tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784266842323737212024-03-14T00:10:20.976-07:00Lynne's Mostly-Cycling Bloglynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.comBlogger612125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-68069979899742746652022-12-31T17:04:00.001-08:002022-12-31T17:04:01.929-08:00Warping Back to Front, for PHG WorkshopHerewith follows a short pictorial on warping a loom back to front, up to just before threading.<div><br></div><div>The loom is a Leclerc Dorothy, quietized by replacing the side levers and shaft lock with flippy levers.<br><div><br></div><div>The warp was to be 103 ends, 1 yd long. I wound the warp twice as long, placing a cross at both ends.</div><div><br></div><div>The SMART weaver (which I wasn’t yesterday) would put the counting thread (or tie a knot around each bundle at the turning peg) in units of the raddle spacing. My raddle for this loom has 1” spacing; the sett for my choice of warp yarn is 12 epi, so I should have put in a knot or counting thread every 12 threads.</div><div><br></div><div>Here I am getting started, with useful things: scissors, cord, lease sticks, the warp, measuring tape, warp sticks (brown paper or a cereal box/cardboard also works well), and the instructions.</div><img id="id_3cc9_2dcc_f359_7c2b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/c_p8hsR7SPNDp3kYKkLS3TeHLAMJX0WZcbRuw14w2GufIo6eQF4RzYJPSHSdGNvKFc8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The raddle at the back of the loom. I use rubber bands to secure it to the back beam. The warp stick (metal) awaits the warp.</span><br><img id="id_9114_fa04_dfbb_775b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hNfHqcxtuhsvb7GA3z17-SI1rLDamVX_uatOyeja34aTvlOooEJPbVO5Ind2tKTsCFU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>Here’s the warp in the lease sticks, ready to go on the warp stick.<br><img id="id_8408_f1c9_4a64_f290" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mztue9PB9bgcKt0sz6bCJRKSp60PKZb5UnuHdvOgP_w0OTZDH8IRj1QdpHx2FavDUFU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>Warp is on the warp stick, all the ties have been removed. I then flipped the whole assembly up, with the warp now coming out the front of the loom. I also tied the lease sticks to the castle, so they’d stay put when beaming. There are many ways to do this; they all work (as in how one secures the lease sticks)<br><img id="id_c4e1_cfa5_6223_79ec" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XJgQF81M2eR8X_6ux8BMC_1u1pytXJzSX1Rx1v3aLKd7af7I_M20iWudHrnUjY8D-AQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>Brief pause for calculations - width in reed, to work out raddle spacing.<br><img id="id_c5a1_bc18_d3d_8d79" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FlPZOC-9sEzwpLv2U9-6J0SkCb3Z_OCk1ZlQdQB8da-lwfPsWMFVeCuKl5EYbGf4cRE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>The warp is spaced out in the raddle. As the warp was wound twice as long, I essentially had 2 bouts, and started spacing out 12 ends per raddle dent from the middle. This is where the thinking ahead of using a counting thread in raddle thread count units pays off. I had to count threads. Not hard, and there’s only 103 of them, but tedious. You can see the lease sticks secured to the castle. I also removed the two remaining choke ties, and cut the warp in half; 1 yd each half.<br><img id="id_d454_b0f2_971_6c3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xD9covyZY4yK08Iapujo_-ehl8i8zPlxwpUfAmmM3UK8qqTF4VS3er45-Fz9te2BZ_Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>Snugged up the warp a bit and started inserting warp sticks, so as to cover over the bumps from the cords, sticks, and knots on the warp beam.<br><img id="id_f51_7d02_fb6b_671b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jqr0BZnBtsIoU9gv2NzKwSg1AggfKZiL67nDuZQzM0vfdLRCd36TwOyaVrNScaMwrCE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>Beaming on. I am holding the warp tight from the other side of the castle. If it was a longer warp I’d use weights. Continuing to add warp sticks so the entire first revolution of the warp beam is covered.<br><img id="id_833_1bb2_eaad_914e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kLN85UeGHkUVvdmA6_eckvdMqb56g8-QpF6LktqZja-1-6ci0yXGfQSSRjdMD0ERkaU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>And there we go. Done. Tie slip knots in the warp so it doesn’t escape.<br><img id="id_6a3d_3aaa_bfe0_65f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8q5o3b_4-6-H5Y8eIhlMhT-Y6DTaojn3l5IzqBMfernO6IKL7oCgKJ1PCdNDuET7YWw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>I removed the raddle, and tied the lease sticks up to suspend the warp behind the heddle eyes, for easier threading.<br><img id="id_d1f3_68e7_1e4c_f0ba" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kE_pwJkJEbnLMgKNTl_OxeTdfXi4l4MEDeoH3kIuIEugM9dm8n4a1fIa6iwZ94W1tNI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>Lease sticks suspended. Awaiting the workshop with deep anticipation.</div><div><img id="id_545f_82dc_c366_4e7c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/o8R4s77ip_2GNsHn6pobBKsgY4eJCi7pjRzIAxENDoPQlAQwo0hqCnjGcbuNUqx30wM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div></div>lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-68474546648084366232020-10-01T17:54:00.001-07:002020-10-01T18:18:20.496-07:00Weaving a Denim Rag Rug, Part 2, Weaving(it occurs to me that I never followed up...)<div><br></div><div>After all that making balls of denim strips, the actual weaving was pretty uneventful. The warp was rug warp, 10 epi (ends per inch), super easy to thread (straight draw) and sley (1 per dent in a 10 dent reed).</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_73db_f189_f2fd_ae32" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Xb6u7lZsqEVcuda_11O1qlY17VpEIwuZS-67mxhdKjnI9Unr27FTCu5kN0sglGc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br>The weaving was pretty uneventful, as well, except that I brought the Fireside loom to its knees. The high tension was over the top, and I actually caused the back beam to bend downward (it is bolted on, so technically it COULD, but it shouldn't!).</div><div><br></div><div>Loosened up the tension a bit and kept weaving. The instructor has a friend who Fixes the Looms, and someone on Ravelry had shared that HER Fireside had some wood pieces on top of the back beam arms that kept it from rotating downward. He came by, we looked at the other, properly-equipped Fireside loom, and a few weeks later I came in and found them installed.</div><div><br></div><div>The weaving went SO QUICKLY!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_813d_5f5d_5f10_24e0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RX9802RQVjhQGogkzq6lecAu8_mRxr7b3uJDSASuKtYTdU1oHP2xsawKgmO5M9U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Then I wound a warp for another rug, for the downstairs bathroom. That was quick, too.</div><div><br></div><div>Learnings:</div><div>For the headers, weave with the carpet warp held double, otherwise it will pull in, no matter how hard you try for it to now.</div><div><br></div><div>Maybe don't weave rugs on a jack loom that has a hinged back beam. :-)</div><div><br></div><div>That said, the rugs have been in use for months now. I toss them in the washing machine from time to time.</div><div><br></div><div>Friend P got a HUGE stash of denim strips. She gets to skip all the hard parts.</div>lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-11299000027030691382020-01-09T14:45:00.001-08:002020-04-13T18:38:17.156-07:00Weaving a Denim Rag Rug, Part 1, StrippingFor a really long time, there was a moving box full of old jeans in a corner of the weaving studio at the Multnomah Arts Center. (That room has EVERYTHING). I’d look at it and go... “I could weave a rug”. I didn’t do anything, though, and one day, I watched the box leave the building with someone else. Ah, beat me to it, I said. Her: “J wanted it GONE.”<div><br></div><div>Then, maybe a month later, there she was, weaving a couple looms away, on a denim rug. And then she said: “I don’t want to weave any more rugs, and there’s lots of denim left, you want it?” Oh yeah! So, in came a paper box (the ones that hold a dozen reams of paper) of denim. And “I’ve got more, let me get it for you”. Two paper grocery bags of old jeans. Took it out to my car. Friend and fellow weaving student P: “I wanted the denim!”. She’ll get what’s left after I’m done :-)</div><div><br></div><div>So, after much measuring, reading the Rag Rug book by Janet Meany (repeatedly), viewing other denim rug projects on Ravelry and Pinterest, I designed a warp. In the re-use theme, I decided to use cotton rug warp from the closet at the weaving studio (yarn there is sold by the ounce. Smoking deal.), and use all the partial cones of blue, for a random warp effect, but for the three stripes on each side. I’ve designed and wound warps before, so you aren’t going to hear any more about that.</div><div><br></div><div>Ah, yes, the jeans. All the research suggested 1” strips, joined together in a variety of ways. Some cut them in a spiral around the leg, which does yield a longer strip, but incorporates the exquisitely bumpy seam. No lumps in my rug, thank you very much. Not to mention that would be cutting with scissors. None of that, either.</div><div><br></div><div>There were many whole pairs of jeans which needed deconstructing to get the fronts and backs of the legs. That did require scissors, and it is a great project to do while watching tv. Some of it was already deconstructed, some partially deconstructed, and there were some balls of strips, but most of them weren’t usable - bumpy flat-fell seams left in. A couple were recoverable; I cut them apart into proper strips.</div><div><br></div><div>Now, with all those flat pieces of denim, I pulled out the cutting mat, long quilting ruler, and rotary cutter and sliced into 1” strips. Bought a new ergonomic handle rotary cutter :-). The most efficient way for me was to stack two pieces (sometimes they needed ironing to lay flat, but mostly not), and start cutting into strips from the outside leg seam side, as that was the straightest.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b0f_caa6_db76_80b1" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0jgShUmcJIxJCtTN-F0Mg97IbfmHmlj8fngQMyBfjPODdgGlcL6EF7gflw9z2BY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>I did not worry about being perfectly on grain.</div><div><br></div><div>If you think this took rather a long time, you’d be right.</div><div><br></div><div>After cutting them ALL into strips (If I don’t use them all, P will be a lucky woman), I dumped them out on the floor and mixed them up, as no pair of jeans is the same color as any other pair, and I wanted a somewhat random mix. Scooped them back into the grocery bags and box.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b11c_549f_d75e_80ea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FvULmrigH44rKoUuuXMHYv_RQOhUjXLLbpvCjmpDkeGy6EMpPxQEKvaPIkarxzU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br>I then sewed the short ends of strips together on the bias (mostly) right sides together, rather like making quilt binding. I’d sew until there wasn’t any room left behind the sewing machine, then start a new one.</div><div><br></div><div>Next - turning the very long strips into balls, which is another good tv-watching task. For each seam, cut apart, and cut off the “ears”. Repeat until there’s one looooooooog strip, then roll into a ball, finger pressing the seams. My strip balls weigh about a pound each; it just worked out that way.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2460_1d38_7daf_2382" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eQxgEXSYu4a2ayYEVRRIYaFNdf-0Q181EACxXn1Qvuon93VfLPeesx6Osx8hMRc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br>Next up: weaving!</div>lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-31605223534016434542019-12-13T18:23:00.000-08:002019-12-13T18:28:43.042-08:00Mondial - Nevertheless, She PersistedI discovered Randonneuring back in 2006, and officially joined up in 2007. It has been the best 12 bicycling years of my life. Many great rides, and many great friends. I still ride with folks I met on my first 200km!<br />
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This past September, my cumulative RUSA kilometers rolled over 40000, which qualifies me for the <a href="https://rusa.org/pages/award-mondial" target="_blank">RUSA Mondial Award</a>, the circumference of the earth being roughly 40000 km.<br />
<br />
It wasn't easy. There were a couple of major health setbacks, one which put me off the bike for 6 months and another knocked my annual distance totals way down (still recovering from that one).<br />
<br />
But here I am, and here it is:<br />
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<br />
<b>By the numbers:</b><br />
40028 km, ridden in a total time of 2393:54:00<br />
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<b>Rides</b><br />
<div>
30 ACP brevets</div>
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3 ACP fleches</div>
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4 RUSA brevets</div>
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3 RUSA dart populaires</div>
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21 RUSA populaires </div>
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and</div>
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182 RUSA permanents</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Ride distance</b></div>
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135 100ks (populaires and permanent populaires, 9 longer than 110km)</div>
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97 200ks (loosely speaking. 15 rides were in the 210-218 km distance)</div>
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10 300ks</div>
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3 360ks</div>
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3 400ks</div>
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and</div>
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2 600ks</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Awards accumulated along the way:</b></div>
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5<a href="https://rusa.org/pages/award-r12" target="_blank"> R-12s</a></div>
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2 <a href="https://rusa.org/pages/award-p12" target="_blank">P-12s</a></div>
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2 <a href="https://rusa.org/pages/award-sr" target="_blank">ACP Super Randonneurs</a></div>
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<a href="https://rusa.org/pages/award-amex" target="_blank">RUSA American Explorer</a></div>
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<a href="https://rusa.org/pages/award-scout" target="_blank">Rando Scout</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Bikes</b><br />
Some rides on my Lemond Zurich. Not many, and not longer than a 200k.<br />
2007- August 2010 - the Rivendell Bleriot<br />
August 2010 onward - the custom Sweetpea. I've worn out and replaced all the components at least once.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Acknowledgements</b><br />
(a few names from the cast of thousands)<br />
Cecil, Michal, Ray, Susan O, Kevin L, Kevin B, Jeff A, Lesli, Jason, Peg, Narayan, Keith M, and RB</div>
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lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-7712174949943783732019-10-26T14:08:00.000-07:002019-10-26T14:12:04.806-07:00SIR Fall 2019 Dart Pop - Team ShaodachFriend Susan noted at some point this summer that I’d better cross over my Mondial distance while the weather was still nice, if I wanted people to ride with me. She did have a point. Looking at the calendar, I couldn’t find a good weekend to invite folks to join in, but the SIR Fall Dart Populaire was at about the right time/distance point, and there would surely be a lot of folks I had ridden with over the last 12 years at the finish.<br />
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<br /></div>
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I mentioned this to Ray. He secured approval (and transportation) for the venture, so I set about recruiting some others to fill out our team. Michal, of course, because we did a lot of riding together before he decided to be fast and longer distance and I got slower. And RB, because we’ve been riding together with Ray. Mind you, I met Ray on my Very First 200k back in 2007 (The Birkie, original route). We rode along together for awhile, and have been riding together off and on since then. Michal became a riding partner in early 2011, when he rode up to Cecil and me and asked to follow along, because we looked like we knew where we were going. He encouraged me to go for the Super Randonneur, something I thought I’d not be able to accomplish.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So. Foraged around for something to create a route from, shortest viable distance of course. I borrowed Michal’s fleche route, trimmed off the ends, moved the finish to the event finish point, and started casting around for a start. Found the Carnival Market, a convenience store in the Westside Hwy, sitting all by itself, and, on Susan O’s advice, moved the route to Military Rd, rather than going through Vader. Something about Pleasant Hill Rd, Berry Rd, and loose dogs. There was a steep climb at the start of Military Rd, but it wasn’t long.<br />
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<a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31059576">https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31059576</a><br />
<br /></div>
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Haunting Epic Ride Weather, the forecast finally settled on a very small chance of very light rain and a tailwind or quartering tailwind the whole way. Doesn’t get much better than that.</div>
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Michal and Cyndi drove up the night before, RB showed up bright and early on the day, and we were loaded and on the road by 7am, arriving at the Carnival Market before 8am. Ray and Barb pulled in right after us. As we could not start riding until 8:30, there was a lot of standing around, kicking the tires, some spirited discussion on tubeless tires, clipless pedals vs flat pedals (me, aside to Barb: “gonna be a long 8 hr ride”), clothing rearrangements (warmer? Need the rain gear?) and such. (For the record, three riders with flat pedals, one with clipless pedals and hotfoot issues, one rider with tubeless tires and a slow leak). Michal, who holds that there is never a wrong time for ice cream, bought and consumed an ice cream sandwich.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yx4jNEHpGU/XbSw1KigIPI/AAAAAAAAFmg/Ab8YZmVOzi4555RXLd9mwTwDczEIUsFcwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yx4jNEHpGU/XbSw1KigIPI/AAAAAAAAFmg/Ab8YZmVOzi4555RXLd9mwTwDczEIUsFcwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">By Cyndi Wenks</span></td></tr>
