The (should have been) dry side of the Cascades

There were 4 riders saying they would join the fun today. Two of us showed up.
Dave and I started off from Hood River this morning on a quest to ride the Cherry of a Ride route........one week late because we "had to ride" the Monster Cookie Metric Century last week.


We started out on the section of the Historic Columbia Gorge Hwy that is closed to auto traffic. Here we travel through the Mosier Twin Tunnels.


The weather was drier on this side of the Cascades than it was in Portland, but still surprisingly wet for a place that only gets 12" of rain a year. We had a light but persistent rain for the first 25 miles. The light rain wasn't totally a bad thing, it helped keep us cool on our climb of 7 Mile Hill.


The Gorge is just full of blooming wildflowers this time of year. A very pretty ride indeed.


Since the official Cherry of a Ride was last week we had to take care of our own nutrition and hydration needs. Here we stopped to refuel before climbing Chenowith Creek Rd.


At mile 31 we were back down to river level in The Dalles and had a nice view of The Dalles Dam before climbing back out of the Gorge.

After a bit of climbing we were on Emerson Loop Rd and in rolling wheat land. The weather here on our eastern most section of the ride was dry and warm.



There were some classic rural eastern Oregon views.



After a stop at the water I stashed the night before for a refill we began the ride back down to The Dalles.


We would arrive back in The Dalles at our 80 mile mark, but for the last 4 miles into town we were treated to some moderate rain. We made a very slight detour to Safeway where we had a balanced diet....1 corn dog, 1 V8 juice. (balanced because it's one junk food and one healthy offering!)


We soon were on the Rowena Loops making our way up to Rowena Crest.
(Lupine in full bloom)







From Rowena Crest we enjoyed a fast descent to Mosier, but not before riding through some of the heaviest rain I've every biked through, complete with lightning and thunder! Once done with that we pedaled back through the Mosier Twin Tunnels and back into Hood River where after 106 miles with 11647 ft of climbing it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labor!


Even with more rain than we had expected it was a good ride.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........106...............0................106
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....790.....+.........0........=.......790
May total.......106.....+.........0........=.......106
Year to date...2906.....+.........30.......=......2936
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ride preparations

Tomorrow I lead a small group on a ride of the Cherry of a Ride route. The actual event ride was last weekend but I was busy riding the Double Cookie. Tomorrow's route will cover 100 miles in the Hood River/The Dalles/Mosier area and have 8000 ft of accumulated climbing. If that's not enough, I am leading a slightly larger group on the same route again the next day!

We noted that Dave's tires were getting very near the end of their useful life so he decide to put on new tires before riding into the isolation of the east side of the Cascades tomorrow. He also needed a new spare tube so he opted to change both tubes to Slimelite's and keep his used "air" tubes as spares.

Whoa.... what issues I had! Dave opted for Forte Pro Kevlar tires. They fit tightly, and with the thin Slimelite tubes, I managed to pinch holes in three tubes before finally getting one installed. ........ just about the time you think you know a thing or two about fixin' bikes! :-(

Finally got the two tires mounted and aired up. Dave took the bike out for a short spin just to make sure everything was going to work.

Looks like we are ready for an 8AM start from Hood River!

Rain predicted in the Portland area, 0% chance of rain in The Dalles on Saturday, 40% chance of showers on Sunday. With The Dalles only getting 1/3 the annual rainfall that Portland gets we don't expect to get drenched this weekend. :-)

With relatively long stretches without opportunity to resupply pre-planning is going to be important for this ride. I'm hoping to get a chance to stash some gallon jugs of water at key points along the course prior to the ride. I've done that on other rides I've led and it is usually appreciated.

Need all the points I can get! ;-)

Art leads a great CASUAL ride!

One of my social bike group's members was leading what was billed as "Art's Casual Blue Lake Park Ride". 8 folks showed up, a pretty good showing for a mid week after work ride. Art and Luis even showed up on mountain bikes figuring there would be no problem keeping up with the predicted casual pace.

Well, be sure to check the abilities of your casual riders on mountain bikes before signing up for one of Art's rides! LOL! Dave and I arrived a bit early and joined Mark and Art for a little pre-ride. We ended up with 10 miles.......at 19 mph average!

We arrived back at the 33rd and Marine Dr starting location in time to join the rest. Even though two were on mountain bikes the pace was quick. We were seeing 20-21 on the speedos more often than not. It was a good ride, we all joked about the "casual" pace and how we'd hate to ride with Art if he billed it as a training ride, or fast paced ride!






