The Snow was a Nice Touch...

Foraging around for a ride this weekend.  The Portland Velo ride was a 47 miles loop in the flats.  I had no other plans.  Looked at the weather forecast(!)

Soooooo.  Up around 6:45, getting ready.  I ride to the start (10 miles), and like to get on the road an hour before the ride starts.  Foraged around for the least shredded pair of booties.  Decided to toss on another layer (nylon vest over the wool jersey and sleeveless baselayer) under the Shower Pass jacket.  Put the rain cover back on the helmet.  With all that, I found myself on the road at 8:15am.  Ooops.

Sweetpea is still set up as Commute Bike, but as long as I had stuff to fix a flat with me, it would be ok.

Heading up through my neighborhood, I passed through a band of big snowflakes.  Fun!  I knew it wouldn't stick or freeze, so I could enjoy it.

The wind was supposed to be whipping in from the WSW, 25 mph.  Fortunately it hadn't picked up yet, or I'd never have gotten to the start in time.  As it was, I rolled into the parking lot as the "fast" group (for some strange reason, not a big turnout today) was departing.  This was fine, I ride with the "less fast" group, which, today, was JRod and Dana, and for awhile Brian C.  I enjoy riding with all of them.

Headed south on the PV Southern Escape Route, with a bit of a headwind, then west along Burkhalter-Simpson-Johnson School-Tongue... with more than a bit of a headwind.  Brief stop at the golf course, where I shed the vest.

Bands of rain passing over, heavy rain, then sun, then more rain.  We all had fenders and long mudflaps (Portland Velo is very big on proper fenders/mudflaps in the wet season), so no spattering.

Heading into Forest Grove, I managed to suck down a gel at a light.  One challenge with these rides is that we are moving rather faster and in a tighter group; eating and drinking is hard.  (Yes, they made me work.  This is good.)  Another snow shower in Forest Grove.  Epic :-)

No other stops.  Heading out of Forest Grove, JRod and Dana had a conversation, and asked if I had any issues turning on Purdin, cutting about 7 miles out of the route.  By now we were headed north, with some tailwind.  After the turn onto Purdin, heading east, with a better tailwind.

Familiar return routes (randos - this is the outgoing leg for the Verboort Populaire), more rain and sun.  Heading east on Evergreen we merged with the fast group coming down Sewell.

As I had no car, I went straight to Longbottoms.  Dana, Dan ("my wife said I could stay"), and eventually Brian joined me.  I ordered the Farm Plate, and was trying to drink all their coffee.  Conversations about their planned event rides, my planned rides (mine are somewhat longer), and a long technical discussion on causes of interference with wireless bike computers.  Many cups of coffee.  Blotted my wool cap with some paper towels.  I did have dry gloves in my bag.  Should have checked for dry socks; that would have been nice.

The last 10 miles home was uneventful.  I warmed up about 5 miles into it, and had a tailwind the whole way.  One more snow/sleet/hail episode right around 185th and Evergreen, and then the sun came out and stayed out the rest of the way home.

Very hot shower, and the sad realization that eventually I'd have to turn off the water and get out...

In all 59.6 miles, 14.42 avg mph.
My fastest average this year.  It was 14.8 until the stop at Longbottoms, but I always seem to loaf that last 10 miles.

Not Entirely Recovered From The Half Marathon

Which bike ride to do this weekend? If I had been quicker to commit, could have ridden a 100k populaire and rolled over 4000 RUSA km. Or, I could ride with Portland Velo, which I have not done for a few months. So, out the door shortly after 8am, to be in Hillsboro for the 9am start. I was riding Sweetpea, as it was supposed to rain. Attached myself to Dana and JRod's 16-18mph group. Someone looked at Sweetpea and wondered if I did a little randonneuring. I do a lot of randonneuring :-) and he was rando-curious. So I suggested he come out for the Verboort ride in a couple of weeks and did a fair amount of evangelizing.

