I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out).
"The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget."
Mario Cipolini
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
John F. Kennedy
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 97.26Average: 16.20
Max Speed: 42.50
Elevation Gain: 3270
SBC Saturday Century. We left the red lot and rode to Ankeny Wildlife Reserve via River and Riverside Roads. Crossing the Buena Vista Ferry an hour after it opened, we were told by the ferry operator that up to that point in time, only cyclists had used the ferry; no cars as of yet. We joined the SBC shorter route, but did not see anyone until the King's Valley Store where we stopped for lunch. We left the store with the others, but Mark was feeling frisky and we soon dropped everyone on the rollers-hills on Kings Valley Highway. Our next stop was Ricks Cafe in Monmounth, where we snacked with a couple riding a co-motion tandem. Lastly, instead of heading directly back to Salem, we extended the ride up to Zena Road so our ending mileage would be respectable.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 158.08Average: 14.30
Max Speed: 34.00
Elevation Gain: 2869
Oregon Randonneur 600km - Day Two.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 220.13Average: 14.70
Max Speed: 40.10
Elevation Gain: 8514
Oregon Randonneur 600km - Day One.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Race Across Oregon Camp
Portland to Maupin via Highway 216
Distance: 116.62
Elevation Gain: 7350
Maupin to Spray
Distance: 100.98
Elevation Gain: 8427
Long Creek to Prinville
Distance: 133.51
Elevation Gain: 5816
Warm Springs to Timberline Lodge
Distance: 74.58
Elevation Gain: 7975
Monday, May 19, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 74.58Average: 11.10
Max Speed: 41.60
Elevation Gain: 7975
Race Across Oregon Camp Day Four - Warm Springs to Timberline Lodge. The was the last day of camp and I was feeling the miles. So, in order to finish at a reasonable time, I was sagged up the route to Warm Springs in the morning. I missed a lot of early, cool flat miles so I could ride the hilly, hot miles. My plan was successful. I finished at Timberline Lodge just a few minutes after the rest of the group and we got off the mountain and back to Portland at a reasonable time/
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 100.94Average: 11.40
Max Speed: 41.80
Elevation Gain: 8427
Race Across Oregon Camp - Day Two The route was from Maupin to Long Creek, but I got off the bike in Spray. The non-seasonal heat got to me on the fourth (of five) climbs. I rode till I reached 100 miles and it took me ten hours to do so.
Ride Statistics
Miles: 133.51Average: 15.10
Max Speed: 40.00
Elevation Gain: 5816
Race Across Oregon Camp - Day Three. The route was from Long Creek to Prinville, and I rode the entire distance. The heat was worst today; I saw 114° on my HAC4 bike computer during the last 17 mile climb of the day. Then, I had 30 miles of stiff headwind all of the way to the hotel. Just another character building experience.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 121.19Average: 14.40
Max Speed: 40.00
Elevation Gain: 7350
Race Across Oregon Camp - Day One - Portland to Maupin. The morning broke with a slight cloud cover which we enjoyed as the forecast was for 90° plus. We rode as a group (the seven campers) until the first hill where I dropped off of the back. I stayed off of the back all day expect for Jody and Bill. Jody in not used to the climbing, and Bill tired over time. The route was not the Official RAO route due to snow closures. We took Hwy 26 all of the way to Hwy 216. Then took 216 all of the way to Hwy 97 where we had a choice. We could turn right and ride downhill to the hotel, or we could turn left and do the Ring of Fire night loop for extra miles. I turned to the left. The loop was fun and very hot. But when I finished the night loop, I was not done. I decided to add extra, bonus miles and did the steep portion of Bake Oven Road. And it was a Bake Oven; it was 96°! Tomorrow, we cycle over five climbs, ride 154 miles and go to Long Creek. I understand that all communication (including cell / telephone / internet) is down so I will not be able to post again until Saturday.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I'm a RAO Camper!
Yes, tomorrow I start the Race Across Oregon Four Day Camp. Four wonderful days of riding the Race Across Oregon route. I am so excited.
What could make it better? Well, tons of heat! The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 90° and the rest of the week is only going to get hotter. Yum!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Saturday Century
Ride Statistics
Miles: 97.44Average: 15.90
Max Speed: 38.00
Elevation Gain: 2584
SBC Saturday Century. We had four riders in addition to ourselves. We headed north to St. Paul where Brandon discovered he had a broken spoke. So we headed to Newburg and it's bike shop. The shop did fix the spoke, but it took a while. After the repair, we had lunch. With the original route no longer a possibility, we head south along 99W (what a busy road!) to Dayton and then to Grand Inland, the Wheatland Ferry and back to Salem.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 36.26Average: 14.70
Max Speed: 29.40
Elevation Gain: 746
SBC Wednesday Night Ride. The wind continues so we road the fast tandem. On the way home, while attempting to negotiate the Keizer Station underpass, we dropped the chain in between the rear cassette and the spokes. We had to call Martin for rescue.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 22.35Average: 16.70
Max Speed: 27.70
Elevation Gain: 285
Scott's Tuesday Night Ride. I took it easier than usual, but the peddling was still hard.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 46.57Average: 16.80
Max Speed: 35.00
Elevation Gain: 923
SBC Monday Night Ride. This was suppose to be a recovery ride but it turned into a fast ride early and a limp home ride late. Perhaps the heavy west wind had something to do with my late weakness.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Ride Statistics
Miles: 269.91Average: 14.00
Max Speed: 37.00
Elevation Gain: 10872
Oregon Randonneurs Fleche Ouragan. Eugene to Sisters to Forest Grove.
The Route
The Team ready to ride at 6:00 am, Saturday Morning.
Mark, waiting in the snow.
The after lunch in Sisters, Or.
Sandy, achieving the summit of Santiam Pass.
Paul, with the summit sigh.
A cyclist's nightmare, a closed store!
Where to stay warm in the middle of the night? In the Post Office!
Thursday, May 01, 2008