For the first time, I was not a cookie pig today. Julie joined me for the ride and one lap would be just fine this time.
We started off with a short ride to the official start of the ride at the State Capital.
We've had some very nice weather the last few days, and the forecast was for more nice weather today. There would be 1908 riders today, with a sizable number of those not being preregistered. Salem Bicycle Club enlisted 75 volunteers to be sure that things transpired smoothly.
The course was open to start from 8AM to 10AM. We pedaled off at 8:07 AM
There were some clouds in the sky, but the roads were dry, and we had a tail wind. Life was good as we made our way northward. Julie is best described as a social rider and she was having fun with her highly decorated helmet.
With our early start, and social pace, we were passed by a steady stream of riders. Julie soaked in all the shoutouts for her decorative headgear. We arrived at Zielinski Farm after 15 miles, the first rest stop.
We ate fruit and cookies, and I visited with a few bike friends.
After a short while it was time to get back on the bikes.
After another 15 miles of riding we arrived at Champoeg Park. Preregistered riders can order a boxed lunch and eat it here, but I found out years ago that a full lunch here makes riding difficult.
With nearly 2000 riders today, I was bound to run into folks I know. It was a bit of a switch, as when I ride with Julie in Seattle she knows EVERYBODY. Today she knew very few. The weather was improving as the ride progressed but there was still a south wind blowing. After the lunch stop at Champoeg Park we prepared to ride back into the wind. As we pedaled out of the park we passed my brother-in-law Dave, and the gang of cookie pigs. They all had smiles on their faces as they raced into the park.
Julie and I pedaled back southward, into that wind. Folks were still pedaling along at 14-17 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but there were some slower riders too.
The route is two loops connected by a short stretch of shared road where Zielinski Farm is located. We arrived back there and stopped in for some more snacks.
Just as we were ready to shove off, the cookie pigs arrived. Stories flew of 25 mph pacelines, and struggles to keep up with the group. Ah, the fun of fast friends!
Julie and I pedaled off, knowing that the cookie pigs would soon pass us by. With the improving weather the south wind was beginning to shift. Rather than a headwind, we now had a cross wind. We were back up to the mid teens as we made our way along.
Dave, Vest, Steven, Kevin O., Diana, Eric, Max, and Sally caught us, as expected, and flew by us in a tight paceline. They were having a great ride on a sunny day. So were we.
We arrived back in Salem and looked for the traditional monster cookies. Alas, there were some big cookies, but not Monster Cookies.
It was a good ride, Julie rode her longest ride this year. With our short commute to and from we managed to get a full metric century, barely.
..............road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today.............62...............0.............0..........0..............62 Jan..................93..............0..............0.........0..............93 Feb................411..............0..............0.........0............411 March.............653..............0.............0.........0............653 April..............618.............0...............0.........0............618 Total.............1778.............0...............0.........0..........1778
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