Coffeeneuring 2016, #6 and #7

#6: Verboort Sausage Festival
Date: November 5
Destination: Verboort Sausage Festival, Verboort, OR
Beverage: Hot Chocolate
Bike Friendliness: Leaned the bike somewhere outside the Bingo tent
Bicycle: Sweetpea
Total mileage: 2.8 miles



I really had planned to have a theme of "Places I Have Not Coffeeneured Before", but that fell apart today.  Too much rain.  Way too much rain.

So, upon finishing the Verboort Populaire, there I was in the Bingo tent.  I went for the Hot Chocolate and Sausage on a Stick, and, in a very first (I've been doing this ride since 2007), I played bingo.

After finishing up the hot chocolate and sausage, and not winning at bingo ($3 grand prize), we then rode back to the start, in Forest Grove, 2.8 miles.  Sadly, because Porter Rd is closed (bridge reconstruction), we did have to take Martin Rd.  The shoulder is good almost the whole way back.  Almost.  The rain, which had been consistent, but not heavy all day, decided to up its game and dump on us the whole way back.

#7: Ridgewood Park, Coffee Outside
Date: November 8
Destination: Ridgewood Park
Beverage: Coffee
Bike Friendliness: of course
Bicycle: Rivendell Bleriot
Total mileage: 2.1 miles



We've got a freshly-remodeled park in our neighborhood, just the other side of the elementary school.  The original reservoir, with tennis courts on top, has been replaced by an enormous reservoir, a pumphouse (of which we got a tour when the park re-opened), tennis and pickleball courts on top, new trails, an excellent new play structure, a bocce pitch, water fountain, and a covered picnic area.  The water department and parks district have really stepped up their game.

Coffee Outside gear updates this year were an Optimus Terra HE cookset, which is probably overkill, but I still have this secret wish to go bikepacking some time.  And I'd been organized enough last year that I could lay my hands on the cookset/Svea 123 stove (fits inside the cookset) right away.

Ground some coffee, put water in my insulated coffee mug and milk in a little bottle, then figured out how to carry everything up to the park.  Maybe last year I said I need to sew up a twee porteur bag.  I am saying that again with a little more emphasis.





Cruised around the neighborhood, then up to the park from the new park entrance, and established myself in the picnic area.  Maybe some knitting happened while I was waiting for the coffee to brew.

Verboort Sausage Populaire 2016

As we were sitting at the table in the bingo tent, with sausage, hot cocoa, and a round of bingo cards, the woman across the table asked "wouldn't it be nicer to ride if the weather was better?".  Our reply "it would, but bad weather is traditional".

Yeah.  The weather forecast was for a dry, sunny day on Friday, another dry, sunny day on Sunday, and an astounding amount of rain on Saturday.

With that in mind, I made sure Sweetpea had the raingear and extra gloves on board.  My helmet had its first raincover and neckcover event of the season, and I'd finally get to test out the new Showers Pass Waterproof Socks (wool version).



No plans to ride with anyone, but I did see many familiar names on the signup list, most of whom exercised good judgement and stayed home.  However, Anita was there, and we'd ridden the first half of the Solstice permanent together almost a year ago.

It was raining lightly when I arrived at the start, but it slacked off to perhaps a faint mist heading north on Gales Creek Rd.  It was so light that I swapped the jacket for a vest.  That lasted almost all the way to Hwy 6, where I pulled the jacket back on.  At the Hwy 6 turn, I suggested to Anita that she didn't have to wait for me, because she was pulling ahead and then having to wait in the rain.

Hwy 6 was a pleasant surprise - it had been repaved, and all the rumble strips were now buried under a layer of pristine asphalt.

About 3 miles later, the route left Hwy 6 for the delights of Timber Rd.  It has a brief initial climb, then rolls along for several miles, then gains 500+ feet in the space of two miles.  The rain increased on the climb (of course).  Victorious.  Nothing going to stop me now.

Then the drop down to Timber itself, another brief climb, some flat, and then another drop down to Hwy 26.  I was very lucky, and was able to cross right away.

After crossing Hwy 26, the route continues for another 9 miles through a valley, before joining up with Hwy 47 a mile or so outside of Vernonia.  I headed right for Black Bear Coffee Company - there were some cyclists leaving, and Anita sitting inside.  She said she hadn't been there long.  Consumed the traditional sticky roll and a mocha, refilled my bottle, and we headed back out.



