In my Three Capes Brevet writeup, I alluded to extremely painful knots in my shoulders. I've still got them. I thought that maybe the hydration pack was causing them (don't know why, I've been riding with a hydration pack for 3 years now...), so I rode yesterday without it. No, still knots.
Off to check out the fit. Bleriot never did have a real fit. I pulled out the Lemond and started comparing measurements. Usually it is not possible for me to shove the seat back far enough. However, the seat on Bleriot was back much further than it was on Lemond. The beauty of a relaxed seat tube angle, I guess. (Before anyone asks, I measured from the vertical line of the crank bolt. The cranks on both are 165mm, as well). The handlebars were up MUCH higher than the seat, as well. The center of the handlebars was 3/4" further away on Bleriot.
So I dropped the stem, and pushed the seat forward. Now I'm within 1/4"seat to handlebar distance. I'll see how it feels during this week's commute. I might have to raise the seat a bit, to compensate for moving it forward.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Bleriot rolls over 700 miles
Bleriot rolled over 700 miles on today on our Portland Velo (http://www.portlandvelo.net) club ride. I had planned to ride to and from the ride, and so departed the house shortly before 8am for the 9am ride start. Collected Jason along the way, and continued heading west to Longbottom's Coffee and Tea, where the Saturday Portland Velo rides are based.
While it wasn't raining, it was supposed to, so, like every OTHER weekend for the past it seems like forever, I was in rain gear and tights. I would really like to see 60's and not raining. The full fenders and mudflaps came in handy yet again.
Rickey was waiting in the parking lot, as well as Genny and many other riders I hadn't seen for awhile (I was missing, not them :-) )
I took the 15-17 mph group, and off we went. The major climbs on the route were Cedar Canyon, Stafford, and the rollers on Hillside, for a total of 41 miles.
We finished about 1:15, and I noticed a familiar van in the lot. As in, MY van. Fitz drove out to have post-ride coffee with us. Guess I didn't have to ride home. As the sky subsequently opened, probably a good thing. Enjoyed the traditional post-ride Omellette Special and coffee, visiting with the riders who stayed after to socialize.
Talking with the other riders, it seems we were the only group that didn't shortcut the route.
While it wasn't raining, it was supposed to, so, like every OTHER weekend for the past it seems like forever, I was in rain gear and tights. I would really like to see 60's and not raining. The full fenders and mudflaps came in handy yet again.
Rickey was waiting in the parking lot, as well as Genny and many other riders I hadn't seen for awhile (I was missing, not them :-) )
I took the 15-17 mph group, and off we went. The major climbs on the route were Cedar Canyon, Stafford, and the rollers on Hillside, for a total of 41 miles.
We finished about 1:15, and I noticed a familiar van in the lot. As in, MY van. Fitz drove out to have post-ride coffee with us. Guess I didn't have to ride home. As the sky subsequently opened, probably a good thing. Enjoyed the traditional post-ride Omellette Special and coffee, visiting with the riders who stayed after to socialize.
Talking with the other riders, it seems we were the only group that didn't shortcut the route.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Three Capes Brevet
April 14 2007
In which we ride to the beach and back, with some extra lumps in the middle...
The next event up on the randonneuring season was the Three Capes 300km Brevet. In other number systems, about 186 miles.
The day before, I made a list, so I wouldn't forget anything, and then started collecting. I had a new Carradice Barley seat bag, so installation of that was first priority. Well, cleaning the BIKE was really first priority. Reviewing the expected weather, I went with the Finish Line Cross Country chain lube, and decided that as long as those Honjo fenders are, they still weren't keeping road splash off my feet. A milk jug gave it up just for that purpose. No drilling
required; when I had them installed, I asked Mark to put in holes for mudflaps, just in case.
Extra wool socks, gloves, hat, wool undershirt. Two pbj sandwiches, banana, assorted bars and gels, Fritos. Gatorade. The map. Camera, baggie w/pencil for the brevet card. Rain jacket. Reflective vest and legbands. Fresh batteries in the sullen rear blinkie. Charge up the headlight battery. Put loaded bike in car. Sleep.
4am, up and moving out. Picked up Jason just before 5am, arrived at the Grand Lodge around 5:30am. We passed a cyclist heading south on Hwy 47 - rear blinkie, but no rando gear, so not riding to the start.
We were quickly assembled, so spent a bit of time visiting. Andrew was there for his first brevet. He, Cecil, Jason and I (and many others) should have posed for a Showers Pass Elite Jacket advertisement :-)
Pre-ride instructions from Bert, and we were off right at 6am. Sunrise was not due for another half hour, so we were all lit up, heading through Forest Grove, out Ritchey, north on Stringtown, then onto Gales Creek Rd. As usual, I exchanged greetings with other riders I wouldn't see later in the ride. Well, I saw many of them again on the out-and-back on Timber Road.
Then back onto Hwy 6 heading westward. It did start to rain as we climbed. Hwy 6 is one of the main routes to the coast, and very popular with those hauling trailers of ATVs. The shoulder was generally quite adequate. The climb was long, but not too steep. But I was getting hungry (that bowl of oatmeal was long gone), so pulled over just before the summit to eat one of the sandwiches. Jason stopped as well, but he didn't eat anything.
Then a 20 mile downhill to Tillamook, with decreasing rain. I've driven this road many times, but never done it on a bicycle. The deciduous trees are all leafed out. The Wilson River is running fast and high. Lots of new bridges where old ones had been washed out. There were patches of gravel on the shoulder here and there, so I still wasn't letting the bike run. My max speed before this ride was maybe 30. (I had gotten Sekai up to 44 before I developed common sense, and the Lemond has hit 48. Never again. What was I thinking? Anyway...). Eventually we got to the long flat stretch before Tillamook, complete with headwind. It went on forever (it does in a car, too). There were some cows looking inquiringly out of a barn door.