We ended the riding portion of the evening with 30 miles total, then 5 of us retired to the Sextant Bar and Grill for a post ride bite to eat and a cold beverage. The Garmin said we burned almost 2000 calories so I think we could afford to make the stop. ;-)

I think it might have been Art's way to insure that we'd agree that this was a "social ride". ;-)

It was a good evening ride with good friends.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today............30...............0.................30
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....790.....+.........0........=.......790
Year to date...2800.....+.........30.......=......2830
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A cookie pig

Today was Salem Bicycle Club's Monster Cookie Metric Century. For the last several years I've not been content to ride just one Monster Cookie, this flat and fast course just begs to ridden a second time around, the famous, if unofficial, Double Cookie. Given my inability to lock my vehicle until new windows are installed on Monday I chose to commute to the ride from Wilsonville. While not actually riding the course twice, I'd at least get the mileage of a double cookie.

I shoved off from North Wilsonville at 6 AM, planning on getting to Salem and the start of the Monster Cookie by 8AM. The distance was longer than I expected and there was a slight headwind after about 7AM. I missed my planned start time by over 30 minutes. I ended up with a 38 mile commute to the ride. Being a bit late worked out OK though, I was able to join a group from my social bike club that was riding today.
Our little group didn't set the course on fire, but we pedaled along pretty consistently in the sea of cyclists (and a few "people on bikes")

Kris picked up a staple in her rear tire just a few miles from the first rest stop. Almost before she could come to a stop a support vehicle pulled off with the offer of a floor pump. Kris and I got the tube replaced and aired up in record time and were back on the road. The rest of our group had pedaled on so it was catch-up time for us. We hammered along in draft mode at 20-22mph trying to close the gap. We didn't quite catch them before reaching the first rest stop at Salem Bible College.
Since this ride is all about cookies it should come as no surprise that there was a wide range of cookies at the stop along with more traditional fare. We milled around enjoying the snacks and other cyclists' company for a long time (really too long!) but finally got back on the road.
We arrived at the main stop of the day, Champoeg Park, half way into our ride as well as box lunches.

As we got back on the bikes we were heading into the slight wind that had helped push us as we rode the first half. I got on my aerobars and pedaled. I was able with some effort to hold about 18 mph. Not bad for an old guy who already had 70 miles in for the day. Knowing I had many miles to go yet I didn't tarry. I soon dropped the folks I had been riding with.

I rode onto the Capital Mall and immediately turned around and headed back to Wilsonville. As luck would have it, the wind shifted a bit and before I got back to Wilsonville I was riding into the wind.........again.

I ended up with a respectable 136 miles for the day. I was more tired than I should have been for this distance, but blame it somewhat on being too warm. I should have taken off my windbreaker by mid morning or noon at the latest. I've always noted that my performance suffers when I'm a bit too warm.

Good day, no rain. Looked like a good turnout for the Salem Bicycle Club.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today...........136...............0................136
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....760.....+.........0........=.......760
Year to date...2770.....+.........30.......=......2800
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Brian's birthday ride

Brian had a birthday,
and a group of us joined in a ride to celebrate.

We began from Lakeside Bicycles in Lake Oswego and started by climbing a path that parallels Terwilliger Blvd.
Before long that path ended and we were on the scenic Terwilliger Blvd heading towards OHSU.The first of many planned stops to celebrate the birthday was at Saturday Market.Where Kris got a new pair of wool socks to help with her cold feet.......... While we all got a bite (or two or three!) of food. After doing all the damage we could do there we headed across the Willamette Riveron our way to our next stop, The Press Club
The folks at The Press Club treated our birthday boy to a complimentary shot.
After a bit we divided our group temporarily to those who wanted to ride to the top of Mt Tabor, and those that wanted to stay at The Press Club and enjoy another round.
Those of us who headed for the top of Mt Tabor are pleased to announce that we made it!We rode back down to The Press Club where we re-combined our group and rode back to Lake Oswego via Sellwood and a climb up through the Riverview Cemetery. After a fast dash down Terwilliger we arrived back in Lake Oswego where we had one more stop at the Gemini Tavern.
Dave and I had commuted to the ride from Wilsonville so we took honors today for riding the most miles with a total of 58 miles.

Tomorrow I repeat the "ride to the ride" and will ride to Salem for the Monster Cookie Metric Century from Wilsonville. (mostly since I don't have windows in my pickup yet and am not wild about leaving it parked in a lot "unlocked" while riding)
I should get at least 120 miles tomorrow.



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today............58...............0.................58
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....624.....+.........0........=.......624
Year to date...2634.....+.........30.......=......2664
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A good ride with a not so good ending

Luis, Carol, and I rode out from Cornelius Pass Roadhouse just after 6 PM tonight in quest of a decent workout. We chose to ride out to the Helvetia area and included a ride up Logie Trail Rd. We ended up with 1700 ft of climbing with our 24 miles. I felt strong this evening, able to pretty much ride at will. Had some pretty decent photos of the ride, but alas they are gone now. (NOT having a good day!)

