spur of the moment ride

Mid morning I get a text message to my phone......would I like to ride early this afternoon? Only took a few seconds to process the information. Pretty girl, check. A rider that can challenge me, check. Good cycling weather, check. "Sure" I respond.

We worked out the details and at 1PM I picked her up and we were on our way to Canby with intentions of riding south and east and returning north and west, hoping for about 60 miles.

We did a bit of exploring from Canby riding through the little burg of Lone Elder and then continuing on to Marquam. The stretch was surprisingly busy for early afternoon, and a fresh coating of chipseal made for a challenging ride. From Marquam we turned slighty west to Silverton. We were far enough east that we had some rolling hills rather than the flat prairies found just to the west. In Silverton we continued on past the Oregon Gardens until finally turning west towards Salem when we were about half way to Sublimity. When we got to Howell Prairie Rd we turned north, into what had developed into a noticable headwind. We took a turn to the east when we started getting too close to being committed to a ride up Hwy 99 and got on Elliot Prairie Rd. (we took a brief stop to eat some wild blackberries we found growing along the road!) We then took another turn to the north taking Meridian Rd back to Lone Elder Rd and then on to the small town of Lone Elder closing our loop. We were on nicer roads the last half of our ride, smoother and lower traffic even though it was now "rush hour".

The Oregon Randonneurs have a route called "Three Prairies" that runs through this area. We managed to ride fewer miles and hit four prairies: Gribble Prairie, Howell Prairie, Elliot Prairie, and Mark's Prairie........as well as the edge of the Silverton Hills!

We ended up back in Canby with 58 miles, and more notably for me, an 18.8mph average. It surprised me since we had a few hills in the first half and probably a 5-10 mph headwind in the last third. Always a little faster when you've got a riding buddy pushing you a bit.

Erinn continues to be one of my favorite biking partners. Always a smile, always challenges me. Sometimes she kicks my behind, sometimes I kick hers. I guess you call that pretty evenly matched!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........58...............0.................58
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........4152....+.......743....=.........4895

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A change in the weather

Today was cloudy, even a very few drops of rain a couple of times. Temps were in the low to mid 60's, wind was light......... perfect bike weather!

I put on my favorite short sleeved jersey with my armwarmers and rode out to Hagg Lake for a few laps.

It was a good day to be on a bike.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........56...............0.................56
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........4094....+.......743....=.........4837

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

let's get the party started

It's been tough to get back to riding since the Race Across Oregon. I've been busy wrapping up our team's RAO business and in addition I'm a bit "goal-less" (some would argue that I'm more apt to be clueless!)

I had a plan to ride out to Multnomah Falls and back today, about a 40 mile ride. There were a few folks who had expressed an interest in joining me. By last night two had decided not to ride, on my way out to Troutdale the third texted that she decided not to ride. My bike pansy convinced me that it was too far to drive just to ride 40 miles, and not near as fun to do it solo. I turned around and headed back to Longbottom's Coffee near Hillsboro. A group rides from there most every Sunday at 9AM and I knew they were riding a 50 mile route today. I also knew that I could no longer make the 9AM group start. I pulled into Longbottom's at 9:15AM and hopped on the bike for an indeterminate distance.

It was good riding weather, cool, partly cloudy, very light breeze. I rode up into the hills between the Tualatin Valley and Scappoose and just rode around (and up and down!) I eventually decided that it was enough. I logged a measly 41 miles.

Sooner or later I've got to get back into riding mode. I'm not even halfway into my two year goal yet!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........41...............0.................41
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........4038....+.......743....=.........4781

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A laid back 37 miles

A laid back 37 miles today. Out to Hagg Lake and back with just a little detour through Forest Grove.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........37...............0.................37
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3997....+.......743....=.........4740

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ah, the sweet smell of success!

I've been busy with post race duties such as cleaning motorhomes, turning pace vehicles back into normal commuters, and financial balancing. Not finished with all that yet but did want to say how proud I am of my riding partners and our support crew for helping get us across the finish line of Race Across Oregon first in our division, and 2 hours and 8 minutes faster than the previous course record!