We finally reached Tillamook, turned left then right, then into the Safeway. We were HUNGRY! There were 5 or 6 bikes already there, including Cecil's and Andrew's. Andrew was enjoying an amazing three cheese panini, which he shared with me (yum! hot! cheese!). I ate more sandwich, and bought a banana and Gatorade, and filled up my hydration pack with water from the jugs earlier riders had left on the picnic tables outside. The sun was out. 60-something miles; we arrived just before 11am.
Then westward to the Three Capes Scenic Drive. In all the years I've lived here, I've never been on it. North, then west along Tillamook Bay (some houses have a really nice view), past the site of the former town of Bayocean (all washed away now), then south towards the cape Meares climb. Large numbers of noisy Harleys were out as well. The climb was steepish, with a cracked road surface, and a stretch of gravel at the top. The 650B tires on my bike did a nice job of softening up the ride. I took off my jacket and heavy gloves at that point, I was getting too hot! Then lots of up and down, still riding along the cape, with a descent into Oceanside, and the second (and staffed, with FOOD!) control. Visited with Rickey and Bert and ate a lot of strawberries.
Through Oceanside and along the bay, to start on the second climb, Cape Lookout. Lots more up, through the forest. I could see the ocean below from time to time, crashing in through the outcroppings and headlands. The air smelled fabulous. We passed a fence with razor wire on top, leading to a very fancy house, with a sliding security gate AND a guard tower, with what looked to be a very expensive FLIR security camera in it. Can't figure who lived THERE.
Winding around some more, with a stop at Anderson's Viewpoint.
One good 'ol boy there was moved to comment that he wouldn't get on one of THOSE without an engine. I noted that he was looking at the engine. Then up some more, passing the Boy Scout Camp (Meriwether-Clark, GREAT camp!) and down through the sand dunes. We saw another rider up ahead, approaching the next turn. The road signage was inconclusive, and she elected to go the wrong way. We went right, onto Sandlake Rd. Rickey drove along, so we alerted him. He caught her before she got too far off course. Heading south. I saw a really pretty bay to our right, and was trying to find a place to take a picture, then I saw the State Park sign. Excellent! We dropped off the road and enjoyed the view for awhile. Then off again, through Tierra del Mar, and the Cape Kiwanda climb in front of us. I wanted to eat before this, so we consumed a bag of Fritos, and then headed up. Shortly after starting we could see the Reach the Beach rock - it is featured in the advertisements for that ride. So we knew it couldn't be too far then!
Down into Pacific City, the third control. We were looking for a market; didn't find one, but did find Grateful Bread, coffee and bakery. We elected to sit down and eat, getting a receipt and our cards signed at the same time. 3:23pm, about 95 miles. We split a big omelette meal, with excellent whole grain bread. We called home to update our spouses. Fitz: "congratulations, you got yourself there! Now you just have to get back!" Gee, only 90 or so more miles to go...
The route back would pretty much follow the Reach the Beach route. Out of town, south on Hwy 101, pulled over to talk to Rickey. He said there were 4 riders behind us. Then left on Little Nestucca River Road, leaving the coast and heading up to Sourgrass Summit. This is a beautiful climb, and we saw practically no traffic. The river tumbles alongside, with forest on either side of the road, very green. The climb is gentle, and we moved right along, leapfrogging a couple other riders. Merged onto SR22, and eventually summitted, and took a short stretch break. Then downhill to Grand Ronde. We passed a man walking along the road; he wanted to know if we were having fun yet. Yup.
We broke from the Reach the Beach route in Grand Ronde, turning right onto Grand Ronde Rd, then turning onto SR18 there. We stopped at the market, getting water and Gatorade. Three other riders came up as we were just about done, so we pointed them at the jug of water and left. 123 miles, all the climbing done.
Rode east for just over a mile, trying to avoid the glass on the shoulder outside the casino. Turned right onto Yamhill River Road (big big big improvement over SR18!), where Jason discovered he had not completely avoided the glass. Short break while the flat was repaired, the other riders caught and passed us. Now we were the last. What a nice road! It lead us to business 18, which took us into Willamina, where we stopped at a gas station for more air for Jason's tire (27" wheel Schrader valve tubes. Old Japanese bike.) The young man at the gas station was asking how the ride was going (he'd already seen in excess of 50 other riders that afternoon), and told us it was a pity we had to get back to Forest Grove the long way :-), but we had our last control in Ballston and needed to go through it.
In Sheridan we pulled over to put on our night-riding gear and turn on most of our lights. 7:30pm, 130 miles. On our way out of town we saw three bikes outside a Mexican restaurant. Riding on through through the fading light was kind of fun, although when we got to Ballston, the sign on the closed store was hard to read! Turned on our additional front lights - we needed to see as well as be seen at this point.
Pressing on, we shortly arrived in Amity. 9:15pm? I knew all the roads at this point, but it was certainly different to be riding them without scenery. Brief stop to check in with home. Did Fitz want me to call him when I finished? No. I was figuring at least midnight by now. My original, optimistic plans had me finishing between 10 and 11. Hah. Then to Dayton (very determined dog there, and I was NOT going to be the slow gazelle), and Lafayette, where we stopped for what was going to be our last break of the ride. Heading out on Bridge Street, I saw blinkies up ahead and figured it was Ray, Bill, and Ken, so we picked up the pace a bit to catch them.
Teenage boy from his front yard: "Are you seriously riding now?" Yup. "You are CRAZY!". Can't say that I disagreed. We did catch them, and it turned out to be Susan and Duane. And we were off. Abbey and Kuehne roads passed in a blur, and I made sure they knew where the Ribbon Ridge turn was (not easily seen in daylight either). Then down Ribbon Ridge, left onto North Valley. Lots of frogs going full voice in the wetlands to our left. Spoke up to make sure they stayed right where Flett Rd goes off to the left (and looks much more important). North on Spring Hill. Didn't notice the rollers so much in the dark. It was getting really cold, and my shoulders had huge knots, but we were not stopping. We could see the lights of Gaston off to our left, then they passed behind us. Right onto Fern Hill; we could see the lights of Forest Grove up ahead. Past Blooming-Fernhill Road, past the wetlands, cross Hwy 47, right onto Hwy 8, left onto Quince. Done! 12:32am. My bike computer said 190 miles; cue sheet said 186.4. 8000 vertical feet, give or take a few. Oh, and got up to 35mph max speed!
