tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224085489752461732024-03-12T21:37:19.167-07:00rändo adagiomostly about cycling, augmented with argentine tango, with maybe a few added bits about wine, beer, & coffee.tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-29792694522121921142015-11-24T19:00:00.001-08:002015-11-24T19:04:26.446-08:00Coffeeneuring Challenge 2015My coffeeneuring exploits for 2015 felt low key relative to previous years. Not too much social interaction, only one beverage with high end latte art, and a couple of coffee purchases made at cyclocross races. Plus, there was a trip to a local park to test out my camping-stovetop espresso setup! </br></br></br>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlMsnIz2NEo/VlUYNWTK9uI/AAAAAAAAAyE/1X5U0xY_gqM/s1600/21739775010_40c16c61cb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlMsnIz2NEo/VlUYNWTK9uI/AAAAAAAAAyE/1X5U0xY_gqM/s320/21739775010_40c16c61cb_o.jpg" /></a></br>
No. 1 was in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday the 3rd of October. Rode about a mile from my friends' home to <a href="http://www.16tonscafe.com/">16 Tons Cafe</a> (where they now use roasts from Eugene's own Wandering Goat Coffee, rather than Portland's Water Avenue Coffee). After a cappuccino and pastry, I continued to the U of O's Schnitzer Museum of Art, where tango friend Olga Volchkova's<a href="http://jsma.uoregon.edu/olga"> beautiful iconography is currently being exhibited</a>. I tacked on an additional 20-or-so miles out to Clearwater Park in Springfield and saw a songwriter/guitarist composing on a park bench overlooking the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. </br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjd2j8AUgmU/VlUjJTQ9LPI/AAAAAAAAAzY/cW27yiomNUQ/s1600/21746025800_0406520f44_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjd2j8AUgmU/VlUjJTQ9LPI/AAAAAAAAAzY/cW27yiomNUQ/s200/21746025800_0406520f44_o.jpg" /></a></div>
After returning to my friends' home, I DJ'd a tango event that night. Total bike mileage for the day: 29.5</br></br></br>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uo1rbWyEpEo/VlUY33Jw_jI/AAAAAAAAAyM/i6YsatOB9K8/s1600/21898363368_da48ea88b2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uo1rbWyEpEo/VlUY33Jw_jI/AAAAAAAAAyM/i6YsatOB9K8/s320/21898363368_da48ea88b2_o.jpg" /></a></br>
No. 2: Rode 3 miles from home on Saturday, October 10th to the <a href="http://www.crosscrusade.com/">Cross Crusade</a> cyclocross race at the <a href="http://www.crosscrusade.com/flyers/2015/october_10.html">Alpenrose Dairy</a>. Purchased a cup of joe from Nossa Familia Roasters, who had a tent set up with a huge French press. "Raced" (if you want to call it that) for about 9 miles (4 laps), then rode back home via West Coast Drinkery and New Seasons Market. Total mileage for the day: 16.6</br></br></br>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUnQbBggCWQ/VlUZdQICc1I/AAAAAAAAAyU/dw9tGq0lano/s1600/21861197914_8e59ebe252_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUnQbBggCWQ/VlUZdQICc1I/AAAAAAAAAyU/dw9tGq0lano/s320/21861197914_8e59ebe252_o.jpg" /></a></br>
No. 3 (Sunday, October 25): <a href="http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/Locations/portland-oregon/beaverton-oregon/beaverton-hillsdale-hwy.aspx">McCormick & Schmick's</a> Restaurant and Bar is ridiculously close to my home (like 0.2 miles!), and that's where Bartender/friend Steve efficiently made me a tasty Spanish Coffee (that I took out to the patio in the rain to photograph with my Surly). I then extended this cofffeeneuring expedition by riding over to Kohl's afterwards (utilitaire style) to buy some bedding. Total mileage was the minimum 2.0!</br></br></br>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dO-JW-EaSQI/VlUaLNbHLKI/AAAAAAAAAyc/h9RM8ZQ3vAQ/s1600/22710118136_ddea51bb66_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dO-JW-EaSQI/VlUaLNbHLKI/AAAAAAAAAyc/h9RM8ZQ3vAQ/s320/22710118136_ddea51bb66_o.jpg" /></a></br>
No. 4 took place in Bend, OR on Saturday, October 31st. I rode a mile from my friend Joyce's home to the Deschutes Brewery facilities in Bend's Old Mill District, where <a href="http://www.crosscrusade.com/flyers/2015/october_31.html">Cross Crusade Series (Race #4)</a> was happening. It was a very challenging and windy course! Local roasters <a href="http://www.backporchcoffeeroasters.com/">Backporch Coffee Roasters</a> had a tent sent up where they sold bags of beans. They included a free cup of coffee with my purchase. </br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nU6izGuFEso/VlUkBQRmWsI/AAAAAAAAAzo/0GxFVz7Lykw/s1600/ip074_22607848500_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nU6izGuFEso/VlUkBQRmWsI/AAAAAAAAAzo/0GxFVz7Lykw/s200/ip074_22607848500_o.jpg" /></a></div>
Total mileage (including the race) was 13, about 4 of which I'll call 'coffeeneuring.'<br></br></br>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEKDVsmbhM4/VlUatUdyhsI/AAAAAAAAAyk/tgPYKiqeUYM/s1600/22865559445_edd73408b2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEKDVsmbhM4/VlUatUdyhsI/AAAAAAAAAyk/tgPYKiqeUYM/s320/22865559445_edd73408b2_o.jpg" /></a></br>
No. 5 (Saturday, November 7): After 100+ kilometers of riding the <a href="http://www.orrandonneurs.org/rba/2015/Verboort_15/Verboort_15_info.html">Verboort Populaire</a>, I headed back into Forest Grove to forage for a coffee shop. I needn't have ridden into the center of town center, as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bjscoffeeco/"> BJ's Coffee Company</a> was fairly close to where most of us parked for the populaire (a couple miles from the finish). Ordered a mocha with whipped cream, as the barista thought that would look more photogenic than his attempt at latte art. Coffeeneuring portion of this drizzly day was about 6 miles. <br></br></br>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkNX7nFDUSw/VlUbYldAIWI/AAAAAAAAAys/0oZQTPKvKUQ/s1600/22900932971_f2cc15d03a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkNX7nFDUSw/VlUbYldAIWI/AAAAAAAAAys/0oZQTPKvKUQ/s320/22900932971_f2cc15d03a_o.jpg" /></a></br>
No. 6 (Sunday, November 8): This is how I used to coffeeneur, all the time ... go to a high end coffee house near the center of Portland, enjoy an espresso beverage with great latte art, then head on to my weekly tango practica. The establishment I chose on this occasion was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Coffeehouse-Northwest-95554995451/"> Coffeehouse Northwest</a> where I consumed part of the novel "Birdsong" by Sebastian Faulks along with a beautiful latte. Put my bike on the Max (light rail) for portions of the day's journey, but still pedaled 7.4 miles. <br></br></br>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-veDl2dYtO9o/VlUbi9gAIII/AAAAAAAAAyw/PByizZOW484/s1600/23038207841_35dab6b9bd_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-veDl2dYtO9o/VlUbi9gAIII/AAAAAAAAAyw/PByizZOW484/s320/23038207841_35dab6b9bd_o.jpg" /></a></br>
No. 7 (Saturday, November 14): Something new in my coffee world ... stovetop espresso with a backpacking-sized camping stove. I've had the stovetop unit forever, but had to go out and purchase the burner and fuel earlier in the week. The ride out to Beaverton's Center Street Park was a little under 2 miles, and once set up, the espresso-making process worked okay. Because of the wind, heating the water to a boil took a lot longer than the trial run at home. But the mission (complete with a drinkable beverage) was accomplished! Mileage: 3.7.</br>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jb0kdqXWhrw/VlUbvbFh7-I/AAAAAAAAAy0/XFDLtlAlBQQ/s1600/23014076252_7a19f099c4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jb0kdqXWhrw/VlUbvbFh7-I/AAAAAAAAAy0/XFDLtlAlBQQ/s320/23014076252_7a19f099c4_o.jpg" /></a></br></br>
And that's it for this year's coffeeneuring challenge. There were moments when I didn't think I'd get it done. But between incorporating a couple cyclocross races, (plus a trip to the bar down the street), I think this year's version is now complete!</br></br>
This photoset is also <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/albums/72157659421216572">here on Flickr</a>!</br></br>
tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-20855595258107020932014-01-09T21:12:00.000-08:002014-01-10T16:12:55.562-08:00extreme coffeeneuring documentation fianlly finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Six months after the I threw in the towel, meaning six months after I decided that visiting 110 distinct coffee shops by bike over the course of 94 weekends was enough, I finally consolidated all the photo documentation into one place. During the last half of that coffeeneuring project, I had grown increasingly fond of Instagram, and used the hashtag #pdxcoffeeneur to identify my exploits through that medium.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157627920779036/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157627920779036/" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfvfDrNQOMw/Us-EvBCMClI/AAAAAAAAAPE/nSK__pcVRJ0/s1600/coffeeneur_cover_2.jpg" height="139" width="320" /><span id="goog_1676217970"></span></a><span id="goog_1676217971"></span></div>
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In the meantime, Flickr languished in inattention. That is generally where I most thoroughly account for things photographically. (Too thoroughly, some might say). But with all those miles on the bike, and all that tango, plus my full time day gig, (plus an unattended-to 2/3 acre at home), I fell about a year behind on Flickr uploads.<br />
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But then I got grounded! My hernia recurred. The meniscus in my knee got too painful to ride and dance. The upside, though, was that I got to re-familiarize myself with Flickr. So through most of November, December, and some of January, I finally consolidated all those pictures of latte art (with bike parts in the background) into <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157627920779036/" target="_blank">one photo set</a>.<br />
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By the way, there's a caption associated with each coffee shop that indicates miles ridden that day. Many captions have links to their respective coffeehouses. After all, this was real coffeeneuring! And if you're interested in the list of all 110 coffee stops, it's in a <a href="http://tangobiker.blogspot.com/2013/07/personal-coffeeneuring-challenge.html" target="_blank">blog post from last July</a>.<br />
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Also, I've created a new set on Flickr, called <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157639302261634/" target="_blank">Brewed Beverages by Bike</a>. It includes a few coffee-by-bike pictures that technically aren't coffeeneuring (meaning they happened on a weekday, or were a repeat coffee shop). Some of these pictures date back to early 2009, long before the term "coffeeneuring" existed!<br />
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So, I hope you enjoy all this coffeeneuring-related tomfoolery!<br />
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tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-37083467735336380672013-11-24T00:55:00.001-08:002013-11-24T00:56:10.329-08:003rd Annual Coffeeneuring ChallengeMy post is up ... at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157637996670893/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157637996670893/</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoLrrwbijQ4/UpG-p2AnA3I/AAAAAAAAAOI/5ybtv-njZuQ/s1600/no5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoLrrwbijQ4/UpG-p2AnA3I/AAAAAAAAAOI/5ybtv-njZuQ/s320/no5a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You have to click on the "information" icon associated with each picture on Flickr to see the descriptive text associated with each image (date, mileage, beverage, etc.).<br />
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Documentation's the hardest part! : )tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-80573252448554163972013-07-30T18:44:00.001-07:002013-07-30T18:44:52.970-07:00Personal Coffeeneuring Challenge Finished after 110 Check-ins in 94 WeekendsIt all started with Mary Gersemalina’s “Coffeeneuring Challenge” back in the Fall of 2011. Inspired by Joe Platzner’s concept of a leisurely bike ride to enjoy a fine brewed beverage, it proved to be an excellent antidote to Paris–Brest-Paris.<br />
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But I guess I needed a much larger antidote than most. In true randonneuring fashion, Mary came up with some rules and guidelines for her challenge. Her challenge lasted only six weeks, as did the second version a year later.<br />
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But I never stopped. That is, until this month. Twenty two months (94 weekends) or 110 check-ins later, I finally reached my limit. Of course, there’s an ever evolving list of places to continue the search in this coffee-and-latte-art epicenter known as Portland, Oregon. But the radius was expanding beyond what I could do at a leisurely pace. And more importantly, there are coffeehouses I want to return to rather than continue the exploration.<br />
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One aspect of this personal challenge was it’s evolvement from finding bike-friendly coffee establishments to search for exquisite latte art. The documentation isn’t finished yet, although the first 73 checks-ins are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157627920779036/" target="_blank">here on Flickr</a>. Photos from the remaining check-ins can be found on Instagram with the hashtag #pdxcoffeeneur.