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Finally, time to go. Starting photo taken and off we went, into the light fog and mist. First stop was 1.5 miles along, for a bathroom break, as the Carnival Market does not allow use of their bathroom. The Westside Hwy rolls along, and the traffic can’t said to be light. However, just about everyone was respecting everyone’s right to a relatively unstressful use of the public right of way. We followed the Cowlitz River for most of the way, skirting around the west side of Castle Rock, and, just after 18 miles in, started the steep climb onto Military Rd. I did walk, but it wasn’t long. Military Rd was wonderfully wide open, the mist had cleared away, and the views were fabulous. On my first STP I’d ridden the northern stretch from Napavine to Winlock HS in 2003, but I was really tired at that point and not properly appreciating the view.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ray: “Do we get a trinket for this ride?” Me: “<b>I</b> get a trinket!”</div>
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<br /></div>
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Eventually we ended up in Napavine, where we briefly paused at the convenience store for snacks and beverages. Continued on north, arriving at our first info/photo control at the corner of Rush Rd and Newaukum Valley Rd. We took a selfie, not without a lot of snarking from Ray and RB.<br />
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Newaukum Valley Rd and Rogers Rd was another super peaceful bucolic section of the route.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We then merged onto Shorey Rd, which led us onto Riverside Dr/Louisiana Rd, just south of Chehalis, which was not nearly as pleasant, to put it mildly. We were to go around the back of the airport. I was last in line at this point, and everyone else went straight, rather than turning left. I couldn’t even see them ahead, and certainly couldn’t chase them down. Called Michal’s cell (and HE was riding with a GPS, go figure), left a message. Called Ray’s cell, and surprisingly, he picked up. He reported that Michal and RB were headed back, and he’d be right along.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After regrouping, we proceeded along the supremely peaceful and untrafficked Airport Rd, to our second info/photo control at the golf course. By now, Michal’s tire was making him a very bad ambassador for tubeless tires; it had a slow leak and he had to keep pumping it up. Ray and I offered him tubes, but he thought he’d keep on the same path unless it got rather worse. (see earlier note about flat vs clipless pedals and tubes vs tubeless. Post ride note: a week later, it did seal up.)<br />
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We then had to turn left onto Airport Rd, which was very high traffic and no signal. Michal noted a bike path on our side of Airport Rd, and “let’s take THAT.” We did, and it was much nicer. However, we were entering Centralia, graveyard of empires (as in, I'm not sure I've ever ridden through it without getting a bit confused), and the bike path took us up to Mellen, which was past where we wanted to turn to be on the other side of I-5. They’ve rearranged the roads into one-way streets, so, technically, we couldn’t turn right into Centralia and get onto Ellsbury. However, there were several handy crosswalks and a sidewalk, so we did work our way over to Ellsbury with less trouble than we might have had. I’ll remember this for the future. Maybe the Airport Rd routing is good in the middle of the night, but not midday on a weekend.</div>
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Misplaced RB; he eventually showed up. By now we were headed through Centralia, and Factory Outlet Row, home of many fast food establishments. I wouldn’t have minded pausing at the Burgerville, but it was now only 12 miles to our 6 hour control, and we all had enough food with us to get there.</div>
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Riding past the Factory Outlets was rather not fun, too many entrances and exits and junk on the road, but once past that, it wasn’t too bad. I have a fairly high tolerance for heavier traffic, but don’t like debris on the road.</div>
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Again, falling off the back, found RB at the Great Wolf Lodge with a flat. Michal and Ray were stopped a long block ahead; we waved them back, and had a bit of a break while RB fixed the flat.</div>
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We ended up on Case Rd, which is just not a favorite stretch of pavement for me. Riding it in a downpour, wearing all my wool gloves and hats, in the middle of the night, staving off hypothermia, solo.... yeah. This was the first time ever I’d ridden it with company.</div>
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However, right around mile 57.1, I did roll over 40000 cumulative RUSA km; all of us but for Ray, who was ahead, stopped for a commemorative picture.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fj38ib7DBWo/XbSw1QDyH8I/AAAAAAAAFmg/0JeNakQcJqgiR8ziF9caukh3_tfDjgI-wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fj38ib7DBWo/XbSw1QDyH8I/AAAAAAAAFmg/0JeNakQcJqgiR8ziF9caukh3_tfDjgI-wCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A few miles later we were at our 6 hr control, with 15 minutes before we could depart. Michal had tweaked the cue sheet to show time checks at each cue, and according to that, we could leave at 6:20 elapsed and, riding at minimum pace, still finish in time. Which was good, because the Farm Boy service seemed a bit overwhelmed. Michal and I split a burger and fries. I also had a Pepsi (the blue ambulance), and inhaled my half of the cheeseburger in about 2 minutes. Six minutes after the control opened, we were back on the road.</div>
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There was a brief discussion on “we have to stay together now”, “together” being defined as we can see each other. So we did stick together more than we had earlier, although we really hadn’t spread out all that much before. There was also actual navigation required, so we definitely had to stick together because not everyone had a cue sheet visible.</div>
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The tailwind decided to make itself noticeable and useful, and we zipped along at a consistently higher pace (for me, anyway). Once we got into Tumwater/Olympia proper, and I realized we had less than 10 miles to go, and a lot of time left, I relaxed. We rode into downtown along the Deschutes Parkway, which was a better and more scenic entry than on Capitol Blvd/Capitol Way, and then proceeded to hit just about every red light through downtown.</div>
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One last hill (Puget St), and a bit more go to (by now, out of downtown), and there we were, at 4pm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql8CG1bknjA/XbSw2wzacCI/AAAAAAAAFmk/L_u4Pv2PbLkqd3iThyXSnatj9TS7sf1qgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql8CG1bknjA/XbSw2wzacCI/AAAAAAAAFmk/L_u4Pv2PbLkqd3iThyXSnatj9TS7sf1qgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_4068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Cyndi Wenks</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUjEdRa7pFo/XbSxcTXp4iI/AAAAAAAAFmw/Nk4zM5dnsV0dI-QIOUCGSNFLzHD4wj1vACEwYBhgL/s1600/InkedIMG_0127_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1279" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUjEdRa7pFo/XbSxcTXp4iI/AAAAAAAAFmw/Nk4zM5dnsV0dI-QIOUCGSNFLzHD4wj1vACEwYBhgL/s320/InkedIMG_0127_LI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Several teams were already there. I promptly scored a beer and chips, and eventually started in on the food. And visiting. Found many people to catch up with, and met several new riders.<br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/102RnAgne4M" target="_blank">Victorious!</a></div>
lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-37281979015669728812019-06-12T13:55:00.001-07:002019-06-12T13:55:12.816-07:00Brief Cycling Gear Review - iSSi Thump PedalsSome of you might know that I finally had to ditch the clipless pedals - I was getting breathtaking hotfoot, even with the Cyclesoles custom orthotics.<div><br></div><div>I tried the MKS Lambdas (Riv GripKings) - too long, and my shoes wouldn’t stay stuck on them, especially when wet.</div><div><br></div><div>Then moved on to the VO Sabots (oh SO pretty). My shoes stuck much better, but my feet still hurt. I had been riding with Five Ten shoes, and decided they were too flexy, so I reattached the cleat mount cover to my PI X Alp shoes, which I’d bought a few years back, and promptly shelved because hotfoot. That helped. Some.</div><div><br></div><div>Then I watched a review of the <a href="https://rideissi.com/pedals/thump" id="id_392c_dc7f_20bb_b095">iSSi Thump</a> pedals from the <a href="http://www.pathlesspedaled.com/2019/03/08/the-case-for-flat-pedals/" id="id_5437_b0b6_a2a5_12a2">Path Less Pedaled</a> folk. The “concave” design caught my attention - less pressure on the part my feet which suffer from hotfoot. Bought a pair, size small.</div><div><br></div><div>Went for a 100km ride. It was a very hot day. My shoes did not slide. My feet did not hurt.</div><div><br></div><div>Winner. They’ll be promoted to the usual long ride bike for further review.</div>lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-76704015664142600302019-03-31T13:54:00.001-07:002019-04-16T12:42:27.851-07:00Perm Pop in TucsonBeing as we were going to be in Tucson for a week, I started looking around for a RUSA perm to ride. <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/rusapermmaps/" target="_blank">Michal’s excellent map</a> provided a list of perm pops (typically just over 100k, about all I’m up to at this time), and John Lee’s <a href="https://rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=3752" id="id_58a_410e_7b2e_7d72">#3752 Rillito - Pantano - Saguaro Sashay</a> showed only 1600 vertical feet and a lot of separated bike path. And a National Park (gotta exercise that Senior National Park Pass sometime).<br />
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Excellent. An exchange of email, including a scan of the required signed release and a general range of days I might choose to ride during (LOVE the new “slippery perm start time” rules, I DO. Especially during vacation, when one isn’t all that super detailed about daily plans.)</div>
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We drove down to Tucson from Portland, so I did’t have to disassemble and pack a bike; brought the Lemond Zurich, with the Specialized Power Mimic saddle I am trying out.</div>
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So, after a careful study of the weather (there’s altitude and heat here, which I am not really accustomed to), picked the least hot day. The plan was that I’d start around 9am; Fitz would drop me off at the start and play a nearby round of golf, as these activities consume about the same amount of time.</div>
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Got to the Jack in the Box, unloaded the bike, said goodbye and had my traditional pre-ride orange juice, breakfast being consumed previously.</div>
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Started out, and quickly realized that I didn’t need to navigate the first 2 miles, because all the cyclists were headed to the Loop, just like me. The outgoing leg of the first out and back (after a bit of off-course, caused by turning immediately left onto the first bridge I saw, rather than the one just a bit up on the right) flew right along. It is spring, and Tucson is blooming. Passed a couple of parks with restrooms to remember for the return.</div>
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Got to the turnaround, snapped a picture of the info control and headed back. Wait. There’s a headwind. Not supposed to have a headwind. It wasn’t that bad, but it was more fun zipping along at 18-19mph.</div>
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I was using RWGPS to direct me along. It seemed a bit confused after the turn until a good mile past where I had gotten on the Loop at the Mountain Ave Bridge. I was “off course”, which it claimed was 8.6 ft to the right. Or, in the Rillito River Wash. Go figure. Anyway, as I was to be on the Loop for awhile, it didn’t much matter.</div>
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The Tanque Verde crossing was interesting, in that I had to cloverleaf up to the road, cross the wash, and continue on the other side, to transition to the Pantano River Path. A bit drier out this way, and some super trippy trail decorations - painted rocks around plants, glittery stuff, and so on.</div>
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The Loop is essentially a 2 lane road, but for non-motorized transport. Nice 2 lane road. It was fabulous to ride on.</div>
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Leaving the Loop at mile 27.7 to get onto Golf Links Rd, heading out to Saguaro National Park. If you are looking for services of the food variety (you’ll find restrooms and water along the Loop at several points; not marked, but you’ll see them off to the side), Golf Links Rd is where you’ll find it. There’s a shiny new Circle K on the right, and various fast food options on either side; you’ll be returning this way, and there’s another Circle K at Harrison and Golf Links. That’s about all there is to recommend about Golf Links, but it does get you where you are needing to go. After a brief stretch on Houghton, you turn onto Old Spanish Trail, which has considerably less traffic and pristine pavement.</div>
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And then, not quite 3 miles along, you’ll come to the Saguaro National Park entrance. There are restrooms, a bottle filling station, and a nice covered area with more water, if you want to pause to reapply sunscreen, refill your bottles, and eat your banana.</div>
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If you’ve not got a National Park pass, there is a fee to enter. The ranger said “you know the drill” (MANY MANY CYCLISTS HERE), and I said “nope”, and she immediately warned me about the first descent, which is super steep and has a hard right at the bottom. It comes right up, too. I really appreciated that warning.</div>
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So, the Cactus Forest Loop (the road in the park) is ranked one of the top 15 National Forest roads for a bike ride. As it was still early enough in the spring, everything was green and flowering. The number of saguaro cacti was staggering. Apparently they grow here in greater numbers than anywhere else. Wish I’d had a proper camera. I took pictures, but they don’t really capture it.</div>
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<img alt="" height="400" id="id_1d95_126a_ea80_bd91" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1pluupX94FnpIFaeAr1IvjJua5oXY6n89" title="" tooltip="" width="300" /><br />
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The route is one-way until the Tanque Verde trailhead access (also signed “Picnic Area”), so you can enjoy the first 3.4 miles of delightful roller coaster riding without worrying about oncoming vehicles. The speed limit is 15mph, so the chances of unpleasant vehicle interaction are greatly reduced. I was there on a weekday; it might be more crowded on a weekend. Lots of pull outs if you want to take pictures.</div>
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After the first info control at Loma Verde, the road does start a reasonably steady climb with not as many bits of downhill. Not depressingly steep, though. Be sure to keep pushing the water and electrolytes.</div>
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After the Tanque Verde info control, it is downhill for miles. Old Spanish Trail rolls a bit, but then Golf Links Rd rewards you with a downhill all the way to the Loop. The turn to get back on the Loop is a left at Pantano Parkway. I kind of spaced there, so did a Copenhagen Left at the crosswalk after the turn.</div>
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Then it is just 13 miles back on the path/Mountain Ave/Ft Lowell Rd. You can cut into the parking lot at the Sketchers and get back to the Jack in the Box (if that is where you are choosing to finish) without having to go all the way to Campbell Ave.</div>
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It is a delightful ride, and I’d recommend it if you are planning to be in Tucson.</div>
lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-28686096888325295652019-02-02T13:29:00.001-08:002019-02-20T13:27:38.624-08:00The Problem With SW Walker Rd between Hwy 217 and SW 106th Ave(This is here so I never have to type it in again.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVeKb2ejej0/XG3EtcIgZKI/AAAAAAAAFYM/xegZAwZq4ag8HtkgBfetBeVZE4ojUX6cQCLcBGAs/s1600/SW%2BWalker%2BRoad%2BVision%2BZero%2BChallenges.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1215" height="309" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVeKb2ejej0/XG3EtcIgZKI/AAAAAAAAFYM/xegZAwZq4ag8HtkgBfetBeVZE4ojUX6cQCLcBGAs/s640/SW%2BWalker%2BRoad%2BVision%2BZero%2BChallenges.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small pic. Click to embiggen.</td></tr>
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Our previous commissioner wasn’t helpful, as “SW Walker is the only continuous street that can be useful when the Sunset Hwy is backed up or closed”. Right. SW Walker Rd east of Hwy 217 is signed No Thru Trucks. Until you get to SW 106th, walking on either side of the road is chancy; the most recent repave put soft gravel on the sides, making walking even more chancy, especially with a stroller. The STATUTORY speed limit is 35 mph, the 20 mph is only a caution/recommendation. Sight lines are nonexistent. If SW Walker gets filled up because the Sunset is unavailable, the traffic will slow way down anyway. Maybe we need a 25 mph speed limit and sharrows. I’d want the ditches filled in, and proper paved shoulders, but that’s an “in my dreams” situation, plus it would only encourage drivers to drive even faster. SW Walker has at least 6 streets intersecting with it, plus driveways from the houses on SW Walker. Folks that live on the north side of SW Walker and choose to walk or bicycle out of the neighborhood have to cross it, and safe crossing between SW 107th and Hwy 217 is non-existent. You can be STANDING at an intersection, which is an unmarked crosswalk, CLEARLY wanting to cross, and even the WashCo Sheriffs cars won’t stop for you to cross. There’s no Vision Zero at all here. This stretch of SW Walker is on the boundary of CPO 1 and CPO 3.<br />
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fyi: SW Sunnyhill is right of way, not county or city property. I often ride through there to avoid the 3 way intersection at SW 108th/SW Polsky.</div>
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A close analogy in terms of traffic, intersections, and driveways is SW 92nd (?) / SW Garden Home. The posted speed limit is lower. There is a cheesy attempt at a sidewalk on the north side, not that I’d ride my bike on it. SW Garden Home DOES have “Bicycles on Roadway” signs - I was at least one person asking for them when the Fanno Creek Trail was closed and we were detoured onto SW Garden Home.<br />
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Learnings:<br />
