Cog Wild provided regular Shuttle runs all summer that would depart from the Cascade Lakes Brewing Co parking lot at 5pm every Tuesday and Thursday. Aaron and I decided to embark on their last one for 2008.
It was a short ride up to Swampy, I had a chance to catch up w/ an old friend – original owner/starter upper of Cog Wild – Woody – he drove us up with daughter riding shotgun. There was another rider with us (Peter) who was going to Dutchman, and would no doubt be riding the last hour or so in the dark – sweet.
The ride was fun. One of the highlights (next to wiping out a few times) was hearing Aaron scream in terror as he got stung by a bee (he got an ouchy) on the trail. The bee apparently was startled when I rode by and decided to fly into his shorts and sting him in the thigh – nice. Regardless of being stung he rode on – only to endure a whole different type of pain and suffering. Good times, good times.
The ride did offer up more than uphill climbs and twisty turns, there were the whoops – everyone loves the whoops – it’s like a BMX course tucked away in the Deschutes Forest waiting for kids of all ages to bomb down them! The views – great views, whether your riding in the dense wooded forest, popping out into an open meadow, cruising through creeks, or just stopping at a shelter to get a glimpse of the mountains.
We hit Swampy Loop, Sector 16, the Whoops (Frazzle now), Ben’s Trail, to Phil’s Trailhead. Fun to be had for sure. We ended up riding past the sunset, into the dark and to the 1st place off the trail on the way to town that had cold beer and food – Parilla Grill. My Fajita Steak Burrito was on! But Aaron’s Fish Taco was not happening. He got some other Burrito and that apparently was awesome because it was gone in about a minute – but I’ll leave the food reviews to BOR. ;^).
My lovely wife was kind enough to pick us up – two hurting units. Thanks Wonder Worman, your the best. :^)
You can track our trip at Everytrail.com.