I was REALLY cold. Bert came by and made off with my control card; I told him I'd be inside in a few minutes to sign it. Got my bike in the van, changed shoes, grabbed my bag of clean clothes and went in. I did sign my card, then went in search of a hot shower. I was in there a LOOOOONG time. Then went back up and socialized for a bit before heading home. Found flowers and a congratulatory card on the kitchen table :-)
The Day After: walking down stairs is a real challenge. My shoulders are very sore. I'm kind of slow today. Will I ride into work tomorrow? Don't know...
Would I go for the longer distance brevets? Mmmm. Not sure my shoulders and platform could manage that. The bicycle would definitely need a better engine, too. At my pace, I'd NEVER get to take a sleep break.
More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20084214@N00/sets/72157600079468865/
In which we ride to the beach and back, with some extra lumps in the middle...
The next event up on the randonneuring season was the Three Capes 300km Brevet. In other number systems, about 186 miles.
The day before, I made a list, so I wouldn't forget anything, and then started collecting. I had a new Carradice Barley seat bag, so installation of that was first priority. Well, cleaning the BIKE was really first priority. Reviewing the expected weather, I went with the Finish Line Cross Country chain lube, and decided that as long as those Honjo fenders are, they still weren't keeping road splash off my feet. A milk jug gave it up just for that purpose. No drilling
required; when I had them installed, I asked Mark to put in holes for mudflaps, just in case.
Extra wool socks, gloves, hat, wool undershirt. Two pbj sandwiches, banana, assorted bars and gels, Fritos. Gatorade. The map. Camera, baggie w/pencil for the brevet card. Rain jacket. Reflective vest and legbands. Fresh batteries in the sullen rear blinkie. Charge up the headlight battery. Put loaded bike in car. Sleep.
4am, up and moving out. Picked up Jason just before 5am, arrived at the Grand Lodge around 5:30am. We passed a cyclist heading south on Hwy 47 - rear blinkie, but no rando gear, so not riding to the start.
We were quickly assembled, so spent a bit of time visiting. Andrew was there for his first brevet. He, Cecil, Jason and I (and many others) should have posed for a Showers Pass Elite Jacket advertisement :-)
Pre-ride instructions from Bert, and we were off right at 6am. Sunrise was not due for another half hour, so we were all lit up, heading through Forest Grove, out Ritchey, north on Stringtown, then onto Gales Creek Rd. As usual, I exchanged greetings with other riders I wouldn't see later in the ride. Well, I saw many of them again on the out-and-back on Timber Road.
Then back onto Hwy 6 heading westward. It did start to rain as we climbed. Hwy 6 is one of the main routes to the coast, and very popular with those hauling trailers of ATVs. The shoulder was generally quite adequate. The climb was long, but not too steep. But I was getting hungry (that bowl of oatmeal was long gone), so pulled over just before the summit to eat one of the sandwiches. Jason stopped as well, but he didn't eat anything.
Then a 20 mile downhill to Tillamook, with decreasing rain. I've driven this road many times, but never done it on a bicycle. The deciduous trees are all leafed out. The Wilson River is running fast and high. Lots of new bridges where old ones had been washed out. There were patches of gravel on the shoulder here and there, so I still wasn't letting the bike run. My max speed before this ride was maybe 30. (I had gotten Sekai up to 44 before I developed common sense, and the Lemond has hit 48. Never again. What was I thinking? Anyway...). Eventually we got to the long flat stretch before Tillamook, complete with headwind. It went on forever (it does in a car, too). There were some cows looking inquiringly out of a barn door.
We finally reached Tillamook, turned left then right, then into the Safeway. We were HUNGRY! There were 5 or 6 bikes already there, including Cecil's and Andrew's. Andrew was enjoying an amazing three cheese panini, which he shared with me (yum! hot! cheese!). I ate more sandwich, and bought a banana and Gatorade, and filled up my hydration pack with water from the jugs earlier riders had left on the picnic tables outside. The sun was out. 60-something miles; we arrived just before 11am.
Then westward to the Three Capes Scenic Drive. In all the years I've lived here, I've never been on it. North, then west along Tillamook Bay (some houses have a really nice view), past the site of the former town of Bayocean (all washed away now), then south towards the cape Meares climb. Large numbers of noisy Harleys were out as well. The climb was steepish, with a cracked road surface, and a stretch of gravel at the top. The 650B tires on my bike did a nice job of softening up the ride. I took off my jacket and heavy gloves at that point, I was getting too hot! Then lots of up and down, still riding along the cape, with a descent into Oceanside, and the second (and staffed, with FOOD!) control. Visited with Rickey and Bert and ate a lot of strawberries.Through Oceanside and along the bay, to start on the second climb, Cape Lookout. Lots more up, through the forest. I could see the ocean below from time to time, crashing in through the outcroppings and headlands. The air smelled fabulous. We passed a fence with razor wire on top, leading to a very fancy house, with a sliding security gate AND a guard tower, with what looked to be a very expensive FLIR security camera in it. Can't figure who lived THERE.Winding around some more, with a stop at Anderson's Viewpoint.
One good 'ol boy there was moved to comment that he wouldn't get on one of THOSE without an engine. I noted that he was looking at the engine. Then up some more, passing the Boy Scout Camp (Meriwether-Clark, GREAT camp!) and down through the sand dunes. We saw another rider up ahead, approaching the next turn. The road signage was inconclusive, and she elected to go the wrong way. We went right, onto Sandlake Rd. Rickey drove along, so we alerted him. He caught her before she got too far off course. Heading south. I saw a really pretty bay to our right, and was trying to find a place to take a picture, then I saw the State Park sign. Excellent! We dropped off the road and enjoyed the view for awhile. Then off again, through Tierra del Mar, and the Cape Kiwanda climb in front of us. I wanted to eat before this, so we consumed a bag of Fritos, and then headed up. Shortly after starting we could see the Reach the Beach rock - it is featured in the advertisements for that ride. So we knew it couldn't be too far then!Down into Pacific City, the third control. We were looking for a market; didn't find one, but did find Grateful Bread, coffee and bakery. We elected to sit down and eat, getting a receipt and our cards signed at the same time. 3:23pm, about 95 miles. We split a big omelette meal, with excellent whole grain bread. We called home to update our spouses. Fitz: "congratulations, you got yourself there! Now you just have to get back!" Gee, only 90 or so more miles to go...