When we finished the ride near 8PM we found two windows broken out of my pickup. I had my laptop along so I could log the ride when we had our post ride snacks but it was obscured from view under a coat and street clothes. No matter, the perpetrators found it. From what I've been able to determine this morning so far is that the laptop is gone ...and the last year's worth of photos/video that I hadn't burned to DVD yet :-(. I also am budget officer for our local fire district, my budget docs are all on there. That's a big deal, the deadline to have it completed is in 4 days.
Also taken was my bike duffel bag with a half dozen jerseys, and numerous bike shorts, socks, windbreakers, rainwear, and both of my helmet cams. (Tony Hawk and Oregon Scientific ATC2K) Most identifiable will be my Race Across Oregon finishers jersey. Not many of those around.

First bid on window replacement...........$1342
Looks like repairs and loss will total over $4000 :-(



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today............24...............0.................24
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....566.....+.........0........=.......566
Year to date...2576.....+.........30.......=......2606
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2 hills

I rode a 21 mile loop this afternoon from Forest Grove that included a climb of two hills. I rode out Fernhill until I had the opportunity to turn left (UPhill) on Blooming-Fernhill Rd. It's a steep pitch up for a thankfully short distance then a rolling descent to Golf Course Rd. From there it's a right turn and shortly begin the larger climb of the ride, Iowa Hill. The descent on Unger Rd is one of the best around these parts. You can hit 50+ on this arrow straight road with little opportunity for surprises. (no side streets or close by homes) A little uphill before the sharp turn means you don't even have to brake to make it.

From there on it's a flat ride back to the starting point via Hwy 219-Simpson Rd/Johnson School Rd-Golf Course Rd-LaFollet Rd-Fernhill Rd.

There's just over 1000 ft of climbing, and it's all in the first 8 miles! Not a bad workout for a short close to home ride.

Here's the route if you care to ride it:


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today............21...............0.................21
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....542.....+.........0........=.......542
Year to date...2552.....+.........30.......=......2582
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An absolutely gorgeous day!

Dave, Luis, and I met at the Rock Creek Tavern this morning to ride up Old Cornelius Pass Rd to Skyline then turned right and made our way to Newberry Rd for a fun descent to Hwy 30 and over the Sauvie Island bridge and onto the island to join a group of about 20 for a couple of laps.


After our laps we went back out to Hwy 30 and rode just over 6 miles out to Rocky Point Rd for a little hill climbing exercise back up to Skyline Rd. We even managed to talk Debra and Carol into joining us for this hill climbing adventure. We made our way to Rock Creek Rd for a nice downhill run to Old Cornelius Pass Rd and back to Rock Creek Tavern. It had been a warm day, and cold beers awaited!


We all had a good time!


tech question... does anyone know why this video doesn't include it's associated audio? The raw clip has audio and it plays on my computer just fine. When I upload it to the blog (or to YouTube) the audio disappears. I get audio on other people's posted clips just fine so I know my computer settings must be OK. YouTube help doesn't. :-(


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today............53...............0.................53
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....521.....+.........0........=.......521
Year to date...2531.....+.........30.......=......2561
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The dry side of the Cascades

I am in Deschutes County for a meeting and came over a bit early to take advantage of the altitude........and the drier climate. I brought the bike with me and tried this route that I had looked up on Bicycling.com:



It was a nice ride with beautiful blue sky overhead!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today............32...............0.................32
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....468.....+.........0........=.......468
Year to date...2478.....+.........30.......=......2508
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Riding with Mike Olson and friends

I joined a small group from my LBS (local bike shop) this morning. The group rides faster than my normal bike buddies and it was good for me to ride with them.......and nice that they put up with this slow old guy tagging along!


We had a couple of hours so decided on taking a ride out to Woodland Loop, a two hour and change ride. We began by riding out Fernhill Rd. There was a very slight but noticable headwind.



After a few miles we took a left on Springhill Rd and followed it to Laughlin Rd where we made a right. We followed Laughlin Rd as it went through a narrow valley past wineries and farms.



When we reached Hwy 240 we turned left then took another left onto Woodland Loop. We immediately began a gentle climb.



The road continued to climb moderately and at times really resembled a woodland loop!



The climb continued long enough that we got a bit of elevation under us.



After a cautious but fun descent we backtracked to Forest Grove, this time slightly downhill with a bit of tailwind. I can DO downhill with tailwind! :-) This was the only part of the ride where I managed to stay in front of the group for any appreciable amount of time.






I ended up with 35 miles, but more noteworthy is the 17.2 average I held with the 1857 ft of climbing!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...............Road Bike.....LifeCycle.....Total Miles
Today............35...............0.................35
Jan total.......501.....+.........30.......=.......531
Feb total.......614.....+.........0........=.......614
March total.....860.....+.........0........=.......860
April total.....436.....+.........0........=.......436
Year to date...2446.....+.........30.......=......2476
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++