We had a fun ride back along the Banks Vernonia Trail.  The muck right at the summit had all been cleared away, and I completely enjoyed the descent.

We spent the final stretch from Banks to Verboort chatting.  And yes, it was raining all the way from Vernonia to Verboort.

Michael, Lynne, and Anita.  Picture by Michael Powell-Parich

Michael was lurking by the entrance of the bingo tent, so card rituals were completed, and then we got sausage, and, in my case, some hot chocolate.  Michael and I both sprang for a round of bingo, not that we won anything :-)



So, finished in 6:18 elapsed, which is quicker than last year.  Always good.

Anita and I then rode back the 2.8 miles to the start, in steadily increasing rain.  While it had rained the whole ride, it hadn't been heavy.  Nowhere near that projected inch of rain.  It was trying to make up for that now.

My feet were a bit damp, not unexpected, because they do sweat, but they weren't wet.  Nor were my feet cold.  I am declaring the socks an initial success.

Verboort Populaire

I like this ride.  How can one NOT like a ride which goes through Timber, Oregon, where everything is HO scale, to Vernonia, where the delights of Black Bear Coffee await, and then a return on the Banks Vernonia Trail?

(Note: not many pictures.  Rain.  Long finger gloves.)

I did some recruiting with a new cycling buddy a month or so ago, and she signed up to ride.  You know, populaires, the gateway drug to randonneuring?

Because of various things, I arrived at the start just in time to sign in before the pre-ride announcements, so we departed 10 minutes after the appointed hour of 9am.

I was channeling Captain Overpacker, in that I had extra socks, extra cap, knee warmers in case it got too warm to be wearing thermal tights, and extra gloves.  I was wearing my new custom OrRando wool cap.

I didn't get a cue sheet, and I hadn't printed one out, but it really wasn't needed.

Kathryn, Bill A, and I headed out through Forest Grove, to Gales Creek, and onto Hwy 6.  Kathryn and I stopped at the c-store just before the turn onto Timber Rd; Bill passed us there; we didn't see him again.

Note: the portapotty outside the store is now locked, but the key is inside.  It seems to stay much cleaner that way.

It started raining somewhere along here.  I had worried that I would be too warm in my AmFib tights, booties, and jacket, but the body adjusted, so it was about right.  Slogged on up the switchbacks to find Kathryn with another rider who had a sliced tire.  We didn't have a tire boot (maybe I did, but, in the rain, didn't dig as fully in the saddlebag as I might have), but we suggested he use a dollar bill.  He did have one, and was going to give that a try.  We left him to it.

The rain was exceptionally heavy for awhile, and, despite the fresh coat of sealer on the booties, the feet started getting soggy.  (Note to self, inspect for yet more leaky spots)

We summitted and enjoyed the descent down through Timber.  Although Kathryn has done a serious amount of riding in this area, she'd never ridden this route to Vernonia.  I pointed out the buffalo just north of Timber.

After a bit of a wait to cross Hwy 26, we continued along the last 12 miles to Vernonia.  The rain let up some.  Kathryn said she had never voluntarily ridden this kind of distance in the rain.

Ah, finally to the intersection with Hwy 47, and we could see riders headed back on the trail.  We arrived in Vernonia and pulled into The Black Bear.  Many rando bikes parked outside, although we didn't see them inside; they must have been on the tavern side.  The kitchen was not backed up, so I ordered half a Reuben sandwich and an enormous mocha; Kathryn had a grilled cheese sandwich. The remains of the mocha went into my insulated bottle.

I spent a bit of time in the restroom blotting the excess water from my tights and jersey.  I wasn't cold when I was riding, but removing the extra water would leave much less to evaporate on its own.  The AmFib tights are pretty good at keeping me from feeling wet, but they do hold some water. (Note: these are several years old; not to be construed as a review on the current version.)

As we were headed out, I saw Andy and Jeff across the street.  And here I thought we were at the very end.  They (and Renee, who is Mrs. Andy) caught us on the trail.  I heard Andy talking to Kathryn, and called back, asking if he was hitting her up for snacks, because it was her first rando expedition.  They pulled ahead at Tophill, but not before Andy and I did a lot of catching up.



