(Long Distance) Ramblings

Oregon Randoneur Scio Covered Bridges 200K Brevet

Sal, Joanne and I left Willsonville at 8:00 am and returned at 7:30 pm for am 11:30 total time ride. We spent two hours off of the bikes.

The weather was cold and damp in the morning. The roads were not wet, but they were not dry either; they were damp at the edges but not enough to have the bicycle tires kick up water.

After leaving Willsonville, we had to cross the I-5 Boone Bridge. I do no enjoy riding on the freeway shoulder. Yes, it is ten feet wide, but the traffic is just ten feet away and is moving at 70 mph. Being next to Zoom, Zoom is not fun for me.

Two hours after the start of the ride, the wind kicked up. It was with us for the rest of the ride, fighting us in the morning and helping us in the afternoon. The wind was strong. We slowed down to an average speed of just 12 mph. In addition, The National Weather Service had predicted snow in the morning, and they were proven to be good predictors. We saw five minutes of tight, compact flakes, more like pellets than flakes, as we left Silverton. