Our Summer Vacation, part 1

I think I promised a writeup of our Prague to Budapest bike trip. Now that I have some time to sit down and type it in... Thank you for your patience. It will appear in bits and pieces over the next few weeks.

So. We were doing the REI Adventures Prague to Budapest bike trip, from July 3 to July 11.
http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/europe/praguebk.jsp

Amazingly enough, we had enough frequent flyer miles AND the dates we wanted were available. So we committed :-)

July 30...
All packed the night before. The bike dissassembly and packing went well - the new self-extracting crank bolts worked well, and made packing smoother. I took a picture of the bike all packed, and Photoshopped in orientation text, printed it out, and stuck it in the case for future reference.



My dad picked us up at 4am for airport delivery; and the helpful check-in person checked our bags all the way to Prague, even though she couldn't check us in for the Lufthansa flights from Detroit and Frankfurt. The bike suitcase weighed 49 lbs.

Had a Vienna hotdog with the neon relish in Chicago, then on to Detroit. We had a LOOOOONG layover in Detroit. We arrived in the old North terminal, and discovered that we needed to get over to the MacNamara terminal. Found the shuttle, then checked in at the nearly deserted Lufthansa desk (we were SO early). Once we got past security, the terminal became much nicer. We had to work out a meeting plan for the children at the other end of the trip (they were joining us in Michigan for a week at the family cottage afterward) - found an internet cafe and sent them email to meet us at International Arrivals in the MacNamara terminal, with directions on how to get to the terminal. Then window shopping and dinner at a Japanese restaurant. Watched the shuttle train ride back and forth along the upper level of the terminal.

Long flight to Frankfurt, but we did get fed twice. Then a long layover in Frankfurt. Very few places to sit. We hung out in a Kuwait Airways gate, dozing in chairs for about 90 minutes, then found a couple sets of unoccupied chairs and got some real sleep. I did, anyway.



Got some Haagen Dazs ice cream, then went to a long security line for our gate. My tiny little eyeglass repair screwdriver caused an awful lot of excitement...

Then a short flight to Prague, with a roll w/cheese spread and a candy bar as a snack, which is much better than anything one gets on a US domestic flight.

Entry into the Czech Republic was uneventful, except for Fitz's suitcase not showing up... Did the report, then went and found our driver, who was just about ready to give up.

Hotel Adria is very centrally located, by the Wenceslas monument on Vaclavske Namesti, which used to be the horse market.

Fitz had been paranoid, and packed a change of clothes and a set of cycling clothes, so he was ok for the first couple days, at least.

After checking in (it was early evening), we went for a walk, aiming for the Charles Bridge. We did find it, and were caught in a brief downpour.



After walking most of the way across the bridge, we walked back to the town square to watch the Astronomical Clock strike the hour:



Plus we saw a few interesting museums:



Prague has churches EVERYWHERE. Ornate churches, with statues and gilding. We then foraged for dinner (chicken burger from a street vendor); Fitz had a taste of the original Budweiser. Tastes better than the American version, but not much.

Back to the hotel, to attempt sleep...

All the pictures from the trip can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20084214@N00/collections/72157600975963805/

Riding in Paradise

Every so often, those of us that live and ride in the Pacific Northwest have to remind ourselves what a beautiful place we live in. Yesterday was one of those days.

Cecil, Jason, Rickey and I met by the Beaverton Red Robin to do 45 miles of countryside. It was going to be Rickey's longest (and hilliest) ride since his crash 4 weeks ago.

So, through Beaverton, south on Murray Rd, a shortcut on Teal through an apartment complex parking lot onto Scholls Ferry (we are outside the urban growth boundary now), and south on Roy Rogers. Lots of traffic so far, but also a beautiful wide shoulder. Then into Sherwood, right on Lynley, popping out onto Edy Rd, then Elwert (Elks Lodge coming up!), then onto Kruger Rd.

A steep, twisty descent through a heavily forested area, then the climb... Never very hard, but long. Nice views of Mt Hood to the east, over the valley.

Then a descent on Mountain Home (serious brake usage here - in places it looks like the road drops off a cliff). I had climbed this stretch for the Livestrong Ride in 2005. I think I prefer climbing it to descending it. The scenery was fabulous, though - views to the west, to Bald Peak and the valley. Lots of hayfields with bales of hay, and cornfields that smelled wonderful. Llamas, cows, goats, sheep, chickens...