The route back would pretty much follow the Reach the Beach route. Out of town, south on Hwy 101, pulled over to talk to Rickey. He said there were 4 riders behind us. Then left on Little Nestucca River Road, leaving the coast and heading up to Sourgrass Summit. This is a beautiful climb, and we saw practically no traffic. The river tumbles alongside, with forest on either side of the road, very green. The climb is gentle, and we moved right along, leapfrogging a couple other riders. Merged onto SR22, and eventually summitted, and took a short stretch break. Then downhill to Grand Ronde. We passed a man walking along the road; he wanted to know if we were having fun yet. Yup.
We broke from the Reach the Beach route in Grand Ronde, turning right onto Grand Ronde Rd, then turning onto SR18 there. We stopped at the market, getting water and Gatorade. Three other riders came up as we were just about done, so we pointed them at the jug of water and left. 123 miles, all the climbing done.
Rode east for just over a mile, trying to avoid the glass on the shoulder outside the casino. Turned right onto Yamhill River Road (big big big improvement over SR18!), where Jason discovered he had not completely avoided the glass. Short break while the flat was repaired, the other riders caught and passed us. Now we were the last. What a nice road! It lead us to business 18, which took us into Willamina, where we stopped at a gas station for more air for Jason's tire (27" wheel Schrader valve tubes. Old Japanese bike.) The young man at the gas station was asking how the ride was going (he'd already seen in excess of 50 other riders that afternoon), and told us it was a pity we had to get back to Forest Grove the long way :-), but we had our last control in Ballston and needed to go through it.
In Sheridan we pulled over to put on our night-riding gear and turn on most of our lights. 7:30pm, 130 miles. On our way out of town we saw three bikes outside a Mexican restaurant. Riding on through through the fading light was kind of fun, although when we got to Ballston, the sign on the closed store was hard to read! Turned on our additional front lights - we needed to see as well as be seen at this point.
Pressing on, we shortly arrived in Amity. 9:15pm? I knew all the roads at this point, but it was certainly different to be riding them without scenery. Brief stop to check in with home. Did Fitz want me to call him when I finished? No. I was figuring at least midnight by now. My original, optimistic plans had me finishing between 10 and 11. Hah. Then to Dayton (very determined dog there, and I was NOT going to be the slow gazelle), and Lafayette, where we stopped for what was going to be our last break of the ride. Heading out on Bridge Street, I saw blinkies up ahead and figured it was Ray, Bill, and Ken, so we picked up the pace a bit to catch them.
Teenage boy from his front yard: "Are you seriously riding now?" Yup. "You are CRAZY!". Can't say that I disagreed. We did catch them, and it turned out to be Susan and Duane. And we were off. Abbey and Kuehne roads passed in a blur, and I made sure they knew where the Ribbon Ridge turn was (not easily seen in daylight either). Then down Ribbon Ridge, left onto North Valley. Lots of frogs going full voice in the wetlands to our left. Spoke up to make sure they stayed right where Flett Rd goes off to the left (and looks much more important). North on Spring Hill. Didn't notice the rollers so much in the dark. It was getting really cold, and my shoulders had huge knots, but we were not stopping. We could see the lights of Gaston off to our left, then they passed behind us. Right onto Fern Hill; we could see the lights of Forest Grove up ahead. Past Blooming-Fernhill Road, past the wetlands, cross Hwy 47, right onto Hwy 8, left onto Quince. Done! 12:32am. My bike computer said 190 miles; cue sheet said 186.4. 8000 vertical feet, give or take a few. Oh, and got up to 35mph max speed!
I was REALLY cold. Bert came by and made off with my control card; I told him I'd be inside in a few minutes to sign it. Got my bike in the van, changed shoes, grabbed my bag of clean clothes and went in. I did sign my card, then went in search of a hot shower. I was in there a LOOOOONG time. Then went back up and socialized for a bit before heading home. Found flowers and a congratulatory card on the kitchen table :-)
The Day After: walking down stairs is a real challenge. My shoulders are very sore. I'm kind of slow today. Will I ride into work tomorrow? Don't know...
Would I go for the longer distance brevets? Mmmm. Not sure my shoulders and platform could manage that. The bicycle would definitely need a better engine, too. At my pace, I'd NEVER get to take a sleep break.
More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20084214@N00/sets/72157600079468865/
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Bridge of the Gods Ride
I needed 80 miles of riding something this weekend, and the weather on Saturday was supposed to be tolerable - cloudy in the morning, increasing showers during the day. To that end, I settled on the Bridge of the Gods ride - haven't done it since last June, it has the requisite distance, and its very pretty. Not only that, it ISN'T Washington County or the Willamette Valley, which I've seen a lot of this winter.
Friday was 82 degrees and sunny. Woke up Saturday at 5am to hear this strange sound. Must be wind in the trees, I thought. Nooooooo. Rain. Major, persistent rain. After staring at radar maps on the computer, I figured it wouldn't be THAT bad. Grabbed my rain jacket and wool jersey, ate breakfast, packed up (pbj on matzo for this ride) and waited for Jason to show up. And waited. He eventually did show up, having gotten up at 5am, made the same astute weather observation I did, and changed out most of his gear, including his bicycle. He wanted one with fenders, and his Sekine (an early 80's Japanese bike assembled in Canada by First Peoples) had returned from Bike Gallery after its drivetrain transplant (courtesy of Sekai the organ donor).
Headed east to McMenamin's Edgefield in Troutdale - still raining, but 54 degrees. Found Cecil, got organized, and headed out, shortly after 7am. We went north to Marine Drive, enjoying a stretch on the bike path down along the river, then crossed the Columbia on the I-205 Bridge.