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My Flickr updates are several months behind. But eventually, I’ll complete the documentation there. In the meantime, here’s the basic list:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Black Bear Coffee Co 831 Bridge St, Vernonia Sat 09/24/11 (wk 1)</li>
<li>Floyd's Coffee Shop 1412 SE Morrison St Sun 09/25/11 (wk 1)</li>
<li>Heart Coffee Roasters 2211 E Burnside St Sun 10/02/11 (wk 2)</li>
<li>Barista 1725 NE Alberta St Sun 10/09/11 (wk 3)</li>
<li>Pony Espresso Beaverton Farmers Mkt Sat 10/15/11 (wk 4)</li>
<li>Coffeehouse NW 1951 W Burnside St Sun 10/16/11 (wk 4)</li>
<li>Stumptown 128 SW 3rd Ave Sun 10/23/11 (wk 5)</li>
<li>Trailhead (Ptld Farmers Mkt) NE 7th & Wygant Sun 10/30/11 (wk 6)</li>
<li>Three Friends Coffeehouse 201 SE 12th Ave Sun 11/06/11 (wk 7)</li>
<li>Zoka Coffee Roasters 2200 N 56th St, Seattle WA Sun 11/13/11 (wk 8)</li>
<li>Albina Press 4637 N Albina Ave Sun 11/20/11 (wk 9)</li>
<li>Coava Coffee 1300 SE Grand Ave Sun 11/27/11 (wk 10)</li>
<li>Kettleman Bagel Company 4704 SW Scholls Ferry Rd Sat 12/03/11 (wk 11)</li>
<li>Coffee Cat 107 S College St, Newberg Sat 12/10/11 (wk 12)</li>
<li>River City Bicycles (Espresso Bar) 706 SE M L King Blvd Sun 12/11/11 (wk 12)</li>
<li>Ava Roasteria 4655 SW Hall Blvd, Bvtn Sat 12/17/11 (wk 13)</li>
<li>Water Avenue Coffee Company 1028 SE Water Avenue Sun 12/18/11 (wk 13)</li>
<li>Baker & Spice 6330 SW Capitol Highway Sat 12/24/11 (wk 14)</li>
<li>Woodlawn Coffee & Pastry 808 NE Dekum Street Sat 12/31/11 (wk 15)</li>
<li>Blend Coffee Lounge 2710 N Killingsworth St Sun 01/01/12 (wk 15)</li>
<li>Backspace Cafe 115 NW 5th Avenue Sat 01/07/12 (wk 16)</li>
<li>Cellar Door Coffee Roasters 2001 SE 11th Ave Sun 01/08/12 (wk 16)</li>
<li>Random Order 1800 NE Alberta St Sun 01/15/12 (wk 17)</li>
<li>World Cup Coffee NW 18th & Glisan Sat 01/21/12 (wk 18)</li>
<li>Crema Coffee + Bakery 2728 SE Ankeny St Sun 01/22/12 (wk 18)</li>
<li>Fresh Pot 3729 SE Hawthorne Sun 01/29/12 (wk 19)</li>
<li>Clinton Street Coffeehouse 2706 SE 26th Avenue Sun 02/05/12 (wk 20)</li>
<li>Albina Press 5012 SE Hawthorne Blvd Sun 02/12/12 (wk 21)</li>
<li>Sterling Coffee Roasters 2120 NW Glisan St Sun 02/19/12 (wk 22)</li>
<li>Village Coffee 7781 SW Capitol Hwy Sat 02/25/12 (wk 23)</li>
<li>Sisters Coffee Company 1235 NW Marshall Street Sun 02/26/12 (wk 23)</li>
<li>Moonstruck Chocolate Café Beaverton Town Square Sat 03/03/12 (wk 24)</li>
<li>Courier Coffee Roasters 923 SW Oak St Sat 03/10/12 (wk 25)</li>
<li>Public Domain 603 SW Broadway 603 Sun 03/11/12 (wk 25)</li>
<li>Chatterbox Coffee 530 SW 205th Ave, Bvtn Sat 03/17/12 (wk 26)</li>
<li>Green Beans 2300 E Burnside Sun 03/25/12 (wk 27)</li>
<li>Oui Presse 1740 SE Hawthorne Blvd Sun 04/01/12 (wk 28)</li>
<li>Ristretto Roasters 2181 NW Nicolai Street Sun 04/08/12 (wk 29)</li>
<li>Red E Café 1006 N Killingsworth Ave Sun 04/15/12 (wk 30)</li>
<li>Caffe Umbria 303 NW 12th Avenue Sun 04/22/12 (wk 31)</li>
<li>Stumptown Annex 3352 SE Belmont 3352 SE Belmont St Sat 04/28/12 (wk 32)</li>
<li>Grendel's Coffee House 729 E Burnside Sun 04/29/12 (wk 32)</li>
<li>New Seasons Market 7300 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Sat 05/05/12 (wk 33)</li>
<li>Ristretto Roasters 3520 NE 42nd Ave Sun 05/13/12 (wk 34)</li>
<li>Pearl Bakery 102 NW 9th Ave Sun 05/20/12 (wk 35)</li>
<li>Fehrenbacher Hof 1225 SW 19th Ave Sun 05/27/12 (wk 36)</li>
<li>Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Co. 2909 NE Alberta Sat 06/09/12 (wk 38)</li>
<li>Woodstock Wine & Deli 4030 SE Woodstock Blvd Sat 06/16/12 (wk 39)</li>
<li>Java Nation 4130 SW 117th Ave, Bvtn Sun 06/24/12 (wk 40)</li>
<li>Cacao 414 SW 13th Ave Sat 06/30/12 (wk 41)</li>
<li>Emilie's Dessert Cafe 8680 SW Canyon Rd Sat 07/07/12 (wk 42)</li>
<li>Coffee Time 712 NW 21st Ave Sun 07/15/12 (wk 43)</li>
<li>Café Allora 504 NW 9th Ave Sat 07/21/12 (wk 44)</li>
<li>Coffeehouse Five 740 N Killingsworth Sat 07/28/12 (wk 45)</li>
<li>Vivace Coffee House & Creperie 1400 NW 23rd Ave Sun 08/05/12 (wk 46)</li>
<li>McCormick's Fish House & Bar 9945 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Sat 08/11/12 (wk 47)</li>
<li>Caffe Artigiano 1100 Robson St, Vancouver, BC Sun 08/19/12 (wk 48)</li>
<li>Park Avenue Café 1535 SW Park Ave Sun 08/26/12 (wk 49)</li>
<li>Dragonfly 2387 NW Thurman Sat 09/01/12 (wk 50)</li>
<li>Maplewood Coffee & Tea 5206 SW Custer St Mon 09/03/12 (wk 50)</li>
<li>Full City Coffee Roasters 295 E 13th Ave, Eugene Sun 09/09/12 (wk 51)</li>
<li>Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters 7901 SE 13th Ave, Sellwood Sat 09/15/12 (wk 52)</li>
<li>Spunky Monkey 35 NE 20th Ave Sun 09/16/12 (wk 52)</li>
<li>Pepita's Mexican Restaurant 4190 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Bvtn Sat 09/22/12 (wk 53)</li>
<li>Marino Adriatic Café 4129 SE Division St Sun 09/23/12 (wk 53)</li>
<li>Taste Bistro Café 4440 SW 110th Ave, Bvtn Sun 09/30/12 (wk 54)</li>
<li>Insomnia Coffee Co. 2348 NW Amberbrook Drive, Bvtn Sun 10/07/12 (wk 55)</li>
<li>Edge Good Coffee 14647 SW Millikan Way Sat 10/13/12 (wk 56)</li>
<li>Urban Grind 911 NW 14th Ave Sun 10/14/12 (wk 56)</li>
<li>Sesame Donuts 6990 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Sat 10/20/12 (wk 57)</li>
<li>Last Stand Coffee (Uptown Market) 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. Sat 10/27/12 (wk 58)</li>
<li>Maggie's Buns 2007 21st Ave, Forest Grove Sat 11/03/12 (wk 59)</li>
<li>Golden Valley Brewery 1520 NW Bethany Blvd, Bvtn Sat 11/10/12 (wk 60)</li>
<li>Peet's Coffee (in FredMeyer) 11425 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, Bvtn Sun 11/18/12 (wk 61)</li>
<li>Sterling Coffee Roasters 417 NW 21st Ave Sun 11/25/12 (wk 62)</li>
<li>Fresh Pot 724 SW Washington St Sat 12/01/12 (wk 63)</li>
<li>Beveland Street Coffee House 7357 SW Beveland Rd, Tigard Sat 12/08/12 (wk 64)</li>
<li>St Honore Boulangerie 2335 NW Thurman St Sun 12/16/12 (wk 65)</li>
<li>Poppa's Haven 800 NW Murray Blvd, Beaverton Sat 12/22/12 (wk 66)</li>
<li>Case Study Coffee 808 SW 10th Ave Sun 12/30/12 (wk 67)</li>
<li>Barista Downtown 529 SW 3rd Ave, Unit 110 Sun 01/06/13 (wk 68)</li>
<li>Palio Dessert & Espresso House 1996 SE Ladd Ave Sun 01/13/13 (wk 69)</li>
<li>Grand Central Bakery 3425 SW Multnomah Blvd Sat 01/19/13 (wk 70)</li>
<li>Coffee Renaissance 10206 SW Park Way, Cedar Hills Sat 01/26/13 (wk 71)</li>
<li>Corsa Café (in Western Bikeworks) 1015 NW 17th Ave Sun 02/03/13 (wk 72)</li>
<li>Insomnia Coffee Co. 5389 W Baseline Rd, Hillsboro Sat 02/09/13 (wk 73)</li>
<li>Coffee Rush 900 Main St, Oregon City Sat 02/16/13 (wk 74)</li>
<li>See See Motor Coffee Co 1642 NE Sandy Blvd Sun 02/17/13 (wk 74)</li>
<li>The Arbor Lodge 1507 N Rosa Parks Way Sat 02/26/13 (wk 75)</li>
<li>Anna Bananas 1214 NW 21st Ave Sat 03/02/13 (wk 76)</li>
<li>Portland Art Gallery (Trailhead Roasts) 640 SE Stark St Sat 03/09/13 (wk 77)</li>
<li>Maglia Rosa (inside West End Bikes) 1111 SW Stark St. Sun 03/17/13 (wk 78)</li>
<li>Oblique Coffee Roasters 3039 SE Stark St Sun 03/24/13 (wk 79)</li>
<li>Elephants Delicatessen 115 NW 22nd Ave Sun 03/31/13 (wk 80)</li>
<li>Uptown Market (Water Ave Roasts) 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. Sat 04/06/13 (wk 81)</li>
<li>Anna Bananas 8716 N Lombard St Sat 04/13/13 (wk 82)</li>
<li>Clive Coffee 79 SE Taylor St Sat 04/27/13 (wk 84)</li>
<li>Common Grounds Coffeehouse 4321 SE Hawthorne Blvd Sun 04/28/13 (wk 84)</li>
<li>Fresh Pot 4001 N Mississippi Ave Sun 05/05/13 (wk 85)</li>
<li>Extracto 2921 NE Killingsworth St Sat 05/18/13 (wk 87)</li>
<li>JoLa Café 5915 SW Corbett Sun 05/19/13 (wk 87)</li>
<li>Goodness Coffee House 4925 SW Angel St, Bvtn Sat 05/25/13 (wk 88)</li>
<li>Sunny Day Coffee 2310 NW Everett St Sun 05/26/13 (wk 88)</li>
<li>Tabor Bread 5051 SE Hawthorne Blvd Sun 06/02/13 (wk 89)</li>
<li>Ristretto Roasters 3808 N Williams Sun 06/09/13 (wk 90)</li>
<li>Madrona Hill Café 5937 N Greeley Avenue Sat 06/15/13 (wk 91)</li>
<li>Ole Latte (Food Cart) 1003 SW Alder St. Sun 06/16/13 (wk 91)</li>
<li>16 Tons Café 2684 Willamette, Eugene Sat 06/22/13 (wk 92)</li>
<li>McCloud General Store 105 E Minnesota Ave, McCloud, CA Sun 06/30/13 (wk 93)</li>
<li>Jim & Patty's Coffee 4130 SW 117th Ave, Bvtn Sat 07/06/13 (wk 94)</li>
</ol>
Jim & Patty's seems like a fitting last one, as they returned to Beaverton to a location they once occupied at the original Coffee People. Cool!<br />
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tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-31112169985651702612013-03-07T12:29:00.002-08:002013-03-07T22:04:09.061-08:00Tiny PBP (SW PDX-Boring-PDX) 100k Permanent #1883<br />
From <a href="http://uptownmarketpdx.com/" target="_blank">Uptown Market</a> on Scholls Ferry Road (near Allen Blvd) in SW Portland, this 62-miler does a counter-clockwise loop through West Linn, Oregon City, Boring, the Springwater Corridor, the Riverview Cemetery and the Fanno Creek Trail. According to my Garmin Edge, elevation gain is 3228 feet.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe7zuBaSRHc/UTj2Gml6RnI/AAAAAAAAAMs/5lL4RB5rmXI/s1600/SWPortland-Boring-Portland-100k-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe7zuBaSRHc/UTj2Gml6RnI/AAAAAAAAAMs/5lL4RB5rmXI/s320/SWPortland-Boring-Portland-100k-map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The route sheet is <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2OfxB-QDdZta0NpMkRkZmd0UHc/edit" target="_blank">here on Google Drive</a>, as is the <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2OfxB-QDdZtYzVVb3dzMF9Pd0E/edit" target="_blank">registation form</a>. You may email billalsup_at_yahoo.com if you're interested in riding this for RUSA credit.tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-43998900351569687442011-09-14T19:19:00.000-07:002011-09-14T19:41:58.637-07:00Tigard-Albany-Tigard 225k Permanent #1217Starting at the Sesame Donuts at Hall Blvd & Hwy 99 in Tigard (not the one in Raleigh Hills), this 140-miler does a counter-clockwise loop from Wilsonville to Salem and Independence (southbound) before checking in at Calapooia Brewing in Albany (or a nearby convenience store if you prefer), then returns mostly East of I-5 to Wilsonville, then Tigard. Elevation gain: 3058 feet.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrCkAj2b3d4/TnFjwbjfk1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/Ki4YFPF26DY/s1600/tigard-albany-tigard.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 257px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652408691008181074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrCkAj2b3d4/TnFjwbjfk1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/Ki4YFPF26DY/s400/tigard-albany-tigard.jpg" /></a></p>The route sheet is <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmOfxB-QDdZtdE1GZHJFUmNHc3ZXZ29WTjV2WkpVb2c&hl=en_US#gid=0">here </a>on Google docs. Email <a href="mailto:billalsup@yahoo.com">billalsup@yahoo.com</a> if you're interested in riding this for RUSA credit.<br /></br>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-75457207593071223412011-06-29T21:27:00.000-07:002011-06-29T21:58:45.312-07:00Eugene to Beaverton 200k Permanent #1177Starting at Full City Coffee Roasters in Downtown Eugene (or nearby Starbucks for a slightly earlier start), this 126-mile route stays mostly East of I-5 through the towns of Brownsville, Lebanon, Scio, Stayton, Woodburn and Tigard (including the Fanno Creek Trail) before its terminus at the Beaverton Town Square. The Beaverton Transit Center is less than a mile from the end for easy access to much of Greater Portland. Total elevation gain is 2277 feet.<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIY-bwAbkV4/TgwAa6pMiCI/AAAAAAAAALU/tOUWGT7n5iI/s1600/Eugene_to_Beaverton_200km_perm1177.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623870497097549858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIY-bwAbkV4/TgwAa6pMiCI/AAAAAAAAALU/tOUWGT7n5iI/s400/Eugene_to_Beaverton_200km_perm1177.jpg" /></a> <br /><p align="left">The route sheet is <a href="https://spreadsheets1.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?authkey=CKzw4P4K&hl=en_US&key=tJ5ydMx5GN2VXm8wZnCNt2g&hl=en_US&authkey=CKzw4P4K#gid=0">here on Google docs</a>. Email <a href="mailto:billalsup@yahoo.com">billalsup@yahoo.com</a> if you're interested in riding this for <a href="http://rusa.org/">RUSA </a>credit.<br /></p>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-18416055825263665012011-06-29T20:25:00.000-07:002011-06-29T21:20:37.904-07:00SW Portland to Eugene 200k - Permanent #1176"Donuts to Total Domination" is the nickname for the 200km bike route ... from Sesame Donuts in the Raleigh Hills neighborhood of SW Portland ... to Ninkasi Brewing in the Whiteaker neighborhood of Eugene. The route passes through Tualatin, Wilsonville, Salem, Independence, & Harrisburg.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRAYoBWBYlw/TgvxEtSBv-I/AAAAAAAAAK8/U469cmdNJ-s/s1600/SW_Portland_to_Eugene_200km_perm1176.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623853622879174626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRAYoBWBYlw/TgvxEtSBv-I/AAAAAAAAAK8/U469cmdNJ-s/s400/SW_Portland_to_Eugene_200km_perm1176.jpg" /></a><br /><p align="left">This route involves a minimal 1339 feet of climbing. The route sheet is <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmOfxB-QDdZtdGwyS0doYlY2TVVCbUUxVnB2RklXdUE&hl=en_US&authkey=CLnWstsK#gid=0">here on Google docs</a>. Email <a href="mailto:billalsup@yahoo.com">billalsup@yahoo.com</a> <a href="mailto:"></a>if you're interested in riding this for <a href="http://rusa.org/">RUSA </a>credit.<br /></p>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-13711801145972571172011-05-18T17:39:00.001-07:002011-05-18T23:33:07.705-07:00Oregon Coast 600k (2011)Six hundred kilometers on a bicycle within 40 hours is a challenge, no two ways about it. Sure, there’s the opportunity to take a nap in the middle of the route. Sure, this course in question didn’t include three or four mountain summits over the Cascades. But nonetheless, 600k’s need to be taken seriously. Can’t fall out’a bed with minimal sleep on the front end and expect to finish. At least I can’t.<br /><br />Last year I DNF’d the Oregon Coast 600k (my only DNF of the season). I went on later in the year to finish the <a href="http://tangobiker.blogspot.com/2010/06/obm-1000k-ride-report.html">Oregon Blue Mountains 1000k</a> (barely), plus two other 600k’s (<a href="http://tangobiker.blogspot.com/2010/11/north-cascades-600k.html">one in Washington</a>, the other <a href="http://tangobiker.blogspot.com/2010/12/pacific-coast-hwy-600k.html">in California</a>). But this year, I was determined to return and conquer this particular brevet.<br /><br />I was a little bit at a disadvantage from having completed a 360k flèche the weekend before. More significantly, though, my knees weren’t being terribly cooperative from this season’s Three Capes 300k and Eden’s Gate 400k onward. As a result, my goal shifted from “setting a really good time,” to hoping for more than a minimal sleep at the overnight contrôle.<br /><br />I had three houseguests (Theo, Asta, and Taylor) on the eve of this year’s 600k, all of whom pedaled to Forest Grove from my place in Beaverton (about a 17-mile journey) in the early AM hours of the start. Even though I don’t ride as fast as those three, I too rode to Forest Grove (a bit later on), but with a little help from Trimet’s line 57.