I recorded all my riding legs individually so I'll post that data here in the next day or so as I get time.

This was so much fun! I had a blast. Our team worked well, each rider utilizing his individual strengths to move the team forward. Our support crew was vital and invaluable to our success. We were all rookies but were fast learners.

My first ever bike race.....and a first place finish and new course record to show for it. Cool!


A better description of the ride and data to be filled in later.

Still racing across Oregon.

Still racing across Oregon. We may be looking at a mid afternoon finish!
(posted from just west of Prineville via cell phone)

UPDATE:

It was dark, but it was a new day none the less. Children greeted us with sparklers and thumbs up at the time station in the little town of Long Creek. Why weren't they in bed? Why weren't we? Our hill climbing animals were on duty, J Michael powered up from Long Creek over the 5000ft+ unnamed summit. It was formidable when we saw it in daylight, can only imagine what the experience was in the dark. I often felt the need to jump in for a short pull just to give them a rest, but was reminded that even when they were tired they could outclimb me! We had not seen the Master Blasters since Kimberly just as it was getting dark. We didn't know if they had passed us without us noticing or if they had troubles and were falling behind. All we knew was that at the Long Creek time station we checked in and they hadn't yet.

Leg 7
My next leg started at the US26/Hwy 19 junction, RAO mile 330.6 and continued until RAO mile 338.6
This was another climb for me. While my teammates commented that it seemed like a lot of descents I was climbing these low percentage grades. We'd all like tailwinds and 4% downslopes on all our rides but it just doesn't work that way! I could do these, just not as fast as I'd like!

Leg 7
distance: 8.38 avg 12.6 max:(not recorded) time 0:39:54 (predicted 0:40:00)

Leg 8
My next leg of the "day" would be a 9 mile pull up to Ochoco Summit (race mile 369-378)
I still had my higher geared rear wheel on the bike, a 12-25 9spd cogset. (53-43-30 chainrings on the crank) My other wheel had a 12-27 and the original plan was to swap that in but as it ended up the bike was never with me unless I was riding it and there wasn't enough time to switch it at the changeover points...this was a RACE!
It probably didn't make a whole lot of difference as I was able to keep my cadence up with the gearing I had for the most part.

The pull up Ochoco seemed to go on forever. I didn't have my speedometer illuminated (note for next RAO!) and didn't know how many miles I was into my leg. The full moon gave enough light that I could see the hills and ridges ahead of me. I'd pick out a ridge line and think "I just have to get there....fast" only to make the next sweeping turn and find another ridge a little higher! I was really beginning to think I was almost to the changeover point when a sign comes into view that says "passing lane one mile ahead". Rats, they don't put passing lanes on the downhill sections! I continued to grind up the hill in my lower gears, running about 10 mph. I felt sorry for our pace rig crew, they had been awake over 20 hours at this point and here they were creeping along behind a uphill bike rider.

I had settled into a sustainable cadence and gearing and was just moving up the hill. Was I still "racing"? Was I just out for a middle of the night ride? From time to time I'd shift up a few gears and stand on the pedals for 50 yds or so. I guess that means I must have still been in race mode. ;-)

I finally rounded a corner and saw the flashing lights of our other two support vehicles with my replacement rider at the ready. My last leg in darkness was coming to an end!

(Our crew chief, D Jason Penney, blogged about his experience on our team, including a bit about this leg)

Leg 8
miles:9.0 avg: 9.0 max: (not recorded) time: 1:00:00 (predicted 1:12:00)

As our team pulled into Prineville we reported to the time station and also had cell service for the first time since Mt Hood. Our support crew made a call and found that the Master Blasters were 8 minutes behind us at Long Creek. (the team let out a joint BAAAAAAAAAA!)
Our hill climbing animal Cary pulled our team colors up out of Prineville. Before we left cell range we found that at the Prineville time station we had a 48 minute lead on the Master Blasters. (another BAAAAAAAAAAAA echoes off the Eastern Oregon hills!)
We didn't know if the Blasters had trouble, perhaps a sick rider? Mechanical issues?
We hoped all was okay with them but we just kept pedaling.