From Washington County's map, they don't intend this stretch of SW Walker to get any wider than 2-3 lanes. You can see in the picture below that SW Walker between Hwy 217 and SW Canyon is light blue, which the legend clarifies as 2-3 lanes. This picture is from WashCo's future plan for all the couny's roads.<br />
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lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-252545958125384312018-02-17T12:42:00.000-08:002018-02-17T12:58:05.678-08:00Electronic Proof of Passage; What Works for MeRandonneurs USA has provided for Electronic Proof of Passage, acceptable forms to be agreed upon by the rider and the permanent owner.<br />
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The following works for me:<br />
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I am a total fan of <a href="http://www.timestampcamera.com/" target="_blank">Timestamp Camera</a>, a free phone app which imprints the timestamp AND location on the picture as it is being taken. It even has a cool feature to superimpose a translucent overlay of the MAP with location dot in the upper right corner.<br />
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As the pictures are timestamped, I will also accept them for timed controls. You and/or your bike need to be in the picture (SR-600 type of documentation), and the picture should be of something which is clearly the control location.<br />
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Like so:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24790941068/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Michal and Lesli, approaching the Hoffmann Bridge"><img alt="Michal and Lesli, approaching the Hoffmann Bridge" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4524/24790941068_40ec4b317f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/26886969939/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Finish at the Fred Meyer Starbucks in Beaverton"><img alt="Finish at the Fred Meyer Starbucks in Beaverton" height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4575/26886969939_612754f43b.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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(before I discovered the text formatting options, but it is an unambiguous pic of the control!)<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24553530988/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Sweetpea at Vernonia Lake. Pretty picture as well as photo verification."><img alt="Sweetpea at Vernonia Lake. Pretty picture as well as photo verification." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/24553530988_1c1bf2461e.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Settings changes for best readability:<br />
Position - select "One line to the edge" and "Time in below"<br />
Format - yyyy/mm/dd, lat/long, City/State; optionally select Display Map<br />
Font - default? I use ArialMT<br />
Input - if you wanted, you could put your name and route name/number.<br />
Opacity - move the background opacity to about 1/3 of the slider.<br />
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For total fancyness, in the menu (upper row of icons), if appears that you can set it up to send email to someone as each pic is taken. It creates the email, but you still need to tap Send. Still Very Cool.<br />
<br />lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-27256822548174125702017-11-20T17:28:00.000-08:002017-11-20T17:28:04.934-08:00Darting into DarknessSeveral months ago, we heard that Willamette Randonneurs was planning a pre-eclipse Dart Populaire to Susan and Jeff's property in Willamina, right in the center of the eclipse totality. Ray and I were in. It turns out that I live pretty much the required 120km from the finish, following the established cycling routes. <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22865428" target="_blank">Route design was easy</a>. Only question was the location of the 6 hour control.<br />
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Eventually the sign-up information came out, and I recruited 3 more riders. Sent a few others over to Holden's team, as I was full up.<br />
<br />
The 6 hour control could be in Amity, which would put us 20 miles out, rather further than 25km out. The 25 km boundary was right at the corner of Ballston and Broadmead, or, as we say... nowhere. Nothing at that corner. Fields. The Ballston Park was just a smidge too close.<br />
<br />
Ray's wife Barb offered to lurk at the corner and sign our cards, and, indeed, the cards of any other teams coming that way. There's only so many ways into Willamina :-) Settled.<br />
<br />
And, it being the day before the solar eclipse, every media outlet was predicting heavy traffic, empty stores, oh, and it was going to be a warmish day. I could see the Center Market in Dayton being totally out of Payday Bars and beverages. While our route was small towns and tertiary roads, we just didn't know... I thought I'd include an extra sandwich and extra bottle of water. Just in case.<br />
<br />
Sadly, Ray had to bow out of riding, because Barb hurt her shoulder and couldn't drive, so they'd both see us at the 6 hour control. And at the campout afterward, of course!<br />
<br />
Four checklists - going on a ride with questionable supply chain checklist, team captain checklist, oh, yeah, we are camping, so camping gear checklist, and clean the house up for the overnight guest checklist. My brother's big dome tent showed up the afternoon before. He thought we might have been the last users 20 years ago. We pitched it in the yard just to make sure. Nope. One of the poles was broken. The last user had generously added a pole repair KIT. Boy, you drop the elastic and it just zips right down into the poles! The repair kit was very bare bones - suggested you TAPE the elastic to the metal wire, yet included no tape. Finally, got the tent up and verified everything was present.<br />
<br />
As Fitz was driving over from work in North Plains, all the camping gear and clothing were installed in the car immediately thereafter. This event would provide all food and beverage, so we didn't have to worry about that. I was promised endless coffee the next morning. Fitz did include a few bottles of his homebrew beer (a CDA and a Brown Ale) to share.<br />
<br />
Chris T appeared later that evening, and we got all organized. We had to get her last bag of stuff into the car before Fitz took off, which was duly accomplished. Her daughter had everything else and would meet her there.<br />
<br />
We were up at 7am, had a hearty breakfast (I am a big fan of cooked protein in the morning for rides), and coasted down the hill to the start, Jim and Patty's Coffee. There was a cyclist already there, and it was indeed David, the one team member I had not met in person. Kevin B showed up shortly thereafter and we had a great reunion; I haven't ridden with him, or even seen him in a few years; he'd relocated to Washington for awhile, but he's back now.<br />
<br />
9am. Time to go.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/26648218009/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Dart into Darkness start photo - Chris, Kevin, David, and Lynne"><img alt="Dart into Darkness start photo - Chris, Kevin, David, and Lynne" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4569/26648218009_e75c1fb181.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b>Beaverton to Forest Hills Golf Course (Cornelius)</b><br />
<br />
This was mostly suburban riding until we got south of Hillsboro on Minter Bridge Rd, although all the streets were bicycle-friendly. Once we popped out of the Urban Growth Boundary, I could point out all the quilt blocks on barns to Chris - she's from out of town and had never ridden here before.<br />
<br />
The snack bar at the golf course was open; I warned everyone about NOT filling their bottles at the outside faucet. Worst tasting water ever. I got a V-8, we all had our cards signed, and didn't waste too much time there. I prefer to have time to waste later.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24553526328/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Dart into Darkness, first control at Forest Hills Golf Course."><img alt="Dart into Darkness, first control at Forest Hills Golf Course." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/24553526328_f58bcfd91d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b>Cornelius to Dayton</b><br />
<br />
Again, fairly routine riding. The traffic was maybe a bit heavier, but it was a Sunday morning, rather than a Saturday, so maybe that's typical. Couldn't tell. Got to Dayton, and the Center Market was well stocked. I went for a big ice cream bar. We sat on the stoop for a bit and ate whatever we'd bought. No worries about time whatsoever.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24553537238/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Dart Pop control ice cream pause in Dayton."><img alt="Dart Pop control ice cream pause in Dayton." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4522/24553537238_0f2f0a97d6.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b>Dayton to Amity</b><br />
<br />
Amity is maybe 9 miles along from Dayton. It isn't a control, but it would be nicer to waste time there than proceed to the corner of Ballston and Broadmead. We camped out at the gas station convenience store for about 30 minutes. No shortage of snack foods there either. I felt rather more overprepared than usual, which is saying something.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/26648202899/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Dart into Darkness, chilling in Amity. Kevin, David, and Chris."><img alt="Dart into Darkness, chilling in Amity. Kevin, David, and Chris." height="281" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4556/26648202899_b34ebb36bc.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b>Amity to the 6 Hour Control</b><br />
<br />
I spent this stretch chatting with David, as I hadn't met him before.<br />
<br />
5 miles later we were at the 6 hour control. Ray and Barb had put up a pop-up, some lawn chairs, and had a cooler of drinks and fruit. Holden's team was already there. At this point, Kevin pulled out a flask of some sort of whiskey, and was attempting to share it around (!) The San Francisco team pulled up and joined the fun. They were planning to ride Michael Wolfe's SR 600 after the event.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38393118162/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Dart into Darkness Dart Pop 6 hour control. At least 3 teams here now. Two more showed up shortly."><img alt="Dart into Darkness Dart Pop 6 hour control. At least 3 teams here now. Two more showed up shortly." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4566/38393118162_a7f2a3dde7.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b>6 Hour Control to Willamina finish</b><br />
<br />
Promptly at 3pm, Holden's team departed. We gave them a few minutes and then set out ourselves. The Eugene team was coming up as we left; their control had been further back on their route. The expected headwind outside of Sheridan failed to materialize. I didn't miss it. We toured the Armed Forces memorial by the river in Sheridan, to eat up more time. Personally, I haven't ever experienced this repeated excessive time-wasting on a team event. :-)<br />
<br />
Eventually we continued on to Willamina, with another planned stop at the shiny new gas station convenience store. A couple of teams rode by, but declined our invitation to hang out. Finally with only 3 miles to go and about 40 minutes in which to accomplish it, we headed out. Willamina Creek Rd is very quiet (the c-store guy assured us that there were very fast drivers on that road. I've ridden on it twice and not seen another vehicle either time). Turned onto the gravel road, around the corner (there's the pond!), and then lost forward movement on the last steep bit, so walked it.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38393113592/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Dart into Darkness finish. Kevin in the background."><img alt="Dart into Darkness finish. Kevin in the background." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4572/38393113592_4c1124eb93.jpg" width="281" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Done, and still with 15 minutes to spare! Susan said Fitz had arrived, but I didn't see him around. We signed our cards and handed them over. I thought I'd get a beer first. I also attempted to eat an entire bowl of potato chips. Hand over the salt and no one gets hurt. The rest of the teams finished in short order.<br />
<br />
After that I went in search of our campsite - I had wanted to camp in the woods, so set off following the signs and little flags. Just like Girl Scout camp, hiking through the woods to one's unit. Found the woods campsite (I've been here before, but we walked in a different route), and Fitz. He had just finished setting up the tent, so my timing was excellent. After a bit, I got my bag and we walked back, him to socialize, me to get a shower. <br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38392970362/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Post Dart Pop, Pre Eclipse campers."><img alt="Post Dart Pop, Pre Eclipse campers." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/38392970362_f123b8488f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/36506634050/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dart to Darkness, camping in the woods"><img alt="Dart to Darkness, camping in the woods" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4338/36506634050_c10a5cd1da.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Dinner was ready immediately after that. There were tables and chairs in the yard, with lots of visiting, catching up with folks who hadn't seen each other for awhile, and eating.<br />
<br />
Eventually we all returned to our tents (another hike through the woods in the dark, great fun!). Leisurely awakening the next morning; the endless vat of coffee was as promised.<br />
<br />
At some point, I pulled on my eclipse glasses and looked up... "it's STARTING!".<br />
<br />
Most of us relocated up the road on the hill with our camping chairs, fancy cameras, eclipse glasses, colanders and pinholes.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24553390748/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Eclipse Viewers, Chez Mendenhall, Willamina"><img alt="Eclipse Viewers, Chez Mendenhall, Willamina" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4539/24553390748_ae39742469.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
There was watching through the eclipse glasses, watching through the colander projected on a piece of white foamcore, watching the temperature slowly drop (there was also a thermometer). I noticed the temperature dropping, and then, suddenly, the light changed. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting...<br />
<br />
Diamond ring!<br />
<br />
And then, totality!!!! This was indescribably cool. Accept no substitutes. We could see contrails from all the planes flying around, and a 360 degree sunrise.<br />
<br />
And then diamond ring again, and it was over. Well, not really, but we did start heading back down to the food and drink, and breaking down camp.<br />
<br />
Given the traffic, Fitz and I stuck around until 3pm, and headed out. It only took us 2 hours to get home, rather than the usual 90 minutes.lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-50215740240401910222017-11-20T17:21:00.000-08:002017-11-20T17:21:13.013-08:00I Am Never Going to Catch Up - Rides since AugustSigh. Not Keeping Up Here. So you'll get a summary.<br />
<br />
August<br />
<br />
We were in Michigan in August, and I took cards and cue sheets for my 3 routes up there, as well as a registration form :-) I now have left them in my storage box. I decided to ride the 218km route to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and back. Getting there was uneventful; big lunch in Leland, pavement from heaven.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38368720676/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Lunch in Leland, MI. Grand Traverse Lighthouse 218km perm."><img alt="Lunch in Leland, MI. Grand Traverse Lighthouse 218km perm." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/38368720676_4563a07111.jpg" width="281" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/37709915254/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Grand Traverse Lighthouse control documentation."><img alt="Grand Traverse Lighthouse control documentation." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4516/37709915254_4df3108836.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38424451151/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Grand Traverse Lighthouse turnaround. Evidence of participation."><img alt="Grand Traverse Lighthouse turnaround. Evidence of participation." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4544/38424451151_1a46ee4f78.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The day got hot. The headwinds from the south were evil. The hills were killer - not very high, but with the wind whipping in on the bare crests... Ow. My feet are telling me to not ever do a 200k wearing my Keen sandals ever again. Long conversations with myself the last 40 miles. I officially finished at the Blarney Castle gas station c-store, then met Fitz at Stormcloud. Except they were having an employee thing, so we relocated to Dinghy's and had the Fred Flintstone plate. They don't call it that, but the ribs are big.<br />
<br />
Also August<br />
<br />
Ray rounded up Paul and me to ride the Banks-Elsie 200k. The weather was excellent, as was the company.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24553535218/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Paul, Banks-Elsie"><img alt="Paul, Banks-Elsie" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/24553535218_4201b4dd02.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38368705956/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Stray goat, Banks Vernonia Trail."><img alt="Stray goat, Banks Vernonia Trail." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4577/38368705956_97dc78d559.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The outgoing leg on the Banks Vernonia trail was notable for one of the Wingham Farms cows standing right in the middle of the trail. We edged by. This being a weekday, it seemed that every log truck in the universe was out on 47/202/103. They all passed politely and professionally; I waved a lot. I like to acknowledge courtesy. Still, the thought of riding BACK with log trucks was a bit intimidating; tight curves at the western end of the route. The Elk Refuge bathrooms have been reconstructed and are quite nice. The one I used had a big wooden bench, possibly suitable for taking a nap on, should one's fleche route go by here in the middle of the night. No elk, but they are rarely there in the middle of the day. We got lunch at the turnaround in Elsie; sat outside on their covered porch entry.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38368726836/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Ray and Paul (and unidentified person) enjoying lunch at the Elsie turnaround"><img alt="Ray and Paul (and unidentified person) enjoying lunch at the Elsie turnaround" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4566/38368726836_fc738ac8be.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