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5709585334/" title="nehalem hwy"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/5709585334_175fc59788.jpg" alt="nehalem hwy by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5709585334/">nehalem hwy</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>The brevet started promptly at 6:00 AM from McMennamin’s Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, and soon traversed the entire length of the Banks-Vernonia Linear Park/Trail. After getting a quick ham and egg muffin at the Shell station in Vernonia, I rode mostly with a group that included Lesli Larson, Michal Young, Kevin Brightbill and Dan Jensen. I wasn’t feeling particularly hungry in Birkenfeld, so I continued 30 more miles to Olney before refueling. The above-mentioned quartet passed me during that last section. Nonetheless, I still managed to ride the first 100k’s in 4 ½-hour hours.<br /><br />The second 100k (to Seaside…via Ft. Stevens) took an hour longer. Even though I was gravitating toward the back end of the riders, I was feeling relatively okay. But then there were coastal hills, in particular, a couple big ones between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. While I actually managed to pass a couple riders on one of them, the toll on my left knee would manifest though much of the remainder of the ride.<br /><br />Steve Williamson (with his nice 650b Periera) and I ended up riding significant portions of the 600k together, including steep/messy/rainy/dark Slab Creek Rd (before Lincoln City) as well as much of the route between Siletz and Dayton on the second day. After Slab Creek Road, we arrived at the overnight contrôle in Lincoln City at about 2:30 AM, where I slept about half of a 2 ½-hour layover.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5712548354/" title="steve"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/5712548354_6b4f4b3579.jpg" alt="steve by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5712548354/">steve</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>I was passed the next morning by the speedy Del Scharffenberg in route to Siletz. Turns out he had an eight-hour layover in Lincoln City! (Del’s sister lives there.) When I conveyed that information to Joel Metz at the Logsden contrôle, he said something like “I hate Del. He’s too *** fast!”<br /><br />Ed Groth and Joel overslept in Lincoln City, caught Steve and me in Logsden, then dropped us on the gravel road towards Blodgett. I was working really hard on this segment, knowing from last year that getting to Blodgett before closing would be essential to finishing this brevet. (That’s where I abandoned last year because of being way behind the clock.) This time I made it … by 25 minutes. Ed had already moved on; Joel was still there, right on schedule for his 38-hour completion goal. Steve and I enjoyed a slice of pizza while talking about some of the crazy weather we were experiencing.<br /><br />I was under the misguided impression that things would be easier from Blodgett on out, and that the roads would all be more or less downhill. My knees knew otherwise, though, and became steadfastly displeased with the ascending halves of all the rollers between Kings Valley and the Eola Hills.<br /><br />Organizer Susan Otcenas provided some impromptu and welcomed roadside encouragement along Hwy 223 before Dallas. Once in that town, I got a little turned around before finally finding the Safeway with the singularly friendly Starbucks inside. After downing a shot of espresso and getting one of my water bottles filled with Frappuccino, I dealt with the stiff side-winds and rollers of Perrydale Rd. Did I mention that my knees were not happy with rollers?<br /><br />Bethel, Zena, Spring Vallley and Hopewell Roads through the Eola Hills wine region reminded me of Joshua Bryant’s flèche route of 2009. Oh yeah, he did design this route last year. Didn’t he? I particularly liked the “back door” approach to Dayton via Webfoot Road.<br /><br />Steve Williamson and Will Goss were in Dayton when I arrived, and hoofed it outa’ there while I was fueling up. There were almost three hours left to ride the last 27 miles; under normal circumstances would be quite doable. But did I mention my knee? <br /><br />With the help of a lot of ibuprofen, I actually rode pretty hard to Lafayette, and then again on familiar North Valley Road towards Forest Grove. Once at the finish at the Grand Lodge, Susan France offered me pizza and checked me in with a time of 39 hours and 35 minutes. While I was a little discouraged not to have made up any time on the second day, I was happy to have the last piece of PBP qualification out of the way.<br /><br />Now I’ve got three months to get this knee thing figured out!<br /><br />More pictures from the ride are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157626695460382/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.</p>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-29040295623027369912011-05-15T23:06:00.001-07:002011-05-15T23:40:47.710-07:00"Asta y la Vistas" conquer 2011 Flèche NW<a href="http://tangobiker.blogspot.com/2010/04/fleche-nw-report.html">Last year’s (2010) NW Flèche</a> with Marcelo Napolitano, Ed Groth, and Theo Roffe was fun, so much so, in fact, that when it came time to decide whether or not to do the event this year, there was a lot of interest. However, the 2011 version was scheduled the weekend before Oregon’s PBP-qualifying 600k, which thwarted some enthusiasm (unless the route was gonna be really flat and not a kilometer over the minimum 360).<br /> <br />A bigger challenge, though, would be designing a route. On my previous two flèches, I more-or-less tagged along on teams that Joshua Bryant or Marcelo had put together. But this time ‘round, it appeared to be my turn at route construction. I happened to be in Seattle in February when Ralph Nussbaum conducted a pre-flèche informational meeting. But I really didn’t get the impetus to design a route until hearing about Ed’s and Theo’s train ride home from the <a href="http://tangobiker.blogspot.com/2011/04/three-capes-300k.html">Three Capes 300k brevet</a> in late March, during which they laughed themselves silly coming up with team names.<br /> <br />The deadline to register and submit a route was April 1st. I talked with Ralph and managed to get a few days extension, then burned some midnight oil designing a route from Beaverton, OR to Olympia, WA. I thought it would be interesting to go inland (as we had gone to the coast doing the Astoria/Raymond thing last year). By inland, I was thinking east of I-5. Ed and Theo seemed to concur. So I put together a route that headed up into rugged hills northeast of Vancouver and Camas, WA, and then later wound through unmarked roads in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. (By unmarked, I mean the Google Maps showed their existence, but didn’t name them.)<br /> <br />Fortunately, I did two all-night reconnaissance drives that resulted in major route revisions. On the first, I found the roads in the rugged hills NE of Camas passable (before they descended to Yacolt), but they were gravelly and steep … probably not the best combination for riding at night towards Olympia. On the second drive (on which Ed accompanied me), we nearly got stuck on snow-banked fire, logging and 4WD roads northeast of Cougar, WA. Again, not good terrain for spending the nocturnal hours of a long bicycle ride together. Several miles and hours later, we figured out that roughly paralleling I-5 between Woodland and Castle Rock would be unavoidable.<br /><br />In the meantime, our team had grown to a quintet with the addition of riders Asta Chastain and David Parsons. In fact, Asta became our namesake. We would be called “Asta y la Vistas.”<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5677571391/" title="toutle, wa (2)"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5677571391_87f14469ae.jpg" alt="toutle, wa (2) by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5677571391/">toutle, wa (2)</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>The team met at my place in Beaverton on Friday afternoon (April 29th) in time for some homemade borscht, cookies (thank you Amy!), and a 5:00 PM departure. Ten miles later we were on the Springwater Corridor, another 15 and we were in East Vancouver, and at about sunset (58k into the ride) we arrived at the Fern Prairie Market on the outskirts of NE Camas.<br /><br />Our next stop was at the Safeway in Battle Ground, WA, where we stocked up on enough supplies to weather a few hours of nocturnal riding. Yacolt was buttoned up by our midnight arrival time, so we took photos in front of the local barbershop to document our having been there. <div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5678023024/" title="yacolt proof"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5678023024_045f1b412b.jpg" alt="yacolt proof by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5678023024/">yacolt proof</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>Between Yacolt and Woodland, though, we encountered a lot of taxing rollers that weren’t apparent on Google Maps.<br /><br />After Woodland, there was the predictably steep Green Mountain Road, a portion of which I walked. Ed’s and my homework made our early AM passage through Kelso relatively efficient. Then about 6 miles later, we hit Headquarters Rd…four miles of relentless uphill…on which I began to falter, and worry about making it to Olympia on time. It was on this road that Ed ended up pushing me quite a bit, thus increasing my speed from 4-5 mph to closer to 8. We were quite the two-barreled huffing-puffing machine. I was simultaneously humbled, and impressed by Ed’s gallant show of team-man-ship. <br /> <br />It was light by this time, but the five of us broke up a bit on the descent towards Toutle. After reconvening at that contrôle, we continued to the small town of Ethel, then headed northwest to Chehalis and the back roads of Centralia. After a stretching/food stop in Bucoda, we hit the Tenino-Yelm Rails-to-Trails bike path, upon which we were greeted by Carol Nussbaum and Amy Pieper, the roving secret contrôle operators.<br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5678339923/" title="secret controllers"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5678339923_f2e3364cc2.jpg" alt="secret controllers by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5678339923/">secret controllers</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p><br />We arrived at the 22-hour contrôle in Yelm with a luxurious 45 minutes to kill, which got promptly eaten up by the most inefficient excuse for a restaurant I have ever encountered. But at 3:10 PM, we were back on the road again, with what we thought was plenty of time for our arrival in Olympia.<br /><br />Unfortunately, our Google-Maps-influenced route took us on many segments of a “Woodland Trail” in and around Lacey. We took just enough wrong turns and were confused enough to make our arrival at the Red Lion Inn really tight! The take away from the last two hours: “Know your end game.” (or pre-ride that section).<br /><br />After a difficult final ascent to the hotel from Olympia proper, we were greeted by Robin Pieper, quite a few other randonneurs, and plenty of beer! <div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5678900242/" title="finished (2)"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5678900242_a0bd6f5811.jpg" alt="finished (2) by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5678900242/">finished (2)</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>David then immediately headed to the train station (for a same-day return to Portland), while Ed, Theo, Asta and I checked in to the hotel, ordered pizza, took our showers, and promptly fell asleep.<br /><br />Brunch was served to the eleven teams the next morning. We saw maps of everyone’s route, listened to everyone’s stories, and were grateful that our route didn’t encounter a disorderly car rally on remote rural gravel roads. We ended up getting a couple awards, including “Lowball” (shortest distance closest to 360k), 2nd place “Drunkard” (most circuitous), 2nd “Youngest” (average age), and 2nd “Largest Spread” (I’m 31 years older than Asta). We also managed to compress the 3rd most elevation gain in our Lowball distance. <br /><br />The four of us rode about 9 miles to the Olympia/Lacey Amtrak station after brunch on Sunday, and reminisced on the excellent event on the train ride home. <br /><br />‘Twas lot of work to put the route together; a lot of work to ride those hills; and a lot of work for the Nussbaums to organize. But it was worth it. Excellent camaraderie, not only within our team, but with the other participants as well.<br /><br />My photos of the flèche are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157626501073381/">here on Flickr</a>.</p>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-50764939626409917072011-04-23T11:35:00.001-07:002011-04-24T09:05:46.606-07:00Eden's Gate 400k (2011 version)400k isn’t really my distance (on a bicycle) … at least not at this time. While I have never DNF’d that distance, I have been the last finisher or co-finisher on all five 400k’s ridden prior to last Saturday (April 16). It’s a weird distance that feels disproportionally longer than 300k. On the longer 600k distance, there’s usually a rest/sleep stop near the middle. But the 400k generally goes straight through. Tough on those who haven’t gotten full night’s sleep beforehand.<br /><br />On my previous encounter with the Eden’s Gate 400k (in May of last year), I simultaneously PR’d and co-lanterne-rouged. This year, though, I did neither, even though my finish time was very close to the time of my very first 400k ever, the “Covered Bridges’ back in May 2007.<br /><br />Here’s my 400k history:<br /><br />~ May 2007, Covered Bridges 400k, 24 hr, 50 min<br />~ May 2008, Three Passes 400k (SIR), 26 hr, 52 min<br />~ August 2009, Alsea Falls 400k (ORR), 26 hr, 30 min<br />~ May 2010, Eden’s Gate 400k (ORR), 23 hr, 28 min<br />~ October 2010, Columbia River Run 400k (SIR), 23 hr, 59 min<br />~ May 2011, Eden’s Gate 400k (ORR), 24 hr, 45 min<br /><br />I could tell at the outset of this year’s Eden’s Gate 400k that I wasn’t setting any land speed records. My thighs and knees were sore at the very beginning. My 100k splits neared the 6-hour range. (I have managed two 200k’s and one 300k with 5-hour 100k splits, but they’re rare.) And it rained ALL afternoon.<br /><br />About 40 riders started out from Wilsonville well before sunrise (a number having come down from Seattle). Within one hour I came across a bunch of them standing at Meridian and Whiskey Hill Roads (East of Hubbard). In their midst was Jennifer Chang (a consistently cheerful randonneur from Seattle), who had been hit by a car. Fortunately, she was talking coherently, and her limbs moving. Seeing how she was getting plenty of care and attention, I eventually moved on, to the accompaniment of distant sirens. The incident, though, provoked a sort of melancholy pause for much of the ride. So I was glad to learn later she’ll be fine … badly bruised … but okay … as her helmet and bike took most of the brunt.