Leg 9
Leg 9 was a fun run, after the last few legs of gentle climbing for me I was rewarded with a mostly flat to gentle downsloping 15 miles.
The sun was out, spirits were high, I was on the aerobars and flying!
Leg 9 RAO mile 419.0-434.2
distance: 15.18 avg: 24.7 max: 40.3 time: 0:36:52 (predicted 0:45:00)

I watched J Michael and Cary climb yet more unbelievable hills. At one point I was in the motorhome on the top of the Warm Springs climb looking down at our support pickup following the small speck that was Cary...... at the bottom of what had to be a tortuous 1800 ft winding climb. He had planned our team legs and one has to wonder what he's made of to assign himself this leg. We can always second guess whether the team would have been faster to break these long climbs up a bit between riders, but you can't argue with the end result. Cary is an unbelievably strong climber and he knew his capabilities. In our planning sessions we expressed doubts as to how long we'd be able to keep to the planned schedule. Cary said he hoped we could stay on it as long as possible and that he really had his heart set on some of those climbs. Better his heart than mine!

Leg 10
We called this leg "second summit to third summit". It involved a bit of climbing. With 40,000 ft of climbing over this course we'd come to expect it!
The day was warming up, with the temps in the low 90's. I had doused my jersey in water before this leg to keep my temp under control. Again this worked well for me.
I took a couple of swigs of water as I rode up some of the inclines but mostly just to help with a dry mouth from breathing in all the warm dry air. Body hydration and energy levels were well within normal levels thanks to the generous amounts of time off bike. This was one of my toughest legs, very rough chipseal that just pounded me. I didn't have the luxury of slowing down to lessen the jarring.

Leg 10, Second summit to third summit, pre-Pine Grove
distance: 13.73 avg: 15.6 maximum: 39.1 time 0:52:48 (predicted 0:53:00)

We hadn't assigned the last 20 miles, thinking we'd play it by ear depending on who had what left at this point. J Murray and I had been spared the most grueling climbs and still felt remarkably fresh. With Mt Hood in sight John and I decided to split that last 20 miles between us. I hopped on the bike at the intersection of Road 43 and Road 48 and planned on riding the 10 miles getting our team to Hwy 35 with J Murray taking it from there to Timberline Rd. Our plan was for short legs up Timberline Rd with all team members participating in our dash to the finish.

As I pedaled my way up this surprisingly steep section the other riders decided to break this up into smaller pulls. As I rounded a turn I saw our support crew placing the next rider. No complaint from me!

Leg 11 Jct Rd43/48 on out
distance: 4.76 avg: 12.6 max: 27.6 time 0:22:40 (no leg or time preplanned)

As we approached our finishing pull up Timberline Rd we had developed a plan to have our riders split between our two pace rigs, and alternate rider drops every .7 mile up the hill and just stand on the pedals and sprint. On paper it looked good. In practice it didn't work so well. The one pickup with our crew chief in it understood the plan. The other not so much! The crew had been steller for the race, this was one of the few instances where we could have done better. It was really our fault, we should have practiced this. We had talked about the possibility of doing this for several weeks.

It seemed that the other pickup was having trouble reading the odometer and driving at the same time. There was a LOT of traffic on Timberline Rd and that may have played into the issues. As for us, when it was .7 miles, we stopped right in the traffic lane if necessary (that's what all those flashing lights and signs were for!)and rapidly unloaded the bike and rider then moved the pickup up to a place it could pull off. The other pickup didn't quite have this down, and often didn't even have a replacement rider on the road even where there were good pulloffs.

What this meant is that both J Murray and I would be going all out, knowing we only had to maintain the pace for .7, only to find that at 1.2 we were still riding and running out of energy! J Murray and I ended up alternating from the one support pickup, having not seen the other pickup and riders for several miles.

