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