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5644922291/" title="david"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5644922291_63128abd8e.jpg" alt="david by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5644922291/">david</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Early in the ride, my rear fender started rattling. (It had been quiet during the previous two brevets.) When I got to Sublimity, though (by which time the rattling had gotten really loud), I discovered the fender had broken in two, severed right behind the upper mounting bolt. I purchased some shoestring and duct tape from the local convenience store, and did what I could to mitigate the noise coming from the rear half. It kinda worked for most of the rest of the ride (till about the last 40 miles, from Salem on).<br /><br />I rode mostly solo from Stayton to Scio, surviving the steep rollers of Cole School Road and passing through the Schimanek Covered Bridge. Once in Scio, I opted for the local coffee shop, where the “barrista” hadn’t heard of an espresso macchiato per se. (Silly me, did I think this was Portland? Or Italy?) <br /><br />For much of the rest of the ride, I saw quite a bit of Joel Metz, Lesli Larson, Sarah Tripodi, David Parsons, and Kevin Brightbill, plus some of Lynne Fitzsimmons and Michal Young. Typically, they would all arrive at each covered bridge or contrôle ahead of me, at which point I would catch up. This happened in Sweet Home, Mohawk Post, Harrisburg, and then again later on (with Joel, Leslie, Sarah, and David) in Independence and Salem.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5644924187/" title="hoffman covered bridge"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5644924187_89c45c2e73.jpg" alt="hoffman covered bridge by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5644924187/">hoffman covered bridge</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>At the very wet Mohawk Post contrôle (about half way into the ride), Jeffrey Arrasmith and Holden Hughart arrived just as I was leaving. I had spotted the afore-mentioned septet (J, L, S, D, K, L & M) about 20 minutes, and found them 24 miles later in Harrisburg. One bag of corn chips later, we all (except for Kevin) headed out on very smooth Peoria Road (the smoothness placating my patched rear fender). This was the segment on which I felt strongest. Lynne and Michal eventually dropped off, while the remaining five of us continued through Albany to a shopping center off of Springhill Road. The shopping center was all buttoned up for the night, so we just ate from our stashes at an outside table.<br /><br />After pulling ahead, Joel, Lesli, David and Sarah were leaving Independence as I checked in at a local ATM. Eleven miles later, I caught up with them on the outskirts of Salem, then once again they took off ahead. Fourteen miles after Salem, the four of them missed the right turn onto Keene Rd. After making their correction, they passed me somewhere around Arbor Grove or Butteville Roads. By this time, I had more-or-less run out of gas. Plus my rear fender had gotten annoyingly noisy again.<br /><br />At 5:45 AM (24 ¾ hours after the start) I arrived at the finish in Wilsonville, where Susan France and Amy greeted me in the hotel lobby. Amy drove me home afterwards, noting later that I fell asleep about three times while trying to text my status update to Facebook.<br /><br />Aside from the fender issue, the Ahearne itself worked fine. The wider and more upright bars seem to help upper body tension issues (particularly after 300k). <br /><br />And now the 600k, coming up on May 7th. Why did I sign up for the Flèche Northwest between then and now?<br /><br />(Pictures <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157626432261217/detail/">here on Flickr</a>)</p>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-11915317697240400102011-04-14T20:22:00.001-07:002011-04-14T20:29:31.376-07:00Three Capes 300kMy 5th annual ride of the 3 Capes 300k occurred on the 26th of March. Even though I have finished all five of ‘em, each attempt has produced a much different result:<br /> <br /> 2007: 16 hours, 41 minutes<br /> 2008: 19 hours, 5 minutes<br /> 2009: 17 hours, 55 minutes<br /> 2010: 14 hours, 53 minutes<br /> 2011: 15 hours, 50 minutes<br /><br />This year’s 2011 edition started familiarly enough … Westbound in pre-dawn Forest Grove. I stayed up with some faster riders (a number of them from Seattle) out to Stringtown Rd, but once again fell off their pace up Gales Creek Rd. I was passed by a few more riders going up to Timber Road, but didn’t dawdle at the turnaround contrôle. Ascending up the Wilson River Hwy took longer that I anticipated. And then I struggled on the long descent to Tillamook. Last year I was able to catch John Kramer’s and Mike Richeson’s wheels during that segment, but this year I couldn’t keep up with anyone, and was in fact passed by about a half dozen riders.<br /><br />Once in Tillamook, I made relatively quick work of the contrôle at the Shell station (less time-consuming than Safeway), opting to eat a micro-waved burrito on the run rather than waiting in the store for it to cool.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5569848715/" title="clara at the coast"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5569848715_cf41ed2161.jpg" alt="clara at the coast by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5569848715/">clara at the coast</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>I heard it was rainy in Portland that day. The Oregon coast, however, was only intermittently drizzly, and actually quite pleasant. It was my Ahearne’s first trip to the Pacific Ocean, and she did quite well.<br /><br />‘Round Netarts I rode some with PPB veteran Joel Metz, then closer to Pacific City I was joined by Lesli, Sarah, and John Henry. They eventually pulled ahead, and by the time I arrived at the Stimulus Espresso Shop, a long time-sucking line had formed between them and me. I forged ahead (falling down in the sand on Pacific City’s main drag), and once again did the quicker Shell Mini-mart contrôle thing. <br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5569849521/" title="leslie, sarah, john henry"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5569849521_0fde2205a8.jpg" alt="leslie, sarah, john henry by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5569849521/">leslie, sarah, john henry</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>On Little Nestuca River Road, I enjoyed the company of Seattle Randonneur Noel Howes (riding a pretty 650b Belinky), then forged on ahead to Sheridan before stopping for fuel (which included some Muscle Milk … closest thing there to Ensure). Stopped to take a picture at the Ballston contrôle of three faster riders (John Henry, Tim and Bruce) who had a real good paceline going. Then my last stop (before the finish) was at my favorite porta-potty in Dayton, where I added a layer of clothing and reflective gear.<br /><br />Again, last year I was able to catch a wheel (of a nice SIR rider) almost all the way from Sheridan to Forest Grove. But this year, it was all solo. Soreness in my left knee kept me from pushing very hard. But I did keep pedaling, and managed to finish well under 16 hours. Only about one hour of that time was off the bike.<br /><br />My photos from the ride are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157626252302149/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.</p>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-88422766118758348422011-03-18T09:21:00.001-07:002011-03-18T10:16:56.137-07:00Birkie 200k Report (2011 Edition)The Oregon Randonneurs regularly put on the “Birkie 200k” near the beginning of each season. The organizer(s) change(s) from year to year, the refreshments at the first contrôle in Vernonia vary a bit, and the weather is inconsistent at best. But the route always stays the same: Forest Grove – Vernonia – Birkenfeld (via a detour to Keasey Rd) – Vernonia – Forest Grove. This year’s version was my 5th Birkie. Last year I pre-rode and organized. This year (on March 12th) <a href="http://www.rusa.org/rbakit.html">RBA </a>Susan France did all the hosting duties.<br /><br />There seemed to be a little more “energy” this time ‘round, perhaps because it’s a <a href="http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/pbp2011/index2.php?lang=en&cat=accueil&page=edito">PBP </a>year, with a corresponding number of riders you might not see otherwise. But what made this ride special for me was that my coach decided to come along. Mr. Brian Abers is not a randonneur. In fact, his email address has the word “kilomonster” in it, with no reference to multiple k’s or anything of the sort. His main bases of operation are the gym and the velodrome. Nonetheless, he was determined to get a firmer grasp on the nuances of long-distance cycling. Thus, he signed up, joined RUSA, and rode 200k with me.<br /><br />The weather this year was a bit on the wet side … not oppressively so … but wet enough that Brian was wringing out his gloves after the first 36 miles to Vernonia. I was wearing a pair of SmartWool liners underneath mine, so that while my hands were wet, they were still warm enough, and I could still reinsert my fingers into the gloves as needed. In addition, I happened to bring a backup pair just in case the first pair got unmanageably wet. I gave those gloves to Brian for the remainder of the ride. Evidently, they did the trick.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5521337631/" title="cruisin'"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5521337631_75175b7459.jpg" alt="cruisin' by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5521337631/">Abers cruisin'</a> a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>I was able to give Brian a running commentary about various riders and bikes along the way. “Oh, there’s Ed. He rode out to the start from St. Johns; last year he rode his cargo bike out here and served everyone fresh French press coffee in ceramic mugs.” Or “There’s Joshua. He built that <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bunnyhawk/5426419493/">nice traditional-looking bike with 650b wheels</a>.” After Vernonia, we rode with PBP veteran <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archivalclothing/5523919417/">Joel Metz</a> for a while, listening to his 2003 PBP hallucination stories about being chased by dinosaurs. And a few miles out from Birkenfeld, “Oh, that must be Ken Bonner. He came down from Vancouver, Canada. He’s really fast.” (Of course, Brian’s really fast, too, but on a very different playing field.)<br /><br />After a couple small purchases at the Birkenfeld General Store, Brian and I headed back along the river-hugging Nehalem Hwy towards Vernonia. As we approached the town, we agreed stopping at the Black Bear Café would be prudent. Inside, Joshua B., Michael J, and a few others were seated down for a proper lunch. After a couple futile attempts at using Brian’s and Joshua’s phones (I had left mine, complete with un-memorized phone numbers and email addresses, at the start in Forest Grove) and two cups of cappuccino, we were on the road again. The temperature in Vernonia at this time was 46 degrees, only 6 degrees warmer than four hours earlier. <br /><br />Brian and I tagged along with Joshua’s and Michael’s group for a while on Timber Road. This was probably the most pleasant part of the ride, particularly when the sun finally came out. The group gave some nice protection from the wind, and also offered some nice eye candy (in particular, Jeff Moore’s new Ira Ryan). It seems as though more and more randonneurs are investing in beautiful purpose-built bikes.<br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cycles-j-bryant/5523553524/" title="A Rare Dry Moment"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5523553524_b39d73f962.jpg" alt="A Rare Dry Moment by franco650b" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cycles-j-bryant/5523553524/">A Rare Dry Moment</a> a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cycles-j-bryant/">franco650b</a> on Flickr (used with permission)</span></div><p></p>At some point on Timber Road, Joshua and his group momentarily pulled over while Brian and I forged ahead. We caught up with Mike Richeson of West Seattle, with whom we hop-scotched the rest of the way back to Forest Grove. Brian was quicker up the hills around Timber than me, or more accurately, he was physically unable to ascend as slowly as me. But aside from the hills and a few pulls, Brian was basically on my wheel the whole 200k. (He’s <em>really </em>good at that.)<br /><br />We made relatively quick work of the Glenwood contrôle on Hwy 6 (as did Joshua’s and Michael’s group a few minutes later). Then it was Gales Creek Rd back to Forest Grove. Brian and I shared pulls for the last dozen miles, with Mike R. in our wake. According to Brian, I really pushed hard for the last 3 or 4 miles. Guess I could smell McMenamins Grande Lodge, and on some level, knew exactly how much energy there was to expend. Brian would say later that I was spinning fine, but that he had to resort to mashing a bigger gear in order to maintain speed on that last leg.<br /><br />Cards signed, ride done (in 9 hours, 50 minutes), bikes put away, it was time for beer, food, and an assessment. In the McMenamins bar, Brian shared some good observations, notably with regard to my shifting, the way I approach hills, and my tendency to periodically surge.<br /><br />As it turns out, this was my fastest 200k, and only my second one under 10 hours. (Actually, I did a 213k out of Olympia, WA last July in 9 hours, 54 minutes. So that one’s average speed was slightly higher.) If Brian hadn’t come along though, I’m sure my time on this Birkie 200k would have been significantly more.<br /><br />And the reason for this madness? I wanna finish PBP! Preferably with some sleep! And also without the hallucinations of <a href="http://tangobiker.blogspot.com/2010/06/obm-1000k-ride-report.html">last June’s OBM1000k</a>.</p>More pictures <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157626254042780/detail/">here on Flickr</a><br /><a href="http://lynnerides.blogspot.com/2011/03/better-and-better.html">Lynne's report</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archivalclothing/sets/72157626134800227/">Lesli's pictures</a><br /><a href="http://onyourleft.net/wp/2011/03/12/the-birkie/">John Henry's report</a><br /><a href="http://tomasquinones.com/2011/03/14/birkie-200k/">Tom Quinones's report</a></p><a href="http://onyourleft.net/wp/2011/03/12/the-birkie/"></a>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-56578303950122998452011-03-12T18:27:00.000-08:002011-03-16T19:33:05.935-07:00lanterne rouge in the dirtI first heard about the <a href="http://velodirt.com/races/the-dalles-mountain-60-march-5-201/">Dalles Mountain 60-miler </a>(which happened on March 5th) from Ed Groth, who was organizing carpools and sleepovers for this fire-road-populated cycling event about 90 miles East of Portland. But if I was gonna do it, it would be spontaneously. After all, with hernia repair recovery going slower than anticipated, and a “<a href="http://diamondlawcycling.