We finally came to a wide spot in the road (a rarity on Timberline Rd!) and saw the motorhome and other support pickup. We got everyone back on track and left one rider on the course while we sent the motorhome to the top and dropped the other 3 riders at the bottom of the Timberline Lodge loop for our planned joint last leg and run through the finish line.

I didn't have time to record my last 3 legs individually since they were short and we were really scampering to keep the team moving.

My combined legs 12, 13, and 14 (Timberline Rd to the finish line)
distance: 2.1 avg 7.8 max 12.1 time: 15.24 (no planned leg or time)

We rode the last half mile or so as a group:

(photo courtesy of our crew chief, D Jason Penney)

and we rolled across the finish line together, two wide.


We learned that we had set a new course record for our division by 2 hrs and 8 mins! We were very surprised and very pleased. We later learned that the Master Blasters didn't have any trouble and that they also broke their previous year's record by 15 minutes.

Congratulations to them for a good race!

We took a few photos, gathered our gear, and headed down to a brewpub in Government Camp for the first "real food" in days! It had been a great race for our rookie crew!



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........54...............0.................54
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3960....+.......743....=.........4703

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Racing across Oregon!

Racing across Oregon!
(posted from Portland via cell phone)

Update:
The saga of one member of the "Old Goats 4 CycleOne" Over 50 Race Across Oregon 4 man relay team.
Well the day began early with a stop by the grocery store to pick up some last minute items. As I packed my supplies I realized that space was going to be at a premium. Two crew members would be at "home" in my pickup for the next 35 or so hours along with tools, 8 spare wheels, a spare bike, 11 gallons of water, 2 extra cans of gas, food, signage, cattle guard cover....the list seemed to go on forever. I had the first leg assignment so was already in my riding clothes. I looked at my bike bag and grabbed my helmet, arm warmers, and gloves then zipped it back up ready to throw in the motorhome.
I dropped the bag off as I went by where the motorhome was staged.....about 30 miles from the start of the race.

The last of the many prerace "issues" appeared when I was preparing to ride and realized I did not have my bike shoes. Since personal support was not allowed until 25 miles into the race the plan was to have the motorhome meet me at the end of leg 1, in Sandy. I made a quick few phone calls to find where my sister was. (the designated motorhome wrangler) She pulled out all stops and figured she could be at our start location by 7AM (instead of Sandy as originally planned) The race started at 7 so this was going to be close. Starting another team member in my place was not an option, the other bikes were already in Sandy. The first 11 miles of the race were billed as a "parade start" with a pace rider leading us out at about 15 mph. I figured I could ride with tennis shoes on my clipless pedals for 11 miles at 15mph. Not fun, but could be done. Fall back plan was to have my bike shoes show up near Troutdale where our "parade" would be ending and the racing begin.

I kept my eyes peeled, but as we took off from the start line I was still in street shoes. As luck would have it, before I could get out of the parking lot here runs my sister with my shoes in her hand! I have come to appreciate my sister more as I get older! I made a quick pit stop and got into bike shoes then pedaled like heck to catch back up with the parade. It was the first of several times our support crew would save our bacon.

One of our riders had developed a race leg schedule based on each individual rider's strengths and weaknesses. I am neither the strongest hill climber nor the fastest sprinter on my team, but I may have the most endurance. I was assigned the first 25 mile leg since the first 11 miles were not terribly fast, just miles. I can do just miles......after miles.....after miles. I did have a short section that would be our steepest ascent, but not a long sustained climb. I chose my higher geared rear wheel setup because it had my bullet proof Continental Gatorskin tires with the slimelite tubes. I didn't want to risk a flat tire with no support car behind me as I was not carrying the added weight of pump, tube, patch kit, and patches. I figured I could just power up the steep hill.

The plan worked well, one other rider had a flat in this section, but I just rolled along. The sky was covered with low overcast at this point.

I kept up pretty well with the adreneline pumped racers. I was in the pack, albiet the last part of the pack until we got divided at traffic controls. Those in the lead got through the intersection, those of us "stragglers" had to wait a bit. All in all, I hung with the fast boys better than expected.