At the bottom, we cut across 219 onto Vandeschuere Rd. This was the site of my crash at the end of February, and I hadn't had an occasion to ride it since. We topped a rise, and Rickey asked how it felt, riding past the crash site. I didn't even recognize it. The house with the no-trespassing sign had been remodeled and had a fabulous garden now. Of course, the fact that it was not pouring rain contributed as well, I'm sure. I turned around just to get a picture:

and we rode on.

We eventually popped out at the Laurel Store, for a stretch and snack break. Everyone inspected my rear wheel (9500 miles), and thought a look by a professional might be in order. The rims are concave, but I don't know if they've hit the danger point yet.

Still bright and sunny, light wind, moderate temperature. We headed north, skirting the southern edges of Forest Grove, Cornelius, and Hillsboro. You know there is major population there, but you can't see it. Once we got to 229th, we were into neighborhoods, working our way east. This all used to be nothing when I moved out here in 1978. Now, house farms, as far as the eye can see.

Back through the Hyland Hills neighborhood of Beaverton (traffic calmed, speed bumps, big shady trees), then north on Hall back to our start.

Wildlife in St Marys' Woods

When I run (and today I got to RUN again after 5 weeks of racewalking!), I often see wildlife in the woods. Snakes, squirrels, you know, the usual. Sometimes even deer. Today, looping up onto Murray Road, there was a large rustle to my left. Expecting a squirrel, I looked over.

It was a very colorful CHICKEN! (Maybe a rooster?) A feral chicken!

PTC 2007 - We met all our goals!

The Trekking Tekkies had a stellar Portland to Coast walking relay.

Summary points:

• we broke 24 hours for the course
• we came in 6th overall out of 400 walking teams

Fun bits:

• too many engineers loading the van, cartop carrier, and strapping the big oscilloscope model on the top :-)
• A woman stopping us as we headed out of the sleeping area, wondering what was on top of the van... "I thought it was a toaster!"
• Talking to an acquaintance on another team before the start of my last leg... Her: "oh, there comes the BLONDE! She blew by us like we were standing still!" Me: "she's on our team. Gotta go..."

Good things about being so fast:

• we were ahead of the crowds
• we racked up (as a team) over 200 roadkills
• the blue rooms still had the wrappers on the tp
• getting street parking right at the Pig and Pancake in Seaside

I was driving at the beginning of the second set of legs (think 4am...). Every time we stopped to wait for our walker, I'd take a little nap (nano nap). Then I'd wake up and drive some more. This was making some other persons in the van nervous - I was falling asleep way too readily. And here I thought it was an excellent randonneuring skill. Guess it doesn't translate. In any case the other person offered to drive, so I got to REALLY sleep before my leg. My second leg is #35 - the one that goes for 7.28 miles along a logging road, with no van support. Vaguely uphill, not always paved. Last year I did something to my hip flexor, and, upon finishing, couldn't walk all too well. This year I could walk - the hip flexors were fine, but the quads and calves were grumpy.

Upon returning home, I took a long nap, got up, ate dinner, and went to bed. :-) I'd say I'm getting too old for this, but the Rumpled Old Men hang in there just fine...

Results are here: http://results.racecenter.com/2007/ptcw07.htm (yes, we are a men's team - we have fewer than 6 women)

More pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20084214@N00/sets/72157601662201834/

Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party 2007

This year's version started with 3 engineers trying to put 2 tandems, 4 riders, and their stuff inside a Dodge Caravan. If one of the tandems had not had S&S couplers, it wouldn't have worked...

I usually spend the night before at the home of my friends Claire and David, as we are all doing the ride. I've known Claire via the internet since the mid (early?) 80's. First I was riding, then not, then she took up riding, then I returned to riding. After a couple of decades, we did a ride together...

She offered a tandem couple sleeping space at their home as well, not knowing it was Richard and Nance, the original owners of Clifford, Jason's tandem. Once all was revealed, we planned to carpool up - Richard and Nance riding off to Victoria afterward.