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/bike-tattoo-day-presented-by-diamond-law-cycling-team/">Bike Tattoo Day</a>” (put on by my cycling team) supposedly happening the same day, my options were staying open.<br /><br />Well, “Bike Tattoo Day” got cancelled, and the hernia irritations were being mitigated by ibuprofen. So I managed to get my ‘cross bike somewhat prepped and out to The Dalles in time for the 9:00 start. The only thing I neglected was swapping the 32mm slicks for some cyclocross tires.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5501359700/" title="announcements"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5501359700_a1804f8085.jpg" alt="announcements by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5501359700/">announcements</a> a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>The Dalles Mountain 60 was put on by <a href="http://velodirt.com/misc/about-us/">VeloDirt</a>, apparently a loosely organized trio of Portlanders who like to ride their bicycles on dirt roads throughout the rural Northwest. What I mean by loosely is that there was no sign-in sheet and no registration at the local coffee shop in The Dalles from whence the ride started. However, there was a riders’ meeting to describe various aspects of the route, and there was a stack of cue sheets pre-stuffed into plastic baggies!<br /><br />In addition to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4542240585/">Ed</a>, some other people I knew at the start were <a href="http://portlandafoot.org/w/Steph_Routh">his friend Steph </a>(who didn’t ride this event), <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4542874632/">Theo </a>(a randonneuring fleche teammate last year along with Ed), <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4342908026/">Rob A. </a>(another friend of Ed’s who I’ve rando-ed with), and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5446967119/">Nathan </a>(the trainer with <a href="http://www.brihopcoaching.com/">Brian’s House of Pain</a>, where I work out). ‘Twas looking like quite a diverse group of riders, most of whom I didn't know.<br /><br />After crossing the Columbia and heading East on Washington State Hwy 14, the route turned up Dalles Mountain Road, which was the first big gravel road climb of the day. I had fallen behind most of the riders a few miles up when my rear tire flatted. Local Portland bike builder <a href="http://www.tsunehirocycles.com/">Rob Tsunehiro </a>and a friend stopped to make sure I was okay. Sure wish I’d taken a picture of his bicycle with a really nice front rack and headlight mount. Farther up the rode, a rider on a Salsa ‘cross bike had broken his rear derailleur, and was fixin’ to coast/limp back to The Dalles.<br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5500766961/" title="rob "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5500766961_c3f350f5d9.jpg" alt="rob by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5500766961/">rob tsunehiro</a> a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>If I was slower than the others uphill, I was <i>much slower</i> on the rutty, muddy downhills. I’m sure those wide-ish slicks didn’t help. Ed later noted that the while the roadies had a speed advantage going uphill (cuz of lighter weight), the mounting bikers could descend considerably faster. Meanwhile, my descents on the muddy roads were super cautious and hardly any faster than my ascents.<br /><br />Things flattened out on the back side of the mountain, and after a combination of some more gravel and pavement, I turned onto Hwy 97. A few riders (including Rob T.) were doing a return chug back up Mary Hill Loop Road, having found the road closed further down because of an un-forecasted car event. I joined these riders on the descent down Hwy 97 to the Shell station near Hwy 14. At this refueling break, I bought batteries for my camera and was able to take my first pictures since the start in The Dalles.<br /><br />In anticipation to the possibility that Mary Hill Loop might be closed, there were alternate directions from Hwy 97 on the cue sheet that directed riders East out to Stonehenge Dr. But none of the riders that I left with from the Shell station went that way. Instead, they flew down Gore Rd. for a shorter trip to the bridge crossing into Biggs.<br /><br />I, on the other hand, visited Washington’s version of Stonehenge for the first time. It’s a miniature version of prehistoric monument found in England, and built as a memorial to World War I casualties. The road from there is also a nice descent to Maryhill, then Biggs Junction.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5510999173/" title="end of old moody rd"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5510999173_96a1947dba.jpg" alt="end of old moody rd by tangocyclist" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5510999173/">end of old moody rd</a> a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>The next gravely ascent was up Old Moody Rd, which starts where the Deschutes River runs into the Columbia. There were sections where I was barely able to keep pedaling. But pedal I did, until able to coast down to Fifteen Mile Rd. From there, it was mostly rural pavement all the way back to The Dalles.<br /><br />At 4:00 PM I arrived at the coffee shop from where the ride started. There were no other cyclists, nor cyclists’ cars, nor evidence of any cyclists having been there … except for one passerby who asked me, “Was there some bicycling event going on here earlier today?”<br /><br />On the drive home, I stopped half way in Stevenson, WA at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/3692740126/">Walking Man Brewing</a>, where I was <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5511034997/">serenaded by bagpipers</a> during a well-lubricated dinner.<br /><br />More photos are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157626088721827/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.</p>tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-52524606036376098192011-02-23T16:45:00.001-08:002011-02-23T17:29:23.284-08:00Grab Bag 200k, + Ahearne UpdateThe first weekend in February would be my first attempt at a 200k since the hernia repair surgery 9 ½ weeks earlier. It would also be Clara’s (the Ahearne's) first brevet.<br /> <br />I joined probably three dozen other cyclists in the pre-dawn hours of February 5th in Newberg. Some of them would ride 300k (on 3 different loops starting and ending at the local Travelodge). But most of us were content to ride “only” 200k.<br /> <br />The route started out in a northwest direction. I managed to stay up with some fairly fast company for about 10 miles (till around <a href="http://www.patriciagreencellars.com/">Patricia Green Cellars</a> on North Valley Road), but then faded to a more customary pace the rest of the way to Forest Grove. I missed one turn in FG (didn’t recognize Main St at the <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 6px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5460791798/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5460791798_91c566004e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5460791798/">maggie's</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>appropriate time), and ended up riding a bonus mile or two. But it was still early enough for Maggie’s Buns not to be too busy. Considering all the food I packed (the Acorn Rando Bag has more capacity than what I’m used to), I bought only an Odwalla smoothie, mixing most of it with the orange juice/Emergen-C in one of my water bottles.<br /> <br />Rode much of the next section to Sherwood with Lonnie Wolff (from Utah, with family in Oregon), and listened to some of his PBP stories. At one point, my front wheel started to wobble, and I discovered the skewer had come loose. Lonnie forged ahead while I investigated a few new noises on my bike.<br /> <br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 6px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5460793534/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5460793534_eb329b23c4_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5460793534/">barista</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>Once in "downtown" Sherwood, I was happy to find a new Sesame Donuts. Evidently, they’ve expanded their family business from Raleigh Hills to Tigard and Sherwood. (They still do all their baking in Raleigh Hills.) I was particularly delighted when the guy behind the counter made an authentic Italian espresso macchiato. This made for a rather extended break in the ride, as there were also riders to talk with, and pictures to take.<br /> <br />The hilly rural roads between Sherwood and Newberg were new to me. And steep. The lower gears of the bike seemed to help, though, as I actually passed a couple riders heading up Kruger and Chapman Roads. After stopping for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5460189055/">another photo session at the cemetery at the top</a>, I headed back to Newberg and tried to make relatively quick work of the half-way contrôle.<br /> <br />Back out on the route, I rode quite a bit again with Lonnie Wolff. Turns out we have common interests in motorbikes as well as pedal-bikes. We chatted for most of the way to Gun Club Road (past Lafayette) until my fender started rattling so much that I got off the bike in order to inspect things. Couldn’t find anything, but boy did coarser pavement make things noisy. It was about this time that I also discovered the wire from the front generator hub had severed. Not good! This meant I would have to hustle for the rest of the route in order to get back to Newberg before dark.<br /> <br />This part of the ride in the countryside around McMinnville was new to me. I saw signs for quite a few unfamiliar wineries. [Note to self: Must return here with <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4133220050/">pinot-friend Barbara</a>.]<br /><br /> <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 7px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5460795358/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5460795358_eba8e3c9f0_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5460795358/">greg & taylor</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>There was another contrôle at Muddy Valley Road, where I was caught by late starter but speedy Greg Olson. We rode to Sheridan together, got our cards signed at the local Dairy Queen, then started back towards Newberg. Once on Bellevue-Hopewell Hwy, Greg offered to stay with me so I could see once it got dark. But by now it looked as though I would make it back by dusk. And if I didn’t, I could just wait for someone with lights. I bade Greg farewell, and he sped away on the remainder of his 300k ride. <br /> <br />Worked pretty hard through the debris-strewn shoulder of Highway 99, made it through Dundee, and then finally reached Newberg (still able to see…barely).<br /> <br />Marcello and Kathy had tasty lasagna, hot soup, and cold sodas waiting at the finish. Very nice indeed. But what I was really craving was … a beer. A nice craft brew. For the last half hour of so. Nonetheless, I partook of Kathy’s excellent food, then considered stopping at Max’s Fanno Creek Brewpub in Tigard on the way home. But by the time I passed through there my craving had abated, so I ended up driving the additional 10 minutes straight home.<br /> <br />I dropped off Clara with the mechanic the next day. When he finally had a chance to look at her, he commented “you pretty much shook loose all of the fender and rack fasteners, I’m now concerned about the type of blue loc-tite I’ve been using…you are riding the hell out of your bike!... you shook it up real good…Also, how many miles have you logged on your bike so far?”<br /> <br />The answer: 423.<br /> <br />A few more pictures from the ride are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157626092177534/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-31408684867717541782011-01-31T23:01:00.000-08:002011-02-19T19:41:32.148-08:00Ahearne<div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5377143054/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5377143054_3cc4c621fb_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5377143054/">first day</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>On December 9th (2010), I took delivery on a new handmade bicycle, one made by <a href="http://www.ahearnecycles.com/">Joseph Ahearne</a> here in Portland. I had been on a wait list for a couple of years. It could have been longer, except that I wanted it by the beginning of 2011 in order to prepare for Paris-Brest-Paris (which happens in August). Joseph was interested enough in having one of his bikes in PBP that he agreed.<br /><br />Joseph actually started the build in September, after I was fitted by the well-known Michael Sylvester. Joseph didn’t cut the tubes until Michael sent him dimensions. This bike was to be built for comfort, made entirely of steel, with randonneuring in mind. I wanted the bike to be durable and stable (not twitchy), carry a front bag, but also be as light and fast as all those other long-distance considerations would allow.<br /><br />The bike acquired a name (and gender, I suppose) during the build. I chose the name “Clara,” after pianist Clara Schumann, wife of Robert Schumann, and friend of Johannes Brahms. Clara Schumann, besides basically being the breadwinner of her family (though her concertizing), also mothered eight children. She also championed Robert’s music after he passed away, which probably contributed to his eventual and long term fame.<br /><br />Ironically, my relatively spontaneous hernia repair surgery was scheduled during the month Clara was finished. That made the actual delivery (nine days after surgery) oddly surreal, anticlimactic, and ultimately frustrating. Recovery took longer than I was hoping, so that while the bike was pleasant to look at, I was only able to ride it about 24 miles during the first month.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 4px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5376544639/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5376544639_725c5448d4_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5376544639/">video drop-off</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>After a follow-up fitting with Michael Sylvester, I returned the bike for a new shorter handlebar stem. (Evidently, the Campy levers pushed my hand position out farther than calculated.) My first “real” ride on the bike was 25 days after initial delivery, when I rode from Joseph’s shop in close-in North Portland out to Movie Madness (on SE Belmont…returning a holiday video), then all the way back home.<br /><br />Clara is my first bike with Campagnolo shifters. So while they feel great, they still take getting used to. But I love the little thumb levers for shifting to smaller gears, plus the absence of cables sticking out perpendicularly from the shifters.<br /><br />I anticipate that Clara will take some growing into. I trust she’ll be comfortable in the long term (as I’m not particularly confident of my body’s ability to know that based on here-and-now comfort).