The trail was full of leaves from the deciduous trees, and it was beautiful, if occasionally a bit difficult to distinguish the trail from the not-trail.



We summitted, and descended with a bit more caution than usual, what with the leaves and the wet bridges.

One pause by Buxton, so I could swap off my saturated shortfinger gloves (the wool overgloves had been discarded miles ago) for a pair of warm and water-repellent (sort of) synthetic gloves.  The gloves were dry, my hands were a bit damp, so there was a lot of wiggling to get my fingers in them.  My hands were instantly much, much happier.

Through Banks, onto Wilkesboro, with the standard comments about the new Tracks of Death and Why Didn't They Put in a Bump-Out so the Bikes Could Safely Ride Across Them.  Pretty fields, but no picture today.

At the turn from Evers onto Osterman, Kathryn said that she hadn't turned the cue sheet, and we really had a bit further to go than earlier reported.  My reply - the finish is just around that corner.  (And my bike computer was less than a tenth of a mile off the cue sheet distance :-) )

The most difficult part of the ride was wading through the festival traffic to get to the finish at the bingo tent at the far end of the festival.  The RBA and host were lurking at the entrance, so we leaned our bikes on handy walls, and went in to complete the finish rituals.

I pulled off my cap and wrung it out, said goodbye to Kathryn (she had a thing she had to be at), and bought sausage on a stick and a cup of coffee.  As I was now off the signed release, it was coffeeneuring and socializing time.  And knitting a bit on the Flower Fair Isle sock #2.

The RBA and host were going over the rider list, and asked if we had seen Jeff L.  Um, yeah.  They were ahead of us...

A few minutes later, I saw them pull in.  Wondering how exactly did they get misplaced, I asked.  Andy: "it said to turn left on Wilkesboro, and we did, except we found ourselves on Hwy 6!"  I have done that exactly once, myself.  Heading south out of Banks, after crossing under Hwy 6, the on-ramp is the first left, with a protected left turn, and, a mere few yards later is the left onto Wilkesboro, just before the decrepit white building, with no protected left.

After everyone had gotten sausage on a stick and beverage of choice (no beer there), more socializing.  One of the festival workers was trying to sell us bingo cards, and asked about the ride.  "Where did you start?" Forest Grove.  Pause.  You could see her thinking.  Verboort is only 2 miles from Forest Grove.  I helpfully clarified: "by way of Vernonia."

I walked over to the bulk sales area to get some sausage to take home for dinner.  We had company coming and that was going to be dinner.  Oops.  Guess I didn't ride fast enough :-(  Sent a text to the spouse alerting him, so alternate plans could be made.  I'd be getting home not too far ahead of everyone else.

Went back to get my bike and found the other three getting ready to head back.  They had planned to ride on Martin, but I suggested Porter, because it was not the main road.  And so, a bit over two miles later, we were back.  They took their leave, and I started loading up the car.  Bill A came over - he'd done it right, and gone by a coffee shop in Forest Grove.

Now headed home to get dinner underway.  I didn't get out of the wet clothing and into the shower until I got part of dinner cooking.  Fitz had bought more sausage at the Farmer's Market that morning, just to have it around, so main course was managed.

Expedient Coffeeneuring: Verboort Sausage Festival

Ride: 8  (Although my official #7)
Date: Saturday, November 7
Distance: 2.1 miles
Destination: Verboort Sausage Festival, Verboort, OR
Bike: Sweetpea
Beverage: Coffee
Bike Friendliness: Leaned it up against a building, no lock

Although I had plans to end up at a coffee shop with ceramic mugs, a fancy coffee drink, and some classy ambiance, well, it just didn't happen.

After finishing the Oregon Randonneurs Verboort Populaire, which ends at the annual Verboort Sausage Festival, I was sodden (why, yes, it did rain.  Quite a bit.), and under a time constraint to get home.



So I bought some sausage on a stick and a cup of coffee, sat down with some folks, ate the sausage, drank the coffee and knitted a bit on Sock #2.



Then I gathered myself up and rode the 2+ miles back to the start in Forest Grove with a few of the other riders.

Verboort Sausage Populaire

I love this ride.  And to make it even better, this year was a new route, out to Vernonia and back.  Sausage, Vernonia, the Banks-Vernonia Trail.  All the makings of an excellent ride!