Got myself packed the night before, and put in a short day at work. Picked up Jason, Clifford and his stuff, then drove over to get Richard, Nance, and their bike, already in pieces. So, some bungie cords and blankets, and we were all ready to go. The drive north was uneventful - we turn off on 405 to go to Bellevue and miss all the exciting Seattle traffic.

Richard reassembled their bike, Jason and I got all the numbers and stuff on and in Clifford, then we started dinner.

I had brought salad, Jason had homemade sourdough bread, and Richard and Nance had more bread and fruit tarts from Ken's Artisan Bakery. Add in spaghetti and wine... Lots of dinner. I was stuffed, but that was ok, there was 107 miles waiting for me the next day.

We took care of the dishes while Claire and David got organized.

I had Emma's room, as she was at camp, and had a nice visit with the contents of her bookshelf (Red Scarf Girl this year).

Up at 5am. Claire and David had a nice, substantial breakfast ready for us all. Took care of the dishes, loaded up, and headed off to Magnuson Park, the start line. We found Cecil, got our jerseys and swag, dropped off our stuff in the proper pile, and faffed for a bit waiting for the other 4 to show up. Eventually we figured they'd catch us, and took off.

If it wasn't for the initial section of the Burke-Gilman, I'd really like the entire first day. It has roots, and lots of cyclists all moving along in what seems to me to be rather confined quarters. Of course I'm stoking and can't see squat in front. The view off to the right is nice, though. Once we got off the trail I relaxed somewhat :-) Then off through Woodinville, up the Woodinville Hill, then left onto the road with the fabulous rollers (for tandems anyway). Through Maltby and Clearview, then the great downhill where one MUST bear right onto Springhetti Road. I've missed it twice in 4 years :-) Then around and down, and into Snohomish. We stopped at the Buzz Inn (at the airport) for some coffee. As we were heading out, Cecil reappeared. She'd lost her bike computer and rode back a ways to try to find it. No such luck. But she found us, and we rode together the rest of the day.

Then through Snohomish and onto the Centennial Trail. The trail has big concrete barriers that are a challenge to navigate with a tandem - the bike is just too darn long. So Jason thought he'd go around the outside, whenever possible. Weeeeelll. There was this one spot where it was a little tight, and we lost forward momentum. And fell. Down. We did a 360 into some vines, and stopped. Down was the keyword. It was steep. Nothing damaged. Some riders pulled the bike out, then Jason. It was getting itchy there, and I could see down a lot further into a profoundly deep ditch, not that the vines were in any danger of giving way. Eventually they made a line and hauled me out. Itchy scratchy plants. Not nettles, but closely related. I had itchy patches on my left arm and legs. Plus a slug on my sunglasses. Eww. Jason: "I'm sorry". Cecil came back, because she all of a sudden didn't see us. We tried some nettle removal, then headed on.

Then on to Lake Stevens for the first rest stop of the day, then off again to Arlington. Lots of countryside by now, and the screaming descent into Arlington (with the annoying stop sign right at the bottom of a very steep climb up). Then into Arlington for lunch at the Blue Bird Cafe. We didn't see Cecil, so after looking around, ordered lunch. Then she walked by, so I ran out and got her. Itch, tingle, scratch. Jason: "I apologize". After lunch we foraged for a drugstore. On the way, a little boy was completely fascinated by Clifford "that is a BIG bicycle". At the drugstore a couple more children were equivalently fascinated, so we had a nice little visit while Jason and I applied Lanacaine. Jason: "I'm sorry".

Then the most annoying stretch of the day - the first few miles on Hwy 9 out of Arlington, until the I-5 turn-off. Heavy traffic. Then up to Lake McMurray, except the climb seemed really gentle this year. The lake looked very inviting. A brief stop at the store, then off again. On the way to Big Lake, we heard Cecil yelling at us from across the road. She'd gotten a flat, and was just about done fixing it. She said a lot of riders went by, and not ONE asked if she needed anything (!) Past the Big Lake Grocery and a golf course, then down on a new stretch of road (under construction last year) into Mt Vernon, and the official RSVP rest stop. Ah. Fruit. Snacks. Cold water. Green grass to sit on.