So, time to ride back. Hey, no log trucks! Paul: "they've been out here since 3 in the morning; they've all gone home." And a tailwind of sorts. We paused at The Birk just because; the owner (Mike) invited us in to refill our bottles and use the facilities. He's got some massive Bull Mastiffs. Fortunately, they were off duty and quite friendly.<br />
<br />
Nine miles back to Vernonia, with shade and a real tailwind after we turned south. I love that shade. Paul and Ray were counting the number of times we crossed the Nehalem River. They came out with 24 in all. I kept losing count. I had some ice cream at the gas station c-store. Now only 20 miles on the trail; easy peasy. It was thinking about dusk, but not really, when we finished.<br />
<br />
September<br />
<br />
Susan wanted to know if I would want to ride my Beaverton-Hagg Lake-Carlton 200k with her. I knew EPP (electronic proof of passage) had been approved by the RUSA Board, because this route has a large number of info controls, and she's not fond of them :-)<br />
<br />
There was going to be a NW wind, which would make parts of the return a bit challenging. I chose to ride the Lemond (the fast bike).<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38424455821/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Historic Helvetia Church"><img alt="Historic Helvetia Church" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4584/38424455821_b3b3471f85.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38424457231/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="That's a pretty mailbox. Cedar Canyon Rd, Beaverton - Hagg Lake - Carlton perm."><img alt="That's a pretty mailbox. Cedar Canyon Rd, Beaverton - Hagg Lake - Carlton perm." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4539/38424457231_0196535405.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<div>
Really nice in the morning, all the way to Forest Grove. Lovely new pavements. We stopped at the c-store for expediency. I may have also had a salt pause. Old Hwy 47 to the Lake Store, formerly a mass of potholes and cracks has been repaved.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Circumnavigation of Hagg Lake - website said the lane was "restricted". At the lake, it was "closed". We rode as far as the info control, then back to the intersection w/West Shore Drive by the dam. and rode an out and back on the dam to find the missing .4 miles.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38393119292/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Lynne and Susan's bikes at the Hagg Lake dam, verification of distance makeup."><img alt="Lynne and Susan's bikes at the Hagg Lake dam, verification of distance makeup." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4555/38393119292_60dcd7e84b.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
As it was getting hot, we stopped at the Lake Store again for more water; I also inhaled a V-8. The wind might have been helpful on the way to Carlton, but it was hard to tell. We did the Carlton control at the bakery, where I had an EXCELLENT lemon tart and a citrus soda of some variety. It was really hot by now. <br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38393116292/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Susan at the Carlton Control, Beaverton - Hagg Lake - Carlton perm. Hot day."><img alt="Susan at the Carlton Control, Beaverton - Hagg Lake - Carlton perm. Hot day." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4558/38393116292_a47fa2bf12.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
There was nice shade on Hendricks, another salt pause, and then we turned north into the wind.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38393112882/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Info control at corner of Ribbon Ridge and North Valley. Easiest to take a picture. Susan and the bikes."><img alt="Info control at corner of Ribbon Ridge and North Valley. Easiest to take a picture. Susan and the bikes." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4576/38393112882_763b735462.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Lots of traffic on Kuehne and North Valley (riding on a weekday will do that), until we passed Flett. The 20 miles from Carlton to the turn east on Geiger seemed rather longer than they should have.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But then we had a tailwind and were coasting along, sometimes doing 18-20, without even trying. We zigzagged north to Hillsboro (yes, short stretches of headwind) to the final on-course control, with V-8 and a banana. The temperature was finally dropping, and we got a small snack at the finish (Starbucks). 12:43 elapsed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Susan: "have you got a way to carry a pumpkin home?" Uh, no. She drove it to the house and elected to stay over rather than do the long drive home in the dark.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
We did lots of picture control verification. Yay, <a href="http://www.timestampcamera.com/" target="_blank">Timestamp Camera</a>!<br />
<br />
October<br />
<br />
Ray, Paul and I rode the Hillsboro-Dallas 200k perm. Starting at 7am has been problematic, because Fred Meyer doesn't open until 7am, but the "new" Fred Meyer gas station has a c-store, which opens at 5am. Ray and I watched Paul drive around the parking lot; guess he didn't see us standing out in front. It was a mite chilly!<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38393117112/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Paul and Ray; Hillsboro-Dallas 200k Dayton control pause."><img alt="Paul and Ray; Hillsboro-Dallas 200k Dayton control pause." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/38393117112_d9c6c36b97.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
As it was another weekday ride, the traffic heading south on Spring Hill/North Valley/Ribbon Ridge/Kuehne/Abbey into Lafayette was rather heavier than we are accustomed to seeing. After Amity, the route heads south on Hwy 99 for 6 miles. Hwy 99 has been repaved, and the shoulder is wide and smooth. The traffic was heavy, but that doesn't bother me much, as long as I've got a shoulder to ride on. Turned onto Bethel Rd, and then south on Perrydale, eventually ending up at the Dallas Safeway. I had packed lox and bagel for ride food, and had consumed (wolfed down) a couple halves in the way to Dallas, and then proceeded to demolish a sushi tray.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38368706206/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Hillsboro Dallas sushi tray at the turnaround control. This works. With Ray and Paul."><img alt="Hillsboro Dallas sushi tray at the turnaround control. This works. With Ray and Paul." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4546/38368706206_ff44cc7aa8.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We then headed back, into, you guessed it, a headwind. There's nothing to slow it down out there on Red Prairie. When we arrived at the corner of Perrydale and Bethel, Ray wanted to check out an alternate to Hwy 99. I consulted Google Maps to figure out which way to go, as we knew it was there, but were unclear on the specifics. Aha. Turn left on Bethel, right on Broadmead, stick with it, and we'll end up in Amity, which was where we were going. Since it wasn't shorter, off we went. Less hilly, too. Bonus. The headwind was strong; Ray, as always, pulled ahead; Paul and I dropped off. I found Ray in Amity on a park bench, but went on to the c-store for more beverages.<br />
<br />
Still had the headwind, but I kept plugging along north. Almost to the turn onto Geiger, and Ray came up BEHIND me! How did that happen? Here I thought I was chasing him! Paul appeared, and we finished off the last 13 or so miles to the finish. It was definitely dark before we finished. My headlight needed adjusting; I was lighting up the sky :-) That was much harder than it should have been. Granted, I dnf'd it as a brevet in January, but still.<br />
<br />
Various Populaires<br />
<br />
I rode the North Plains Banks Vernonia Trail perm pop a few times, once solo. If I had to restrict myself to one perm pop, that would be the one. The owner has ridden it 120 times, I am a distant second, with 37 finishes. The rides were notable for the escaped goats. Ray and I watched them pour out of a hole in the fence, and they were already on the trail on my solo outing.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/37709783394/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Goats! (And Ray)"><img alt="Goats! (And Ray)" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/37709783394_95d451904a.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24553530988/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Sweetpea at Vernonia Lake. Pretty picture as well as photo verification."><img alt="Sweetpea at Vernonia Lake. Pretty picture as well as photo verification." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/24553530988_1c1bf2461e.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/26648094759/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Goats on the Banks Vernonia Trail. Again :-)"><img alt="Goats on the Banks Vernonia Trail. Again :-)" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4525/26648094759_9ac8a61150.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The Annual Verboort Sausage Populaire was earlier this month ("always the first Saturday in November!"). It didn't rain. I again, completely enjoyed the stretch north of Hwy 26 on Timber Rd. Twice in a row. I did not used to like it, and I don't know why. Quiet road, lots of trees and farms. Ray and I rode together, although we were in with other riders until the Timber Rd climb, where we went ahead.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38424458201/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Verboort Populaire turn around control in Vernonia."><img alt="Verboort Populaire turn around control in Vernonia." height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4579/38424458201_f28381458d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/38393124482/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="I know there is a trail in there somewhere. Just south of the Mendenhall trestle at Buxton."><img alt="I know there is a trail in there somewhere. Just south of the Mendenhall trestle at Buxton." height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4517/38393124482_2069441bbc.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/37709778354/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Heading into Wingham Farms on the Banks Vernonia Trail"><img alt="Heading into Wingham Farms on the Banks Vernonia Trail" height="375" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4548/37709778354_0914144420.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/24553386588/in/datetaken-public/" nbsp="" title="Coffeeneuring, Verboort Sausage Festival. No disposable cup!"><img alt="Coffeeneuring, Verboort Sausage Festival. No disposable cup!" height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4548/24553386588_84bf11be2f.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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There was also a Dart Populaire, elaborated on in another posting.<br />
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lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-15701136112277831062017-11-14T12:22:00.000-08:002017-11-14T12:22:01.855-08:00Coffeeneuring Summary 2017It was a quieter coffeeneuring year, but all 7 rides were duly accomplished. Two Coffee Outsides, but brought from home, not brewed on site. My successful theme this year was No Disposable Cups. The handy Contigo Autoseal West Loop mug did for the Coffee Outside, and some coffee shop stops, and I carried a thermal mug to the Verboort Sausage Festival, because they only have paper cups, which tripped me up last year.<br />
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<b>#1 Coffee Outside on the Fanno Creek Trail</b><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;">Bridges aren't slippery (yet). Coffee from home. I have upped my porteur bag game from previous years </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f4c/1/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px;">:-)</span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;"> 12.6 miles.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bleriot on the Fanno Creek Trail</td></tr>
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<b>#2 Solace Coffee</b></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;">I had to get out between the bands of downpours, and saw a window. First, a trip to the fabric store, for the backing and batting to finish grandson #2's quilt, and then decisions, decisions. Which coffee shop? I settled on Solace, right by the Beaverton Police Department, and, bonus, a covered staple rack!</span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;">I ordered a Blood Orange Mocha, and settled down for some enjoyable reading on the squashy sofa.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129;">The fabric store has nothing to lock to, and I do mean NOTHING. The kind cashier let me bring it inside. She said the owner had been asked about a bike rack before and decided they didn't want to spend the money. I wrote a customer comment note; keeping up the pressure.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129;">3.85 miles.</span><br />
Followup on the bike rack - I spoke with the manager when I was there for a 3-day weaving class this past week. She's not got the power to have a bike rack installed, but I am welcome to bring the bike inside any time. I'll take it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In between the bands of rain (I'm right near the two 51 degree markers)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Solace Coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice place to sit and read</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the fabric store</td></tr>
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<b>#3 New Season's Grocery (and place to get a nice lunch and coffee)</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was planning to ride over to the bagel store for coffee and a bagel, and some bagels to bring home, but the spouse suggested instead going to New Seasons, where they have really good bagels, coffee, and other things if one doesn't want a bagel for lunch. Sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We took the direct route over (1.8 miles), but a slightly different route home, to enjoy the NEW NEW NEW paved path over what was a sucking dirt mud pit desire path for as long as I remember (36 years!) and the new path by Beaverton Creek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">New Seasons has perfectly adequate bike parking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4+ miles.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fall foliage on Millikan Way</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right, coffee and bagel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaverton is going to get a food cart pod!</td></tr>
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#4 Edge Coffee</h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Millikan Way, end to end, a flu shot, and coffeeneuring at Edge Coffee. 7.4 miles. Portland Clinic has bike parking, Edge Coffee doesn't appear to. I locked to a chair. Chai Tea Latte. I'll have to update my blog post on SW Millikan Way; with the addition of the path from the east end to SW Lombard (previous coffeeneuring post), it is now continuous for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, if you don't mind hopping a few curbs. The "no disposable cups" theme continues.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22886093_10212512262614671_6955421431671276929_n.jpg?oh=d7c4b199d3cd14271d24a93adf8dd756&oe=5A9ECC19" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, bicycle, table and outdoor" border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22886093_10212512262614671_6955421431671276929_n.jpg?oh=d7c4b199d3cd14271d24a93adf8dd756&oe=5A9ECC19" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bleriot hanging at Edge Coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22788644_10212512264934729_6841425494693262849_n.jpg?oh=717662a7691ecc1a81bf1723706848eb&oe=5AA269B3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image may contain: shoes and outdoor" border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22788644_10212512264934729_6841425494693262849_n.jpg?oh=717662a7691ecc1a81bf1723706848eb&oe=5AA269B3" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bleriot parked at the clinic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Westside Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaverton Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hall Creek Trail</td></tr>
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<b>#5 Coffee Outside, Council Crest Park</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are trying to get our friends K and R more accustomed to riding on the streets, so offered up the Council Crest Loop from our house. Half trail, half streets, a climb there and a fun descent back. Especially today as it was very blustery, and the tailwind home was wonderful.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Council Crest Park, views of Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, and Mt Rainier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">15.5 miles, coffee from home.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairmount Drive</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: sky, tree, outdoor and nature" height="240" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22894122_10212533856674509_4200040311689777976_n.jpg?oh=3f29120d37d3a4fe3f4526f5ec622b8e&oe=5A92CA2E" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Mt Hood, from the far east point of Fairmount Drive</td></tr>
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<b>#6 Annual Verboort Sausage Fest</b><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Got coffee from the industrial sized urn, with powdered creamer and sweetener. Also a sausage on a stick. Bike parking anywhere. 3+ miles back to Forest Grove. Brought my own mug; the no disposable cups game is still strong.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sausage on a stick and coffee. In my own mug.</td></tr>
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<b>#7 Jim and Patty's Coffee</b></div>
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The bike rack situation is unchanged (bent up wheelbreaker, "our employees don't complain"). Rode to the library to get a long awaited book; not open for another 35 minutes. Went to the grocery (eggs, ginger root, carrots), then back to the library. Got the book, then off to Jim and Patty's to get a Borgia Mocha in a ceramic cup, and settled down to enjoy the first chapter of La Belle Sauvage. 6.05 miles. 4 lock/unlock repeats. You can see Bleriot through the door, locked to a table and chair.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23167796_10212579284370173_9043591137147986914_n.jpg?oh=6f0ac0c319042fb757dda821c7525b3e&oe=5AA46D5C" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borgia Mocha and The Book of Dust</td></tr>
