Memorial Day

6 of us took off today with the goal of attending a Memorial Day service at a rural cemetery. 6 of us rode, but it was almost like a Randonneur Dart event. Out of the 6 of us, there were 4 starting locations. I rode 15 miles from Wilsonville to Metro Perc where I met Mark who had cycled in from Beaverton, about 5 miles away he tells me. Sandy and Janet each transported their bikes to Metro Perc by car so they would begin riding from there. Becky and Keith had started in Forest Grove and were riding just under 20 miles toward Metro Perc to join us.

We Metro Perc..ers where ready to roll just a few minutes early so we pedaled off. Keith and Becky had said if we were ready to roll to do so as they would be backtracking our route and we'd see each other on the road. We probably rode about 5 miles before we found them. We had started 10 minutes early, and they had started 15 minutes late. No matter, we were all together now pedaling our way to Verboort!

Despite the cooler than average weather the last few months the Crimson Clover fields have come into full bloom right on schedule.
(just a reminder that you can always click on any photo to view full size)

The weather was good. We had no rain and a slight south wind that would be mostly at our backs as we made our way out.


When we got to the top of the Blooming-Fernhill Rd hill Janet had enough. Janet had recent knee problems and didn't want to cause any damage. Sandy said she'd accompany her on the ride back. When they got to the bottom of the hill they turned on Springhill Rd and headed back toward Metro Perc. They'd end up with just over 30 miles for the day.

Keith, Becky, and I were waiting to regroup at the bottom of that same hill. Mark was coming down at about 35 mph. We hear a loud pop, thinking it was a backfire from the import pickup that had just started up the hill. But alas, it was Mark's front tire. Not sure which came first, the chicken or the egg, but by the time he got stopped the sidewall of the tire was cut about half way around the wheel's circumference. I normally carry a spare folding tire, but had tossed it out today as I was riding my Zipp wheels that run tubular tires. Tubular tires/wheels are not compatible with standard "clincher" tires and tubes. Luckily we were only about 3 miles from Forest Grove and Keith pedaled home and brought back a spare tire.


We got it all put back together and on the road again. Unfortunately it took a bit of time to get that all done. We took advantage of the open country and the tailwind to pedal a fast pace the remaining 5 miles to the cemetery, but arrived about 10 minutes late.

In the big picture I guess it really didn't make any difference. We still remembered those who've passed on, and we still got in on the after service maple bars!



Sandy and Janet had turned around before reaching Verboort, Becky and Keith live out that way and decided to ride around Hagg Lake yet this afternoon.

That left just Mark and I to make our way back to Metro Perc. We had a bit of headwind but not enough to bother us much. The sky had brightened up a bit with sun peeking out from time to time and we still had no rain.

We arrived back at Metro Perc in Scholls Heights and took a little side trip to check out the new Sunset Cycles location. They hope to be open for business in two weeks, but at this point it's still just an empty shell of a building. A crew was working on the floors today (a holiday!) so I'm guessing that they are making every effort to be open on schedule.

After our window shopping Mark and I each went our separate ways to get home, Mark heading north, me south.

It was a good day to ride with friends and to remember the reason for the holiday.

Late evening update:
OK, I admit it, I just "might be" a bit OCD. I was spending the evening installing a new bathroom floor. It's been a bigger than expected job. Tonight I put on a treatment prior to installing the new tile that required a 4 hour dry time. I begin to think about that pesky 4 digit number. I have a route that I ride during the winter when it's always dark that is well lit, low traffic, and wide shouldered. It begins just a few blocks away. It's a 21 mile route. I've got 4 hours. Yup, I changed into bike attire, put on my lights, and went to ride the night route....twice! I'm now within striking distance of that somewhat magical number. With a bit of commute to and from tomorrow's Rocky Butte repeat ride I should be able to get my first 1000 mile month since last September.

....road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today.......114..............0.............0..........0.........114
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........530..............0.............0..........0.........530
March.......502..............0.............0..........0.........502
April.......524..............0.............0..........0.........524
May.........966..............0.............0..........0.........966
YTD........3000..............0............27..........7.........3033