Moving on, crossing the Skagit River, cycling past the soccer fields, and into Burlington, through Burlington, and across I-5 to the Skagit Flats. Every other year, there has been an astounding headwind. This year - a tailwind! Nice! Really nice! Passed lots of farms, cornfields, horses, the Bow Cemetery and all of a sudden found ourselves at the Bow Country Store. This year, the Western Washington University Cycling group was selling Gatorade and snacks in the parking lot.

Then off for the prettiest part of the day - Chuckanut Drive. As Cecil had never been on it, we stopped at every scenic pullout and took lots of pictures. Samish Bay was especially photogenic, too.






Then off again, up and down, climbing the last hill to stop at the Famous Pink Lemonade Stand and have a couple of glasses of excellent Pink Lemonade. Then into Fairhaven and Bellingham, stopping first at the Days Inn to get Cecil's jersey, then up the hill to the dorms at WWU.

Moved into our rooms, then decided on Boundary Bay Brewery for dinner. We hiked through campus (I knew the route; Rebecca went to school here for a couple of years), enjoying all the sculpture, especially the little builders in the Haskell plaza. Then down into Bellingham, where there was beer, fries, and dinner!

We planned to meet just before 7 the next morning, and head to Lynden for breakfast.

Scratched my arms while pullin on the armwarmers. Jason: "I'm sorry". Riding out of Bellingham the next morning, we found Richard and Nance. They and Cecil went on ahead (as expected). We enjoyed the ride through the countryside and made decent time to Lynden. Found them all in the Dutch Mother's. Richard and Nance were getting some small takeout thing. That just wouldn't do; Jason, Cecil and I did the sit-down eat the buffet breakfast thing. Much food and coffee.



Through Lynden, past many dairy farms, then along the Canadian border to the Aldergrove Crossing. It was quick. "Welcome to Canada, have a good ride!" Pictures all around. The Team Bag Balm jerseys got a lot of attention.



Riding past farms, and into bits of suburbia and back into farmland. We summitted the Wall, to find Cecil supremely unimpressed by it at the top. She's right. It isn't long. More riding, almost getting taken out by a cyclist who cut in on our right as we were crossing the worst set of RR tracks on the ride. We yelled. She was "what did I do?". Grumph. Darn near took us out, is what she did. Then into Fort Langley, where Jason went in search of water, and Cecil and I went foraging for an ATM, to get some Coin of the Realm. Then off tot the Albion Ferry. This year they clumped us up, then sent a wave onto the ferry, RIDING our bikes, not taking the pedestrian walkway. It does make for faster loading - there was no backup this year.



Crossed the river, then onto the Lougheed Hwy (crowded), climbing to Maple Ridge (there is a reason it is "ridge"), and turning off at the food stop at the Farmer's Market. More fruit, and David and Claire. We all sat around and snacked and talked, then headed off to the Dewdney Trunk Road.



It was kind of scary this year - heavier traffic and lots of big semis. It would have been a better idea to take the Dyke Trail Option, which skips that whole section. Note for next year!

Through Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam (not as scary this year, perhaps because the road construction is complete), into Port Moody, and the rest stop at Rocky Point Park. Mmmmm, ice cream. Up and around onto the Barnet Highway - great views of piles of sulfur (really, it was very pretty, a great shade of yellow) and the Burrard Inlet. Still had our tailwind, too. The Barnet is usually a slog, and it really wasn't this year.



Then into Burnaby and onto the bike routes. Passed the Cathay Villa, a retirement home for members of the Chinese community. Somehow, those two words just don't go together. Anyway, into Vancouver proper, up through Chinatown (at this point the map is in my hand and I'm directing), then through Gastown (wedding going on at the Steam Clock), then left on Cardero, up to Comox, and finish.

Parked the bike, then headed up for the party. Found Cecil, ate, then found David and Claire. David had apparently been talking about dinner at Tanpopo for the last 20 miles :-) We arranged to meet there at 7. Cecil, Jason and I claimed our bags and started walking to our respective hotels. Cecil had other dinner plans, but the four of us had a wonderful all-you-can-eat sushi dinner that evening. Then walked back to our hotel :-) Good thing after all that food.

We found Cecil in line the next morning with her bike. Jason got Clifford and put it in the tandem pile (they are loaded last). He then foraged for more coffee, and we visited. David and Claire came by after putting their bike in the tandem pile, then David went off to seek out provisions for the bus back to Seattle. Smart man.