It is quite noisy, with the bike lanes in the middle of the bridge, so no conversation until the other side. Then heading east on the Old Evergreen Highway, until Camas. The road is in perhaps not the best condition, so strict attention to the road surface was in order. Then we were in Camas, with a brief stop at Burgerville to eat something before the climb up to Cape Horn. The rain stopped while we were in Camas. West again along the river, watching all the trains (freight and Amtrak) go by, and enjoying the scenery once we were into the National Scenic Area. First it was meadows and lakes out to the river, but we soon started climbing through mossy forests with lots of creeks and waterfalls. A brief drop, then back up. I always am asked if riding a bicycle on SR-14 is awful. Generally, no. There is usually a good shoulder, except for a few areas where the road is just very narrow because the hill falls away steeply. Drivers are mostly polite, but that semi that pulled off to let some cars by, and then pulled back on and passed me at the same time... The guardrail was uncomfortably close, and the truck wasn't passing me fast enough.
Then past the first clear area, more climbing through forest, another clear area, and we started the descent to Cape Horn. It was gray and cloudy today, but we still stopped to take pictures of each other and the view. The rain started up as we pushed off, so I took the descent very, very prudently. Last time I did this in the rain, the road was very slippery. Fortunately, not so today. Continuing on west, passing through various Lewis and Clark Memorial sites, then Skamania, then Beacon Rock State Park, where we had another stop. Still raining. After Beacon Rock is it not very far to North Bonneville and Bonneville Dam, and then a few more miles to Bridge of the Gods, where we cross back into Oregon.
The Bridge of the Gods is a metal-grating bridge, and it had been raining quite steadily. We decided to take the lane so we'd all have room to manuever. I had some initial squiggles on the grating and then it was ok. Jason and Cecil, with their narrower tires, were having a bit more difficulty. Except for the one car that felt the need to pass us with an oncoming car, it was ok. No one fell down. However, we were all happy to be done with that part of the ride! Cecil said it was one of the scariest things she's ever done on a bike. Paid the toll, then rode to the deli in Cascade Locks to find lunch. I had food with me, but got a nice big hot chocolate. The customers and staff wanted to know where we'd started our ride, and wondered if we were freezing. By then we'd ridden 50 miles. While we weren't freezing, Cecil and I did treat ourselves to dry socks.
Off again, noting that the rain had ceased. Made it to the end of Cascade Locks and realized I had left my hydration pack, with wallet, keys, phone, and camera back at the deli. Ack! Zipped back and picked it up (quiet place there. I'm sure they do better business on nice days), and then we headed west on the bike path that paralleled I-84. It was gorgeous - mossy trees arching over the path with lots of mist. This path is one that has to be done with someone who knows where to go, the first time. We told Cecil not to get too far ahead :-) Under the freeway through a tunnel, climb up the stairs to the fish hatchery, go up the freeway off-ramp (conflicting signs - Wrong Way and Bicycles Go This Way :-) ) through some more campgrounds, under the freeway again, and finally, just before the path dead-ends, climb over the guardrail onto the I-84 shoulder.
After a mile of that, we got off at the Warrendale exit, and headed west on the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. In previous years, the pavement has been deteriorated to abominable. But at the end of last summer they repaved it. Oh MY! Smooth pavement the entire way! Past Ainsworth, then the kind of boring stretch, eventually ending up at Multnomah Falls. We stopped to take pictures, eat something, and admire the falls. What with all the rain, and it being spring, they are pretty spectacular. Remember, while Niagara Falls has volume, Multnomah Falls has height :-)
Off again, barely missing getting hit by someone driving poorly in the parking lot. I let out a scream, which he heard and stopped. Then Cecil lit into him. Then off again, past Wahkeena Falls, etc, etc, etc. Wow, that new pavement was nice! And it wasn't raining....until we passed through Shepperd's Dell, right before the last big climb of the ride.
Passed Latourelle Falls, then started the climb up to Crown Point. It took me 20 minutes, which is about right. We then stopped at Vista House, and watched as the sky opened. Enormous raindrops, with extra wetting agent in them! A cyclist came down the road and announced that this was no fun, he wasn't going to ride to the falls this day. We allowed as how we'd already been to the falls and were heading back to Edgefield. He wanted to know if we knew about the (hot) showers there. Oh yes :-) It was still dumping as we headed up towards Women's Forum, but cleared as we summitted. Blue skies could be seen to the west. Sunshine even.
Then all the way down to Troutdale, passing through Corbett and Springdale, around the big corner with the trees all around it, past the Tippy Canoe and Tad's Chicken and Dumplings (I've never eaten at either), then across the bridge over the Sandy River, and checked out the new pedestrian/bicycle bridge at Glen Otto Park. Through Troutdale, where Cecil started talking to a cyclist on a Bianchi with a Carradice seat bag (rando alert! rando alert!). He wanted to know how we enjoyed our ride out to Bridge of the Gods. And how did he know these things? It was a fellow OrRando member, who'd watched the whole ride planning process play out on the mailing list.
Back to McMenamin's, hot shower, fries and ice tea (beer for the others).
86 miles, 6:31 riding time. Just under 9 hours total.
You can see all my pictures for this ride here:
And Cecil's pictures here:
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Birkie Brevet Mar 31, 2007
This Saturday I rode the Birkie Brevet (http://www.orrandonneurs.org/sftest/2007_BirkieBrevet_Info.html)
It was my first Brevet, and as 4 weeks ago I was in an ambulance, I was pretty delighted to be able to ride it!
200km (126 miles) is a lot of miles to do in March. This route also had about 5000 vertical feet, mostly rolling with a notable climb in the middle.
