Never complaining about wet and cold again

Social bike group buddies Mark and Jim invited me to join them today on a bonus mile plan to ride from Beaverton to Madison's Grill on the east side of Portland where we'd join a few more members and pedal to the Columbia River. The purpose was to cheer on some folks who were going to jump in the river on a chilly January day to raise money for the Special Olympics.

The temperature was in the mid 40's as we pedaled off into a light rain. It continued to rain for our entire commute to the east side of the Willamette River. We climbed up and over the West Hills via combination of bike paths and residential streets roughly along the Sunset Hwy corridor. We got to the zoo then climbed up through Washington Park before dropping down through downtown Portland and crossing the Hawthorne Bridge.

Once at Madison's Grill we were joined by 5 more for a more relaxed pace to the Columbia River near the Portland Airport to cheer on those participating in the Polar Bear Plunge. I am almost afraid to admit that I knew some of those partaking in this craziness (albeit for a good cause!)

Watching the folks come out of that water I've decided that I will never again complain about being wet and cold while on a bike ride!

Mark posted a few photos of today's adventure HERE

The woman in the pink pj's at the end of this shaky clip is our own Kristina! Way to take one for the team Kristina!


After cheering on the swimmers we pedaled back to Madison's, had a bite to eat, then the three of us pedaled back over the hills to Beaverton. It was a bit dryer on the return back, I don't remember having any rain at all.

Jim is the one noted for bringing home baked cookies to rides, today Mark one upped him. Mark brought along a large container of banana nut bread that he had made the night before.

Good guys to have as riding buddies!


............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......41...............0.................41
Jan........582...............0................582