The route was Carpenter Creek, starting at LaCie in Hillsboro, heading west, through Verboort, and skirting Forest Grove to the west. We stopped at the new park at the corner of Thatcher and David Hill (plumbing!). Everyone was pulling off jackets and gloves and really didn't have a place to stow them. There was a movement afoot to stash them all in my Carradice, but I wasn't going for it. Swung my leg up to get back on the bike and REALLY whacked my shin on a bike rack. It smarted for a good 5 miles, and I will probably have a spectacular bruise. We continued up David Hill and turned left on Forest Gale rather than getting there via Thatcher. Nicer route.

Pause at a convenience store for one rider who had forgotten his water. I'd been moving through my water bottles, so bought some water to top up. No one accepted my offer of water, and we still had at least 20 miles to go. Okay then. Difference between club riders and randos. Always top up the water bottles.

Over to Stringtown Rd, then onto Carpenter Creek and up. Maybe a mile climb, not hard. The view from the top was breathtaking - autumn scenery to the south and west, and an amazing color display at the ornamental nursery just past the summit and then looking down to Dilley Rd from Plumlee. The group paused, but I continued on. Working hard to keep up, so I elected to not stop; they'd catch up.

Crossed HWY 47 at Spring Hill, and listened to what appeared to be a million geese honking on the approach to Fern Hill. North on Fern Hill, east on Geiger, watching huge flocks of geese wheel in the sky. I was fading (yes, I was eating). More to the point, my quads and hamstrings were hurting. Through Cornelius, chatting with Ellen, on complete autopilot back to the start. Dana stayed back with us, which was nice, but not needed. (I am also a ride leader, but not playing one today). And done.

Chatted with KRhea; he promised the triathlon pictures he took that we have not seen yet. He told me about his new bike, which will be purple - we got to this thread because Sweetpea is purple and he really likes purple and "you don't see it often".

Joined Dana, JRod, and Ron at Longbottoms for a Farm Plate and a nice long visit before heading out the 10 miles back home. While we were sitting there, an older woman came over and said: "I just have to tell you - you look so fit and healthy. So many women don't these days." Um. Thank you. That was novel and unexpected, for sure.

Then headed home, with not quite so much zip. Stopped in Cedar Hills and took a couple of ibuprofen. Sloooow. Must not be recovered, because this is too short a distance with not much climbing to make me hurt this much.

62.7 miles for the day, for an overall average of 13.9. The average up until the last 10 miles was 14.5mph. Just 29 miles shy of 5000 miles ridden this year. It should happen in the next week.

Postscript: It did not rain.  Not even drizzle.  However, my brilliantly reflective and long red mudflaps got a lot of love.  You can get them here: Rainy Day Biking

A Longish Weekend Ride with Many High Points

As I understand it, Cecil was planning to ride out to the BTA board retreat in Hillsboro at Team Estrogen.  Susan thought she'd ride into Portland, meet Cecil and they'd ride back together.  That's 34 miles for Susan, 17 miles for Cecil.  They invited me to join in on the ride part, and, as Team Estrogen isn't all that far from Longbottom's, I'd be back in plenty of time to lead a Portland Velo ride.  And then ride home.  But of course.

Bicycle of choice was Sweetpea because I'd need the lights, and it is the default bike for winter club rides (fast, yet fendered and luggaged).

Susan was riding in over Springville-Skyline-Thompson-Cornell.  That's kind of out of my way.  So, up at 4:15am, riding by 5am along the Sunset Hwy bike path, down through Washington Park, through downtown, over the Hawthorne Bridge, then right on 11th to meet at Kettleman's around 6am.  It being dark, I didn't bomb down the hills with quite my usual verve, and arrived a bit after 6.  Cecil was there, eating a bagel.  I'd had peanut butter toast and a banana at home, and, as Cecil said: "well, it got you over the hill".  Time for an everything bagel with lox cream cheese and a cup of coffee.

I had started out with a long sleeved wool knit shirt under a long sleeved wool jersey.  Ride leader vest over that, and Portland Velo Showers Pass jacket.  Took off the wool base layer and Showers Pass jacket - too hot!