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lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-33326827710161360732017-08-27T20:01:00.001-07:002017-08-27T20:02:03.490-07:00In My LifetimeMaybe 5 or so years ago, I contacted the Beaverton City Engineer about the desire path from the east end of SW Millikan Way to SW Lombard. One had to go around a power pole, and, in the rainy season, it became a sucking mud pit. But it was one of the best ways to go east-west in Beaverton. He told me it was YEARS before it would become a street. I told him I didn't want a street, I wanted a paved path for pedestrians and bicyclists. It did eventually appear on the Beaverton transportation improvement plan, but it didn't seem to be high priority.<div><br></div><div>Earlier this summer some construction was going on, but there were no informative signs. Maybe they were doing something with Beaverton Creek.</div><div><br></div><div>I walked by there today. Be still my beating heart. Pavement. Wayfinding signs. A drainage pond which feeds into Beaverton Creek.</div><div><br></div><div>No curb cut, though. Ah well.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cf39_8a10_fdaf_e507" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-drV8m5oz6jQ/WaOHeP5efeI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/wPfj7Xn1JlQFh7TqRQNNtrVemcrHiWU4QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 481px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e8cb_f3a7_af13_885c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fLUbZAUTUTA/WaOHeM-tIFI/AAAAAAAAA0U/ME24e1ci7i42oYHtFTYkKtCuDmjNOZD_QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 573px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br></div>lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-69408471059826376842017-07-10T13:49:00.001-07:002017-07-10T15:47:07.412-07:00Revisiting the Columbia River GorgeI can't remember the last time I rode in the Columbia River Gorge. March 2014, when I finished my own perm out of time?<br />
<br />
This month's ORR 200k was the <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22654805" target="_blank">Hollywood-Wind River 200</a> (this version matches the cue sheet). I'd ridden it before, back in <a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2011/09/bridge-of-gods-200km-second-r-12.html" target="_blank">September 2011</a>, when I was in MUCH more fit. But as I'd survived Dayton-Beaver, I figured I'd finish in time, if not in style.<br />
<br />
Recruited Michal to ride with me; he and Cyndi showed up the night before, in time for dinner. Given that the ride was starting at 6am, we'd need to get up at 4am, so early bedtime all around. The plan was for me to drive to the start with them, and Fitz would show up at the finish (McMenamin's Kennedy School) to join us for dinner and take me home.<br />
<br />
(There are no pictures, although it was a gorgeous day. Sorry.)<br />
<br />
We all met at Wilshire Park. I was the only woman riding. Hmph. Checked out the park's facilities, but it was too early and they weren't open. We'd find something suitable along the way.<br />
<br />
Off at 6am, headed north to the Columbia River. We had a brief confusion at the NE33rd/Columbia Blvd overpass (cue was hidden in the discussion rather than on it's own line), but quickly resolved it and found ourselves at the west boundary of the airport. I suggested we ride on the bike path, rather than Marine Drive, and we did that whenever possible. Best of course when the path is on the river side of the road :-)<br />
<br />
Into Troutdale, with a brief stop at the McD's (not for food :-) ), and out the Historic Columbia River Hwy (US-30). It is up for about 26 miles, but not oppressively so. Michal wanted to turn onto Bell Rd, but I hauled him back. The mist/clouds got very thick at this point, almost to "drizzle". I knew it wouldn't last long, and hadn't even packed a rain jacket.<br />
<br />
Popped out at the top and dropped down to Vista House, our first control. From there, we had the fun descent down to Latourell Falls, and kept dropping for awhile, eventually arriving at the gentle rollers heading east to Warrendale, then the less gentle rollers to the end of the road (unless one wants to get on I-84) and the start of the new part of the path to Cascade Locks. I love riding the path, but prefer it in the other direction.<br />
<br />
Hefting the bike down the (50+, with landings every 10) stairs was a bit painful, but we got there.<br />
<br />
Ruckel Creek was a shadow of its former self, but still pretty.<br />
<br />
We paused very briefly to refill bottles at the park in Cascade Locks and headed over the bridge ($1 toll for bicycles now). The crosswinds were pretty spectacular, but I got a few chances to look down and watch the bridge deck vanish as I rode along. The fast boys were heading west just as we arrived at SR-14 on the Washington side.<br />
<br />
We continued east to Stevenson, for a food stop at the grocery. Terrible sandwich - too much bread, and the turkey and cheese were completely without flavor. Ick. Then again eastward to the turn onto Wind River Rd, passing through Carson after the turn.<br />
<br />
Wind River Rd climbs almost 1000 feet in 8+ miles. The tailwind wasn't really there. Passed the RBA lurking in Carson on the way up; she said she got a ride in after we had all finished that part of the route. We saw 4 or 5 riders headed back, including Kevin L.<br />
<br />
Now, I have ridden this route twice before, and knew where the info control would be. By this point, our bike computers were not agreeing with the cue sheet; I used the road mile markers, and started looking for the control after we passed by mile marker 8. Ah, there it was (zipties on the road sign). Saw Michal further down the road, but I was too wiped to yell. I figured he'd see me and come back, and eventually he did. Talking with Kevin later, he said he couldn't find the info control either. Ate a little something, and headed back down.<br />
<br />
Now, THAT was fun! We could see the Oregon side of the river, and the road stair-stepping down back to SR-14. Then we hit the Headwind.<br />
<br />
We paused again in Stevenson for more water. I think I drank a quart just standing there, and ate a few more things. We'd have that headwind all the way back. It was weird, though - it would blow really hard, and then not much; probably mitigated by the trees, and the road curves following the river's edge. I had been worried about time when we got to the Wind River Rd control, but not so much after the return. And, indeed, the headwind wasn't delaying us nearly as much as I thought it might. Another brief pause at Beacon Rock (Michal was ahead and waiting for me. There was definitely some of that today), then onward.<br />
<br />
Lots of wildflowers in bloom on both sides of the river - sweetpeas, lupines, batchelors button, foxglove, and many I didn't know the names of.<br />
<br />
At mile 91, the last big climb of the day appeared. We chugged up SR-14. Michal, of course was ahead. I may have walked a bit. The turn was onto Krogstad Rd, which is unsigned, and probably doesn't even rise to the level of "driveway". Like I said, I have been here before, and knew what I was looking for. As it turned out, the fence is gone, and the house is repainted, but the road sign on the other side did say "Riverside", and it was a bit past where the climbing lane went away.<br />
<br />
So I was there, but no Michal. Ok, maybe he'd gone on and would be found further along. Krogstad is very quiet and very shaded, but no less climby :-) A bit more walking, while eating a Payday bar, more riding, finally at the intersection with Canyon Creek. No Michal. At this point, our texts crossed in the mail. He'd overshot the turn and waited for me after the turn, then came back. Didn't find me, but found Kevin, who'd stopped in Carson. So I texted that we'd meet up at the next control (Washougal Mercantile), and continued on. And finally, downhill. A slow downhill to start, but then it dropped a bit more. After a few miles of this, I found myself at the store, and bought an ice cream bar and a Coke. The staff hadn't seen any other riders since 2:20 (they were well-trained in the signing of the cards by now). Halfway through the ice cream bar, Michal appeared, and a time after that, Kevin. We all had a good sit and eat before heading on.<br />
<br />
Michal: "what's it like now? No more climbs?" Nope. Downhill to Washougal, rolling westward, a bit of a short pitch at Ellsworth, and that's about it. (He rode this with me the last time. You'd think he'd remember.)<br />
<br />
Washougal River Road was a gentle descent, only needed a bit of pedaling to keep up a good pace. Drivers would stack up behind us and then pass with little difficulty; only one yeller. And the motorcycle that almost side-swiped me in Washougal; you'd think they'd know better.<br />
<br />
Though Washougal, through Camas. The new roundabout after Camas onto 6th/Old Evergreen Hwy is a very welcome addition. Old Evergreen Hwy has terrible pavement, but it does look like some parts have been replaced. About 12 miles out, we stopped and texted our respective spouses, and then slogged on. I should have eaten something here.<br />
<br />
Eventually we saw the I-205 Bridge high above us and knew the turn onto Ellsworth wouldn't be far. Up Ellsworth, up onto the bridge (that was easier), and then, once on the bridge, downhill all the way to Oregon. Other than riding on the bridge is really noisy (bike path is in the middle of all the lanes), way fun.<br />
<br />
We then navigated south of the airport, crossed over Lombard and Columbia, wandered the neighborhoods a bit and finished. Cyndi was out front looking for us, but we didn't see the RBA, so she watched our bikes while we got our cards signed at the desk (and in my case, stamped; all McMenamin places have delightful rubber stamps).<br />
<br />
Fitz appeared, and my bike was secured in the car. Michal, Cyndi, and Kevin also went off to secure bikes. We got a table and waited for them to come back in. The RBA came by and got my card. After Michal and Cyndi came in, she got Michal's card, and also Kevin's (he elected to just go home).<br />
<br />
Beverages were ordered, and eventually food. Cyndi kept trying to get Michal to split something with her, but he thought he could eat an entire meal himself. Fitz usually also tries to get me to split something, but he knew better than to try that after I had just finished a big ride. :-)<br />
<br />
12:47 elapsed time. I lost 3 lbs, but they mostly returned. It will be nice when I am more fit and can finish this ride in less time. Working on it.lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-86916555705806461142017-06-06T22:44:00.000-07:002017-06-06T23:05:09.668-07:00A Challenging 200kIt didn't look good in Willamina. I was on the verge of bonking. It would be an 80+ mile drive for someone to retrieve me, and I didn't want that to happen either. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.<br>
<br>
Ray proposed his <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21745317" target="_blank">Dayton-Beaver 210k permanent</a>. I was pretty sure my engine wasn't yet rated for the initial climb, but he thought I'd make it. Susan and Keith also joined in.<br>
<br>
While preparing the food (Fig Newtons, furikake hard-boiled eggs, rice pudding, Kind bars, some gels, Brookside chocolate-fruit gel thingies, chocolate bars), I came to the realization that my massive jug of Carbo-Pro maltodextrin was empty. I went to two local bike shops and came up empty. Then I remembered! The homebrew place out west in Hillsboro has maltodextrin! Drove out there, and learned that most of the maltodextrin they sell is to folks like me :-) Really good value, too. Might go back and buy a 10 pound bag.<br>
<br>
It wasn't supposed to rain, but the "mist" was pretty darn persistent on the drive out to Dayton (like Newberg, only 10 miles further along...). I had my "it might raincoat" along. Susan had a windbreaker. Keith, in his recumbent, had a fairing and sock. I don't think Ray had a rain jacket. Fortunately, that was it; no more rain the rest of the day.<br>
<br>
We met up at the parking lot across from the high school, and rode into the center of town, to take advantage of the public facilities and covered area for the pre-ride rituals.<br>
<br>
Susan and I had r<a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2011/05/nestucca-rivers-permanent.html" target="_blank">idden the earlier version of this route</a>, in reverse, in pouring rain, 6 years ago. I had never climbed up from the Carlton side, and, honestly, wasn't sure I ever wanted to. But here I was.<br>
<br>
The first 10 miles were reasonably flat as we rode to, and through Carlton, out Meadowlake Rd, which becomes the Nestucca Access Rd, and then the Nestucca River Rd. The road wandered around through the foothills, where there were farms, then more trees, and at about mile 14, we started the Real Climb. It was pretty. I got to admire some parts of it at greater length, because there was some walking. The other three riders would regroup and wait for me, or sometimes ride along. Eventually I found them at the reservoir, which is the first summit. All the clothing I took off was restored. The climb summits at 1999 feet, drops about 200 feet, then regains it over a short distance.<br>
<br>
Then we had a beautiful, gorgeous descent along the Nestucca River, which went on seemingly forever (really, 35 miles), eventually dropping through the Siuslaw National Forest to Blaine, and then Beaver. There was a couple miles of gravel, but it was well-packed, and not an issue. Once I popped out of the forest near Blaine, I could every so often see the others up ahead, but didn't catch them until the control at Beaver.<br>
<br>
I had finished both my bottles, so dealt with refilling them (one Gatorade-maltodextrin, the other plain water), and bought a couple of Payday bars, for variety. I'd been munching pretty steadily on the other food in my bag all along.<br>
<br>
We then headed south on Hwy 101 to Hebo, where we'd turn back inland on Hwy 22. Not that we were on the Pacific Ocean; that was still a few miles further west. Hwy 22 climbs up to Sourgrass Summit, possibly the lowest (679 feet) pass over the Coast Range. By now we had a tailwind, it was sunny, with lots of shade, and the climb was very gentle. Easiest 15 mile climb ever.<br>
<br>
From there we enjoyed the descent to Grande Ronde, passing through, but not stopping. While we were riding on Hwy 18/22, a couple of riders went by, one with a very small backpack and a teeny bit of luggage on his bike, the other with possibly less stuff. I didn't get a chance to chat with them, but the others did - they were participating in the <a href="https://transambikerace.com/" target="_blank">Trans-Am Bike Race</a>, which had started in Astoria. Obviously on a mission.<br>
<br>
We, on the other hand, as soon as we crossed the bridge by Fort Hill, turned off the road onto a dirt path, and continued on Yamhill River Road, which is ever so much nicer and quieter than Hwy 18/22.<br>
<br>
Shortly thereafter,we were in Willamina (I could almost hear Susan thinking: "I could turn left here and be home in 3 miles!"), at the shiny new gas station/c-store. I had sucked down a mouthful of straight salt a little while back, but it didn't seem to be taking effect. Took a couple of ibuprofen. I then wandered aimlessly around the store, picking up a Coke, a banana, and some jojos. Susan said she had an antacid, because there didn't seem to be any for sale. So I sat there and shook, ate the banana, sipped the Coke ("ah", said Susan. "You've got the red ambulance!"), and contemplated my options. Tried a jojo and decided they weren't a good choice at this point. I think Ray ate them all :-) Asked Ray to get my wind vest for me (no, it wasn't cold. I knew very well what was happening.) Took off my shoes.<br>
<br>
And then, miraculously, I suddenly felt much better. I need to remember this combination of potions.<br>
<br>
We then headed east, but not to Amity. There was a tailwind, even. Rather than taking the traditional route to Amity, and then a short 9 miles to Dayton, Ray routed us down to Perrydale (shades of the Hillsboro Dallas perm), and across the valley to Zena Rd. I had a brief moment of shock in Perrydale, when I noticed that the old fire engine was gone and its structure torn down. Darn.<br>
<br>
The pollen count was pretty high. I was enjoying the scent of wheat and grass. Susan, not so much. She was sneezing her head off.<br>
<br>
Last climb coming up. I had bad memories of this particular climb on a very hot day a few years ago. A bit more walking, then a fabulous descent to the Lincoln Store. Keith was there when we arrived; he said the store closed just as he rode up. We figured we all had enough for the last 14 miles. I ate my last rice pudding, and we headed out. Three more rollers before Hopewell Road flattened out, and then we were on Webfoot Road, the last stretch. Parts of it seemed longer than they should have, but I finally crested the only big dip, and the Center Market in Dayton was right up the other side.<br>
<br>
As we were now FINISHED, we bought unsuitable snacks (big ice cream bar for me), loafed on the front stoop, and finished filling out our cards. 210km, and under 13 hours.lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-27806125874137867412017-06-04T18:41:00.000-07:002017-06-04T18:41:01.171-07:00Finding those Covered BridgesOregon has quite a few covered bridges, so much so that one of the brevet routes is the <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/5874729" target="_blank">Covered Bridges 200k</a>. There's a corresponding 400k, with a few more bridges (Eden's Gate), but I wasn't going there this year.<br />
<br />
So a couple of weeks ago, I found myself with Ray and Kevin L (yay! he's back riding again!), and some number of other riders, in Wilsonville getting some pre-brevet coffee. Very civilized start, what with it being in a coffee shop with plumbing and places to sit and coffee and food.<br />
<br />
My food strategy included hard-boiled eggs, Fig Newtons, Brookside Dark Chocolate snacks, and rice pudding, along with the usual collection of a couple of bars, gels, and Gatorade-maltodextrin drink mix. And plain old salt. I sucked some down halfway through the ride.<br />
<br />