I pulled into our Sandy exchange point not too far out of the main pack.

Leg 1, Holiday Inn to US26/Orient Drive (including 11 miles of "parade"
distance: 25.24 avg: 16 max: 40.6 time: 1:34:00 (predicted 1:35:00)

My next leg was Government Camp to Bennett Pass
The overcast had dropped a very few sprinkles on the motorhome's windshield as we made our way up the west slope of Mt Hood, but as we climbed higher we got out of the clouds and were in blue sky. The sun was shining, spirits were high, I let out a "Baaaaaaaaa" and at the exchange took off in a flash.
Leg 2, Government Camp to Bennett Pass
distance: 14.12 avg: 17.8 max: 42.6 time: 0:48:00 (predicted 0:44:30)

My next leg was on Tygh Ridge Rd.
Spirits still high for all the team, we'd let out a "baaaaaaa" and just pedal!
I rode from where we joined Tygh Ridge Road to the summit of the Tygh Valley climb at Juniper Flat road. I had ridden 3 of our teams 6 legs at this point, but the serious climbs were coming and it was about time for our climbing specialists to go to work. Bakeoven Road, a long tortuous grind awaited next.


Leg 3, Tygh Ridge Rd to Juniper Flat
distance: 13.4 avg: 17.3 max: 46.0 time: 0:46:28 (predicted 0:46:00)

My next leg took me from what we called Pre Antelope Summit to Pre Clarno Summit, race miles 156-166.
A few more miles of climbing slowed my pace but spirits were still very high.
The weather was warming up, I dipped my jersey into a bucket of water before riding to provide cooling. There were some hairpin turns on steep descents in this section. We had scouted this route in May and found a lot of gravel debris on the pavement in the corners, caution was the key here.
Leg 4, Pre Antelope Summit to Pre Clarno Summit
distance 10.08 avg: 13.5 max: 41.0 time: 44:47 (predicted 0:49:00)

This was my last leg before dark, but as I prepared to take my turn I realized that though the sun was still pretty high in the sky, RAO official darkness would begin at 7PM and I would have to have lights. At the last minute I had my crew hand me my little LED front light. I didn't have time to mount it, just held it in my hand. As I rode along I'd switch it back an forth between hands depending on which shifter I was using. I eventually got it attached to my aero bar, not tight, but at least if I had to I could let it go and it would swing around but not hit the ground. ....at least I hoped so!

This leg ran from Spray to Kimberly, about 13 miles.
Our crew lucked out because of our quicker than expected pace and were able to fill gas tanks in Spray (station closed at 6PM) Our motorhome had a very limited range and we had to stay on top of this or we'd be SOL on the side of the road!

Leg 5, Spray to Kimberly
distance 12.85 avg: 19.3 max: 28.6 time: 39.56 (predicted 0:48:30)


We were playing leapfrog with our primary competition, the current course record holders and last year's winning 4 man team, the Master Blasters. One of our riders had made a wrong turn earlier in the day which by the time caught had cost us perhaps 15-20 minutes. The Master Blaster crew had helped set us straight. We were competitors, but a friendly competition. We worked over the next few hours to get back into the thick of competition with them. At the end of my leg in Kimberly we were putting my bike back in the rack as our rider rocketed away when around the corner comes a Master Blaster in full aero attire and tri-spoke wheels just moving like a bat out of ..... well you know! I figured we were in for a duel! Despite when "official dark" is for RAO, it was getting "real" dark or at least dusk at this point. The lights were on and we were ready to ride through the night. Baaaaaaaaaaa!