Did I mention the three of us are in a weight loss death pact?  I was looking forward to the ride today because I could EAT with relative impunity.

So.  No Susan.  She appeared at 6:25am, and, at 6:30am, give or take, we were headed back west.  I'd never ridden UP Cornell-Thompson, but it was not a big deal.  4+ miles of climbing, no traffic.  It got light somewhere along there.  Then a delightful zip along Skyline, and the steep drop down Springville.

We passed the historic house on NW Kaiser, completely surrounded by suburbs.  I remember riding by it when there was Nothing There At All but Fields.  Nothing.  Kind of sad.

Susan took us on the Bethany Meadows Trail from NW Kaiser to NW West Union.  Nice!

A wander through her neighborhood with a brief stop, then they headed off for the meeting, and I headed off to Longbottom's.  30 miles, 2500 vertical feet, climbing the West Hills twice.  I had 90 minutes to kill, but I had brought some knitting along, and a full coffee card.  So I redeemed it for the largest orange-mocha they offered, and settled down to knit.

Eventually JRod came by and some others, and then it was time to go out and lead a 40 mile ride.  Brian C was in my group (yay!), Bill, and Ron.  Ron left us, and Mike Y joined us until Forest Grove.  Ate a well-buttered Rye-Molasses muffin in Forest Grove (brought from home, I add raisins and walnuts to the recipe).  I'd get ahead and then slow down for Bill to catch up.  We finished about 1:20, and Brian and I found a spot at the tables of Portland Velo riders and enjoyed a leisurely, um, fourth breakfast.  70 miles.

Time to head home.  A reasonably mindless 10 miles.

80 miles in all, 4400 vertical feet, My average for the Velo portion of the ride was 14.15 mph.

High points.  Well.  Sylvan summit.  Skyline at Thompson.  Riding with Cecil and Susan.  Eating with Impunity.  Nice day.  Riding with Brian C.  What else is there?

This and That

What with Sweetpea getting closer to done, Natalie and I have been having intense component selection email exchanges. The front hub has been set for a long time (SONDelux :-) ) but the rear hub, not so much.

My choices were the Suzue Classica, the White Industries H3, and a DT Swiss. We are working on the Shiny Silver Component Group, which eliminated the DT Swiss right off.

The Suzue was pretty nice looking (it is a HUB! why am I getting so wound up about a HUB?), and I was going to go for it, until I looked at the White. Oh my. Shiny, curvy... an ounce lighter than the Suzue. Made in the USA. Perhaps more expensive. Too bad. I picked the White.

And who thought skewer selection could be so fraught with indecision? Again, going with shiny, silver, curvy, I'm going with the Velo Orange skewers.

All that taken care of, I set out to lead the Velo 1516's today. Arrived at 8:58am, to find my lone rider, Duncan. He was going to try to hang with the 17s if I didn't show, but there I was. Pretty much a flat route today. Lupines blooming by Verboort!

I got drizzled on riding over, then it was ok, then more rain. Entering Forest Grove, we picked up Brian C. Always a delight to ride with him. Off to Maggies, where we ditched our jackets and I had a blueberry muffin top. After that brief stop headed south (where did that headwind come from?) past the buffalo ranch, then west, then north on Stringtown. The sky looked quite ominous; Duncan pulled over to retrieve his jacket and we did the same.

Good thing. The sky opened. Raining so hard we could barely see! Then, while heading in on Gales Creek, a big truck passed me, right by a large body of water. It felt like someone had upended a 5 gallon bucket of cold water on me! Brian C: "did I hear some strong language there?". Heavens to Betsy, he certainly did.

My shoes were full. We stopped at a Plaid Pantry, where I attempted to get some of the water out of my socks, then proceeded on. It quit raining, and eventually I started to feel...dry. But the rain was not quite done, we had some more the last few miles back. Duncan split off to go home; Brian and I proceeded on to Longbottoms, where we found Dana, Bob B (with all those broken ribs, he was just eating and visiting.) and ? (rider I did not know).

