Chilly Hilly

5 of us from my social bike group made the trip up to Bainbridge Island near Seattle for today's Chilly Hilly.
(Mark H. photo)

Two other members of our group came across on the ferry in the morning but weren't there yet when the photo was taken.
Chilly Hilly is the season opener for Cascade Bicycle Club.
It's a short but fun ride. It is a 33 mile route with 2675 ft of climbing. Since it's winter you get to see a few expensive bikes being walked up hills, and also more than a few more common bikes being walked too.

(Kay S photo)

On my drive up on Saturday evening I saw sub freezing temperatures the whole way up with snow falling from Castle Rock to Bainbridge Island. The forecast called for freezing temperatures in the morning that would give way to 40 degrees and rain by noon.

With a forecast like that we figured we'd have a short window between icy roads and a cold rain. We were pleasantly surprised to see that clouds had come in over night and the temperature climbed a bit. It was 36 at 7AM. The wind had picked up out of the south at about 15-20 mph. A south wind in these parts often means rain.
Our little group decided to get on the course and get as many miles before that cold rain started to fall as was comfortable.




We weren't racing, it was after all supposed to be a fun and relaxed bike ride, but we didn't tarry too long either. I ran into a friend who lives up that way, is a member of West Sound Bicycle Club as well as a fellow member of Cascade Bicycle Club. Leo is quite a character!
(Mark H photo)



We finished the ride up, milled around the finish line festivities for a very brief time, and then the rain started in. We decided to go for lunch rather than stand around the finish and get wet.

We left the finish area at noon, and rode back up the hill to our rooms.
By the time we changed clothes it was raining hard, and was 37 degrees. We had two of our group still on the road. I drove back to see if they wanted to get a ride back while Mark and Sandy went to the restaurant to get a table for us.

I did sag in one of our group, the other pedaled it on out. I can report that there were a lot of people still on the course at 1:30, and few if any had smiles on their faces.

It was nearly 3:30 by the time I began driving back toward home, and I can tell you that there weren't any smiles at that time either from the wet and cold people still on bikes.

Counting the commute to and from the ride from our room I got 35 miles today. Not many miles, but enough to put me over 500 for the month.


..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........35..............0.............0..........0..........35
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........530..............0.............0..........0.........530

YTD.......1014...............0............21..........7........1042

ipadio: Following the Desert Coyote - 74th phonecast

..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........60..............0.............0..........0..........60
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........495..............0.............0..........0.........495

YTD........979...............0............21..........7........1008

February's century

Ken and I rode the northern 50 miles of the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway today. Okay, so technically we rode about 9 miles to get to the route then rode the balance of our intended 50 mile out and back on the route itself. Our turnaround point was just prior to the bridge over the Willamette River near Independence.

We chose to stay low on the valley floor to avoid issues with snow and ice that plague the hills surrounding us this week. That part worked well, the roads were dry and ice free. Ken is just coming back from a brief illness and his bike fitness is suffering a bit. He normally works me pretty hard on our rides, today he was struggling to keep the pace.

He reported a heart rate in the low 160's as I was pedaling along in the low 120's. He had thought about turning around and bagging today's ride at about our 25 mile mark today. After some thought he gutted it out and made it to our 50 mile mark and today's turn around point. We were just short of the bridge at Independence.
We had been riding into a slight headwind and now would be enjoying a tailwind....that was increasing as the day wore on.

We got back to Salem, about 65 miles into our ride, and stopped for some food. I was a bit concerned with our time. At the very end of our ride today we would have to cross the Boone Bridge on I-5. A bit scary at best, it is worse now because interchange construction has narrowed the lanes and eliminated the shoulder. I wanted to be across that bridge well before dark. I talked about riding on at my own pace and coming back with a vehicle to sag Ken in. We decided to ride and see how it went.