Friday night found me getting all the clothes I thought I'd need packed onto the bike and in the car bag. The weather forecast, which had been improving all week, took a decided downturn. A fellow rider had offered up his slightly shrunken wool Oregon Randonneurs jersey ("it shrunk some, but I think it would fit you..."), but I wasn't committing until I'd tried it on. Cecil was next in line after me, so I wasn't going to ask HER if the fit was ok :-)
So, wool undershirt in case I got cold, extra gloves, extra socks, wind vest if it got warm enough, arm warmers, in case that wool jersey was a short sleeve model, 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a banana, assorted gels and bars, spare tire, spare tube, patch kit and tire irons, multitool, the special wrench for the S&S couplers, in case they loosened (I gave them a preemptive tighten the night before), lighting, reflective vest and legbands, in case I didn't get back before dark, and a pencil for filling in my brevet card. In my bag, a change of clothes, swimsuit, towel, shower stuff. In my hydration pack, wallet, cell phone, camera, little first aid kit. Put the bike in the van the night before, got breakfast set out, water bottle with gatorade powder set out...
The alarm went off at 4:50am. Got dressed, stumbled downstairs, started the oatmeal and went to get the paper. It felt kind of balmy out there. Went upstairs, and grabbed a lighter-weight longsleeve jersey.
Collected Jason (Alvin the cat REALLY wanted to play), and we arrived at the Grand Lodge about 6:30am, carefully trying to find a parking space among all the bicyclists wandering somewhat randomly around the parking lot.
Pulled on my wool socks, riding sandals and booties. I've decided that my shoes do nothing but absorb water through my booties and make my feet iceblocks, so I left them at home. Got my bike out. Pulled on my NEW Showers Pass rain jacket (http://showerspass.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=55&osCsid=d041028ff97bfbd282c46a5ab63dbcf1) and went to check in and then find that promised wool jersey.
There was LINE at check-in. Amazing. 73 riders! As I had preregistered, I just tossed my money at Susan and got my brevet card in return. Oh, and signed the release. visited with John K in the line. Then off to find David. The jersey fit perfectly, so I went back to the car to find my armwarmers, as it was indeed a short-sleeve model. While it was technically sunrise, it was pretty gloomy out, so I put on the reflective legbands and turned on my rear blinkies.
Marcello gave the pre-ride talk, and then it was 7am and we were off. 73 bicycles with blinkies heading through downtown Forest Grove was quite the sight. Nate rode over to check out my new bicycle (he's got a Kogswell P/R, also with 650B wheels), then pulled on ahead.
After exiting Forest Grove, we headed north and west on Gales Creek Rd, though Gales Creek, and then eventually onto Hwy 6, heading west. It was still gloomy and drizzling intermittently. After a few miles on Hwy 6, we turned north onto Timber Rd, heading toward the only real climb of the day. We rolled along through forest and farmland, then the road took a sharp right and UP. There were 3 or 4 switchbacks, opening up into a large clearcut. Then we summitted and dropped down (3 more switchbacks) through Timber itself. Then north along a creek and more farms (pretty black and white cows), crossing Hwy 26 at Timber Junction. There is no median here, you've got to make all 4 lanes in one go. Fortunately, not much traffic, so it was an uneventful crossing. Then we continued on to Vernonia, more forested areas and farms. About the time we turned left onto Hwy 47, it started to rain.
Someone rode up behind me and I heard: "wow, look at those fenders! If I had fenders like that on MY bike, I'd just hang it up on a wall, and NEVER take it out in the rain!". Then he rode by. I managed a "nice fenders" before he went on... We missed the turn into Vernonia and headed back - it didn't even LOOK like a road! Then hopped onto the bike trail and into Anderson Park, the first control, and the only staffed control (36.8 miles). Found a place to lean my bike, got my brevet card signed, and ate a brownie, a bar cookie, a cranberry muffin, a sandwich, some V-8, and a handful of salted, roasted almonds. (Before some of you fall over here, my heart rate monitor said I'd already burned through 1600 calories)
Some folks walked over to look at my bike. Someone commented that they thought it would be cleaner (this group has its share of very witty people). Bert thought it looked nicer than the last bike he'd seen me on (he was witness to the crash). I was admiring a Rivendell Saluki (Riv's other 650B bike). Turned out it belonged to Ray - we'd been hearing about each other's bike builds through the mechanics at Bike Gallery and Rickey.
I was getting cold standing around, so I pulled on my wool cap, and we headed off to the out-and-back part of the course, on Keasey Rd. Lots of pretty up-and-down through outer Vernonia. We saw many folks headed back from the control on our way out. Then Jason and I got there (41.5 miles) and filled out our cards and Jason pulled on his rain pants. I have rain pants, but I hate them, and if it isn't too cold (it wasn't), I find that my Pearl Izumi leg warmers do a very fine job of keeping me from feeling soaking wet, and they dry very quickly.
Then back, waving at the riders heading in, and turning left onto Stoney Point Rd, which took us back to Hwy 47 north of Vernonia, near a farm with many more black and white cows. Lots of riding through rolling country - forested, farms, creeks and the Nehalem River with trees right up to the riverbanks.
Then left where Apiary Road comes in, heading off to Birkenfeld. We started seeing riders heading back (this was an out-and-back route) around here. 5 miles from Birkenfeld we saw Rickey and Cecil headed back. It was a slight climb and there was a headwind, but we eventually got to the Birkenfeld Store, the control and turnaround point (66.6 miles). The clerk cheerfully signed our cards, and we bought some beverages and candy bars to go with our pbj sandwiches and Excedrin. Susan came in to visit for a bit. I got to meet Peg W. This store has been there (well, the building has been there) since about 1910, with a dance hall and all. Now it is a store (with a very complete liquor display; you don't much see that in Oregon except for state liquor stores) and deli. There is not a whole lot to Birkenfeld proper, maybe one block of buildings.
I saw the mechanic from Bike Gallery who has the seat tube from Sekai in his toolbox - we introduced ourselves again; he's Tim.
Then off again, with (oh joy!) a tailwind. We zipped eastward, with speeds of 17-19mph. Nice. When we got to the traffic light controlled single lane bridge construction, we caught up with Ray and Bill. Bill wanted to know if I still worked at Tek. He used to. I remember his name, but not the context. Ray and I spent the next 10 miles discussing our bike builds :-) and then Jason and I went on ahead. We rode with John from Olympia for awhile, and then went on, stopping in Vernonia for the control (88.4 miles). The rain had pretty much let up by then. We bought water and snacks, and chatted with John a bit, and then headed out.