Second breakfast, then rode on home. The rain had stopped by then. Before I got out of my wet shoes, I wiped and lubed the squeaky chain, found a fender stay to keep the front fender on Bleriot from wobbling (the rack which normally does the job is visiting), and replaced the batteries in my rear blinkie. I'm not normally this organized, but it will save some aggravation next time I ride that bike!

Kaiser Brooks Revisited

Way back in January, I led this ride for Portland Velo. It is a hilly one. Didn't ride it all that well in January, either - we skipped the last climb.

Saturday, I had a do-over. No stopping on the hills; even went back down part of Kaiser (that would be the steepest of the three climbs) to check on one of the riders. Overall avg was faintly faster, with more climbing and a headwind. Must be sucking less bad :-)

Beautiful views out over the valley from Pumpkin Ridge Drive (including a ride right by my CSA, Pumpkin Ridge Gardens) - fields of blooming wild mustard, llamas, sheep, cows, chickens... The wheat is up, too, and it was shiny and waving in the breeze (cough, headwind, cough).

Did our standard stop at St Francis in Roy. Met the parish priest while we were standing around waiting for a train to pass.

Had my standard Farm Plate and coffee upon return to Longbottom's; visiting with the earlier-returning riders.

But because the rides now start at 9am, I somehow could not get myself on the road by 8am, and had to drive. Shame on me. I'll do better next time.

"You should drink Maggie's cocoa more often"

Another fine day of leading the Portland Velo 15's. Today we were 7 - me, Rob, Robert, Robyn, Greg, Meagan and Diane.

The route had us headed south of Hillsboro, west, up over Blooming Fern Hill, into Forest Grove (Maggie's Buns stop!), then north on Thatcher to Kansas City, and finally turning east through Roy and back to Hillsboro.

I decided to live dangerously, and ride Lemond, fender-free. Weather forecast said no rain to speak of after 9am, and the Weather Underground radar looked very cloud-free.

Uneventful ride to the start (talk about autopilot. And this is cool, because the contract I start next week is right by Longbottom's Coffee and Tea), visit with Mike Stevens, who was JRod for the day. Saw Diane; she thought she'd ride with my group. Diane and I have been riding together since 2003 (wow!)

We were joined by the others, who are rapidly becoming the Usual Suspects.

There were a couple of modifications to the published route - the speed limit on Shute Rd is now 50(!), making it possibly not the best choice to return to Huffman and the finish - we would turn onto Sewell, thence on to Evergreen instead. I also modified the route exiting Forest Grove - we took the route through town, past the high school, and on to Thatcher on NW David Hill Rd, rather than picking it up closer in town.

See here

Lots of pretty late-winter rural scenery - the Marionberry canes are a wonderful purple, and the pond on SW Johnson School Rd is a nice shimmery blue, ringed with gold reeds and a green field.

We had a headwind/quartering headwind heading south and west; I really appreciated it when Rob offered to pull some. Not that I did so badly, but everyone still climbs faster than me. It is like riding with a herd of Jasons, all of whom spin smoothly past me heading up, and I'm slogging along. Slogging faster, though; I don't think I dropped below 6mph on Blooming Fern Hill at any point, and was mostly going a bit faster.

On into Forest Grove, to the delights of Maggie's Buns. She has fabulous Lemon Bars, Cinnamon Rolls as big as your head,... MMMMMMMMM. Today I just went for a cup of hot cocoa. Diane did the same, and also ordered a muffin. Everyone else stayed outside. Didn't know what they were missing, nope...

Then north through Forest Grove, and onto NW Thatcher and the 5 miles of rollers up to NW Greenville. We had a tailwind. I lit up :-), 17-19mph. Fortunately, all the riders in my group are entirely up to that pace.

The turn on to Greenville... Rob: "you should drink Maggies cocoa more often". Or something to that effect. Really, I think it was the tailwind.

