It had been a few years since my last ride up the Clackamas River and a few months since my failed bike tour of the Steens. It was time to get outside, on the bike, and sleeping in the forest.

What better way to break in a new bicycle than to take it on a very soggy, muddy, gritty, gravel ride for 40 miles?

It was barely a plan and it couldn’t have been nicer outside. Well, nice for me and utter-boiling for others. It was due to push over 100 degrees in Portland on this day but I don’t think it got over 99 over my entire ride. The sun was relentless, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.