<br /><br />I rode Clara about 280 miles in January, the most significant day being a 58-miler, part of which included a 47-minute time trial ‘round Sauvie Island. (Yes, I removed the Acorn front bag for that part.) I’m still not up-to-speed after so much time away from cycling. But hopefully that will change.<br /><br />My Ahearne photo set is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157625180093272/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahearnecycles/sets/72157625643461441/">Joseph's pictures of the bike are here on Flickr</a><br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-36266961504348873472010-12-30T17:41:00.000-08:002011-02-24T16:34:14.519-08:00hernia repairFor several years doctors had expressed concern about my hernia. But I never had it looked into … that is until the last week in November (right before Thanksgiving). Around that time I felt some minor discomfort in the lower abdominal area, and finally decided to follow up on my doc’s referral.<br /> <br />Presented with my cycling plans for Summer 2011, the hernia specialist convinced me to schedule surgery sooner than later. I had to weigh completing a 3rd consecutive R-12 (36 straight months of cycling a 200k or longer event) against minimizing problems that could arise ‘round PBP time (1200 km from Paris to Brest and back next August). I opted for the latter, and scheduled the “hernia repair surgery” on December 1.<br /> <br />The surgeon made it sound like no big deal. Minimally invasive “bilateral laparoscopic” is what he called the procedure, and I was under the impression I’d be back to my old biking self by the end of the month. When a nurse called later with specifics about the operation, and asked “You have scheduled time off work, haven’t you?,” I got the first hint that this was bigger, more time-consuming deal that initially envisioned. The bigger-deal-ness was confirmed when I was later told that I would need to be driven home from the hospital afterwards, and that I should have someone stay overnight during my first evening at home.<br /> <br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 6px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5247900269/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5247900269_35cb00b498_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5247900269/">before surgery</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>Three good friends (Amy, Cynthia, and Megan), all of whom have busy lives of their own, ended up playing tag team in order for someone to be with me throughout the procedure, plus the first night at home. I originally planned to bicycle to the hospital, but instead just biked to work, from where Amy picked me up and drove to St. Vincent’s Hospital. Check in took a while, as did preparations for the surgery. Amy was still there as they put me under. And when I came to (a couple hours later), there was Cynthia, prepared to load me in her car.<br /> <br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 6;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5247901481/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5247901481_699973ec73_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5247901481/">preparing to leave</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>“Coming to” (in the more complete sense) didn’t happen quickly, though. So it was still a few more hours before I could be stood up and walked to the car. In fact, by the time I was released, Amy had returned to the hospital, and took me home. <br /><br />It was painful to get in and out of bed, and in and out of a car. Other than that, I was basically okay, as long as I didn’t lift anything. After a couple days of Vicoden, I switched to Advil and Ibuprofen, which I continued to stay on for quite a while, especially after Laurel Leverton convinced me that it was important to control was inflammation in order for healing to occur. I returned to host the Sunday tango practica on December 5th (but only as host and DJ, as Megan taught the lesson), and to work on Monday the 6th. I tried bike-commuting to work about a week later, but the lower right abdomen felt a little funky afterwards. Many nurse-type friends put the fear of God into me about not aggravating things prematurely, saying that the messiest procedure is often the second surgery, to repair a first one not taken care of.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 6px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5289111245/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5289111245_1bbd56ec2f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5289111245/">a tradition continues</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>During the last third of December, five family members visited me for the holidays. I still had to take care with lifting and such, although I managed to bring home a Christmas tree via Xtracycle. Total cycling mileage for the month was less than a mere 14, though. So the consecutive monthly 200k randonneuring ride streak ended at 35. And the healing process looked to be closer to six weeks rather than three.<br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-69661685375777923052010-11-30T19:45:00.000-08:002010-12-04T20:02:32.540-08:00Skyline-Vernonia-Scappoose 200kCome November, I was basically done with big rides for the year. But I still was looking for a 200k to keep my 3rd R-12 in tact. I thought about riding an SIR permanent out of Centrailia, but when Ed Groth expressed interest in joining me if the ride started close in, I selected the Skyline-Vernonia route that starts in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland.<br /><br />After posting my intentions on the Oregon Randonneurs e-list to do this ride on Saturday the 13th , Lynne Fitzsimmons and David Parsons joined up. Lynne lives close to me, and offered to drive me to the start. Riding to her home sounded easier than riding and/or taking the Max, so I accepted. When the two of us arrived at Starbucks in St. Johns, Ed, David, and Ed's friend Adam were already there. Departure time was scheduled for 7:00, but is was closer to 7:25 and quite drizzly when we actually left.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5181179722/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5181179722_906ae75c59_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5181179722/">riders writing</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div><br />The route ascends through Portland's Washington Park on the way to Skyline Blvd., and then goes over to Old Cornelius Pass Rd. I was feeling a bit on the sluggish side and lost sight of the other riders between Helvetia and North Plains. But we regrouped at Maggie's in Forest Grove.<br /><br />On Timber Road on the way to Vernonia, Adam and Ed discoved an abandonned ATM machine below the side of the road. Adam actually took the time to call the 800 number on the machine, found out that the Southern California bank it belonged to wasn't interested, and then discovered the machine had already been gone through. In the meantime, Lynne, David, and I forged on through the drizzle.<br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5180581127/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1324/5180581127_3a7a8b91c6_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5180581127/">21st & main</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div><br />After lunch at Black Bear Coffee in Vernonia, we continued over to the Scappoose-Vernonia Hwy, which ascends for most of nine miles before heading back down to Hwy 30. David, Lynne, and I lost track of Ed and Adam at this point, and did our nocturnal exploration of the farmlands between Scappoose and Sauvie Island as a trio. Back on Highway 30, we found Ed while warming up at a local Texaco station, and trusted that Adam found his own way back. (Adam wasn't doing the ride for rando credit.)<br /><br />The four of us were headed back on Highway 30 at a pretty good clip when my rear tire started to soften. While Ed, Lynne, and David forged ahead, I stood up in the pedals for the last five or so miles to lessen the weight in back, thus avoiding changing a tire in the rain, and losing only a few minutes of time to the other three.<br /><br />After celebrating strong rides all around, and the completion of my 35th consecutive 200k or greater monthly rando ride, Lynne drove me home ... and in the process ... got her first tour of my place on the westside.<br /><br />Took a few pictures that are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157625398169400/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-81739080024571702252010-10-30T22:43:00.000-07:002010-12-06T17:06:06.427-08:00Columbia River Run 400k (Oct 2010)Super Seattle Randonneur Geoff Swarts organized a couple of late-season 400k brevets out of Wenatchee for October 22nd and 23rd that peaked my interest. The first reason they got my attention was there would be new territory to see. But more significantly, if I finished another 400k this season, that would mean having completed the equivalent of two Super Randonneur series (in addition to the Oregon Blue Mountains 1000k) during the 2010 season, something that I didn’t think was in the realm of possibility a couple months earlier.<br /><br />The first 400k was called the Eastern Washington Loop, and would leave East Wenatchee at 12:01 AM on Friday the 22nd, heading out to George, Lind, Ritzville, Odessa, Ephrata, and back. The second 400k was called the Columbia River Run, and would go from East Wenatchee up to Tonasket and back, leaving at 6:00 AM on Saturday the 23rd. I thought this pair of rides was a brilliant idea for anyone in the market for 800k with a proper night’s sleep in the middle.<br /><br />But I was only in the market for 400k, and the latter suited my schedule better. Susan Otcenas was also interested in riding 400k, as she hadn’t done that particular distance yet this year. Also, the 23rd was her birthday, and what better way to spend it than pedaling your new Sweetpea for 250 miles.<br /><br />Susan and I tentatively agreed to carpool. But a few days before the ride, I got a most interesting conflict … the opportunity to pick some grapes up at Syncline Winery near Lyle, WA on Friday morning. After Susan and her partner Jeff agreed to pick me up in Goldendale on the way to Wenatchee later that day, the extra little gig was on! (Harvesting grapes has always been on my wish list, and this was a serendipitous opportunity.)<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5112640915/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1071/5112640915_9c6d670533_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5112640915/">syrah</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>So on Friday morning, I took an extra half day off work and headed up to Syncline to lend a hand in picking syrah grapes. After a couple hours of filling buckets, we were treated to an informative tour of the facilities by winemaker and founder James Mantone.<br /><br />From there, I drove to Goldendale (via Centerville, on the route I missed during the Bikenfest 200k earlier in the month). I checked with the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce for a safe place to leave my car, then established phone contact with Susan and Jeff just before they arrived. After loading my LeMond, Jeff drove the remaining 2 ½ hours up to Wenatchee.<br /><br />The three of us checked in at the “East Wenatchee Inn at the River,” then were joined by Geoff Swarts and Lyn Gill at a local Mexican restaurant. It was then off to sleep before the 6:00 AM start.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119787540/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/5119787540_75df440493_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119787540/">lake chelan</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>There were a grand total of eleven riders at the start, and within one mile we had crossed the Columbia River on a pedestrian/bike bridge. I kept up pretty well with other riders for about 20 miles (till around the town of Entiat), then I started to fade on the Navarre Coulee Rd grade up to Lake Chelan. Vincent Muoneke started on the slow side (as he was experiencing tendonitis after the previous day’s 400k), then passed me shortly after the first contrôle on Lakeshore Dr. The rest of the ride (except for the last 5 miles) would be solo.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119789638/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1402/5119789638_caa6433193_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119789638/">linear trees</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>After Pateros, I was truly in new territory, as the Northern Cascades 600k route six weeks earlier turned off at this point towards Twisp and Winthrop. This time, though, I was riding along the varying Northern geographies of the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers. Kind of desert-like, but well-irrigated desert. (Agriculture’s big up here.) After Brewster, I stopped for some warm protein at the KFC in Omak. Twenty-three miles later, I arrived at the turnaround town of Tonasket (which is almost spittin’ distance to the Canadian border). From that town’s Shell station, I texted the following to my Facebook friends:<br /><br /> in Tonasket, WA with 2 1/2 hours in the bank.<br /> 215k down. 185k left back to Wenatchee.<br /> No leisurely riders on this 400k, so it looks <br /> like another lanterne rouge at this distance.<br /> Left hamstring/quad/thigh is pretty sore.<br /> A lot of time in smaller gears.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119792540/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/5119792540_047441d3f3_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119792540/">nocturnal whirring</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>The return trip took some slightly different (as in quieter) roads between Omak and Brewster, but still essentially parallel to the Okanogan River. It got dark well before Omak, and started to rain around Brewster. South of Pateros (before Hwy 97 crossed the Columbia) there was a State Patrol Officer detouring traffic because of a prior fatal accident. The officer waved me through, and by the time I arrived “at the scene,” the last barricades were being removed.<br /><br />Perhaps the biggest surprise of the ride happened well after the town of Orando, about 5 miles from the finish. There was a quasi-familiar car pulled over to the side of the highway with its flashers on. Nothing registered initially, but I finally figured out that the driver calling me over was Jeff Mendenhall. Turns out Susan was in the car. At first, I thought they had driven out along the route to see how I was doing. (Quite unnecessary, I thought!) Then Susan asked me if I wanted company for the rest of the ride. What I didn’t realize was that Susan had seriously bonked a couple hours earlier (to the point of nausea), and that Vincent had called Jeff to drive out, warm her up and revive her. By now she was ready to continue the ride, and my late arrival on the scene gave her the final impetus to finish it off.