Leg 6
I began my last leg of "today" at race mile 259.9, from what we called "first summit" to the top of the descent into Long Creek. It was my first leg with the pace pickup providing the light. We had set up the pace rig with an auxiliary driving light that illuminated in a diagonal pattern from the far driver's side and angled across the riders position continuing on off the ride side of the roadway. It worked very well, much better than I anticipated. I had an HID light on my helmet but never turned it on. A combination of stock headlights and our auxiliary driving lights eliminated the shadows and our support drivers did a good job of keeping us in the lights' "sweet spot" even around turns and over hilly sections. A very large full moon rose over the hilltops as I rode this section, and even though it was a race, I did take a glance or two as I ground up the hill to look down into the Monument valley to admire the view.

Day one ended as I rode this leg and day two began. We were bettering our predicted pace and all riders were feeling well. Food and hydration were very easy to maintain because of our time off the bike as a teammate rode. Unlike a ride like STP where it's somewhat of a struggle to eat and drink enough, this was very easy. I'd take a squeeze of Gu from my flask on some of the longer climbs followed by a swig or two of water from the bottle, but other than that didn't drink much while on the bike. I would rehydrate and eat a bit when in the motorhome. Instant breakfast, an oatmeal cookie, and a banana were my standard! All in all, the day had gone well.

Leg 6, mile 259.9 to 267.6, top of Long Creek descent
distance 7.63 avg: 12.6 max: 41.0 time: 36:20 (predicted 0:35:00)

click HERE for day two
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........84...............0.................84
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3906....+.......743....=.........4649

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

short ride..........long meeting

Rode out and around Hagg Lake this morning....beat the heat and just enough riding for maintenance, then met for the second time with my Race Across Oregon teammates to work on details for THIS WEEKEND's endeavor! We discussed details for 3 hours! We had 4 of our support crew in attendance as well. 4 rider team, easier riding than solo, but much more planning required to make it all work.

Challenging to be sure, but should be fun too! (in a masochistic sort of way!)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........34...............0.................34
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3822....+.......743....=.........4565

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

STP....Day 2

I had planned to ride backwards on the STP route until I met up with Dave and Laura then accompany them on the way back to Portland. However, my sister was planning on driving up to Winlock or Castle Rock to get some photos of her hubby Dave and daughter Laura as they rode their first STP. I reasoned that after a fast one day STP yesterday I had nothing more to prove and didn't relish the thought of riding 70 miles into the wind so I took her up on the offer to load my bike and hop in with her. We rendezvoused with Dave and Laura at Castle Rock. They already had logged 37 miles for the day.



Unlike 1 day riders that just ride single file along the side of the Lewis and Clark Bridge at Longview, the two day riders are gathered into groups then escorted across the bridge taking the entire lane. Here were are gathering for our shot at the bridge.


I suffered no ill effects from the fast 205 miles the previous day and was able to just cruise at will in this slower 2 day crowd. It's a little frustrating to see people who hear "on your left" but don't seem to have a clue what they should do.
I was far from the only rider experiencing frustration with this, and the ride refs were busy trying to keep everybody safe and upright.

I did manage to get a couple of photos of Dave and Laura as they made their way down Hwy 30. It's a little tough timing the camera's delay and making sure some other bike traffic isn't in the way. I have a whole new appreciation for the professional photographers along the route!





The two day crowd is not as concerned with time management at rest stops, and today I was "going with the flow". No PR's would be set today!

We rolled across the finish line at 2PM, smiles all around!



I checked my bike into the bike corral and we spent a couple of hours enjoying the finish line festival...... and beer garden!

This was Dave and Laura's first STP. I was curious how they would look upon it after riding it. They loved it! They said it was easier than they expected it to be. (always a good sign!)
Dave did have a bit of a snafu at about the 10 mile mark. With all the excitement, adrenalin, varying cycling skills, and the sorting process between faster and slower riders it's always one of the more challenging parts of STP. A woman riding in front of Dave slammed into the back of a parked car and rolled out across his path. He went down hard enough to bend his rear wheel and crack his helmet. (note another cyclist happy he was wearing his helmet!) He hobbled his bike on about 14 miles to the REI rest stop where the on site mechanics looked at the wheel and decided it was not repairable. They mounted his tire on a new wheel and sent him on his way. Another example of the great sponsorship of REI, there was no charge. (Thanks REI!)