With the tailwind I was pedaling along at 20 mph with just under a 120 bpm heart rate. Ken was following along........ until we climbed a few small hills. He just couldn't keep the power flowing today. It's not often that I can out ride Ken, I made sure to make a mental notation of today's event! ;-)

I held up a few times, and finally, looking at the time, decided I best ride on and get across that bridge then come back to see if Ken needed a ride back in.

I pedaled well, kept up a brisk and sustainable pace.

I crossed the Boone Bridge at 4:05pm well before sunset. I rode back to my pickup than began to backtrack the route to see where Ken was and offer him any assistance he might need.

I found him within 4 miles of the end. He said he felt strong enough and confident that he could ride to the finish. I offered to transport him over the bridge and suggested that he could make up the balance of the 100 miles on the other side of the river along residential streets. He'd have none of that... he was going to finish this ride! (that's the spirit needed for this Race Across Oregon hopeful!)

I turned on the 4 way flashers and played follow car for him, providing protection for him as he pedaled along.

He did finish the 100 miles, exactly 40 minutes after I had arrived. I was a bit amazed that I had put 40 minutes on him in less than 35 miles, but that's what happens when you aren't back 100% yet. Been there.

It was good that he finished today. Centuries should not always be easy, if they are you aren't gaining a lot by riding them. He pushed hard today to overcome his issues. I am happy for him and salute his accomplishment.

My on bike average today for the combined out and back was 16.4 mph.

I rode to and from the ride today so I garnered an additional 3 miles.


..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today.......103..............0.............0..........0.........103
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........435..............0.............0..........0.........435

YTD........919...............0............21..........7.........948

Beautiful day on the bike.

Beautiful day on the bike. 4 of us rode a Skyline route that gave us 43 miles with 4121 ft of climbing. More details to come. (posted via my cell phone)

interim update:
It had been raining hard all day yesterday and changed to rain mixed with snow after dark. Somewhere between 8PM last night and daylight this morning it cleared up and got cold. We had ice all over this AM.... but the sun was shining brightly. A few of us decided we just HAD to get out and ride.

One of today's group, a recent transplant from the east coast, had never been riding on Skyline Road, and wanted to give it a go. We mapped out a 42 mile route that would take in 12 miles of Skyline and give us 4400 ft of climbing.

We began pedaling from Rock Creek Tavern at 10:45, and the temperature was 41 degrees.
We thought a bit about snow in the higher elevations, our high point today would be 1400 ft. The roads were mostly dry as we began our ride in the sunshine with a bit of wind to help dry things out. As we climbed up we were sheltered more by trees and lost the wind, and picked up shade.... and beginning at about 1000 ft started getting ice on the road.

By the time we got to just past the intersection of Skyline and Rock Creek Road it became apparent that we were not likely to get to Rocky Point and it's 1400 ft of elevation.
(Thanks to Mark H for the photos of today's ride)

We carefully picked our way along for another half mile or so and finally decided to turn around and find an alternate, lower elevation, ride today.



For those familiar with the area, we climbed Germantown Rd, Jackson Quarry Rd, and Logie Trail Rd.

We stayed off the north side of the hill (Columbia River side) because of ice concerns on the shady side. We picked our descents and climbs based on exposure to the sun.

It was 41 as we started, and 49 when we finished, but in the shaded areas we had snow and ice all day.

It was a good ride however, the glorious blue sky just sparkled!

..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........43..............0.............0..........0..........43
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........332..............0.............0..........0.........332

YTD........816...............0............21..........7.........845

It's contagious!

Eric decided he really wanted to join me on my night ride route. What better way to experience that than to do it on a rainy night? ;-)

We began our little journey at 6:30pm and started with about 11 miles into a noticeable wind. Builds character they say. ;-)

Eric has never intentionally pedaled in the dark. He had decent lights, but did not have his speedometer illuminated. He thought I was riding hard until we got down to Wilsonville and regrouped. I mentioned that we had a 14.4 avg. He thought for sure it should have been several mph higher!