Then heading east and slightly south, with the wind mostly at our backs. We could see a storm. It was heading NE. We were heading SE. I hoped we'd miss it. I had taken off my jacket in Forest Grove. I *could* always put it back on.

So, 8 miles out, heading south on NW Kerkman, we picked up the edge of the storm. As it was at our backs, at least I didn't feel like I was getting very wet. As it was at our backs, we got a nice push! I didn't start to feel wet until Sewell, at which point we had only a couple miles to go.

Got back to Longbottom's and there were other riders still there (!). Ordered the Farm Plate, and, as I had a full card, got a free big mocha. Spent a bit of quality time with the paper towels in the bathroom, blotting off some of the liquid, then settled down for a nice, late, second breakfast. Brian C and Mike Y stayed to chat with us.

And then I rode back home, with a detour by Bike Gallery for some tubes. I was on my last tube. Got to see Mechanic Mark, who I have not seen for months. He had to show me the new Electra bike with hammered metal fenders and fancy rear rack (the Ticino line). Looks like Velo Orange components to me. Nice bike, too.

For the day, 65+ miles at a 13.3 average. Best this year.

ZOMG! NICE Day for a ride!

I just love the sucker weather we get here in February. Enjoyable until the rains return, and don't depart until, say, July 5.

Off to lead the Portland Velo 15's again today. As the weather was going to be amazingly excellent, I took the dirty Race Blade fenders off Lemond, wiped the dirt off the rims (the bike actually got a gentle hosing-down when it arrived home last Saturday), put some White Lightning on the chain, and was ready to go.

Clothing consisted of Shebeest knickers, wool socks, PI shoes (still not quite ready to wear the Keens), lightweight wool tank, PV ride leader jersey and vest, and wool armwarmers. And a thin cap under the helmet, short finger gloves with Yehuda Moon ragg wool gloves over those. Perfect. I ended up ditching the wool gloves about halfway up the climb.

Nice ride over, picking up another rider also headed in for the club ride. "I see you are a ride leader, I bet you know exactly how to get to the start :-) "

I started out with 2 riders. Robyn and Meagan had other plans, but Meagan stopped by (she was doing a run) to say hello. We left before the 17's - dispensation from JRod. We are the slowest group, and if we wait for everyone else to leave, that's 20 minutes we could have been riding. My only goal for these rides is to make it back to Longbottom's before 2pm, so I can enjoy a nice leisurely second breakfast and post-ride socializing.

That said, today's ride had 2 major climbs. We headed north up Helvetia, up the Jackson Quarry Hill, then turned right onto Mason Hill/Solberger/Moreland, to continue the climb all the way to Skyline Drive. About 1000 feet of climbing. I had never done the entire climb - we would turn left on Dorland and drop down to Shadybrook.

One of the riders decided to head off with the 17s before we started up the Jackson Quarry Hill. At the top of the Jackson Quarry Hill, I noticed a group turning left (down) instead of right. Another group bailed at Dorland. But Sandra and I continued our merry way on up. And up. And up. Like, where's the top? For that matter, where's Dorland? Clearly I had forgotten bits of this route, as I haven't been up there for over 2 years!

After we passed Dorland and continued on, Sandra started wondering how far we'd gone. The summit was about 13+ miles from the start. Oh... somehow she had the thought that the entire ride was 15 miles... But she was fine, so no worries.

Ride bonus - near the top, a deer crossed the road in front of us!

Finally, the summit, with an OUTSTANDING view north to Mt Rainier, Mt St Helens and Mt Adams. Then rollercoastering down to Cornelius Pass Rd... Sandra: "do we pass a store? I need more water." Me: "maybe. Don't recall if the store at Cornelius Pass and Skyline is still extant".

But it was, and we stopped. Then continuing east on Skyline, climbing... It goes up again for mmm, another 500-700 feet before our turn south onto NW Springville. Every bicyclist in Portland was out on Skyline, as it is a favorite ride when the weather is good.