I only witnessed one crash this year, and it was a doozy. A pair of tandems were leading a pace line of about 8 single bikes at around 25 mph. The first one went down at a carpeted RR crossing. The second tandem went right into them immediately and also joined the pile. About the next 4 single bikes joined the fray. The rider in front of me and I managed to swing to the left and cross over the bare tracks without incident. There were crossing monitors and support personnel at the site so we pedaled on. It appeared that no one was hurt seriously but I'm sure that not all finished the ride after that mess. What a feeling of helplessness to be on the back of a tandem knowing you are going down. :-(

I ended up with 66 miles. The wind was still helping, but not to the extent of the previous day.

.......and for the first time, I finished the STP TWICE in the same year! ;-)


NOTE to those who I saw (and see every year) unloading bikes from cars and affixing STP registration numbers in the last 20 miles........ I earned my 1 day rider medallion. I sleep well at night. When I'm old and grey and unable to ride..... reliving the memories..........I'll have no regrets or excuses.

Shame on you.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........66...............0.................66
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3788....+.......743....=.........4531

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

STP!

It was up at 3AM for my ride day breakfast.....3 packets of instant oatmeal (Raisins and Spice), a glass of Carnation Instant Breakfast, a fruit cup (tropical fruit) and a small can of V8 juice. John and I were down at the start line just after 4AM. John had to pick up his ride number yet, and I visited the mechanic tent to get my tires topped off. We both dropped our overnight bags on the Portland truck. This year I made the additional move of preparing a midpoint bag that I put on the Castle Rock truck. If it worked out I would have a selection of snacks, a fresh pair of cycling shorts, and a package of baby wipes waiting for me!

After getting our preride chores taken care of John and I waited on the line for about 15 minutes for the 4:45AM start. Dave and Laura planned a two day ride and would start about 2 hours later.

The fun began at 4:45 am

John hoped to ride a 10 hour STP. I had no such yearnings, with RAO coming next weekend I was going to be happy to one day it.

At 4:45AM the ribbon dropped. Well, actually they said "go" and I started pedaling. I believe there may be a picture of me in some Seattle publication leading the charge with a long yellow start line ribbon trailing behind me!

The usual "blaze of glory" of the STP start was in fine form. We moved along at a quick pace. The difference this year for me was that I'm in better bike shape than normal. When I saw a group of riders that I was not comfortable following I had enough legs to go around them.

I held with John, within sight of the lead riders, up until 24 miles in at the REI stop. I pulled in for a banana as John continued on his trek for a 10 hour ride. (no stops until Castle Rock was his plan)

After eating the banana I hopped back on the bike and did not stop until Centralia, the half way point. I pulled into Centralia at 10AM, right near a 20 mph average over the first 100 miles. A trailing wind was developing that helped speed us along.

I realized that if I kept this pace up I would beat the baggage truck to Castle Rock, (137 miles) and not be able to enjoy my "personal rest stop" supplies. I lingered a half hour in Centralia, then proceeded on at a slower pace, hoping to get to Castle Rock after the 1PM planned baggage truck arrival.

I pulled into Castle Rock at 1:15PM really looking forward to that can of V8 juice and a fresh pair of cycling shorts. I ended up doing the "full meal deal", V8, instant breakfast, wipe off with a few baby wipes, fresh cycling shorts, and a Gu (Orange Burst!)

It was getting hot and I went into my planned "hot weather mode". I had a Gu every 20-30 minutes, alternate water bottles with electrolyte solution bottles, stopped about every 25 miles to fill my empty water bottle and take off my jersey, saturate it with water, wring out about half, put it back on.... and ride. The plan worked great. I had lots of energy, and the wet jersey kept me cool for a full half hour before drying out. I just flew!

I rolled across the finish line just a few minutes before 6PM. I logged just a bit over 13 hours total, and 10.50 hours on the bike. That's a lot more down time than on my previous STP's, but the water stops and cooling put me at the finish line with a lot of energy to spare and still a very respectable time. I was surprised by my sister waiting at the finish line, I had not expected her to be there.