We got on the bus, and headed out. I finished my book and then returned to finishing my sock. Got to the border. And waited. And waited. And waited. For 3 HOURS! We saw the bicycles go through. We waited. Grumble. When it was finally our turn, we were in and out of the immigration line in no time at all. The earlier busses were full of non-US citizens, which is why it took so freaking long. No food. No water. No public bathrooms (for security reasons). Most of us had water and some snacks, so it wasn't that dire. But still...

Then on to Seattle. I could tell we were all low blood sugar - Jason, Cecil and I were all very quiet, which is not the usual state of affairs at all.

The bikes were there, although not completely unloaded. Rumor had it that they had to unpack them at the border. Said our goodbyes all around. Clifford came off the truck about 15 minutes later, and we loaded up and went in search of FOOD. Then a very long drive home.

Cecil's pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cecilanne_r-s/sets/72157601579969705/
My pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20084214@N00/sets/72157601567966854/

Clatskanie - Cape Disappointment 200km Permanent

Or, the day we went to Washington three times...

Cecil and I set out to give this Permanent route a go. I hadn't ridden on any of the roads on the route, and it looked like fun. A covered bridge, a ferry... All the elements of a great ride.

As we planned on a 6:15am start, and Clatskanie is at least a 75 minute drive, Cecil came over the night before. We got all organized then as well. Up at 4am (ouch), out the door pretty close to 4:30.

Google said it was faster to go up I-5 to Longview, over the bridge to Hwy 30, and thence west to Clatskanie, so that is what we did. Arrived just before 6am. It was CHILLY and FOGGY. This called for armwarmers, knee warmers, Showers Pass jacket, wool cap, wool gloves with the short finger gloves. Cecil and I matched :-) No signs of life at the Safeway. So we got organized, and right at 6, the Safeway woke up.

Went in and bought some bananas; the obliging checker signed our cards as well. Then off to catch the 7:15am ferry from Westport. The road was freshly asphalted and amazingly smooth and quiet. Then we started seeing "Road Construction - be prepared to stop". Eventually, we did have to stop. We scooted up to the head of the line to see what was going on. The pilot car showed up, leading a group of cars, then motioned for us to get in front of her. "Ride in front of me, but don't get too far ahead". No chance of that :-) So we got to be the pilot bicycles for a couple of miles, then proceeded on. Turned off at Westport for the ferry. There were a couple of cars waiting; we were early. They wanted to know if we got a lot of flats with those skinny tires. Um. No.






The ferry arrived and we all loaded up. Nice foggy views of the river, trees, paper mills, pilings... It zipped right along, too. Arrived on Puget Island - the ferry operator wished us a good ride and headed off for his breakfast.





A peaceful ride through the island - houses with chickens, curio shops, farms. Then over the bridge to the mainland and Cathlamet. Still excellent road surface. Eventually we started the climb on KM Mountain. Not bad, but long. My camelbak mouthpiece decided to pop off, but it was quickly found and restored. The top had a false summit - it looked like we were headed downhill, but we weren't. It was weird. Finally summitted and had a fun downhill on the excellent road.

Then off to the covered bridge. The road quality deteriorated somewhat (we grew to dislike the "motorcycles use extreme caution" signs). The bridge was on a nice little loop going past farms. Stopped to fill out our cards and take many pictures :-)










Then moving along to Rosburg (stop for the blue room and a plum), then moving along. Through Naselle, and onto Parpala Rd. It started with clearcuts and turned into salt marsh. Quite pretty! The road was chip seal. I could see a road up ahead, and figured it was probably Hwy 101. Eventually we got there, and it was.

Left turn, and a stop at the Willapa Bay Wildlife Refuge. Ate my apricot jam and brie cheese sandwich (I read that is what the TdF riders get in their lunch sacks; thought I'd give it a try. They've got something there. Its good.) A guy from Charleston NC stopped to talk about our bikes; he maintains the bikes for their police department.

We rode along Willapa Bay for awhile, enjoying the views of the bay. Got our first view of the Pacific Ocean. Up and down, then into Ilwaco; more grooved pavement. Makes my brain rattle.