I'd never descended on Springville before, either. Oh MY, that was fun! And not so long or consistently really steep that my hands hurt. Plus more outstanding scenery. (Meagan really needed to be on this ride so she could see more pretty stuff :-) )

Then into the Urban Growth Boundary for a few miles on Kaiser/Bethany, then west on West Union, with its amazing appearing/disappearing shoulders. I remember when that historic house on Kaiser was there all by its lonesome. Nothing around it but fields. Not anymore.

South on Helvetia/Shute, and into Longbottoms to enjoy a great second breakfast with Sandra, Brian, and LJ - everyone else had gone by then. Peaceful ride home (10.4miles) afterward.

My bike computer buttons are not actuating well because the brake hoods are getting worn - the little Flight Deck nubbies are long gone. Mileage for the day - I'll say 56 miles. No idea how fast I went, but I will say that I managed all the climbing with absolutely no problem. Better every day!

(it helps that I have lost 10 lbs over the past month :-) )

Riding Two Days in a Row - 95 miles

The theory here is to get the mileage up, such that I might be able to ride a 200k next month and not die. I know, good luck with that.

Saturday was leading the Portland Velo 15s again. We have got ourselves a nice little group, for sure. The route was basically a Dairy Creek out and back, getting to Dairy Creek Rd one way, and coming back another way. It was possibly going to rain, so Bleriot made the trip. I rode to and from the ride, as well. Brief moment of Life Flashing Before My Eyes as a big truck absolutely needed to pass a large group of cyclists headed my way as I was blissfully pedaling up Dairy Creek, for the moment, solo. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! I was checking out the ditching opportunities - not so good. But clearly, I survived, or you wouldn't be reading this. Had a Sweet Salty Peanut Bar at the turnaround while everyone explored the wonders of the bridge on Fern Flat over the creek. It was not raining there, for once :-)

Then back out (thanks to Mike B for pulling) and over through North Plains onto Shadybrook. Where I started fading again. Clearly I needed more than a basic bowl of oatmeal and that granola bar. The folks I ride with are so nice - they don't mind waiting. Sucked down a gel at the schoolhouse by the pallet factory, which perked me up enough to ride the last nine miles back to Longbottoms. Our goal for the ride was to finish before 2pm, and we did. Farm Plate ordered, I settled down to visit with Linda R, Meagan, Robyn, and Mike. Einar stopped by as well. Then off to ride the last 10+ miles home. No stopping on the Park Way hill today!

It is worth noting that, while my overall riding average for the 65 miles was 12.39, my riding average for the Portland Velo portion was 44.21 miles at 13.24. On Bleriot.

Sunday, Cecil, Beth and I met up for a N/NE PDX wander, which would put us at Smith and Bybee lakes, Kelley Point, and Little Red Bike Cafe. And, except for the miles-long train that was keeping us from entering the water treatment plant which leads to Smith and Bybee Lakes, it would have been perfect. As it was, we re-evaluated, and wandered around some more (one of these years I will be less directionally challenged in that part of town), to end up at the cafe. Lucky us, we scored an inside table! Once we headed back to Willamette Blvd, I then figured out where I was. I do enjoy riding around the east side, lots of it is like riding through neighborhoods with really nice houses (nice: covered front porch, real windows, gee that looks like Grandma's house!). Then there is Alameda, which are completely aspirational houses, except I wouldn't want anything that large anymore. Back to Cecil's where I made off with some iris rhizomes and a handful of fresh rosemary.

Just over 30 miles at the blistering pace of 10.78, some of which can be attributed to in-city riding. Lots of stopping.

I'm sucking less bad

Led the Portland Velo 15's again today. A few weeks ago, I looked at the scale and announced that the weight gain stops here. And the weight loss starts here. My plan is to expend at least 500 more calories per day than I take in. We'll see how that goes, and adjust if necessary.