With John and I riding a somewhat circuitous bike commute to the start line in the morning I ended up with 205 miles for the day, and more notably a 19.4 mph average!

I had considered riding the somewhat light hearted "Night Ride" in Portland tonight, likely the only rider to commute from Seattle by bike to do so, but given that I arrived much earlier than expected I just didn't want to to kill three hours waiting for the ride to begin, then not get to bed until midnight or after, knowing I planned to ride with the two day STPers early the next morning. I bagged such thoughts and was sleeping by 9PM!


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today..........205...............0................205
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3722....+.......743....=.........4465

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

STP travel day

The fun begins......on my way to Seattle for STP!

I loaded my bike on the Penske truck and loaded myself on the bus. (sorry mom, I meant "motorcoach"!) We were rolling towards the University of Washington by 8:45AM.

The Portland Wheelmen arrange the buses and trucks and send several of each up north. I loaded my bike as soon as they allowed me to do so, and jumped on the first bus so as to be there when the bikes were unloaded. Dave, Laura, and John arrived just a bit after me and boarded bus #2.

We arrived at U Dub without problem. We got our bikes, checked in to our rooms, had lunch, then took a walking tour of the campus and neighborhood.

(John, Laura, and Dave on UW Campus)

Here are (L-R) me, Dave, and John continuing to work on "getting fully hydrated"


We all had dinner at the UW cafeteria then off for an early bedtime, for tomorrow would come early!

warm day and a little education

I had hoped to ride more this week given the trials of the upcoming 10 days, but alas, preparations for the Race Across Oregon have been taking a lot of my time. I did get out for a ride mid afternoon today. It was in the low 90's. Plenty warm, but still a good ride. I rode in the Hillsboro/West Union/ Helvetia area. I was finished up in plenty of time to get cleaned up and to the Hillsboro Library where I was slated to give a bike safety presentation. Hopefully not exactly like the blind leading the blind! It's difficult to make a one size fits all presentation. My riding strengths and weaknesses do not match others. What I might feel comfortable doing to keep myself safe might not even be within the capabilities of another rider. That being said, I think all walked away tonight having learned something, or at least raising their awareness of the dangers out there and how to mitigate them.

A good portion of tomorrow will involve getting prepped for STP, I leave for Seattle early Friday.




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........41...............0.................41
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3517....+.......743....=.........4260

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

6 days to STP, 13 to RAO

I decided that today would be a good day for a nice leisurely lap around Hagg Lake. I accomplished that mission........... along with a round trip commute from Wilsonville to get to the lake. ;-)

116 miles.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today..........116...............0................116
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3476....+.......743....=.........4219

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Independance Day

AKA, "The Fourth of July". Thanks to our forefathers for the insight and wisdom to make this such a great country.

Dave and I rode his commute route today, riding from Wilsonville to Portland and back. We added just a bit to the ride to swing by Laura's house where she hopped on her bike and rode back with us.

The route was not the best commute, sections had little shoulder and poor sightlines but I guess you take what you can get.

We stopped at McMenimans in Oregon City, about the 40 mile mark for some tater tots (ride food!) and some microbrew. Not sure it was the best thing to do while still having 10 miles and some hills left to ride, but it seemed right at the time! ;-)

We got a nice 51 miles in. Mostly cloudy, a bit of a south breeze, and a light mist twice, but all in all not a bad day at all to be out on a bike.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........51...............0.................51
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3360....+.......743....=.........4103

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

a ride and a commute

I joined John from the Sunday Irregular list for a ride from Tigard to Gaston and back today. That was a 50 mile ride and I commuted a 40 mile roundtrip to join in the fun so I got a total of 90 miles today. We rode a good pace, I finished the ride today with just over an 18 mph average.

It was my kind of course, mostly flat, only short gradual hills, and FAST. When in my element I look like a pretty good cyclist!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........90...............0.................90
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........3309....+.......743....=.........4052

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++