We eventually got to the Hwy 26 crossing; stopped for Jason to stretch, and we chatted with Kirke J, who had the same idea. Then across the road with Ray and Bill, heading toward the Timber climb. Timber is really a teeny little place. The Post Office and Fire Station look like they were built on H-O scale (model railroad building scale). Then through the clearcut and down through the switchbacks on the other side. Jason took off, I was more cautious. Then crossing Hwy 6 again, and pulling into the last control in Glenwood (111.8 miles). We didn't buy anything here, just got them to sign our cards. I ate my banana and a Clif Shot while admiring the wall of pictures of fishermen holding really big fish, presumably hooked right there in the Wilson River.
About 3 miles on Hwy 6, with a tailwind, then right onto Gales Creek Road, with a lovely tailwind. The sun was slanting in from the west, making the fields and Gales Creek have a nice golden glow. I was starting to fade some here. My ribs were not hurting, but they were tired.
Eventually we passed Stringtown Rd, then some subdivisions, and then were in Forest Grove proper. Through downtown, left on Quince (Hwy 47) left into the Grand Lodge... Marcello was waiting to sign and collect our cards. We finished a few minutes before 6pm, so our total elapsed time was just under 11 hours; riding time of 9 hours. My odometer said 127.5 miles.
Then greetings to Rickey and Susan ("you finished! how do you feel?"), a long soak in the hot pool, and then dinner, where we were joined by Jason's wife and daughter.
Then home, where (slight aside here; puts on Proud-Mother-Persona) I learned that Rebecca had gotten the Big Envelope from the UO Graduate School of Architecture, I put some stuff away, took pre-emptive ibuprofen, and read for a bit before falling asleep...
Sorry, I didn't take any pictures, but Nate, Cecil and David did:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cecilanne_r-s/sets/72157600040718397/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/natearm/sets/72157600040246742/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/readytoride/sets/72157594235629787/ (the last 5 pictures)
equipment notes:
Other:I'm looking at the updated route for the Three Capes Brevet (300k) in a couple of weeks. The route looks greatly improved from last year's route... Starting at 6am, I'd probably finish somewhere around 11pm. Hmm. I'd be somewhere around Amity when it got dark...
It was my first Brevet, and as 4 weeks ago I was in an ambulance, I was pretty delighted to be able to ride it!
200km (126 miles) is a lot of miles to do in March. This route also had about 5000 vertical feet, mostly rolling with a notable climb in the middle.
Friday night found me getting all the clothes I thought I'd need packed onto the bike and in the car bag. The weather forecast, which had been improving all week, took a decided downturn. A fellow rider had offered up his slightly shrunken wool Oregon Randonneurs jersey ("it shrunk some, but I think it would fit you..."), but I wasn't committing until I'd tried it on. Cecil was next in line after me, so I wasn't going to ask HER if the fit was ok :-)
So, wool undershirt in case I got cold, extra gloves, extra socks, wind vest if it got warm enough, arm warmers, in case that wool jersey was a short sleeve model, 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a banana, assorted gels and bars, spare tire, spare tube, patch kit and tire irons, multitool, the special wrench for the S&S couplers, in case they loosened (I gave them a preemptive tighten the night before), lighting, reflective vest and legbands, in case I didn't get back before dark, and a pencil for filling in my brevet card. In my bag, a change of clothes, swimsuit, towel, shower stuff. In my hydration pack, wallet, cell phone, camera, little first aid kit. Put the bike in the van the night before, got breakfast set out, water bottle with gatorade powder set out...
The alarm went off at 4:50am. Got dressed, stumbled downstairs, started the oatmeal and went to get the paper. It felt kind of balmy out there. Went upstairs, and grabbed a lighter-weight longsleeve jersey.
Collected Jason (Alvin the cat REALLY wanted to play), and we arrived at the Grand Lodge about 6:30am, carefully trying to find a parking space among all the bicyclists wandering somewhat randomly around the parking lot.
Pulled on my wool socks, riding sandals and booties. I've decided that my shoes do nothing but absorb water through my booties and make my feet iceblocks, so I left them at home. Got my bike out. Pulled on my NEW Showers Pass rain jacket (http://showerspass.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=55&osCsid=d041028ff97bfbd282c46a5ab63dbcf1) and went to check in and then find that promised wool jersey.
There was LINE at check-in. Amazing. 73 riders! As I had preregistered, I just tossed my money at Susan and got my brevet card in return. Oh, and signed the release. visited with John K in the line. Then off to find David. The jersey fit perfectly, so I went back to the car to find my armwarmers, as it was indeed a short-sleeve model. While it was technically sunrise, it was pretty gloomy out, so I put on the reflective legbands and turned on my rear blinkies.
Marcello gave the pre-ride talk, and then it was 7am and we were off. 73 bicycles with blinkies heading through downtown Forest Grove was quite the sight. Nate rode over to check out my new bicycle (he's got a Kogswell P/R, also with 650B wheels), then pulled on ahead.
After exiting Forest Grove, we headed north and west on Gales Creek Rd, though Gales Creek, and then eventually onto Hwy 6, heading west. It was still gloomy and drizzling intermittently. After a few miles on Hwy 6, we turned north onto Timber Rd, heading toward the only real climb of the day. We rolled along through forest and farmland, then the road took a sharp right and UP. There were 3 or 4 switchbacks, opening up into a large clearcut. Then we summitted and dropped down (3 more switchbacks) through Timber itself. Then north along a creek and more farms (pretty black and white cows), crossing Hwy 26 at Timber Junction. There is no median here, you've got to make all 4 lanes in one go. Fortunately, not much traffic, so it was an uneventful crossing. Then we continued on to Vernonia, more forested areas and farms. About the time we turned left onto Hwy 47, it started to rain.
