| (Long Distance) Ramblings |
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I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out). "The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget." "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
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Saturday, February 07, 2004
Saturday was the best of rides, and the worst of rides. I left Salem at 9:00 am and headed for Sheridan. Winds in the Willamette Valley either blow from the south (Winter) or from the north (Summer), so I was surprised to find myself ride into a strong west wind. This kept my speed down and started to wear me down. After 30 miles, I was passing thro Sheridan. I tenured into the hills onto Rock Creek Rd. Water started to fall from the shy, but it was a light mist. It wasn't even getting me wet, but it foretold of things to come. I climbed up and over the ridge and down into Buck Hollow. Next, I started my climb into the coast range. Bald Mountain Rd has some of the steepest sections I have ever seen. I shifted down a "got in touch with my inner chain ring". I climbed up over 1000', then over 2000'. I started seeing snow in the forest beside the road. At 2300' it started snowing. My computer said 36° F, so I was not worried that the snow would stick. At 2500', the snow stopped. At 2600' the snow now started to creep onto the roadway. At 2700', the snow covered the road except for two bare ruts which grew smaller and smaller as I climbed. At 2800', the ruts were gone. The roadway was now covered with 8 inches of snow, except the ruts were covered with just 2 inches. I believed I was very close to the top, so I started pushing my bike. I walked about 100 yards when I heard something coming up behind me. I picked up my bike and moved off of the roadway. Two ATVs pulled up beside me and stopped. "Are you OK?" one asked. "Yes, but I hope the snow ends soon." "Do you want a ride?" "No, I'll be OK." With that, they took off. I started walking again, and rounded the next corner. There, I saw that the road continued gaining altitude and the snow was just getting deeper. With a heavy sigh, I decided that I should turn around and head back down the way I came. I was not going to do a loop today. In the end, I did 106 miles with 5500' of elevation gain. On the way back, a dog ran out in front of me on Zena Rd. I don't know why, but the dogs are really starting to get to me. In talking with folks, Mace has been suggested. However, I have a better idea. Paint-ball gun. If your dog comes home with orange paint, I guess you can blame me.
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