I had planned to ride Lemond, but it was sprinkling at home, so I quickly switched over to Bleriot. And, surprise of surprises - Bleriot was not the lonesome Rivendell at the ride today. John was riding a Rambouillet, with even more accessories than Bleriot normally has:

We were an even bigger group this week - Mike (times 3), Dan, John, Meagen and Robyn. The route was Cedar Canyon backwards, which is generally flat, except for the gentle rollers on Thatcher/Kansas City, the drop on Stafford, the rollers on Cedar Canyon, and the Serious Rollers on Banks Rd. 40 miles, with the hilly bits all stuffed into 8 miles of it.

One flat about 6 miles into the ride. I found the offending bit of glass in the tire (not mine) and all was good tire-wise, from there on out.

We stuck together until the hilly bits, then started stringing out. After the hilly bits, we stopped and fed one rider who was falling back, and then proceeded on. Note: when riding anything over 20 miles or so, that big breakfast won't carry a rider through it. Supplemental food is necessary.

No rain. The hills didn't hurt as much; I even went up them less slowly than I have been riding recently. The 1% and 2% hills were much less painful. Perhaps I am getting stronger. :-)

Excellent second breakfast at Longbottom's. Love that Farm Plate, yes I do.

Stats: 40.78 miles, 12.79 avg mph.

Roadside find: 1/2" Craftsman socket. At this rate, I'll have an entire set.

A total of 190+ miles for January, which is the best month since May. And that 12.79 average was ridden on the heavy bike.

New Riders Make Rides More Fun!

I took a batch of 15s out for today's Portland Velo ride. Highlights included climbing up NW Kaiser and NW Brooks (dang, forgot how steep those are), climbing up the Jackson Quarry Hill (always fun), and skipping the NW Pumpkin Ridge climb :-) We went around, through North Plains.

Today we had two riders who were both out for their first Velo ride AND new to the area. R was from the Traverse City, MI area, so we had fun talking about that part of the state. M was from Arizona, and was a bit dubious about riding on wet roads. MikeY and Bert rode along with us as well. Other than I fell waaaay back on every hill, and back a bit on the flats (one might note that I was not exceeding the posted 15 mph pace), well, I survived. I mostly lead from the rear. But as I was the only one with a cue sheet (what IS it about that?), they had to wait for me.

I got to point out all the best pavement, show off the sheep and alpaca, give the history of the Helvetia area and church, run on about the Fabled Jackson Quarry Hill, etc, etc. Great fun!

A big thank-you to Malcolm, who loaned me his extra pair of sunglasses. Don't ask.

Ride specifics: 41,85 miles, 12.52 avg mph, which is at the upper end of my pace these days.

Roadside Finds

Cecil talked me into co-leading the 15's for Portland Velo today. At the speeds I am riding, I was definitely going to be riding sweep. Waaaay back. But sure.

Because my head still thinks I'm a badass cyclist, I rode to the start. Met Cecil at the top of the hill at 8:45, and proceeded west. We arrived aout 9:20, so had a nice chance to sit before starting out.

It was forecasted to possibly rain, but never really got around to it.

The 15's were 4 today - me, Cecil, Susan O, and Duncan.

Heading west on Zion Church Rd, I spied a wrench (spanner). Then I saw another one. Ok, I had to go back and pick them up.



At the start of the Dairy Creek Rd out-and-back, I suggested that everyone scamper off and have fun, and I'd turn around when they came back. Stopped for a snack at Oliver Hill Rd (where the Really Big Dog lives), then proceeded on. The field of yellow curly maple was positively vibrant against the hills in the background. MUST get one for the yard (I say this every year).

Waved at all the Velo ride groups heading back.

Lots of sheep and alpaca, all nice natural colors. I look at them as potential fleece sources now.



Got to the last uphill before the turnaround, and spotted Cecil and Susan headed back. We stopped in front of the friendly and cute alpacas. Duncan reappeared shortly after we stopped, so we all admired the alpacas.



Then back to Mountaindale Rd, and heading east now, back to the start, with the little loop by the pallet factory near the Jackson School/Shadybrook intersection. Then the evil nasty rollers on Jackson School (yes, I was getting tired and sore). Time for a couple of Ibuprofen. Susan found me a nice Philips head screwdriver to add to the collection. All Sears Craftsman tools, I might add.

