The weather was gorgeous so we decided to do a little exploring. We rode up a decent little climb then turned northward on Hogan Rd planning on getting on the Marine Drive bike path. As we got near Troutdale Carol thought a lunch stop was in order. She had heard that the T&A Truck Center had good food so we looped around, crossed a few curbs and parking lots filled with idling 18 wheelers and found ourselves at a table at the restaurant there.
We all ordered a bowl of chili. As it ended up everything on their menu is "all you can eat", not that we could take full advantage of that having to ride bike a fair distance yet.
From Troutdale we made our way to the bike path that runs along the Columbia River. I stayed on Marine Drive wanting to make the best possible time so that I would be off the roads before our rapidly fading daylight was gone. I arrived at the bike path that parallels I-205 11 minutes before Bob and Carol arrived.
From there on we were on bike paths and out of reach of distracted motorists. The daylight left as we made our way along I-205 but the many streetlights along this path made up for the fact that NONE OF US had headlights!
Good lesson, even if you are only planning a short ride out Springwater Corridor this time of year, bring your lights! I had 4 tail lights, (1 superflash on the seat post, 2 bar end lights, 1 blinkie on the helmet) but nothing on the front, the others had no lights at all. By the time we rejoined the Springwater Corridor trail it was quite dark. Lighting along this path is pretty much non existent except where it crosses streets. We made our way carefully so as not to have a close encounter with a bollard. (those posts at road crossings to keep cars off bike paths)
We made it back to Oaks Park where we had started from without incident. It was a great ride! 53 miles, sunny at the beginning with increasing clouds as the day progressed. Very light wind that was really only noticeable as a tailwind along Marine Drive, and good friends to share it with!
(you can click on this for a full size map)+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles Today
.................53...............0.................53
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....790.....+.........0........=.......790
May total.......901.....+.........0........=.......901
June total......543.....+.........0........=.......543
July total.....1322.....+.........0........=......1322
August total...1603.....+.........0........=......1603
Sept total.....1403.....+.........0........=......1403
October.........503.....+.........0........=.......503
November........446.....+.........0........=.......446
Year to date...9558.....+.........30.......=......9588 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
remind me to tell you about a ride on the Banks-Vernonia Trail one fine winter day... Whenever I ride during standard time, except a club ride, when I know I'll be back by 2pm at the latest, I take lights. Heck, it is usually raining, so I take Bleriot, which is permanently lighted and NEVER runs out of battery, because it has none... :-)
ReplyDeleteThe worse thing about it is that I had 3 front lights sitting in my pickup. When we shoved off just before noon on what was to be a 30 mile out and back on Springwater I just didn't have a clue that we'd be out after dark! Lesson learned, at least carry one in a pocket or pack.
ReplyDeleteMy Marin has a light on the handlebar on every ride this time of year. It's the bike I'm more likely to take since it's got fenders and a tougher drive train. (and less expensive drive train!)