Over the years of writing here I have occasionally done a year in review. Not this year though. Not because there is nothing to remember or write about but more because I want to spend some time thinking about the year ahead. 2023 was okay, 2024 will hopefully see a return to more adventure rides, more camping and more exploring new places.

That being said, 2024 had in inauspicious start. Since moving to Oregon in 2013 I’ve managed to avoid getting sick like I used to back in New Hampshire (a whopper of a cold was an annual occurrence). I believe there is a combination of reasons for this. Not spending a lot of time around kids (nieces and nephews are all 3,000 miles away). Less time stuck inside (winters are “milder” here) and not going out as much (mostly since COVID), so avoid large crowds of strangers. I’ve had one or two colds and the flu once since 2013. Somehow Mia and I both managed to make it through the pandemic without getting COVID (that we know of) either. 

The streak ended on December 26th, 2023. I woke up with a sore throat that just got worse over the next four days. I was worried it was strep or even Covid at one point (tested negative) but by Friday evening the postnasal drip ended and the massive sinus congestion commenced. I have not had a head cold like this one in over a decade. It kicked my ass and today, almost two weeks later, I finally am starting to feel better. Still have a slight cough but at least the congestion is gone. 

I had taken the whole week between Christmas and NYD off from work with the hopes of riding, hiking, and goofing off. Instead, I laid on the couch, watched way too much Netflix and tried to sleep as much as possible. I think the most frustrating part was sometimes I felt okay, other times I felt like hammered shit.

With the slight delay to 2024 and finally feeling human again, it was time to start on some long-neglected projects with bikes this weekend. Fender install on the RLT and a bearing replacement were on the menu.

I picked up this knock off bearing puller/press in order to replace the bearings in the fat bike bottom bracket. I’ve acquired a fair amount of bearing presses and pullers over the years.  But none of them were great for pulling bottom bracket bearings, this one worked like a charm to remove bearings from a pressfit bottom bracket.

I was all gung-ho after reading this awesome article on Escape Collective. I swear every time these guys post a story about tools it hurts my wallet. I also gotta say that their recommendations (PB Swiss allen keys for example) really are top notch.

After yanking the crankset from the Trek Farley I found the culprit for the less than spectacular smoothness when turning the crank. The non-drive side bearing inner race was completely frozen. So as the crankset axle spun where it contacted the drive side bearing, the left side wasn’t moving at all. The difference after pressing in the new bearings is night and day.

Looking ahead…………………

I’m starting to fill out the calendar with bike rides (maybe a few races…..still TBD) and trips. I have Presidents Day off from work so will be headed back down to Bend to fat bike and probably XC ski this time too. Just booked a vacation week for Mia’s birthday combined with Sarah McLachlan coming to the area too. This will be our third time seeing her. Once in PDX, once in Boston.

Going to start filling out the calendar with camping trips too. I want to get back out to Eastern Oregon for a long weekend but also feel we are past due to hit up Crater Lake area again. Going to book a guided summit of Mt Baker with Prosser too. A trip like this has been on my mind for quite some time. I’m not an experienced glacier hiker so the idea of paying a pro to help us out really appeals to me. The idea is to set me up for a few more similar trips like Saint Helens, South Sister, Adams, etc.

I really felt like I didn’t do a lot of road riding in 2024. For various reasons other bike riding took precedence. While I consider myself a cyclist (anything with two wheels) I am first and foremost someone who loves riding my road bike. It was road riding that attracted me to bikes over 35 years ago and it’s in general the first bike I want to jump on when plotting a long day in the saddle.

Oregon is not off to a great start for the 2024 snowy season, so at least I can blame the weather. However, this single trip with Prosser and Colby last winter was really fun. I’d like to get out for a few more day trips like this.

With Codi getting up there in years our hiking has taken a hit the past two years. He’s good for 3-5 miles now but anything more and he’s just wiped. So maybe Mia and I need to leave him at home for a few longer hikes, but at the same time we don’t want to leave him for 8-10 hours while we head off for a 10+ mile hike. Careful planning and maybe just some more local options (Tillamook Forest) that are only 30-45 minutes away will have to suffice.

Anyways, what is your plan for 2024? 
Stay healthy, have fun and see you outside!

Thanks for reading,
-Pete