We did manage to push it a bit higher on the return to Tualatin as we pedaled with the wind at our backs. Eric had ridden a century on Sunday and was still feeling the effects of that and struggled to maintain my pace. I looped around at a few turns so as to not leave him out in the dark, lost and alone. ;-)

As we finished the route Eric said thanks for the ride, but added that he didn't think he'd be doing night rides much in the near future.

I guess it's an acquired thing. ;-)

..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........25..............0.............0..........0..........25
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........289..............0.............0..........0.........289

YTD........773...............0............21..........7.........802

a sweatheart of a ride

It was Valentines Day, and it promised to be a dark, windy, and rainy night. If one had a sweety it would have been a perfect night to snuggle in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

I went for a bike ride!

As I prepared to ride the wind was blowing hard, the rain was falling harder. It didn't look like it was going to be fun. I planned on riding my favorite 23 mile night route; Well lit, wide shoulders, low traffic.

It ended up being a little less miserable than I expected. The rain quit and the wind died down. It was still dark, but a 6:45PM start time assured that.

I pedaled hard and fast because, well, just because it was Valentines Day evening and I was on my bike!



..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........23..............0.............0..........0..........23
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........264..............0.............0..........0.........264

YTD........748...............0............21..........7.........748

timing

Real Estate folks may preach "location, location, location" but today for we folks on bikes it was "timing, timing, timing", and we had perfect timing!

Earlier in the week the weather forecast said Saturday would be a wetter day than Sunday. I had scheduled a century ride for my social bike club on Sunday based on that forecast. As the week went on Saturday began to look like the better day of the two. Finally late last night it appeared that the rain wouldn't come in until late Saturday and Sunday is predicted to be wet, wet, wet! I transferred leadership of the Sunday century to a new ride leader who was begging for experience, and posted a ride from Troutdale to Multnomah Falls and back. A mere 40 miles, but with just over 3000 ft of climbing it would still be a good ride. I didn't want to plan many more miles than that, not trusting the weather forecast, and not needing to ride all day in the rain anymore.

I only had one person RSVP for the ride, and that person's history as a perennial no show didn't make it look promising for company. No big deal, I have ridden many miles solo and could do a few more.

As I arrived at Edgefield, our starting point, I was not surprised to see the "perennial no show" not be there, but was surprised to see 3 others decide to show up...all prompted by the nice weather this morning!

We pedaled up to Chanticleer Point then zoomed down the back side to Multnomah Falls, took in the sights a bit, then returned. We took a few alternate roads just to make sure we weren't bored by a straight out and back.



We had no wind, a rarity in the Gorge, no rain, a rarity in February, and the weather was in the 50's reaching the high 50's by ride's end. As we sat at Edgefield enjoying a post ride carbo loading session we noted the sky darkening, and the wind picking up. I'd estimate gusts in the 35-40 mph range by the time I was driving back home.(update, peak gust measured at Portland Airport was 37) Tomorrow's century looks to be a wet and miserable affair. I'm glad I rode today, and opted out of tomorrow's ride.

I'll get a few things that have been deferred finished up, and stay warm and dry!

and late this evening a comment was posted to my facebook page:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jennifer wrote: "Kevin, apparently timing IS everything...read my narrative about our trip from SE PDX to NE to N PO to Marine Drive to Troutdale to the hills...and our struggle to make it back alive! being out there in that wind was like Hemet all over again, draining you of your will to live or function. All I can say is: you lucky bastard :P"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
and the referenced narrative:
Don't think I've suffered on a bike this much since the XMas Ride into Hemet: sideswiping gales and headwinds so fierce we were almost literally knocked off our bikes several times, a missed turn, and with 10 mi to go, skies opened up and started pouring. Nothing to do but put the bit between your teeth and ride to shelter of home, right? Tomorrow's Worst Day of the Year Ride should be a piece of cake after this...