First we coffeeneured in Forest Grove, at Maggie's (ooh, add in the big sticky bun!  This day gets better and better!), then rode the 3 miles over to Verboort and the start.

We were starting at 9am, and by the time we arrived (8:45?), the lines for the sausage dinner were already very, very long.  Maybe they were there for sausage second breakfast?

Peg and Lesli arrived (yay!), rando-chick photos were taken, the route rap was given, and off we went.  Many women on this ride.  I hope they show up for the longer rides in the spring. It was not raining - mid to high 50's, very cloudy, persistent south wind.  I was in wool from head to toe - new red wool beanie, LS OrRando jersey, Ibex capris, Smartwool knee socks and wearing my wonderful new Gore Visibility Vest over that.  Absolutely perfect for the day.





Started out by myself, but joined up with Diane K on Gales Creek Rd.  We caught up and rode together for awhile, but then she stopped and I went on.  Brief pause at the store just before Timber Rd (like several other riders.  Last chance before Verboort :-) )

Timber Rd was awash in fall color.  As I started up the switchbacks, I could see riders below - Peg and Lesli.  Toward the top of the climb I rode up on Jeff M, and we stayed together the rest of the ride.  Peg and Lesli and Brian L joined us, and we rode along to Vernonia together.

A driver heading the other way felt the need to yell at me out in the road (riding two abreast, no traffic anywhere, except for him) for using the center of the lane because "I don't pay road taxes".  Lesli and I rode on, Brian tried to talk to him, but, of course, his mind and ears were closed.  Fortunately he didn't STOP.



We were of course stopping at Black Bear Coffee Company.  No speed records on this ride, ever.  Many randos were already there.  One rider was taking pictures of all the bikes.  After a brief thought, I asked if he was Russ.  He was indeed.  Sweetpea got lots of love in his photo record of the day :-)

picture by Russ Roca

I had ordered a Mexi-Mocha, a banana, and chicken noodle soup.  They forgot my soup order, but Lesli and Peg said they'd wait.  Slurped it down, and entertained Jeff by recognizing every single song (and naming the albums) of the soundtrack.

And now for the wonderful part of the ride - the 20+ miles of the Banks-Vernonia Trail.  It was beautiful, but there were lots of leaves covering it in places.  I hear it was slippery, and some riders fell.  I didn't have any problems, but I wasn't in a hurry.  It got misty and dim at points, and I slowed down some, and rode in the middle of the trail, since it was difficult to see the edges.  Fairy tale forest.  Met Shaun Granton along here - he's the guy that created the Oregon Randonneurs poster.



Eventually popped out the other end, rode through Banks and turned onto Wilkesboro.  Jeff and I didn't see Lesli, Peg, and Brian behind us, so we dawdled a bit.  They'd tried to turn onto Hwy 6 instead.  Easy to do. I've done it once.

Last bit of the route, through Roy, and onto Cornelius-Schefflin, Verboort, and then Visitation roads.  Checked in, then went in search of sausage.  We found Susan and Asta and her friends in the sausage and bingo tent, got ourselves some sausage as well, and sat down to enjoy it and each others' company.







Then it was time to head out.  Lesli wanted to get on the road before dark, and I was riding home from there.  My last stop was the bulk sausage sales shed, where I found a smallish package (2.7 lbs) of sausage, stuffed it in the Carradice, and pushed off for home.



Mostly a southern crosswind, and a totally autopilot route.  The berry bushes on Leisy Rd were really spectacular, but once into Hillsboro, I was back within the urban growth boundary.  Major roads until SW 158th, where I turned into the office park, cut through the rec center soccerplex, and was in quiet neighborhoods the rest of the way home.

112 miles for the day.

All the pics here

Annual Verboort Sausage Populaire

It is November again, time for the Verboort Sausage Festival, and so, time for the Oregon Randonneurs Verboort Populaire.  Any ride that ends up at a sausage festival is one to do.  (Also rides that include ferries, or cross international boundaries.)

Getting ready - not so much.  The weather was going to be rainy and 40's.  Wool, wool, wool, Craft Storm Tights and the Showers Pass Elite jacket.  And food.  I get home from rides, sometimes with more food than I started with, so I toss it in the freezer and pull it out for the next ride.  This ride, I retrieved some cookies from the last ride with Michal.