And so, off we went. After crossing the Willamette River on the Boone (I-5) Bridge, we headed down the west side of the highway, working our way to south to Aurora, then up to Lone Elder and Meridian Road (didn't miss the turn this time), where we'd be for a good long while.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/34665636396/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Getting close to Silverton"><img alt="Getting close to Silverton" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4170/34665636396_ec44fd3324_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We quickly found ourselves at the tail end (not unexpected). We did catch up to the group in front of us, but we stopped to visit the blue room at 91 School, and they didn't.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/34665637786/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Ray"><img alt="Ray" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4177/34665637786_6c9ab1f5d1_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/34665638456/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Baby Vineyard"><img alt="Baby Vineyard" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4190/34665638456_13513324ae_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/34665639076/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dairy cows"><img alt="Dairy cows" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4160/34665639076_6db566fda5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We had a tailwind heading south. Eventually we turned off Meridian Road, heading west on Downs Rd to the Gallon House Bridge.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33864154054/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="The Gallon House Bridge sign"><img alt="The Gallon House Bridge sign" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4175/33864154054_0b0882a5f5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
From there we went into Silverton, and had a minor navigation miscue. We thought we were headed out on Main Street, except we weren't and the expected climb out of town failed to materialize. So we backtracked, and headed out to the Cascade Hwy. How we got confused, I'll never know, because we've all only ridden through Silverton many, many times.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33863750904/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Towns which start with "S""><img alt="Towns which start with "S"" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4164/33863750904_02245e5906_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The Cascade Hwy hasn't gotten any more flat. There's a big climb up to Riches Rd, then it goes up and down until just before Stayton. We zipped through Stayton, and headed out to Cole School Rd. Again, roller #2 won. Sigh. Excellent descent down Richardson Gap Rd, to bridge number two, the Shimanek Bridge.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/34575681961/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="The Shimanek Bridge"><img alt="The Shimanek Bridge" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4188/34575681961_1643564b7c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Then we rode over to Scio, the first timed control. We found the folks right ahead of us, but they were leaving. We went over to the grocery and stocked up there. I also bought and consumed a sandwich.<br />
<br />
We now headed for the last two covered bridges - the Hoffman and Gilkey bridges.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/34666115966/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Hoffman Bridge on Hungry Hill Rd"><img alt="Hoffman Bridge on Hungry Hill Rd" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4164/34666115966_3138ba9060_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33863751064/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Fluffy Little Sheep"><img alt="Fluffy Little Sheep" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4165/33863751064_22cc0f77cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33863751434/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Kevin (no hands) and Ray, Gilkey Bridge"><img alt="Kevin (no hands) and Ray, Gilkey Bridge" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/33863751434_f757d5203b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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And then we headed north, into the wind. Lots of rear-wheel-sucking on my part. The last climb of any substance was approaching, Parrish Gap Rd. It starts out fairly innocuously, then ramps up. I came up on Kevin using his two foot gear, and joined in. He though that would be the top and there wouldn't be any more painful bumps, but I remembered otherwise. Sure enough :-(<br />
<br />
We found Ray hanging out under some trees, and we all stood around for while, and then headed into Turner, and then west to Salem. Hauled Ray back from a wrong turn. "I made that same wrong turn last time and got a lot further!"<br />
<br />
It did start raining in Salem, but it didn't last long. We headed for the McDonald's, and all had burgers (ok, Ray's was chicken) and fries, and wolfed them down (how often do you hear the words "wolf down food on a brevet" come out of my mouth?)<br />
<br />
36 miles to go, about 4 hours left. I was a bit tense, so kept up the pace as much as I could. Somewhere on River Rd, my bike computer speedometer checked out. I thought to swap the battery in from my cadence pickup, but that didn't work either. The clock still worked, so I could figure out how I was doing from the distance at each cue and the clock.<br />
<br />
To make a short story long, we did finish with 40 minutes to spare. We were relaxing in the coffee shop when the folks just ahead of us came back in to visit, along with Cyndi (Michal was riding the 400k).<br />
<br />
Changed Every Single Battery on the bike computer setup the next day.<br />
<br />lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-9246136994240234612017-05-03T12:22:00.000-07:002017-05-03T12:22:29.049-07:00Where'd that Nice Weather Come From?We've had an exceptionally wet winter/spring so far. As the joke goes "it has only rained twice - once for 45 days, and then for 35 days". Riding has not been happening. It isn't so much the RAIN, but the accompanying floods and thunderstorms.<br />
<br />
Ray was casting about for company on his <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20697875" target="_blank">North Plains - Carlton perm pop</a>. I haven't ridden it since Halloween, 2015. Time to get back out there. Kevin L, who has not been riding much for the last couple years, but was a consistent ride companion before that, also joined us. Excellent!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_--yC5YGSiQ/WQoscsVJxTI/AAAAAAAAAyw/MBQGTI6JTa0-7EGbQRTu4DBBTtKjsKCEgCEw/s1600/epic%2Bride%2Bweather.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_--yC5YGSiQ/WQoscsVJxTI/AAAAAAAAAyw/MBQGTI6JTa0-7EGbQRTu4DBBTtKjsKCEgCEw/s400/epic%2Bride%2Bweather.png" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epic Ride Weather's Prediction for the Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had the standard meet-up (note: niece A, who will, in a few weeks move from being Ensign A to Lt Dr A informed me that the proper term is "rally point") at the North Plains Mc Donalds. As always, I get in line behind someone who doesn't know what they want, have never been to a Mc Donalds, and the guy (who is nice, but) running the cash register is super chatty.<br />
<br />
Pre-ride faffing, signing of the release, discussion about team formation for a <a href="http://will-rando.herokuapp.com/" target="_blank">Will Rando</a> <a href="https://rusa.org/dartpopulairerules.html" target="_blank">dart pop</a> (or maybe it is a Dart. Route planning for the dart pop would be easier), and eventually we were off.<br />
<br />
Headed down Vadis Rd, Kevin was explaining why he was on his plastic bike and not his Rawland: "it is in between saddles". I asked him how many bikes he had. After much mental calculations... "Do I really have 13 bikes???". Heck, he could have borrowed a saddle from one of the others! Another person to mention when the spouse thinks my bike collection is excessive. Actually, he can't now, because he's got just as many as I do.<br />
<br />
I had started out the day with arm and knee warmers. Ray and Kevin had on jackets and baselayers.<br />
<br />
Heading down to Verboort on Evers Rd, we found two recent additions to the <a href="http://quiltbarnswc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Washington County Quilt Barn Trail</a>. If RUSA ever allows photographic proof of passage, I might make up a perm pop which visits many of them. Although I could come up with some lame info control questions, I suspect most will go for the picture proof route.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33570514784/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Quilt block on NW Osterman"><img alt="Quilt block on NW Osterman" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4175/33570514784_73feaa5f95_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33570515754/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Quilt Block on NW Osterman"><img alt="Quilt Block on NW Osterman" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4171/33570515754_de5aff18c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
There was a substantial pause at the Fern Hill Wetlands. After this one, I reverted to my "I'm going now; you'll catch up" practice. The wetlands plantings have grown, and the water is wonderfully high. Lost the armwarmers here.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33570516944/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Fern Hill Wetlands"><img alt="Fern Hill Wetlands" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4176/33570516944_d9d0feeb0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33570518074/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Ray and Kevin discussing bike builds"><img alt="Ray and Kevin discussing bike builds" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4168/33570518074_2572ef6588_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
There was a noticeable headwind, which boded well for the return.<br />
<br />
The route itself is relatively uneventful, but for the One Hill. It is a steeper climb from the north, but paved. Withycombe (the descent) is gravel, steep, and this day, much loose gravel. There was a lot of trepidation, but I did successfully descend. I wasn't worried so much about the climb on the return, because it is a lot slower.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdpkhoCUMus/WQosc0xGXsI/AAAAAAAAAy0/ayVUEraBsIUn_OdIAl5IRBOMjXiKfYsBACEw/s1600/ray%2Bin%2Bcarlton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdpkhoCUMus/WQosc0xGXsI/AAAAAAAAAy0/ayVUEraBsIUn_OdIAl5IRBOMjXiKfYsBACEw/s640/ray%2Bin%2Bcarlton.png" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray, Carlton elevator, and perm card at the Carlton Bakery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We arrived at the Carlton Bakery to find it full of bicyclists, also out enjoying the nice weather. Fortunately, they were all leaving, so we ordered our pastries and coffee, and had an outside table to ourselves. Removed the knee warmers.<br />
<br />
And then we headed back. The tailwind was an excellent push. I did end up walking the last bit of Withycombe, because I lost my line and had a choice of stopping or toppling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sm6jGs1Cq8g/WQoscdSDNQI/AAAAAAAAAys/shwE1uxv1UkroOUYhZ0W-2KothAZfDwlgCEw/s1600/Withycombe%2BRoad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sm6jGs1Cq8g/WQoscdSDNQI/AAAAAAAAAys/shwE1uxv1UkroOUYhZ0W-2KothAZfDwlgCEw/s400/Withycombe%2BRoad.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin and Ray at the summit of Withycombe Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwgaFQJn_HI/WQoscY7TkJI/AAAAAAAAAy4/S-7UmTSQkn0QnobFwkW8dS8-wgjot1cigCEw/s1600/Elevator%2Bin%2BCarlton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwgaFQJn_HI/WQoscY7TkJI/AAAAAAAAAy4/S-7UmTSQkn0QnobFwkW8dS8-wgjot1cigCEw/s400/Elevator%2Bin%2BCarlton.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yamhill elevator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyySycgno0s/WQoscYIMJZI/AAAAAAAAAy4/35GjHjvyuxcHqGeyhJ4yw50vQSQ5_Z9UgCEw/s1600/Fini.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyySycgno0s/WQoscYIMJZI/AAAAAAAAAy4/35GjHjvyuxcHqGeyhJ4yw50vQSQ5_Z9UgCEw/s400/Fini.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sun. Tailwind. Not a lot of traffic. I even got sunburned. This was a great day.<br />
<br />
<br />lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-13661430959304313642017-04-24T16:31:00.000-07:002017-04-24T17:11:38.437-07:00Summer and Winter Weaving Tie-UpI had sent my <a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2017/04/weaving-original-programming-project.html" target="_blank">Strickler 546</a> provided tie-up off to <a href="https://www.cs.earlham.edu/~timm/treadle/" target="_blank">Tim's Treadle Reducer</a>, because the tie-up for a dedicated treadle for each pick wanted 14 treadles. My loom only has 10.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/34210820546/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Strickler 546, Summer and Winter weave structure. Getting better."><img alt="Strickler 546, Summer and Winter weave structure. Getting better." height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2859/34210820546_76708c4a13_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The tie-up I got back was do-able, but I had to check a cheat sheet for each block, because it wasn't a logical arrangement.<br />
<br />
So, I was chatting with Hilary, a fellow student at the Multnomah Art Center, who is ALSO weaving a <span id="goog_680388782"></span>summer and winter<span id="goog_680388783"></span> project (<a href="http://leighsfiberjournal.blogspot.com/2007/03/summer-winter-structure-and-theory.html" target="_blank">summer and winter being the weave structure</a><span id="goog_680388789"></span><span id="goog_680388790"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>; we were both working from <a href="http://leighsfiberjournal.blogspot.com/search?q=profile+draft" target="_blank">profile drafts</a>, which are a shorthand way of describing a weaving design). She didn't have a cheat sheet taped to her loom.<br />
<br />
Her tie-up was MUCH more logical, so I went home and changed the tie-up on my loom. No cheat sheet required. I can use this tie-up for every summer and winter weaving project I do going forward as well, which is a bonus. The tie up essentially mimics the profile block tie-up.<br />
<br />
We are using 8 shaft looms, so the profile drafts we use can have up to 6 design blocks.<br />
<br />
The algorithm (all credit to Hilary) is as follows:<br />
<br />
tie<br />
shaft 1 to treadle 1<br />
shaft 2 to treadle 2<br />
tabby b (usually shafts 3-8) to treadle 9<br />
<br />
tie the pattern shafts in each block to the corresponding treadle, knowing that multiple blocks are lifted in each treadle.<br />
<br />
So, here's treadles 3-8<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 224px;">
<colgroup><col span="7" style="mso-width-alt: 1170; mso-width-source: userset; width: 24pt;" width="32"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td colspan="4" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; mso-ignore: colspan; width: 96pt;" width="128">Profile Treadling</td>
<td style="width: 24pt;" width="32"></td>
<td style="width: 24pt;" width="32"></td>
<td style="width: 24pt;" width="32">Pattern Shaft</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">F</td>
<td class="xl66">F</td>
<td class="xl66">F</td>
<td class="xl66">F</td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66">F</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td class="xl68">E</td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl69">7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66">D</td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66">D</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">C</td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td class="xl68">C</td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td class="xl68">C</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69">5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">B</td>
<td class="xl66">B</td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66">B</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">A</td>
<td class="xl70">A</td>
<td class="xl70">A</td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
<td class="xl70">A</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">3</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
where</div>
<div>
treadle 3 gets ABCF (shafts 6 and 7)*</div>
<div>
treadle 4 gets AB (shafts 5, 6, and 7)</div>
<div>
and so on</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://leighsfiberjournal.blogspot.com/2008/10/summer-winter-treadling.html" target="_blank">The draft is treadled in "Pairs X" fashion</a>, and there are 8 picks for each row in the treadle diagram.</div>
<div>
Here's a subset of the treadle diagram:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 156px;">
<colgroup><col span="6" style="mso-width-alt: 950; mso-width-source: userset; width: 20pt;" width="26"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 20pt;" width="26">3</td>
<td align="right" style="width: 20pt;" width="26">4</td>
<td align="right" style="width: 20pt;" width="26">5</td>
<td align="right" style="width: 20pt;" width="26">6</td>
<td align="right" style="width: 20pt;" width="26">7</td>
<td align="right" style="width: 20pt;" width="26">8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-bottom: .5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: .5pt solid windowtext; border-top: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-bottom: .5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: .5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none .5pt solid windowtext; height: 15.0pt; mso-pattern: black none;">3</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-left: none; border-top: none; border: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">4</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-left: none; border-top: none; border: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">4</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-left: none; border-top: none; border: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">4</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-bottom: .5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: .5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-left: none; border-top: none; border: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">6</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-left: none; border-top: none; border: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">6</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="background: #8DB4E2; border-bottom: .5pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: .5pt solid windowtext; border-top: none .5pt solid windowtext; mso-pattern: black none;">6</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
The treadling algorithm is 2-1-1-2, where the 1 and 2 mean that shaft 1 or 2 is to be included in the lift. Shafts 1 and 2 are lifted together to make Tabby A. The result is a little "X" in the fabric.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, substituting the appropriate treadle, to complete treadling the 3,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 64px;">
