This was my 1st ride of 2016. I only rode twice in December, and even while riding every day in November, for the most part they were not challenging rides. I was going to pay dearly for my lack of cycling fitness.
My first mapping of today's route looked good. Exactly 61 miles, and on favorable roads. There wasn't an opportunity for resupply near the half way point however, so I went for an alternate routing that put us at a full service stop midway, at the price of busier roads and a few more hills for the last half. I knew it would tax me, but how bad could it be?
8 of us met in the Fred Meyer parking lot in Wilsonville. I rode my fixie on last year's birthday ride, this year Joe would be the only fixed gear representative. He would keep up with the geared bikes much better than I did on mine last year.
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| Tess, Monica, and Kathleen |
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| Dave |
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| Alan |
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| Terry |
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| Joe |
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| and Birdie Flores made the trip again too! |
The gang kept the pace throttled back, and I was able to mostly keep up the 15-16 mph speed. A few of the guys went off the front as we neared our southern most point of travel. They paid the price by missing the planned resupply stop. We all regrouped at the small convenience store where the route turned north.
The wind wasn't really significant, but for an out of shape old guy, it was now a noticeable headwind.
I tucked midpoint into the developing paceline. We pedaled several miles at 16-17, my tired legs were taxed, but I was holding on. Then Dave made his move to the front of the line and picked the speed up to 17-18. When Alan assumed lead and brought it up to 19, I was done. Before it was over, I heard that Terry felt his oats and brought it up to 20. I used to be able to run with the big dogs...and then some, but not now. :-(
We regrouped in St Paul. The guys were there waiting for me, the ladies had pedaled on ahead.
River Road was pretty busy for a Saturday, but traffic was at least not antagonistic.
We pedaled out, but it didn't take long for me to fall behind.
My "saddle interface" was feeling my lack of saddle time, my legs weren't feeling much of all.
Any little incline slowed me down significantly. Terry fell back and kept me company as I slogged slowly along. There were opportunities to short cut the course, but damn it, I was going to pedal this thing!
We got to Newberg and turned to follow the Willamette River on Wilsonville Rd. It is a curvy, rolling, tree lined road. During weekday commute times it can be harrowing to ride bike along it. Weekends are normally much better. There have been times when I've counted two vehicles passing from either direction on the entire 8 mile stretch. Today would not be one of those days.
Again, traffic was not aggressive, but it was not enjoyable to feel so vulnerable. As we'd ride along the Willamette we'd have to cross feeder streams, and the little "canyons" that they flowed through.
Those little 6%ish climbs dropped me to the mid single digits. Terry was patient with my struggles and stayed back with me. Thanks Ter!
We finally arrived at our finish point. I would have had an even 61 miles, but early in the ride I had looped around a parking lot in Woodburn to scope out a possible restroom for some who had expressed a need.
The others had already staked out a table. My sister again joined us and brought a birthday cake. At least she didn't try to put 61 candles on it!
61 miles, it wasn't pretty, but it was done!
Today ......61...............0...................0.......................0...........61
Jan............0................0...............,...0.......................0............0
Feb...........61...............0...................0.......................0...........61
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