Lots of socializing around at the start; big crowd, despite the weather.  Lesli and I had planned to ride together to continue our conversation from the Bikenfest, and Diane (riding buddy since 2003!) joined us. Andy S. gave me a fair amount of trash talk about the quantity of food I had been carrying along on the 600 last June... "I got a hernia just lifting up your bike".  Wish I could figure out how to carry less stuff, but it just doesn't work out that way.  And I am happy to have the food and spare clothing along!

Turned loose at 9am (drizzling), heading east to Longbottoms Coffee in Hillsboro, our first control about 12 miles along. Rode along with former co-worker Ian for a bit; we caught up on doings at my former place of employ (layoffs again.  boo.)

Got there, got my card signed, and.... Lesli wanted an espresso.  Service there is, um, not fast.  So we stood around and waited.  And got a bit chilly.  And finally, she got it, sucked it down and we left.  But we didn't get very far, because my front tire became exceedingly squashy.  (Crud)

Back to fix it.  Couldn't find anything in the tire, so crossed my fingers and changed out the tube.  BikePortland's participant took my picture.  First flat I've had in months (and second flat all year), and that's what I'll be remembered for.  Fortunately, it was possibly the fastest tire change EVER.  No messing around with tire levers to put the tire back on.  I like that.

Off again, heading north over Hwy 26.  I saw on the cue sheet that we were going up the fabled Jackson Quarry Hill, and mentally deduced the route was Helvetia to Jackson Quarry.  I mean, why go any other way when that way is so darn pretty?  Well, it wasn't, it was Helvetia to West Union to Jackson Quarry.  Our alternate was .2 mile longer, but much, much, much nicer scenery.  Lesli hadn't ridden there before, because no brevet or perm uses that route (I have a perm design in process which does; stay tuned), and I enjoyed pointing out my favorite parts (most of them).  A teeny bit more climbing, but worth it for the view. (What it looks like in nicer weather)

Back on the published route, around a few turns, and at the base of the Jackson Quarry Hill.  I only know one way to go up it, so punched it and made myself work all the way to the top.  Too many years racing Jason to the top (score, Jason: some really big number, Lynne: 1).  Then down Mason Hill (wheeee!) and back to Jackson School/Shadybrook/...

Chatting all the way north on Dairy Creek made it go pretty quickly.  Consumed that entire bag of cookies.  They were very, very good.  Could have eaten more!  The field of alpacas had 4 cute baby ones this year.  Don't know where the grownups were.  Vegan sausage and a rando mocha, chatting w/Susan F and Lesli about how I am leading her astray (what?  ride in the WINTER?) and time to head back down.  It was chilly for a few miles until we warmed up.  The trees at the ornamental nursery were spectacular - rows of green, then yellow, then red.  We plotted next weekend's adventure - Bill Alsup's Eugene to Portland 200k permanent.  I've got the train ticket for me and Sweetpea for next Friday evening already.  Also ordered a rack for Sweetpea, for the inevitable pannier of stuff.

Crossed at Frogger Junction, and then off to Banks, quick pause, and west on Cedar Canyon.  The wetlands haven't really filled up yet.  In a month they should be spectacular.  Back along Hwy 6, up Stafford Rd, and the last short number of miles to the end.  Except the stretch on Kemper/Visitation seems to take much too long.

Lesli: "I know we are there when I hear polka music and see oxygen tanks and walkers."  We got the polka music and a couple of walkers, but no oxygen tanks this year.  Diane and I rehashed some previous year's rides - "remember when it was sunny?"

Finished and cards signed, we set off in search of sausage on a stick, coffee, and uncooked sausage to take home.  Got the sausage and coffee in the bingo tent (visited with Brian from Olympia, who was having an amazing run at bingo).  Located the bulk sausage sales, and managed to buy somewhat less than 2 pounds this year.

Back to the Grand Lodge, where Lesli, Diane, and I were all completely prepared to soak in the hot pool.  Frozen feet and hot water is an exquisite feeling, I must say.  We defrosted for a good 20-30 minutes. Great finish to a great day.