<colgroup><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>T+2</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">1+2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><b>T+1</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>T+1</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">1+2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>T+2</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">9</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
where T=3.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Easy peasy. No cheat sheet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
* you MIGHT think that the tie-up for treadle 3 should be 3, 4, 5, and 8, rather than 6 and 7. And that's what they call "Tromp as writ". Which is all good for a SINKING shed loom; the tied shafts go down when the treadle is pressed. However, for a RISING shed loom (jack looms are rising shed; my loom is a jack loom; it is the most commonly available type of loom used in the USA, I think), one ties up the opposite treadles.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-10181717585506679742017-04-19T15:48:00.001-07:002017-04-19T15:50:20.570-07:00The Porteur BagBack in the day, when I acquired Sweetpea, and Bleriot became just my utility bike, there were a few changes. I added a kickstand, upgraded the rear rack, and, eventually added a Platrack to my little front rack, for a porteur-style platform.<br />
<br />
This called for a proper porteur bag, but it took me a long while to get there. I'd use bungies and all sorts of bags, none of which looked particularly nice. Having my bikes look nice is kind of a thing for me.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/30871638722/in/album-72157674695162630/" nbsp="" title="Coffeeneuring, ready to go"><img alt="Coffeeneuring, ready to go" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5443/30871638722_93d51f2562_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(this looks tacky)</div>
<br />
Then Lesli gave me some big pieces of waxed canvas. I could make a bag. It spent a couple of years being designed in my head, and by then I'd acquired some Pendleton blanket-weight fabric (do NOT ask how much it costs per yard, even at the outlet store. Just don't.), and my sister-in-law, who runs a halfway house for textiles*, came into some fluorescent green and pink Cordura, which she figured I could find a use for.<br />
<br />
I've been collecting bike helmet buckles and straps (WELL WASHED) from helmet giveaways (we confiscated the old one so it would not be used again). I certainly had the pieces.<br />
<br />
I wanted a fully-lined bag, with some internal pockets for the bits that get lost in the big compartment, and a pocket on the outside for my u-lock and cable, because it takes forever to attach and remove it from my rear rack. The lining had to be removable (for washing), and the bottom was to be stiffened with a piece of Coroplast (I have a small stash of old lawn signs just for this purpose)<br />
<br />
The strap - well, I could BUY webbing, but what with the waxed canvas and Pendleton fabric, it called for an exceptional strap. I tossed my yarn stash, and wove a strap to match the Pendleton fabric, because I could.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33375319551/in/album-72157667943896280/" nbsp="" title="Handwoven band for Porteur bag project"><img alt="Handwoven band for Porteur bag project" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3741/33375319551_db9ae4e0b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Measured the rack. Measured the distance between the handlebars - that was a constraining factor.<br />
<br />
Made a paper pattern and binder-clipped it together (best sewing accessory since the metal needle, although the Clover Wonder Clips may step ahead in line).<br />
<br />
Stared at it awhile. Looked at other bags on flickr, in particular, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tysasi/albums/72157626485068913" target="_blank">David Parsons' bags</a>.<br />
<br />
The original design:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NPC9_YWRVJc/WPflMtYCmhI/AAAAAAAAAxM/Zz5mCDwoRQAF7rBc7PqEQRjic8LKVFPKQCLcB/s1600/bag%2Bdesign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NPC9_YWRVJc/WPflMtYCmhI/AAAAAAAAAxM/Zz5mCDwoRQAF7rBc7PqEQRjic8LKVFPKQCLcB/s320/bag%2Bdesign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Basically, the same size as a reusable grocery bag, but an inch deeper.<br />
<br />
Sewing it was fun - my <a href="http://www.using-sewing-machines.com/Bernina930.html" target="_blank">Bernina 930</a> was certainly up to the task, but arguing with the heavy fabrics did prove a bit of a challenge.<br />
<br />
The lock pocket, which was a simple flat pocket, decided it wanted to be a bellows pocket, due to the depth of the lock and cable.<br />
<br />
The bag clips to the rack with helmet webbing adjusting clips (Bern and Bell), and running the strp through the tombstone before clipping it; works very well.<br />
<br />
The result:<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33003677204/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Porteur Bag rear view - the pocket is for my u-lock and cable."><img alt="Porteur Bag rear view - the pocket is for my u-lock and cable." height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2829/33003677204_571fd407fe_z.jpg" width="498" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33847061435/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Porteur Bag side view - Pendleton (tm) woolen fabric."><img alt="Porteur Bag side view - Pendleton (tm) woolen fabric." height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3727/33847061435_89f29a2718_z.jpg" width="436" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33847061615/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Porteur Bag lining detail - side pockets to corral the little bits"><img alt="Porteur Bag lining detail - side pockets to corral the little bits" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3829/33847061615_0eb2bd5036_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
And, in use:<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33304786344/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Bag in use; grocery run"><img alt="Bag in use; grocery run" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2937/33304786344_8918435bd3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33762507740/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Bag in use; grocery run"><img alt="Bag in use; grocery run" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2892/33762507740_a22a144602_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Notes for next time (hah)<br />
Make it taller for better roll-topping, and use a wider strap.<br />
<br />
On the whole, though, I am pretty happy with it.<br />
<br />
*textile halfway house - fabrics in interesting quantities show up on her porch. She redistributes them. Anything from a bolt of raw silk upholstery fabric (pajamas for me!) to the Cordura, to ribbing, to...lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-18291293885122230032017-04-05T19:38:00.000-07:002017-04-05T19:38:24.247-07:00Weaving, the Original Programming ProjectI just properly used the Excel SUMPRODUCT function to calculate the number of heddles I'd need on each shaft for my upcoming Summer and Winter weave structure project. It is a real pain to have to move the heddles around once threading has started.<br />
<br />
Here's the draft:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytgwnfrSOSY/WOWoIxlHjMI/AAAAAAAAAwU/_ctMRL621aEoeMDaDB4gcgT190-qJCsoACLcB/s1600/Strickler%2B546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytgwnfrSOSY/WOWoIxlHjMI/AAAAAAAAAwU/_ctMRL621aEoeMDaDB4gcgT190-qJCsoACLcB/s320/Strickler%2B546.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Summer and Winter is one of the ways where weaving gets, oh, complicated. It is a block structure, where groups of ends (warp threads) can be aggregated as necessary to get the end result. Software people, think subroutine.<br />
<br />
In Summer and Winter, each block has 4 threads, and, with an 8 shaft loom, I can have 6 blocks.<br />
<br />
Here's the profile threading draft:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcu6rTVkJos/WOWl-Dmv6uI/AAAAAAAAAwI/ClNwpsRCxzkF5BsVT4kdzdhvzayC2fBlACLcB/s1600/Strickler%2B546%2BProfile.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcu6rTVkJos/WOWl-Dmv6uI/AAAAAAAAAwI/ClNwpsRCxzkF5BsVT4kdzdhvzayC2fBlACLcB/s640/Strickler%2B546%2BProfile.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As you can see, there's a start, a repeat (3 times), and a finish.<br />
<br />
The numbers at the far right are the count of each block in the repeat.<br />
<br />
I then totaled up the number of blocks for threading:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 188px;">
<colgroup><col style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1024; mso-width-source: userset; width: 21pt;" width="28"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1170; mso-width-source: userset; width: 24pt;" width="32"></col>
<col span="3" style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1024; mso-width-source: userset; width: 21pt;" width="28"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td colspan="2" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; mso-ignore: colspan; width: 40pt;" width="53">blocks</td>
<td style="width: 24pt;" width="32"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 21pt;" width="28"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td colspan="2">start/end</td>
<td colspan="2">pattern </td>
<td colspan="2">total</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">A</td>
<td class="xl63"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63"> </td>
<td class="xl63"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">6</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">B</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">7</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">21</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">C</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">4</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">12</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">D</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">6</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">18</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">E</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">4</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">16</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">F</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">9</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">36</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
Then created a table with the count of each heddle per shaft used in each block, and did the SUMPRODUCT thing with the total number of blocks and the heddle count within each block.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 264px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1024; mso-width-source: userset; width: 21pt;" width="28"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1682; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="46"></col>
<col span="6" style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 21pt;" width="28"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="mso-ignore: colspan; width: 65pt;" width="86">Heddles per shaft</td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
<td style="width: 19pt;" width="25"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">A</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none;">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none;"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">B</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">C</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">D</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">E</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">F</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"> </td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td align="right">109</td>
<td align="right">109</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">36</td>
<td align="right">32</td>
<td align="right">72</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, 109 heddles each on shafts 1 and 2 and much fewer on the other 6. Which says I don't have to move any around, and can get to beaming on and threading.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also had to do calculations to work out how to get complete pattern repeats in the width and length - there are 128 threads in the pattern repeat, and I wanted to weave 22" wide. It worked out to 20 epi (sett, ends/threads per inch), including a selvage. There was a bit of modeling to work that out, also accomplished via Excel. There will be 3 pattern repeats width-wise and 5 length-wise.</div>
lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-38703372020202598272017-04-04T20:19:00.000-07:002017-04-04T20:44:24.355-07:00Birkie 200k Brevet Success!So, the last 200k was unsuccessful. Darn. Try again.<br>
<br>
The <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19935492" target="_blank">ORRando Birkie 200k</a> was this past Saturday. This was my very first 200k, back in 2007. The route has changed slightly - rather than the out and back from Vernonia, the route heads from Forest Grove to Vernonia via Gales Creek/Hwy 6/Timber Rd/Hwy 47, and then continues on Hwy 47 to Hwy 202. To make up the missing distance, the route continues 7 miles past The Birk (formerly the Birkenfeld Store, now a cafe and music venue with irregular hours) to an info control. The return is back to Vernonia, then taking the Banks Vernonia Trail to (natch) Banks, and heading south to Forest Grove.<br>
<br>
Now that we've got all that straight...<br>
<br>
Friday afternoon was spent giving Sweetpea the first bath of the year. So very dirty, with lots of stuff stuck under the fenders. <br>
<br>
Friday night was Rando Slumber Party at the Fitzsimmons Home for Wayward Randonneurs - Lesli, Ruth (who I finally got to meet in person), Michal and Cyndi all showed up, and we had a couple hours of social time before the 9pm bedtime.<br>
<br>
Michal was returning a bike which was borrowed for the express purpose of loaning a bike to Bill Walton to ride. He thought it would be fun to get a picture comparing it to my bike.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fcd-CMC9rH0/WOH3hnB_QLI/AAAAAAAAAug/fTfW2QLt17IeKoLovzE27r-PzvPsP81CQCEw/s1600/IMG_5895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fcd-CMC9rH0/WOH3hnB_QLI/AAAAAAAAAug/fTfW2QLt17IeKoLovzE27r-PzvPsP81CQCEw/s400/IMG_5895.JPG" width="400" id="id_859b_4076_f391_606a" style="width: 400px; height: auto;"></a></div>
<br>
Everyone was up at 5. Breakfast was coffee, eggs, bacon, Rye Molasses muffins, and bread which Michal baked. He also provided the home-roasted coffee. The kitchen was slightly over peak capacity, what with riders organizing their food and cooking breakfast :-)<br>
<br>
Lesli and Ruth thought I'd be riding with them, but after a reveal of their planned pace... Yeah, no. I'm not there yet. Michal was going for time, so he'd be off as well. But there in the parking lot I found Ray. :-) We have been known to ride together.<br>
<br>
Signed in. The RBA assured me it wasn't going to rain. She wanted to get out and do a few hours riding herself, hence the optimism.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1SDBq4eiD_E/WORhe5J-KtI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/mF6GRUwtrJguF2zYHq0vD5HoBYQX4aTUwCEw/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1SDBq4eiD_E/WORhe5J-KtI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/mF6GRUwtrJguF2zYHq0vD5HoBYQX4aTUwCEw/s320/IMG_0908.JPG" width="320" id="id_1ef_d328_d9d2_f560" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(That's me in the pink vest. Pic by Cyndi Wenks)</div>
<br>
And, at 7am, away we went. We did see Lesli and Ruth, and I almost caught them at the stoplight in Gales Creek, but it turned green, they went, and then red again by the time I got there. Last I saw of them all day.<br>
<br>
Deidre from Vancouver passed me on the climb. I would have thought she'd be ahead, maybe she got started a bit after everyone else.<br>
<br>
The Timber climb was accomplished with no stress. I wasn't fast, but I didn't care. The RBA was lurking after the second switchback, we chatted a bit as I slowly pedaled by. Found Ray at the top (he gets ahead and waits and drinks coffee); we dropped into Timber and up the other side, admiring the two properties which are infested with lively barking Aussies.<br>
<br>
Had great fun dropping through the curves to Hwy 26, and Ray and I had the gift of a no-wait crossing.<br>
<br>
It had been drizzling off and on. I was wearing two wool jerseys, a vest, wool knickers, long socks and a wool cap. I had wool overgloves which never stayed on longer than three miles. Left the booties in Michal's car. I did have an "it might rain" jacket and Rainlegs, but never pulled them on.<br>
<br>
I can't think of a time I rode the stretch from Hwy 26 to Vernonia as fun. Usually raining with a headwind, or trying to keep up with the group. I had fun this day. Came up on Ray (our riding style is best described as "leapfrog"); he'd decided it really was raining. Kept on going; he found me just before Vernonia. We stopped at Black Bear Coffee (another punch for my card!), and found RB, who was riding Ray's perm pop and hanging out.<br>
<br>
Of great interest in Vernonia was the goat in the truck. Inside the truck. On the front seat.<br>
<br>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33011805473/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Passenger Goat"><img alt="Passenger Goat" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2881/33011805473_5de6899b52_z.jpg" width="480" id="id_4c28_cc01_6810_de7c" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br>
<br>
After a bottle refill (no guaranteed food/water for the next 100k), some coffee, and a substantial snack, I headed out. Ray wasn't quite ready. I had fun riding along here as well. Ray found me around Mist, and then stopped again. I got to Birkenfeld and pulled over to eat some rice pudding and a hard boiled egg, and we set out to find the info control.<br>
<br>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33668938472/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Ray"><img alt="Ray" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3851/33668938472_92b5c8e9ff_z.jpg" width="480" id="id_184b_5851_4b7c_abd4" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br>
<br>
By this point, 5 or so riders had passed us heading back. Once past Birkenfeld, Hwy 202 gets hilly - short, abrupt ups and downs, with many crossings of the Nehalem River. The first 4 miles went quickly, the last 3, not so much. Found Ray at the control. Holden arrived just as we were turning back.<br>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33668939082/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="If you look close, you'll see Ray up ahead"><img alt="If you look close, you'll see Ray up ahead" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2811/33668939082_222e12c1f8_z.jpg" width="640" id="id_b8e6_5365_37b_2f7f" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33668939382/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Nehalem River"><img alt="Nehalem River" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3847/33668939382_2cc578485e_z.jpg" width="640" id="id_ed80_fef8_c69b_e8e1" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br>