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119189227/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5119189227_e65fc6c90b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5119189227/">jeff and susan</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>The two of us rolled into the East Wentachee Inn at the River at 5:59 AM, one minute under 24 hours. Jeff greeted (or re-greeted) Susan with a small birthday cake he had bought in Leavenworth (and pedaled back with). Both Susan and I finished later than anticipated. I could reason that two 600k’s within the previous six weeks had slowed me down. But Susan’s experience was clearly more scary and dramatic.<br /><br />I’m glad to have done that ride, and completed two “super randonneurs” for the year. And I’m really grateful for Susan’s and Jeff’s lift from Goldendale to Wenatchee and back. Also, many thanks to Mr. Swarts as well for putting this ride together. I don’t know how those monster-mileage SIR guys do it. <br /><br />Pictures are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157625250597176/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-74066814124785198002010-10-25T14:58:00.000-07:002010-12-05T10:39:46.520-08:00Pacific Coast Hwy 600kFor some reason near the end of September, I got a bug in my head to ride another 600k this season. And lo and behold, after a little researching, I discovered the PCH Randos out of California were putting on just such a ride. It would take place on October 9-10, and head southwards from Salinas to Moorpark via the Pacific Coast Highway.<br /><br />This ride became particularly intriguing because it was an opportunity to bicycle on some fabulous roads that I had only ridden by motorcycle decades earlier. It would also be an opportunity to hang with some of my family, whom I hadn't seen in a few years.<br /><br />It took some planning to make this happen. But thanks to some flexibility in my sister's and niece's schedules, the travel logistics came together rather nicely (particularly if one doesn't mind spending a lot of time on I-5).<br /><br />I drove down to my sister Bunny's home in Vallejo, CA on Thursday, October 7th. My niece Melissa happened to be in Vallejo as well, and the two of us drove down to the Salinas the next day. We checked into the motel from where the 600k would commence, and found Jim Verheul already there. He had bicycled up from Orange County!, which means he would cycle <div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5073164462/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5073164462_b988ec4241_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5073164462/">riders meeting</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>a PBP-length 1200k or so by the time the weekend was over.<br /><br />Bunny drove down to meet Melissa and me in Salinas for dinner later that evening. The two of them then witnessed 34 of us cyclists taking off in the wee dark hours of the next (Saturday) morning. <br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072658291/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5072658291_3514b35de7_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072658291/">dawn over the coast</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div><br />The whole of the Monterey-Salinas Hwy was dark, as was the town of Carmel. But by the time we had a few miles of the Cabrillo Hwy underneath us, a beautiful dawn over the Pacific Ocean emerged. The first contrôle was in Big Sur, where my stop coincided with that of an English gentleman named Terry, who had come up from Running Springs (in the San Berandino Mtns.) to ride this 600k. Thirty five miles later in the coastal hamlet of Gorda, PCH Rando volunteer Patricia Thompson "manned" contrôle #2. From there it was seventy-some-odd miles of beautiful California coast to San Luis Obispo. On the way, I made a brief stop in Ragged Point (near San Simeon and Hearst Castle) for some overpriced refreshments.<br /><br />The San Luis Obispo contrôle was at the home of a gentleman named Lance (not Armstrong, although he was in a Mellow Johnny's yellow t-shirt). Excellent spread! Real food! Then onwards to the overnight in Lompoc (via Pismo Beach and Guadalupe). I rode much of the dark part of this stretch with recumbant rider Dana Lieberman and one other gentleman. Once in Lompoc, we elected to ride the next segment, a 50-mile nocturnal loop to Buelton and back, before konking out for a not-long-enough nap at the Motel 6.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072711333/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5072711333_b84322efba_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072711333/">mel</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>One interesting rider I got to know a bit was Mel Cutler of Century City, CA. (I worked for a couple years in Century City back in the 80's.) He bike commutes down to Hawthorne, and was astonished to hear that one of the things I was most looking forward to in California was having an In-N-Out Burger. Well, he passed me on the Sunday morning ascent out of Lompoc (having gotten more sleep than me), but not before we managed to get a little more chatting in.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072714295/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5072714295_8f4b9a4539_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072714295/">taken while riding</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>Once over the Gaviota grade and onto Hwy 101 (El Camino Real), it was onwards to Santa Barbara. This was perhaps the most sentimental part of the ride, as the route passed through Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Montecito, which is where I spent two Summers at the Music Academy of the West, back in the '70's (and a few seasons commuting to the Santa Barbara Symphony a decade later). Ah the beaches! The art fairs! And the memories!<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5073316644/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5073316644_d2c9ce9986_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5073316644/">at long last</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>Lotsa little bike trails leaving Santa Barbara County. I stopped for coffee in Carpinteria, then proceeded on new-to-me Rincon Rd. Back on Hwy 101. About 12 miles of beachside freeway later, I arrived at the Bicentianl Bike Path, which took us into Ventura. Hmmm. Lotsa construction. Lotsa confusion about how to exit and continue on the path. I had to ask directions how to get to Harbor Blvd. But in the meantime, I found an In-N-Out Burger establishment, right there in Ventura! Great meal!<br /><br />Upon leaving Ventura for Oxnard, though, I was mis-directed way beyond Gonzales Road (where I should have turned left towards Oxnard proper), and ended up with a 10-bonus-mile detour beyond Channel Islands Blvd.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072724653/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5072724653_340300bc79_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5072724653/">finish in moorpark</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>Once back on Gonzales Rd, and having gotten a receipt at the penaltemult contrôle (a Texaco station on Ventura Rd in Oxnard), there were about 40 ascending kilometers left along Pleasant Valley and Santa Rosa Roads before the finish in Moorpark. I pushed it fairly hard for the last couple hours, arriving at Lisa and Greg Jones' home at 8:36 PM, with a finishing time of 39 hours and 36 minutes. With only 24 minutes to spare, I was about 10 minutes in front of lanterne rouge Vickie Backman.<br /><br />I had phoned my sister Bunny from Ventura to tell her I'd be arriving by 7:30 PM, but had to call her again from Oxnard after my 10-mile mistake. She was at the finish to greet me, as was long distance Orange County finisher Jim Verheul, who was about to embark on an additional 80-mile ride home.<br /><br />After some delicious pizza and refreshments at Greg's and Lisa's, Bunny drove me to my niece Melissa's home (in Sylmar), where a mini-family reunion of sorts commenced with my sisters Meredith and Bunny, nieces Tiffany and Melissa, and Tiffany's husband Alex. We even made plans to get together again, during the Christmas holidays, at my place in Oregon!<br /><br />I think the most astonishing thing about the PCH 600k was to be reminded how undeveloped the rugged California coast is. Hwy 1 between Carmel and San Simeon has to be one of the most stunning roads in the country.<br /><br />Many thanks to Greg and Lisa Jones and the rest of the PCH Randonneurs for organizing this.<br /><br />Lotsa pictures of the PCH 600k are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157625144253582/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-56292713843225739282010-10-12T14:39:00.000-07:002010-12-03T14:49:05.677-08:00Bikenfest 200k (2010 version)I like John Kramer’s Bikenfest 200k. He changes it up a bit every October. This year (on the 2nd), it started at the Heritage Park-and-Ride near White Salmon (on the Washington side of the Hood River Bridge).<br /><br />Unfortunately, I was already running late when I missed the turn onto the bridge from Hwy 84. (Confusing signage due to construction.) So after driving a few extra miles to Mosier and back, I started the 200k about 20 minutes after everyone else.<br /><br />The route headed East on Hwy 14, where, after a few miles, I found Nat Beagley walking along the side of the road looking for a pedal. Hmmm. The roadside was doing an excellent job of hiding this fallen-off bike part.<br /><br />Onwards, the route headed up Old Hwy 8 and used Syncline Winery (one of my favorites!) as its first contrôle. (How cool was that?) Then back to Hwy 14, I missed the turn out of Lyle towards Centerville, and mistakenly rode Hwy 142 up the Klickitat River instead. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize this until I was over 20 miles up the road. I was ready to abandon (and head straight to Glenwood) when I saw a sign that said 11 miles to Goldendale. “Hmmm,” I thought. “If I hustle, I can still make it before the contrôle closes.” And that's just what I did, arriving just as the last of the other riders were leaving. With three extra bonus miles cuz of my mistake, I called John to let him know where I was, then continued the journey towards Glenwood.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5059373498/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5059373498_45f234b17d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5059373498/">sweetpeas in trout lake</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>I passed half a dozen riders on the next segment, then met up with Ray Ogilvie, Lynne Fitzsimmons, Susan Otcenas, and Scott Peterson in Glenwood. ‘Twas the first time I’d seen Scott on a diamond-framed bike. I rode mostly with Lynne and Susan to Trout Lake, then after a few pictures of their beautiful Sweetpeas, I took advantage of momentum and continued onto White Salmon alone. <br /><br />I rode some of the final leg with Alaskan Bill Estes and his son Theodore Eugenis (who lives here in Oregon), and reached the finish a little before Lynne and Susan. Lynne was particularly enthusiastic at the end, exclaiming, “it’s still light!” <br /><br />Kramer said I may be the only one who’s ridden all four Bikenfest 200’s. A little research seems to have born that out.<br /><br />Pictures are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157625112413504/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-57871210996429334812010-09-30T16:42:00.000-07:002010-12-02T17:10:01.501-08:00Woodburn-Heartburn 150kNear the end of September, it looked like I was getting pretty close to 5000 rando kilometers for the year (for which <a href="http://www.rusa.org/index.html">RUSA </a>gives out <a href="http://www.rusa.org/award_rd.html">medals of recognition</a>). In fact I figured I'd be 150 kilometers short if I kept doing a monthly 200k for the remainder of the year. Hence, I decided to ride the "Woodburn Heartbun 150k" on September 25 from Forest Grove to Woodburn and back.<br /><br />It's a nice distance that's not commonly done ... longer than a populaire ... but shorter than the monthly requirement for an R-12. Since I managed to complete the SIR Northern Cascades 600k earlier in the month, 150k seemed just the ticket, especially since it included a number of close-in roads I hadn't been on before.<br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5031551389/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5031551389_4b53f1a533_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5031551389/">unharvested guy wires</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div><br />I left the McMennanmin's Grand Lodge in Forest Grove at 8:30, and proceeded down foggy yet familiar Spring Hill and North Valley Roads. Made a brief coffee stop in Newberg, then proceeded on Champoeg, Butteville and Crosby Roads towards Woodburn. Stopped to get a few pictures of freshly-harvested hop fields before crossing I-5, then headed directly to the far (East) side of Woodburn for a contrôle receipt at a local bank ATM. I then returned to Woodburn's quaintish "downtown" area lined with a large variety of small Mexican eating establishments (quite a contrast to the Factory Stores along I-5). I surmised it was probably here that this 150k acquired its "heartburn" moniker. I ate relatively lightly, though (soda and an fish taco), before heading back towards the start.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5032170778/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5032170778_e89cffe102_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5032170778/">menu in woodburn</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>I had to backtrack a mile or so to correctly answer the contrôle question along Butteville Road, then proceeded to Wilsonville, where the route used the I-5 bridge to cross the Willamette River. From there, a newish (to me) selection of back roads took me to Sherwood. Crossing Hwy 99 and then onto Roy Rodgers Road, I was now back on relatively familiar territory ... except that I missed the left turn onto SR 210 (Scholls Ferry Rd), because there was no Hwy 210 sign. Once over Bull Mountain and onto Farmington Road, territory once again became again familiar (Rood Bridge, Burkhalter, Tongue, Golf Course, Lafollett and Geiger Roads) for the trek back to Forest Grove.<br /><br />Once at McMennamin's Grand Lodge, I purchased a bottle of Hammerhead Ale (for the final contrôle receipt), which I enjoyed that evening with a lovely Amy-prepared meal.<br /><br />Half a dozen photos from the ride are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157624925334251/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-12995083733152279972010-09-25T09:23:00.000-07:002010-11-26T09:51:12.634-08:00North Cascades 600kI initially planned to ride Michael Wolfe’s "Willamette Headwaters" 600k in late August, and was very much looking forward to it (even though i knew it wouldn’t be easy). But a conflict came up. A conflict called the OBRA Masters Track Championships. Now I’m not a "velodrome jock." But I do spend a fair amount of time at the Alpenrose track. And my coach is a track jock. And he wanted me to do this event.