Stats: 65 miles in total, 62 and a bit for the populaire.
total elapsed time for the populaire 5:27.  Analysis: about 15 minutes more riding, a flat, and a bit too much faffing.
Riding pace for the populaire: 14.03 avg mph
Overall pace (includes the coast back to the start) 13.83 avg mph

Verboort Populaire - what a difference a year makes!

November... time to ride the Verboort Populaire again.  Last year, I was one of the ride organizers, and pre-rode it in 6:13.



Today is an anniversary - 1 year post-treatment.  I think I can say with some confidence now that my body is finally back to what my head thinks it should be able to do.  Actually my body is exceeding expectations. (really big grin here)

So, the ride.  I wasn't riding WITH anyone this year - Susan was off running another half marathon, and Cecil wasn't riding either.  So I thought... suppose I could do it in under 5 hours?

This ride requires no major preparations - I tossed a banana and a couple of bars in my bag.  The weather was going to be cloudy and 50's, with the rain holding off until the evening.  So I added booties to the bag, and extra gloves, and called it good.  Oh, and pumped up Sweetpea's tires.

Sweetpea has yet another saddle.  Got another Terry Butterfly Ti.  While the Brooks is a lovely saddle, and makes any bike look darn cool, I just cannot sit on it for any length of time.  So, I've got a Brooks Flyer "S" with a Selle Anatomica cutout AND the Brooks saddle maintenance kit (includes Proofhide AND the special adjustment spanner) for sale...

Arrived at the Grand Lodge around 8:30am, carefully threading the van around all those cyclists milling around in the parking lot.  Checked in, visited.  Pulled on my rain jacket and long finger gloves.  It was not raining, but the mist was pretty thick.  Made sure the lights were on (see previous comment about thick mist).  Off promptly at 9am, headed for Longbottoms'.



I found myself toward the front part of the group (!)  As I completely knew where I was going, no need to consult the cue sheet.  Alan Bell from SIR rode up and introduced himself; we rode together all the way to Longbottoms.  There was a crash on Hornecker.  As there was very large crowd already there, we edged around and continued.  Alan was talking up the SIR 200km Solstice Ride :-)  Ride all night and watch the sun rise.  (I can hear the husband now: "can't you stay in Portland and ride all night in the dark when you can't see anything anyway?" :-) )

Alan got a flat just before Longbottoms.  I got my card signed, ditched the jacket and long finger gloves, ate the banana, and elected to ride on.

Rode with Ron H until the next control at Snooseville.  He was riding a single speed.  I am impressed.   Oliver and Megan found us heading out of North Plains; we all continued up Dairy Creek Rd to the control together.  I took pictures, and Oliver took my camera and took some more pictures.  Getting pretty confident here, passing a camera around WHILE RIDING.







Still not raining.  The mist had lightened, but the air still felt very, very damp.  Got to the control, to find Ed G with strong hot coffee and vegan sausages!  And cocoa mix!  Mixed myself up a Rando Mocha in a real mug and shared a Smoked Apple sausage with Ron.  We both figured half a sausage would not be too much.



Finished eating, took a few more pictures, and then Ron and I headed out.  It was, um, a bit chilly, but I resisted putting the jacket back on.  I warmed up after a couple of miles.  And eventually realized that Ron had fallen back, and I was on my own again.



Back onto Mountaindale, then over to the Highway 26 crossing ("Frogger Junction").  Scott and Linda found me there (they had gotten in some bonus miles.  Normally they are so far ahead of me...)  We crossed together, and they rocketed off ahead.  Pretty ride west on Mountaindale/Wilkesboro, then turned north into Banks, where I found Kyle, who was having a navigational quandary.  Turned out he'd already gone through Banks, west on Cedar Canyon, east on Hwy 6 and... found himself back in Banks.



We rode together until the end. :-)  Cedar Canyon and the wetlands were pretty, but no birds in the wetlands yet.  We found Diane at the info control, and all proceeded onto Hwy 6 and then OFF Hwy 6 onto Stafford Rd.  And up.  The climb seemed easy this time.  It never seems easy.



Not too much further to go, and definitely on track for a sub-5 hour finish.  Onto Strohmayer with the plum orchards in fall colors, the road changing to Kansas City, then Thatcher.  Left onto Kemper, cross Hwy 47 (I should have eaten something in Banks), south on Visitation, where we could see the flashing light that marked the sausage feed and... done.