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Back to Birkenfeld - The Birk wasn't technically open, but Ray's bike was there. So I went in and the proprietor grabbed my water bottle and filled it (he's nice that way), took care of some other business, and we headed back to Vernonia.<br>
<br>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33668939752/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Near Mist"><img alt="Near Mist" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3848/33668939752_874d3b8e96_z.jpg" width="640" id="id_42af_b31b_2460_fb51" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br>
<br>
We were supposed to have a tailwind. Not so much. So it was rather more of a slog than I had thought it might be, and kept checking my odometer more than necessary. But we kept at it, and held a reasonably steady pace, and got to Vernonia in good time. Fine dining at the Shell Station (deviled eggs!) which we took over to Anderson Park, which has restrooms with no line, and running water.<br>
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<br>
So, now we were in Vernonia, and, as Ray put it, "heck, we are already done". Well, 30 miles to go, but we know them so very well. Ten miles of easy climb, ten miles of perfect descent, and ten miles of flat surface streets.<br>
<br>
We were now on the Banks Vernonia Trail. Yay. No drivers, no idiots in pickups either coal-rolling or close passing (with much laying on of horn). Aside: the only driver I signaled not to pass because I could see oncoming traffic, who started to edge out to pass, then saw the car and dropped back, was a police officer.<br>
<br>
So, on the trail. I could tell I was tired; not ascending at my usual pace. But it was now sunny, and we had tons of time, and the shared goal of finishing in 12 hours would be nice (Ray's first 200k in 18 months). We got to Tophill, and I gave it up and walked the last two switchbacks. It was either that or fall over. I found Ray at the Stub Stewart road crossing, and we then happily bombed on down. <br>
<br>
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<br>
There was a picture pause for a clump of blooming trilliums, and then, when passing by <a href="http://www.winghamfarms.com/" target="_blank">Wingham Farms</a> (cool, they have a website! Go visit!), we stopped to talk with Julie (the farmer), who said she really needed a t-shirt that identified her as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RomulusAtWinghamFarms/" target="_blank">Romulus and Remus'</a> mother. Long discussion about their farm.<br>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33668940312/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Julie, one of the farmers at Wingham Farms"><img alt="Julie, one of the farmers at Wingham Farms" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3848/33668940312_187801dc46_z.jpg" width="480" id="id_86bd_477_b649_ff" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/33668941382/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Romulus hanging out on the trail"><img alt="Romulus hanging out on the trail" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3837/33668941382_a651f12a9e_z.jpg" width="480" id="id_ab21_9178_564d_b31f" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br>
<br>
We had gotten to which sheep her neighbor was raising (Texel - a Dutch down breed - meat sheep, but quality fleece), when Holden arrived. His wife is also into fibers, so the conversation might have gotten a bit fiber-geeky.<br>
<br>
So. Time is slipping by. Gotta go. After a brief stop at the trailhead, we headed out for the last 9 miles. When we got to the turn onto Roy Road, Ray went straight. Clearly autopiloting back to North Plains. Holden followed right along :-) I yelled, they came back.<br>
<br>
Ray got ahead at the first traffic circle, and finished just before us. But our official time was 11:59 elapsed. Good enough for me.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_916d_c924_6fc0_6dd9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TzgG4HGEmiE/WORkXiezH2I/AAAAAAAAAvo/1KbLmtPsznI/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 637px; height: auto;"> </div><div>(Ray and I at the finish. Pic by Cyndi Wenks)<br>
<br>
Michal and Cyndi were hanging around, because they were going to drop me back home, but Fitz texted that he was on his way over. So they stuck around long enough to say hi, and then started their long drive down south.<br>
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<br>
The RBA wanted to know if she'd see me in 2 weeks for the 300k. Mmm. Not this year. Not ready. I hurt in places that have never hurt before. The 200ks will have to be a little more routine before I make the distance jump.<br>
<br>
Fitz and I got dinner there, poked our head back in to say goodbye to the RBA (there had been still one rider out; he finished while we were eating), and headed home ourselves.<br>
<br>
What went well:<br>
<br>
<ul>
<li>I never put on the rain jacket. It just wasn't raining hard enough, and, midafternoon, cleared off for good. I think my shoes are waterproof for persistent mist/drizzle.</li>
<li>I kept up on the food. This trip the food offerings brought along were: 2 packets of Gatorade/maltodextrin (and one in the bottle), hard boiled eggs, two containers of rice pudding, two Rye Molasses muffins with butter, random Kind bars, a Payday bar, and some other little things (gels and chocolate) which I didn't break into. Ate all the things I listed specifically, but for one muffin. Plus a deviled egg (two halves) in Vernonia on the return. Convinced Ray he wanted the other two.</li>
</ul>
</div>lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-84291711353995294322017-04-02T13:56:00.000-07:002017-04-02T13:56:30.095-07:00Errandonee 2017 Roundup<h3>
Summary:</h3>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 478px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 7094; mso-width-source: userset; width: 146pt;" width="194"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 4937; mso-width-source: userset; width: 101pt;" width="135"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5449; mso-width-source: userset; width: 112pt;" width="149"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Category</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 101pt;" width="135">Trip 1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 112pt;" width="149">Trip 2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="21" style="border-top: solid; height: 15.75pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Personal Care</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Free birthday coffee</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Hike to Michael's</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="21" style="border-top: solid; height: 15.75pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Personal Business</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Dentist</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Credit Union</td>
</tr>
<tr height="42" style="height: 31.5pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="42" style="border-top: solid; height: 31.5pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">You carried WHAT on your bike (or back)?!</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="21" style="border-top: solid; height: 15.75pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Arts and Entertainment</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Library</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Library</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="21" style="border-top: solid; height: 15.75pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Non-Store Errand</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="63" style="height: 47.25pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="63" style="border-top: solid; height: 47.25pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Social Call (includes restaurants, coffee, and other social
activities)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Knitting Group</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Great Grandparents</td>
</tr>
<tr height="63" style="height: 47.25pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="63" style="border-top: solid; height: 47.25pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Work or Volunteering, School (includes dropping off kids)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Weaving</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Grandson to the Park</td>
</tr>
<tr height="84" style="height: 63.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="84" style="border-top: solid; height: 63.0pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Store (includes bike shop, running store, grocery store,
etc. You know, a store.)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">LBS</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;">Fabric Store</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="21" style="border-top: solid; height: 15.75pt; width: 146pt;" width="194">Wild Card (surprise me!)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: solid;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Distance total: 46.1 miles<br />
<br />
Blog posts:<br />
<a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2017/03/errandonnee-one-two-and-three.html" target="_blank">One, Two and Three</a><br />
<a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2017/03/errandonnee-4-and-5.html" target="_blank">Four and Five</a><br />
<a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2017/03/errandonnee-6-and-7.html" target="_blank">Six and Seven</a><br />
<a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2017/04/errandonnee-8-9-10-11-12.html" target="_blank">Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, and Twelve</a><br />
<br /></div>
lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-33162278571310294842017-04-02T13:46:00.002-07:002017-04-02T13:46:04.974-07:00Errandonnee 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12Errands 8 and 9<br />
I couldn't access my credit union account online, and the phone numbers they offered to send a new password to - well, I didn't recognize either of them. This, of course, happened on a Friday night. So a personal trip to the credit union on Monday morning was necessary. We got it all unwound, not without a serious amount of time being spent, including multiple calls to their tech support. Funny part of the trip - the person helping me said "yours is the lowest account number I've seen!" (Personal business)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKsVBYLl6UI/WOFbnFlYHnI/AAAAAAAAAt0/GcrWWPJV6XQrVEJLQjv8W60wo9h82_mXQCEw/s1600/IMG_5860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKsVBYLl6UI/WOFbnFlYHnI/AAAAAAAAAt0/GcrWWPJV6XQrVEJLQjv8W60wo9h82_mXQCEw/s320/IMG_5860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IC-1TJrIf0/WOFblFOgYrI/AAAAAAAAAt0/QA5c1sMNx2QRalrqzq-vwoQM92atiLvYwCEw/s1600/IMG_5861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IC-1TJrIf0/WOFblFOgYrI/AAAAAAAAAt0/QA5c1sMNx2QRalrqzq-vwoQM92atiLvYwCEw/s320/IMG_5861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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From there, I went by my LBS, because Bleriot's Cane Creek SCR-5c brake levers are giving it up (they are 10 years old; maybe they've been bounced hard on the pavement a few years back). Sadly, they didn't have them, and that was where I'd bought them originally. The mechanic said maybe they were no longer made. I didn't think so. Went home and ordered them from Universal Cycles. (Store)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ko1y_79Gxpo/WOFblVjomrI/AAAAAAAAAt0/_p1cJgy53K4-5i1Vjo4DExjWxUEKvwVsACEw/s1600/IMG_5862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ko1y_79Gxpo/WOFblVjomrI/AAAAAAAAAt0/_p1cJgy53K4-5i1Vjo4DExjWxUEKvwVsACEw/s320/IMG_5862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
7.1 miles<br />
<br />
Errand 10<br />
Personal care, but not for me. Close family member is going through a very stressful time; I figured she needed a walk to talk it though. So we hiked to Michael's and the Mill End Store. Things were purchased, but that wasn't the point.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-av44qrZcUT8/WOFbmQo19GI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/oIBcszqCWY4T6JQoqa7CxA71ShdzuitBQCEw/s1600/IMG_5870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-av44qrZcUT8/WOFbmQo19GI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/oIBcszqCWY4T6JQoqa7CxA71ShdzuitBQCEw/s320/IMG_5870.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherries are blooming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6NCW7GB4P9M/WOFbmHxhIEI/AAAAAAAAAtM/xKRzTmFrF7kXZny4ZaRgTotK74vlrBy_ACEw/s1600/IMG_5867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6NCW7GB4P9M/WOFbmHxhIEI/AAAAAAAAAtM/xKRzTmFrF7kXZny4ZaRgTotK74vlrBy_ACEw/s320/IMG_5867.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back of her head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2.5 miles<br />
<br />
Errands 11 and 12<br />
We were babysitting grandson #1 for a couple of days, and brought his bike (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wishbone-3-1-Original-Bike/dp/B001OC4842" target="_blank">Wishbone 3 in 1</a>, great strider bike that grows with the kid, and yes, I <b>did</b> buy it for his first birthday present) along. Day the second had non-rain, so he wanted to ride the bike to the park (.5 miles uphill, and he's not yet 4 years old). On the way, he wanted to stop at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's home. He convinced Great Grandma to come along. My dad elected to stay home. We went to the first park (elementary school playground), and, after awhile adjourned to the newly-remodeled park. He and my husband played on the equipment. I did, a bit, but hung out on the swings with my mom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfOzGS9BS5M/WOFboWlSorI/AAAAAAAAAtc/3cr5NBUo2TwPo-zsWaXKAdKGrHMikSYoACEw/s1600/IMG_5877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfOzGS9BS5M/WOFboWlSorI/AAAAAAAAAtc/3cr5NBUo2TwPo-zsWaXKAdKGrHMikSYoACEw/s320/IMG_5877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone got to ride a bike</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bN5WiGx7Vv8/WOFbodfcI2I/AAAAAAAAAtg/-OlWPv7w8boqQSggFlxN-VKR2911kJtvgCEw/s1600/IMG_5879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bN5WiGx7Vv8/WOFbodfcI2I/AAAAAAAAAtg/-OlWPv7w8boqQSggFlxN-VKR2911kJtvgCEw/s320/IMG_5879.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knock knock knocking on great-grandparents' door</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSWFzqgIimI/WOFbp2qnPOI/AAAAAAAAAtk/1gi9NeT2F-oH6ujbrZJOaH578YvbLXghACEw/s1600/IMG_5880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSWFzqgIimI/WOFbp2qnPOI/AAAAAAAAAtk/1gi9NeT2F-oH6ujbrZJOaH578YvbLXghACEw/s320/IMG_5880.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elementary School playground</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkFJ82_zHyw/WOFbp8pgW_I/AAAAAAAAAto/3VxMOuaAEjQAKudoErhp6St6w5PdcGvbgCEw/s1600/IMG_5881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkFJ82_zHyw/WOFbp8pgW_I/AAAAAAAAAto/3VxMOuaAEjQAKudoErhp6St6w5PdcGvbgCEw/s320/IMG_5881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New play structure achievement unlocked</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1kzgpiLy6E/WOFbqqhuAUI/AAAAAAAAAts/obl5cQzqjb0kxY6dsj1hdf3opQZVMqHjACEw/s1600/IMG_5883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1kzgpiLy6E/WOFbqqhuAUI/AAAAAAAAAts/obl5cQzqjb0kxY6dsj1hdf3opQZVMqHjACEw/s320/IMG_5883.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The playground at the new park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3c-LfTELF4/WOFbq7_7AjI/AAAAAAAAAtw/SAnAWcs3UVkHGm-ZKqdR328GaXoZSVQCgCEw/s1600/IMG_5884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3c-LfTELF4/WOFbq7_7AjI/AAAAAAAAAtw/SAnAWcs3UVkHGm-ZKqdR328GaXoZSVQCgCEw/s320/IMG_5884.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my mom on the swing</td></tr>
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Work, school, or volunteering (because we were shepherding a child, and HE was on the bike :-) )<br />
Social (visiting with the great grandparents)<br />
<br />
1.5 miles.<br />
<br />lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-18188680529122137182017-03-25T15:18:00.002-07:002017-03-25T15:18:56.398-07:00Errandonnee 6 and 7Not raining. Stack of library books waiting for me. Free birthday drink at Starbucks. This was a plan.<br />
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First, to the library, where I commiserated with another patron about the hassle of locking up.<br />
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Picked up my 4(!) books (Interlibrary Loan, three from Tacoma, WA, one from Worthington, OH), and went back out to unlock. Same patron, also planning to leave. His personal music at the time was "Hey Joe" (baBAAAbabababaBAAA; been awhile since I heard that one. Decades, maybe).<br />
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Thence to Starbucks, where I lived dangerously and just helmet-locked. Ordered their newer Chai Tea Latte (lightly sweetened, more spicy than the original, or so the server claimed) in my personal commuter mug.<br />
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<br />
And home, via the Hall Creek Enhancement. Saw one duck.<br />
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Learnings - Interlibrary Loan books can come from as far away as Scotland!<br />
<br />
4.3 miles.lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378426684232373721.post-43814205675542378532017-03-23T23:16:00.000-07:002017-03-23T23:16:29.380-07:00Errandonnee 4 and 5Two errands today.<br />
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#4 Weaving class at Multnomah Arts Center. I'll file this one under work/school commute :-). It wasn't going to rain until 4pm today, so I got to ride. Yes, I could ride when it is raining, but I'd have to bring a change of clothes, as I truly hate hanging out in wet clothing.<br />
<br />
So, today's plan was to wind the warp for my next project - Overshot Dish Towels. Last week I took my 3.7 lb cone of 10/2 Georgia cotton in to use for the warp; today I wound a 530 end (thread) warp.<br />
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The warp is draped over the loom. 40" weaving width, 8 shaft loom. Could be fun.<br />
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#5 Knitting Group, filed under, oh, I'll figure it out later. Ate my sack lunch at the conclusion of Weaving Class, then proceeded over to Karen's house, where I knitted with a group of like-minded folk. This group has been meeting for years.<br />
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And then home. I could have gone by the library, as a book is waiting, but I didn't want to have to lock my bike up again, plus there was too much stuff on the bike to leave it unattended, even if it was locked up.<br />
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13.7 miles.lynnefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150859903856738614noreply@blogger.com0