another 50

OK, I was told today's schedule called for 60 miles. (tri-gals lead such regimented lives! ...just kidding E!)

Erinn and I started from Wilsonville this morning with no real destination in mind, just a plan to ride 60 miles. We began by riding to the Canby Ferry and crossing over the Willamette River to Canby. (just a note that in this blog you can always click on a photo to view it full size)


On the way to the ferry I almost had an oh oh moment. Erinn and I were negotiating a winding descent into "skunk hollow" and I was marvelling at the gracefulness of her bike negotiating the corners. Perhaps a moment of attention lapse, but the next thing I know I'm heading into a 15 mph corner at substantially faster velocity than that. I focused on the turn and layed into it. Probably an error but part way into the corner I feathered the rear brake. The bike began to shimmy which put me into the oncoming lane and heading for the bank. I managed to stabilize and then just focused on where I needed to go. I survived but only in part because no traffic was coming from the other direction. A bit scary.

When we got to the ferry we were surprised to see a number of other bikes. There were 4-5 cyclists on the incoming ferry along with one pickup. There were also about 6-7 cyclists waiting to board. Our crossing had only bikes, no cars.

We rode with this group until we got to Canby then they turned towards Molalla. We had thought about riding that way but decided at that moment to strike out on our own. We rode out Knight's Bridge Road heading towards Butteville/Champoeg Park. After Butteville we followed Butteville Rd to Gervais rather than turn towards Champoeg Park.

We had started with relatively calm winds and cloud cover but by the time we got just out of Butteville the sky cleared.........and we started noticing a north wind. While it was tailwind for us at this point we knew it meant riding against it on our return.

We rode south along Hwy 99E until we came to Concomly Rd and turned right, figuring we could get our miles without riding so far downwind only to have to ride back into it. We road on Concomly over to River Road, the intersection of which is the site of a rest stop on the Monster Cookie Metric Century that we both rode earlier this season. There was a seemingly high amount of traffic on River Rd so we opted to backtrack on Comcomly and ride Hwy 99E rather than negotiate River Rd back north.

Hwy 99E is a bit dicey in the town of Woodburn for a few blocks. No room for bikes on the side and a lot of debris. We took a side road hoping to find a parallel residential street. No luck, we ended up walking the bikes over a block of gravel road.

Once we cleared Woodburn we continued to towards Hubbard. In this stretch Erinn got a jump on me at a traffic light and I just didn't have the energy to chase her down. She had been riding 18-20 mph and I have no reason to believe she was going any faster or slower.......... I just had about 15-16 in me was all! I ended up out of energy (and noted a growling stomach!) I pulled over and ate a Clif Bar, downed a Gu, and took a good drink of Accelerade. I also put my arm warmers back on because I was chilled.

That did the trick, within 10-15 minutes I was back in riding form, or as close to it as I get! Erinn had pulled off a mile or so ahead when she didn't see me behind her anymore.

From there on we rode together back at 18-19 mph, even into the wind.
Just north of Hubbard we angled left onto the road the runs past the Aurora Airport. There was again an unexpectadly high traffic volume. In many stretches there is no shoulder and even a 2-3" dropoff at the fogline. As we approached the airport Erinn pulled off so rapidly I thought she had a flat. Instead she said she didn't feel good about riding through that section. It was a good call. The pavement is rough, no shoulder, high traffic count, and not a good way to cross the Willamette River (our option was to ride just under a mile on the shoulder of I-5 across the Boone Bridge. Not a highlight of my day or hers.

We called my sister who came out and sagged us in, and then joined her and the family back at her house for BBQ. If you have to take a sag back in, that's the way to do it!

We ended up with 50.46 miles. About 10 short of what we had hoped for, but we are still here and able to ride another day.

I added just a bit more sunburn to my blazingly white legs. :-(

It was a good day on the bikes!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........50...............0.............50
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........2799....+.......743....=.........3542

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A lot of sun and more wind than necessary!

Dave, Laura, and I rode the Strawberry Century today. Dave and Laura got down to Lebanon before I did so they got a bit of a jump on me. After a little detour through SW Portland I managed to get on the bike about 8:20AM. The wind was blowing about 20 mph out of the North so the first 10-15 miles was into the wind. Last year this ride took place in a downpour so I won't complain too hard about headwind. I felt strong today but was very surprised to catch up with Dave and Laura at the first rest stop near the first covered bridge of the day. They had about a 20 minute head start so I was surprised to catch them at the 25 mile mark. We snacked and filled water bottles then went on our way.



As we got on the pedals it became obvious that I was a bit faster than Dave and Laura today. I thought for a moment, but then rationalized that I needed the workout and they wouldn't get lost. In good Lewis and Clark fashion, I proceeded on. I had nearly a 19 mph average to the first rest stop. The next stretch took us up to Foster Reservoir.