Diane came up shortly after that.  We found the bulk sausage sales and did a little shopping, then walked over to the bingo tent for sausage to eat right now.  Ron found us there.





After eating, we walked back to the bikes to head back to the Grand Lodge.  I collected a whole crew of riders who weren't clear on how to get back; we all rode together.  It was still not raining :-)



4:41 total elapsed time (yes, I am shouting! Best time ever, by 30 minutes, and that was back in 2007!), 62.7 miles.  Moving average of 14.82 mph, including the ride back to the Grand Lodge (overall total, 65.21 miles).

All the pics here (there's lots more!)

Zero to Sixty (Five...)

My monthly cycling mileage has been dismal of late...

May 216 (just before starting treatment)
June 44
July 4
August 15
September 73
October 111

Less than 2 weeks, and I'm finished. Yahoo!

So you can see, it has been quite awhile (April?), since I got Rando Bike all ready to go, prepared Rando Snacks, and collected clothing and gear. Amazingly enough, I didn't forget anything.

I am co-organizing the Verboort Sausage Populaire with Susan F, and we needed to get a worker's ride in there somewhere. I'm pretty open on times, but feel much better at the end of the week and during the weekends. Susan has been really busy at work. The weather is changing. We lucked out yesterday, for sure!

This is a great ride, with excellent fall scenery. Actually the route has outstanding winter, spring and summer scenery as well :-), but the fall colors were out in force yesterday. I hope they stick around for all of you.

Met Susan at the Grand Lodge, went through the pre-ride faffing, and we were off to Longbottoms' Coffee and Tea, the first control. There is a slight route change - at the second roundabout you'll head north on Cornelius Schefflin towards Portland, rather than south, due to road construction. But, if you haven't been riding in the area, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the improved stretch of C-S. Caveat - due to the construction, the detour route is Martin-Verboort-C-S, so the traffic is a bit higher. But nice shoulders on the road; no worries.

The berry bushes on Leisy Rd are very colorful this fall.

You'll likely be hitting Longbottoms right about the time Portland Velo is departing for its Saturday Ride. We hope to have a volunteer there to sign your card; otherwise you'll be waiting awhile for a timed receipt.

Back onto Evergreen, then north and west on Sewell and Meek, north on Jackson School, heading to the first info control.

Then south on Shadybrook into North Plains, where there is the park with a water spigot and nice picnic benches, plus the market on the main road. You'll ride by both of them. Full stop at all the stop signs in North Plains - they ticket.

Then out to Mountaindale and the defunct store at the corner of Dairy Creek Rd for the out and back to the control at Fern Flat. We were chased by a large, but friendly dog right after turning onto Fern Flat. It kept trying to cross in front of us. Followed us all the way to the control, then followed me quite a ways down Dairy Creek.



Enjoy the generally downhill run back to Mountaindale (yes, you were going uphill), then west, working your way over to the Hwy 26 crossing (fondly known as "Frogger Junction"). Cross carefully, but know that you will get a break in traffic. There is a refuge in the middle, which helps.



Then west and eventually north into Banks. Just after crossing under Hwy 6 you'll see a grocery, and a Subway and other businesses. By this point (50 miles) I was completely hurting, and the grocery sold me some Ibuprofen. Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Susan bought a sandwich, and I continued consumption of my Rando Snacks (PBJ on homemade Irish Oatmeal bread, homemade Fig Newtons, orange slices).

Through Banks, west on Cedar Canyon, passing by the Killin Wetlands, and your next info control.

Cross Hwy 6 and head back east to Stafford Rd, the only annoying sustained climb (.4 miles, 5-7%) of the ride. Didn't have to walk any hills today.



Obligatory "count the antlers" at Love's Barn, plus admiration of all the implements on display.





Then it is easy and scenic riding to the finish at Verboort. Bring money for the Famous Sausage Dinner. Mmmmmmmmmm. Sausage.

Finished at about 6:13 total time, well within the time allowed.

After a brief rest, Susan and I rode the last 3 FLAT miles back to the Grand Lodge, where we indulged in the hot tub and dinner.



My bike computer says 2599 vertical feet, highest elevation 604 feet at the Fern Flat control.

65 miles, 11.31 avg mph for the overall ride.



and because I couldn't resist, being geeky and all...