled down, breathing hard like a dog. Afterward I weighed in, and had lost three pounds during the workout. That Windhaven Hill beat me yesterday – what a curse!

But what a blessing Windhaven Hill has been to me! I am able to train doing hill repeats, even when the weather has been wet. I am able to improve my cardio fitness in preparation for the bikepacking trip. Thanks to the Windhaven Hill, the wet Texas spring did not prevent me from training. And that will be  blessing that I will remember when I am on the Oregon mountain bikepacking trip, cranking my way uphill and at altitude.

Many of the local area off-road trails will be closed for weeks to come due to wet conditions. But Windhaven Hill will be there for my workouts and for my love/hate relationship. So for the next month or so, hats off to my frenemy – the Windaven Parkway Hill.

My Identity In Christ


I purchased a Road ID for my bikepacking trip. My sweet wife Susan is concerned about my safety on the trip, “What happens if you get hurt while bikepacking and are laying on the trail unconscious?” So I got a Road ID – a rubber wrist bracelet with a metal tag stamped with personal information – my name, year of birth, city, state, country, emergency contacts and listed allergies. I wear it when training, and I will wear it on my bikepacking trip.

When I told my friend Johnny Breitenfeld about getting a Road ID he said, “That will be good – at least they will know whose carcass they are pulling off the side of the trail.” Johnny always sees the humor in life – his quip got a grin from me.

While my Road ID paints a basic picture of me, there are other many other identities, or roles, that I play – mountain biker, adventurer, husband, father, son, brother, neighbor, co-worker, and friend. None of those identities can compare to the one identity that has made an indelible mark on me – that of Christ follower. It was at the age of 13 that I realized that I was separated from God by my sin and needed to  restore a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I made a decision to follow Christ, to ask Jesus to mend my broken relationship with God, to forgive my sins, and to make me  right with God.

No other decision has had such a deep impact on my life. Jesus has shaped me, has changed my heart, and made me to be the person that God intended me to be. As I follow Jesus’ example, I hope to become more like him in character, in my communication, and in my dealings with others. I will never be completely like Jesus, but am growing more in his likeness. My relationship with God through Jesus has made me into the person I am, and is molding me into the person I will become. All my other identities will fade over time and the only one that will last is my identity in Christ.

Thank you Jesus.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
1 John 3:1-2 (ESV)