..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........40..............0.............0..........0..........40
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........241..............0.............0..........0.........241

YTD........725...............0............21..........7.........753

a dark and rainy night

There is a route I like to use when I ride at night, for the most part well lit, wide shoulders and low traffic. What a difference the weather makes! I rode it last week and had a very enjoyable ride, rode it again tonight and was ... not so enjoyable. Tonight was raining. Even though I had bright lights on, they just bounced off the black wet roads and went off into space. The raindrops on the glasses compounded the poor vision.

My riding partner had enough long before the ride was over, I wasn't far behind in how I felt.

We both agreed that it was still better than sitting home. But I think it's safe to say that we both hope for better weather the next time!

..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........21..............0.............0..........0..........21
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........201..............0.............0..........0.........201

Year to date ..........................................a paltry 703

Rode yesterday's birthday ride backwards

Rode yesterday's birthday ride backwards to meet newbies and lead them on 23 mi. Add commute and today's total was 83 miles.

..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........83..............0.............0..........0..........83
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........180..............0.............0..........0.........180

Year to date ..........................................a paltry 682

56 flat and fast miles, plus a few

Today was my birthday. I was joined by 18 folks on a ride of 56 miles to celebrate it.
The ride was advertised as "about 15 mph on bike average"...well, we were only off by 3mph. ;-) The weather was perfect and we took advantage of it and pedaled right along. I averaged 18 mph for the ride. I got a few bonus miles by commuting to the ride and did a couple of double backs to check on some who had fallen behind from time to time.

We finished up with snacks at a local sports pub in Wilsonville. My sister brought a birthday cake!

photos will be coming later.

Thanks to all who joined me today, it was a blast!

..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........62..............0.............0..........0..........62
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb..........97..............0.............0..........0..........97

Year to date ..........................................a paltry 599

21 flat and fast miles

21 flat and fast miles tonight. Nice to have the days getting longer. Started at 4:30 and got most of it done before dark.

We did have one issue. My riding partner and I were riding near Wilsonville, the sun was still up but we both had front and rear blinkies flashing. I did not have my 400 lumen light on. A driver in a 4x4 pickup (isn't it always a 4x4???) stopped as he was coming out from a side street, then creeped out, and out, and finally right in front of my partner, forcing an evasive maneuver, along with a verbal outburst. The driver was captive, vehicular traffic was at a standstill. I rode up, slapped the tailgate. (when will I learn?) and asked him what the hell he thought he was doing. He responded that he didn't see her. I asked if he even looked! I mean, bright colors, daylight, and a 1 watt white blinkie flashing in his face. If it was any solace, he had fear in his eyes, he wasn't sure what I was going to do. As it ended up, I made sure he heard my concerns, then rode away.

My friend and I pedaled quicky tonight. We had an 18 mph "on bike" average at the end

..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........21..............0.............0..........0..........21
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb..........35..............0.............0..........0..........35

Year to date ..........................................a paltry 537

for Pete's sake!

Well, who is Pete, and why did they name this hill after him?

A friend and I had planned to ride a 20 mile route with 2000 ft of climbing after work today, beginning at 4:45PM. Well, I-5 was stopped up with an overturned semi truck, the side roads were stopped up with those trying to avoid the freeway. Had I known that prior I would have commuted to Tualatin by bike, it would have been far quicker.

So, we started off about 45 minutes late. We pedaled down 65th avenue to start off with. No paved shoulder, but not normally a major issue. Tonight with all the traffic trying to avoid the mess on the freeway though 65th was very busy.

We made our way over to the Willamette area of West Linn and than began climbing the major hill of the ride, Pete's Mountain, from the more difficult side.

It was dark, my riding partner had cold toes, and a daughter that needed a ride to class. When we reached the top of Pete's Mountain we took Sheaffer Rd to the west, cutting off 6 miles of our intended route. We still ended up with 14 miles and just a shade over 1400 ft of climbing. Not too bad for an after work ride in the dark.


..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........14..............0.............0..........0..........14
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb..........14..............0.............0..........0..........14

Year to date ..........................................a paltry 516