Then, over Hwy 26, onto Meek-Sewell-Evergreen and done. Time for second breakfast. I had the Farmer's Platter and inhaled it all. Cecil was more restrained, and ordered the oatmeal. I also picked up a pound of coffee, because, well, the main business there is coffee and tea.



Nice visit with Ellen and Tom and others. Then it was time for Cecil and I to proceed onward to our respective homes. Ouch. I was tired. Had to stop once on the Park Way Hill, and it pains me to have to say this. I hope it will be the last time this is necessary.

61.53 miles, 11.27 avg mph. There were headwinds, and no tailwinds except heading north on Dairy Creek. And I was carrying a complete Sears Craftsman tool set and a pound of coffee. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Nice Day, and Faster Riding, Too!

Route map (starts at Longbottoms Coffee and Tea, in Hillsboro)

I offered up to lead another social ride for Portland Velo, but no takers today. So I attached myself to the 15's knowing full well that I'd probably have to bail at some point.

Temperature was 32 deg F and sunny at the start. I was wearing (top to bottom) wool cap, wool ls baselayer, wool ls jersey, Craft jacket, Smartwool shorts, PI Amfib tights, wool socks, PI Gore-Tex shoes. Also Descente Wombat gloves, and chemical toe and hand warmers.

Dana (ace ride leader), Michael, and myself rode south through the outskirts of Hillsboro, then west and up to Forest Grove. I could keep up just fine as long as it was pancake-flat. Otherwise I would slow down. We stopped at the golf course, and I swapped out my jacket for a wind vest. Much better.

Once we got to the intersection of SW Fern Hill and Hwy 47, I said my goodbyes, and headed back on the traditional route to Longbottoms.

Gorgeous day - intense winter blue sky, gold-colored stubble on the fields, colorful foliage on the berry bushes, and flocks of birds migrating. I'd be riding along, and hear a lot of rustling/fluttering, and a big mob of birds would rise up and wheel around. Yeah. That's why I do this!

Delightful second breakfast at Longbottoms, as always.

Club prez says if I let him know I'll be leading a social, he'll let some other folks know. Nice. However, I won't be back ride leading for at least 3 weeks.

Oh, right - 34.4 miles at 13.3mph average. I haven't ridden that fast since April!

First, I Had to Remove The Tags

Offered up to lead a social pace group for Portland Velo on November 14. No way am I fast enough yet to lead a 15's group. Located my Ride Leader Kit, which I had picked up, and put in the closet months ago. Cut off the tags. They fit. Stretchy stuff, lycra :-)

Fitz, discovering that I was 1) leading, and 2) modifying the route, decided to ride along. At the start, we picked up Linda, and the three of us set out. I had already decided to skip the Pumpkin Ridge climb, and maybe toss in a little out and back to Dixie Mountain Road.

Had a delightful ride getting to know Linda; she started riding late last spring, and has worked up as far as the 45 mile Harvest Century route. We took it easy. When we were to turn north on Gordon Rd, we instead elected to do an out and back to St Francis in Roy, for a brief stop.

Then back to Gordon Rd, through North Plains... and Fitz's knees started hurting, so he elected to head straight back. We did the Shadybrook/Jackson School stretch. Linda's legs were hurting, so we skipped the Mason Hill stretch, and continued back along Jackson School, Meek, Sewell, and Evergreen. Linda's leg cramped up right at Brookwood, so we worked the cramp out and walked back the last 1/2 mile.

Lovely second breakfast at Longbottom's. Shane and David were interested that I could get to the Sunset Transit Center without ever riding on Walker Rd, so I figured I had 10 more miles in me, if they didn't mind a very slow guide.

On the down and up on Evergreen, all of a sudden I was flying up the rise - Shane decided I needed a push. The first time someone did that to me, it scared the spit out of me. This was better; Shane is really good at it. However, I do need to work on my climbing, and declined further assistance after enjoying the first one.

We all parted ways at the top of my hill. Way fun. 39 miles for the day.