A stop at the market, for snacks, water, sports drink and a signature. They were not sharing their bathroom. Then off to Cape Disappointment. Up and down, not so much traffic. Then back to the interpretive center, with a stop at the campground, where an RV driver towing a boat nearly took me out with one of the boat motors.

Got to the path to the lighthouse. As it was not just right there, we elected to skip seeing it. Continued on the loop, stopping to take pictures of the Columbia River and the Ilwaco harbor.



Back through Ilwaco, on 101. We were to skip part of 101 by taking Airport/Stringtown Rd.





Just past the airport, the road turned into a sea of loose gravel and construction. A gentleman coming off it told us it was like that the entire way. He asked where we started and where we were headed. "Commendable", he said. We elected to go back to 101 and follow it, instead.
Passed through Chinook (nice shingle houses and some gorgeous cedar-sided houses), then onto the tunnel. We did push the button, but it did not appear to actuate the flasher. I turned on my rear blinkie. Fortunately, it was a short tunnel. Then along the river, with the Astoria Bridge coming ever closer. Not that I had nightmares about crossing it, but it definitely did cause some trepidation. It goes WAY up there, and the west winds can be strong. And it is 3.5 miles long.



As it turned out, not so bad. Traffic was patchy, and generally considerate, and we had a tailwind. Except when I was climbing, I was going along at about 18.5mph, watching Cecil vanish on ahead. The shoulder was narrow, but clean. Lots of dead birds. Seagulls would hover at eye level. Looping off the bridge was the most exciting part - I needed to be in the left lane. Fortunately there was a break in traffic, so it was uneventful. Cecil was waiting across the street. Her first words - "How about some salty french fries at McDonalds?"

Rode through Astoria, trying hard to not be doored in the bicycle lane - it was very busy that day. Into Mc D's, ordered fries and sodas, and a signature. Cashiers were very obliging all day :-)

Off for the last 36 miles. Hwy 30 mostly goes up. There are downs, but they are short. This went on for way too long. My shoulders had gotten seriously knotted up, and were screaming at me. Cecil pounded on them for a bit, and we went off again. Then I saw the sign "Clatsop Summit", which explained everything. A long, tense downhill. It would have been FUN, had it not been for the traffic and narrow shoulder.

Found Cecil at the bottom, and we ended up back on the amazing pavement, with a tailwind. Good thing, because my shoulders were unhappy again. Moving along at about 17-18mph (speeds not really seen most of the day, I might add), passing through Westport, only 9 more miles to go...
Entering Clatskanie, the last curve, and the Safeway! Done! Put stuff away, went into the Safeway for snacks and a receipt. We got a woman sitting in her truck to take our picture.

Oh, and we drove back the same way. So, Washington 3 times...

More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20084214@N00/1096041272/in/set-72157601391581924/

And I do this WHY exactly?

Besides being a cyclist, I am also a runner. Not a fast one, but I put in 16-20 miles a week. But before I was either of those, I was a walker. A fast walker. I've been participating on our company's competitive team for the Portland to Coast walking relay for many years. (The Trekking Tekkies - you can check out our placing from past years on the relay website).

I stop running at the end of July and start walking. By the time the race rolls around, I'm back up to speed. Usually. In past years. By speed, I mean 11:20 miles.

This year, it HURTS. I've got lots of cycling events right up until the race, which I will not cut back on (priorities). Yesterday I was ready to tell our spreadsheet guy to add 10 seconds per mile to my projected pace.

One of my teammates has been going on about her wonderful shoes. I checked them out, and as my current shoes (great running shoes) weren't helping, I thought I'd buy a pair. Mind you, this is the first time in 10 years that I have gone to a store and paid retail for a pair of running shoes. In previous years, my running shoes were entirely sufficient, but I haven't been able to find ones that are quite like those shoes.

Oh, SO worth it! My pace today was below my projected pace, and it felt really good. No sole scuffing, flexible soles, but sturdy enough for non-paved surfaces. Ordered another pair for the second leg today (best to have a fresh pair of shoes for each leg).

In case anyone is wondering, the Wonder Shoes are New Balance WR790 Trail Runners.

Looking forward now to racking up the roadkill on the relay!