There was a rest stop at the head of the lake. Dave and Laura and I were leaving each other voice mails on the cell phones so I knew I was about 20 minutes ahead of them at that point. I had a few slices of watermellon, a few small pbj sandwiches, a few cookies, a blueberry "fig" bar, filled my water bottles, and pedaled on. Here's a video shot as I left the rest stop. There is a short out and back route to get there so the oncoming riders seen are on their way to the rest stop.



There were several other rest stops but I didn't delay. I stopped, stretched, drank some water, took a shot of Gu all without leaving the bike, then pedaled on. Probably no more than a minute stopped at each. In Brownsville I stopped at a rest stop for a little longer, visited with a former co-worker who I stumbled across, and chowed down. Dave and Laura were about 45 minutes behind me. I had a strong 18 mph average to that point.

Once we got out of the hills and out in the farm ground we were at the mercy of the wind. Once across the freeway we had another 10+ miles of wind right in our faces. With 85 miles under our belts it was brutal riding. My speed dropped considerably. Part of it was knowing that I was going to be waiting at the finish anyway, part was knowing I only had a relatively short ways to go, and part of it was just plain being tired!

I pulled into the finish with a 16.6 mph average....and a 90 minute wait for my partners. I used that time to change out of bike clothes and enjoy a well earned strawberry shortcake with ice cream! I'm telling you now that it was much more appreciated today with the 70 degree temp, sunny skies and headwind effort than it was last year with the deluge we rode through. ;-)



It was a good ride today, harder than necessary because of the wind, but good none the less.

A friend is suggesting we ride 60+ tomorrow so we'll see what tomorrow brings.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles Today
...101............0.........101
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........2749....+.......743....=.........3492 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

payback is a ......................

Early this spring I rode with my bike buddy Erinn and I was in a bit better early season shape than she was and was able to out climb her. She said I kicked her butt. Well, if that was true, she certainly paid me back in spades today! Could I have ratcheted the effort up a bit? Sure. But she certainly had more too if she needed it.
It was a good reality check for Race Across Oregon......... I've got a long ways to go yet and only 6 weeks to get there.

Erinn and I had planned to ride today but had not really set on a route to ride. Would we ride Hillsboro to Hwy 30 and back? The 3500 ft+ of climbing had her thinking we could find something a little more flat. (as if she needed to worry!)

We thought that Troutdale to Multnomah Falls and back might be a good compromise but as we headed that way I found out that she had never seen the Mosier Twin Tunnels.... good enough reason to ride Hood River to The Dalles and back. As we drove that way I called my former college roomie who lives in Parkdale and twisted his arm into joining us.

The sky was cloudless in Hood River but we had about a 20-25 mph west wind. That helped us keep a pretty brisk pace as we made our way to The Dalles.

Here we are at one of the overlooks.


and here's Terry and Erinn when I was actually looking through the viewfinder!



We made it to The Gorge Discovery Center, our turnaround point, before I realized that I didn't have my new gps unit recording. On the way back we had about 1400 ft of climbing and averaged 15 1/2 mph. Not bad considering it was all into a pretty stiff wind. While I was dogging it on the meager 5% inclines I was able to pedal a pretty good pace on the flats and able to hold my speed on the downhills. It all helped to keep me from getting totally dropped today.

It was a gorgeous day to be on bikes.

Next up, Dave, Laura, and I are riding the Strawberry Century out of Lebanon on Saturday. A few other of my bike buddies may join us also.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........41...............0
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........2648....+.......743....=.........3391

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on the road again

A cool June day to be sure, but none the less I hopped on the bike and pedaled.
Today I stayed close to home ($4+ gas will do that to you) and rode from Grand Lodge in Forest Grove out to Hagg Lake and made 4 laps then back. Nothing remarkable about the ride other than it's too darn cold for June!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........58...............0
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........2607....+.......743....=.........3350

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

another opportunity to vote ......for cyclists!

Does Oregon need a vehicular homicide law to protect cyclists? Local TV station KOIN has a poll asking this very question right now. On the main page, right side, 3/4 of the way down. KATU is also conducting a poll. Let them know what you think also.

I should be riding today, but I'm not. :-( Tomorrow, rain or shine I'm out there. I need to be finished by mid afternoon, but if anyone cares to join me give a shout. Likely route to be Cornelius Pass Roadhouse to Hwy 30 and back unless it's wet, then longer distance but less hills. (maybe Butteville to Salem and back?)

Here's some interesting data from ODOT (Thanks to KATU.com for compiling)

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Raw data came from the Oregon Department of Transportation and covers crashes that occurred in the Portland Metro Area from 2002 to 2006.