<br /><br />Enter a 600k option from the Seattle Randonneurs, a mountainous ride starting and ending in Arlington, WA two weeks later (september 10-11). Joshua bryant’s friend <a href="http://bunnyhawk.com/blog/">Robert Higdon</a> was putting it on. And even though it would involve a bit of a drive, the route would introduce me to some significant new territory (a good thing).<br /><br />Ed Groth expressed interest in riding this 600k as well, so the two of us ended up carpooling to Seattle the day before the ride, and onwards to Arlington the morning of.<br /><br />The ride commenced from the Arlington Motor Inn before sunrise, and headed East and Southeast towards Sultan. I fell off the pace of the main group (as it were) about 10-15 miles in (‘round Granite Falls), then proceeded to miss a turn onto Bollenbaugh Hill Road (around mile 32) which cost me about 5 bonus miles.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5028344799/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5028344799_6f662569d1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5028344799/">eastbound summit</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>A lovely feature of this ride was the use of Old Highway 2 up to Stevens Pass. Robert, wife Jane, and friends Chris and Emily operated at a secret contole at the first turn onto this scenic and lightly traveled bypass. A footbridge further up ensured there was little car traffic. Upon reaching the summit, I texted to Facebook that "Stevens Pass (elev 4061 ft) hasn't gotten any easier! Leavenworth here I come!"<br /><br />Leavenworth (34 miles past the Stevens Pass summit) has now become a familiar controle town, complete with cutsey signage on even the mainstream businesses. Once again, I ate and had my card signed at Subway and its adjoining convenience store.<br /><br />Just before hitting Wenatchee, the route headed North along the West bank of the Columbia River on Alt Hwy 97. Now I was in new territory!, heading towards Entiat as the sun ducked behind the mountains on the left. Several hours later (but before 11:00 PM), I arrived at the controle in Pateros (fabulously manned by Joe Platzner and Vincent Muoneke) with over four hours in the bank. I then proceeded on the noctural journey towards mecca...no...I mean Winthrop.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5028347607/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5028347607_5260705b02_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5028347607/">early morning breakfast cooks</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div><br />I was still dark when I arrived at the overnight controle, but the cooks had already switched over from chili to pancakes. There was still some of the former left, though, so that's what I ate before a crucial two-hour nap. By the time I left Sunday morning, I had used up three of my four precious hours ... 1/2 hour on dinner, 1/2 hour on breakfast, and the rest in bed. None of that time would be made up on the second day.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5028353313/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5028353313_7fa477bc90_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5028353313/">westbound summit</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangocyclist</a></span></div>After a gentle climb out of Winthrop, the last 16 miles up Highway 2 to Washington Pass were ... well ... long. Any spring I may have had in my pedal stroke the day before all but vanished. But eventually, the summit arrived. And with it, rain. Steady rain. For most of the way to Marblemount. No fast descents for this country boy!<br /><br />The town of Newhalem arrived later than anticipated, as did the controle in Marblemount (after some ups and downs along the Skagit River). But now, Arlington was less than 100k away.<br /><br />I stocked up on caffeine at a convenience store in Darrington (first cell connection since Pateros), then found the energy to "hoof it" the last 28 miles to Arlington. Arrived at the motel at 8:59 in the evening, one hour and one minute before the 40-hour deadline, and eight minutes before the laterne rouge. Was checked in by cheery Chris and Emily (in a motel room full of pizza), and greeted by Ed (who finished an hour and a half earlier).<br /><br />Without lingering terribly long, Ed and I drove back to my friend Barbara's house in Seattle, where we were fed a lovely steak dinner. We rode a few warm-down laps around Greenlake the next morning, then drove the rest of the way back to Portland.<br /><br />Thanks to Robert Higdon for organizing this memorable 600k, and to the SIR for this opportunity to complete a "super randonneur" series in 2010.<br /><br />Pictures are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157624918116301/detail/">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-12570084951328086052010-08-31T11:45:00.000-07:002010-10-05T12:36:47.234-07:00RSVP 2010The 2010 “Ride from Seattle to Vancouver (BC) & Party,” (August 13-14) like many of this year’s longer bike trips, came rather quickly. Oh sure I pre-registered sometime last Winter (it’s a popular ride that sells out quickly), but then a lot of stuff pushed its way to the front of my consciousness, leaving preparations for RSVP to hibernate till a couple days before the ride.<br /><br />And then I freaked out. How am I gonna get back to Seattle? How am I gonna get my bike back to Seattle? Will I be able to find a place to sleep in Bellingham?<br /><br />When going through my packet a day and a half before the ride (which had languished under a pile of paperwork for a couple of weeks), I discovered a bike pass for the trip back to Seattle. Whew! As for the overnight in Bellingham, I’d take my chances. Fortunately, the overnight stay in Vancouver wouldn’t be a problem, as I have some accommodating tango friends there.<br /><br />Unpreparedness extended to the morning of the first day, when I didn’t get out of Portland till 4:00 AM. I arrived at the start in Magnusun Park in Seattle a few minutes before check-in closed, dropped off my overnight bag, then unloaded my bike and suited up for the ride.<br /><br />Much of the early part of the ride is along the Seattle’s Burke-Gilman trail. I didn’t linger much, but was still passed by quite a few riders. Hmmm. A bunch of hares, I suppose.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5003407556/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5003407556_4323bee30d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5003407556/">lynne's new sweetpea</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangobiker</a></span></div>My first real stop was in Arlington (about 50 miles into the ride), where I found Cecil and Lynne lunching at a healthy food café … with (of course) their shiny Sweetpeas right behind them. This was my first time to see Lynne’s new rando bike, and (of course) I pulled my camera out for its first pictures of the journey.<br /><br />About 40 miles later, while stocking up on liquids and pizza in Bow, I ran into randonneur Nat Beagley and a couple of his friends from Richland, WA. The headwinds that greeted us as we headed North towards Chuckanut Dr. and Bellingham were memorable. <div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5002810965/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5002810965_2ec17e7405_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5002810965/">Nat, Jason and Brian</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangobiker</a></span></div><br />It was along this stretch that my rear tire flatted. I had a heck of a time getting the bead of the Gatorskin back over my fairly new Velocity Fusion rim.<br /><br />I ran into another randonneur, Albert Meerscheidt of Seattle, at the Samish Bay overlook. Had to stop for a couple pictures there.<br /><br />One needn’t have worried about housing in Bellingham … that is if one doesn’t mind a room with a lot of residual smoke. In my case, I adjusted quickly, falling asleep shortly after an efficient Mexican dinner, and departed not that long after sunrise.<br /><br />A bi-annual trip across the Canadian border accounts for all my “international” travel of the last four years. Northbound customs at the Aldergrove Broder Crossing was a breeze, mostly because of preparations made by the Cascade Bicycle Club. Show your passport. Get your name checked off a list. You’re good to go!<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5002818229/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5002818229_8e57cc0230_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5002818229/">modern bridge</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangobiker</a></span></div><br />After the fairly lengthy rest stop in Ft. Langley (it was hot), the route took us over a new, modern bridge over the Pitt River that replaced the Albion Ferry. Continuing on, it was a bit of a trudge to Burnaby (perhaps cuz I didn’t stop at the rest area in Pt. Moody). The Frances/Union Bike route then provided a good quasi-suburban transition into Vancouver proper.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5002821825/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5002821825_f39277fdd1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/5002821825/">cheers!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangobiker</a></span></div><br />Once at the finish (at Vancouver’s Coast Plaza Hotel), I doused the complementary hamburger with an expensive (but ordinary) beer, then was picked up by tango friend Wendy and taken to the Granville Island brewery (recommended by Canadian track cyclist Jamie Shankland). Then after a shower and power nap, it was off to a tango dinner/dance in North Vancouver.<br /><br />Bike and I got safely onto the first bus back to Seattle Sunday morning. Southbound customs back into the States took a lot more time than the previous day’s Northbound crossing. The rest of the trip, though, was mostly (and pleasantly) uneventful. Almost forgot to pick up my drop bag at Magnuson Park, though, before driving home.<br /><br />Good ride. Maybe I’ll do it every other year. I find Vancouver intriguing. Plus, there are some good friends who tango there.<br /><br />My pictures from the ride are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157624861255879/">here on Flickr</a><br /><br clear="all" />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522408548975246173.post-11499974348773846762010-08-24T18:07:00.000-07:002010-09-24T18:44:02.640-07:003 Volcanoes 300kI had a choice for the first weekend in August: ride 400k out of Wilsonville on a route that featured some of Oregon's illustrious historic covered bridges (a route I had ridden a few months earlier), or ride 300 mountainous kilometers on roads through the Gifford National Forest that I had never seen. As someone who doesn't even like to drink the same beer twice in a row, I chose the latter.<br /><br />The "Three Volcanoes 300k" started in the small town of Packwood, WA (about a 2.5 hour drive from Portland), which serves as a gateway of sorts into the Cascades (about 50 miles south of Mt. Rainier). The ride featured many narrow-ish, scenic national forest roads, and about 10 miles of gravel. Because of this last detail, I elected to take my 'cross bike, which accommodates wider tires than my LeMond. The last time I rode a cyclocross bike on a rando ride was Michael Wolfe's "Alsea Falls 400k" about a year earlier. (After that ride, my Shimano generator hub was converted for use with my LeMond.) On this ride, I used my old Nite Sun battery-powered handlebar-mounted light, which turned out to be problematic on the final mountainous descent of the ride.<br /><br />Amy Peiper put out an email a couple days before the ride that a cabin room in Packwood became unexpectedly available before and after the ride. Four others and I signed up, and I drove up from Portland pretty much straight from work on Friday afternoon/evening. 'Twas nice to wake up in the town from which the ride commenced.<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4915489910/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4915489910_9cb3e8bb14_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4915489910/">chris, john, & david</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangobiker</a></span></div>From the local Shell station, the ride started out briskly enough, with plenty o' pacelines from Packwood to Randle. Things spread apart a bit after the first contrôle, (at the Iron Creek Picnic Grounds), but I ended up riding the next 15 or so miles with the likes of Chris Heg, John Perch, David Rowe and Jon Muellner.<br /><br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4914888565/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4914888565_0dbb0fa268_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4914888565/">congregation</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangobiker</a></span></div>After watering up at the Blue Lake Creek Campground, I rode solo for most of the remainder of the ascent to Baby Shoe Pass, which included a fair amount of gravel for the last 5 or 6 miles. At the summit, I arrived at about the same time as bike builder Dan Boxer, but before I left, several other people arrived (as evidenced by this group picture).<br /><br />A few more miles of gravel on the descent, then some fast pavement to Trout Lake. Lotsa riders stopped here for Huckleberry Shakes (which included a long wait), but I elected for a shorter contrôle stop at the Trout Lake grocery store (as did Dan Fender).<br /><br /><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4915494334/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4915494334_7a7cb213dd_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/4915494334/">fueling up before the last big climb</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tangobiker/">tangobiker</a></span></div>The next section included section of Kramer's SxSW 200k (that was held in July 2009). Some hills, some drops, a few spots of gravel, and finally a well-attended contrôle at Northwoods .<br /><br />From there, the final ascent up to Windy Ridge and Elks Pass was challenging. And then there was the descent. A moist and foggy descent. My Nite-Sun didn’t illuminate things in a very confidence-inspiring way, and I ended up being passed by a few people on the way to Randle, including "Levis on Litespeed" Steven Barnes. After the right-turn-onto-smaller-roads back towards Packwood, Steve started to fade a bit. The two of us basically finished at the same time with a far-from-lanterne-rouge time of 18 hrs and 15 minutes.<br /><br />Three hundred kilometers, 12,000 feet of climbing, 10+ miles of gravel, and 3 passes over 4000 feet. What co-organizer and tandem pilot Amy Pieper later described as “truly the full meal deal of brevets.”<br /><br />Some excellent photos and description of the ride were posted <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~cheg01/3_volcanoes.html">here by Chris Heg</a>.<br /><br />John Muellner has a <a href="http://mile43.blogspot.com/2010/08/three-volcanoes-300km-top-ten-ride.html">detailed account here</a>.<br /><br />The rest of my pictures are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobiker/sets/72157624654200651/detail">here on Flickr</a>.<br /><br />tangobikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17481898133146633494noreply@blogger.com0