Someone rode up behind me and I heard: "wow, look at those fenders! If I had fenders like that on MY bike, I'd just hang it up on a wall, and NEVER take it out in the rain!". Then he rode by. I managed a "nice fenders" before he went on... We missed the turn into Vernonia and headed back - it didn't even LOOK like a road! Then hopped onto the bike trail and into Anderson Park, the first control, and the only staffed control (36.8 miles). Found a place to lean my bike, got my brevet card signed, and ate a brownie, a bar cookie, a cranberry muffin, a sandwich, some V-8, and a handful of salted, roasted almonds. (Before some of you fall over here, my heart rate monitor said I'd already burned through 1600 calories)
Some folks walked over to look at my bike. Someone commented that they thought it would be cleaner (this group has its share of very witty people). Bert thought it looked nicer than the last bike he'd seen me on (he was witness to the crash). I was admiring a Rivendell Saluki (Riv's other 650B bike). Turned out it belonged to Ray - we'd been hearing about each other's bike builds through the mechanics at Bike Gallery and Rickey.
I was getting cold standing around, so I pulled on my wool cap, and we headed off to the out-and-back part of the course, on Keasey Rd. Lots of pretty up-and-down through outer Vernonia. We saw many folks headed back from the control on our way out. Then Jason and I got there (41.5 miles) and filled out our cards and Jason pulled on his rain pants. I have rain pants, but I hate them, and if it isn't too cold (it wasn't), I find that my Pearl Izumi leg warmers do a very fine job of keeping me from feeling soaking wet, and they dry very quickly.
Then back, waving at the riders heading in, and turning left onto Stoney Point Rd, which took us back to Hwy 47 north of Vernonia, near a farm with many more black and white cows. Lots of riding through rolling country - forested, farms, creeks and the Nehalem River with trees right up to the riverbanks.
Then left where Apiary Road comes in, heading off to Birkenfeld. We started seeing riders heading back (this was an out-and-back route) around here. 5 miles from Birkenfeld we saw Rickey and Cecil headed back. It was a slight climb and there was a headwind, but we eventually got to the Birkenfeld Store, the control and turnaround point (66.6 miles). The clerk cheerfully signed our cards, and we bought some beverages and candy bars to go with our pbj sandwiches and Excedrin. Susan came in to visit for a bit. I got to meet Peg W. This store has been there (well, the building has been there) since about 1910, with a dance hall and all. Now it is a store (with a very complete liquor display; you don't much see that in Oregon except for state liquor stores) and deli. There is not a whole lot to Birkenfeld proper, maybe one block of buildings.
I saw the mechanic from Bike Gallery who has the seat tube from Sekai in his toolbox - we introduced ourselves again; he's Tim.
Then off again, with (oh joy!) a tailwind. We zipped eastward, with speeds of 17-19mph. Nice. When we got to the traffic light controlled single lane bridge construction, we caught up with Ray and Bill. Bill wanted to know if I still worked at Tek. He used to. I remember his name, but not the context. Ray and I spent the next 10 miles discussing our bike builds :-) and then Jason and I went on ahead. We rode with John from Olympia for awhile, and then went on, stopping in Vernonia for the control (88.4 miles). The rain had pretty much let up by then. We bought water and snacks, and chatted with John a bit, and then headed out.
We eventually got to the Hwy 26 crossing; stopped for Jason to stretch, and we chatted with Kirke J, who had the same idea. Then across the road with Ray and Bill, heading toward the Timber climb. Timber is really a teeny little place. The Post Office and Fire Station look like they were built on H-O scale (model railroad building scale). Then through the clearcut and down through the switchbacks on the other side. Jason took off, I was more cautious. Then crossing Hwy 6 again, and pulling into the last control in Glenwood (111.8 miles). We didn't buy anything here, just got them to sign our cards. I ate my banana and a Clif Shot while admiring the wall of pictures of fishermen holding really big fish, presumably hooked right there in the Wilson River.
About 3 miles on Hwy 6, with a tailwind, then right onto Gales Creek Road, with a lovely tailwind. The sun was slanting in from the west, making the fields and Gales Creek have a nice golden glow. I was starting to fade some here. My ribs were not hurting, but they were tired.
Eventually we passed Stringtown Rd, then some subdivisions, and then were in Forest Grove proper. Through downtown, left on Quince (Hwy 47) left into the Grand Lodge... Marcello was waiting to sign and collect our cards. We finished a few minutes before 6pm, so our total elapsed time was just under 11 hours; riding time of 9 hours. My odometer said 127.5 miles.
Then greetings to Rickey and Susan ("you finished! how do you feel?"), a long soak in the hot pool, and then dinner, where we were joined by Jason's wife and daughter.
Then home, where (slight aside here; puts on Proud-Mother-Persona) I learned that Rebecca had gotten the Big Envelope from the UO Graduate School of Architecture, I put some stuff away, took pre-emptive ibuprofen, and read for a bit before falling asleep...
Sorry, I didn't take any pictures, but Nate, Cecil and David did:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cecilanne_r-s/sets/72157600040718397/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/natearm/sets/72157600040246742/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/readytoride/sets/72157594235629787/ (the last 5 pictures)
equipment notes:
- Bicycle - the Bleriot was outstanding. I still got knots in my shoulders, but I always do. Being able to ride no-hands from time to time did help.
- Showers Pass Elite rain jacket - this is the first rain jacket I have ever owned. It is worth Every Single Penny it cost. I did not overheat in it; it vented wonderfully. For amusement, at the beginning of the ride, I could play "count the Showers Pass jackets" in the parking lot...
- Sandals, socks and booties work better for me than shoes, socks and booties.
- Wool jerseys are really nice.
- for gloves, I mostly wore half-finger gloves over my Smartwool liner gloves. If the rain got insistent, I pulled the Mountain Hardwear conduit gloves over that, but I knew they'd give it up if it rained for more than 2 hours. Fortunately, it didn't.
Other:I'm looking at the updated route for the Three Capes Brevet (300k) in a couple of weeks. The route looks greatly improved from last year's route... Starting at 6am, I'd probably finish somewhere around 11pm. Hmm. I'd be somewhere around Amity when it got dark...
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