Overall Fault

*
41.5 percent - bicyclist at fault
*
51.8 percent - driver at fault
*
6.7 percent - blamed on both drivers and cyclists, or were inconclusive

Fatal Crashes

*
73.7 percent - driver at fault
*
26.3 percent - bicyclist at fault

Driver Errors

*
79.5 percent - driver fails to yield to the bicyclist
*
3 percent - driver makes an improper lane change
*
2.8 percent - driver disregards signals
*
1.35 percent - driver's inattention
*
1.03 percent - driver turns into oncoming traffic

Cyclist Errors

*
26.85 percent - bicyclist does not have the right of way
*
19.9 percent - bicyclist is riding while facing traffic
*
13.45 percent - bicyclist disregards signals
*
3 percent - bicyclist's inattention

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So ride and drive safely out there!

Astoria Column ride today with Dave

We had a short 27 miles but really hammered it out. Got the ole' heart a pumpin' pulling the hill up to the Astoria Column. We were rewarded by arriving just in time to be guests of a pirate wedding. (really, everyone including the minister was dressed in pirate garb!)

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...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........27...............0
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........2549....+.......743....=.........3292

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

rain, wind, big waves

50 degrees, 35 mph wind, big surf, welcome to the Oregon coast! The clams were doing what we should have been doing....laying low! The rain let off a bit this afternoon so I'm out on the bike (actually at the Hammond Library right now with the bike sitting just outside the window!)

I'm hoping to get about 30 miles in yet today. Not a lot of miles but with the wind it will be a little bit of a workout and certainly a lot more miles than I've logged in the last few days.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........32...............0
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........2522....+.......743....=.........3265

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

argh!

I had an early afternoon meeting in Salem and thought the timing would be a perfect opportunity to commute the slightly more than 50 miles to the meeting via bike. After a nice day yesterday today dawned drippy. I still prepared to ride, packaging my meeting materials in waterproof material and putting "meeting clothes" in a small backpack.

Then the little bike pansy started in, "you'll be soaked by the time you get there", "what little hair you have left will (as my dad used to say) --look like a calf's been sucking on it--", "your meeting materials will likely get wet".

I listened. I did bring the bike along, figuring that if along my way there the weather improved I'd unload and ride the rest of the way. It rained continuously until I reached the Salem city limits. Hardly worth the effort to unload the bike, change into riding attire and pedal the last two miles.

The worse thing about it was that with the brisk South wind and the drier weather by late afternoon it would have been a sweet ride back home!

I'm going to the beach for the next couple of days to join family and dig a few razor clams. I am bringing both my road bike and mtn bike along. I'm not telling the bike pansy that I'm leaving so I hope it misses the trip. I intend to ride "somewhere" in the afternoons after the clams are dug and cleaned.

I'll give short updates of any miles logged here via my cell phone. More details will follow when I get back to a computer.

Race Across Oregon is about 7 weeks away......... I need to be riding!

and now a word from Governor Ted Kulongoski

A small step (ride) for man, a giant leap for ...... political mankind?

Governor Kulongoski bike commutes to work today

timing is everything

I had a bike group picnic at Champoeg Park around noon today and they were doing a short ride prior to that so I wanted to be back to Champoeg Park by 9AM so started my ride at 6AM. I rode the same route that we rode for my birthday ride back in February. It gave me a nice 53 miles prior to the group ride and picnic. There were three very short light showers, more like heavy mist really, and probably not more than 10 minutes each.

The group ride wasn't so lucky. The rain was a bit heavier and lasted the entire ride! We rode from Champoeg west across Hwy 219 following a loop on the west side of Hwy 219 to St Paul. Just before we got to St Paul we veered off our intended route when we came across at least 300 horse and riders out for a ride. We didn't want to spook the horses (who wouldn't be scared of so many brightly colored lycra clad folks?) We waited at the intersection for the equestrians to pass, but finally decided that we'd all just have to share the road. We choose to turn and ride face into the remaining horses rather than try to pass the 200+ riders already ahead of us. We creeped along at 4-6 mph keeping a close eye on any horses that looked like they might be skittish. We finally passed the last horse as we got to St Paul.

From there we had clear sailing. Our group of about 12 split with some of us taking a slightly longer way back to Champoeg Park. The longer ride group ended up with 22 miles, shorter group about 2 miles less.

We all arrived within a few minutes of each other and proceeded to get out of the bike togs and into picnic mode. The weather had scared away a few of the folks (like the guy who was going to BBQ! We did manage to have enough to eat though. A few folks mentioned with the drizzle it might have been nice to have hot soup. Make a note for next June...... bring hot soup!

A good ride and good company.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........75...............0
Jan total.......98.....+........402....=..........500
Feb total.....385.....+.......220....=...........605
Mar total.....659.....+........41.....=...........700
April total...629.....+........57.....=...........676
YTD...........2490....+.......743....=.........3233

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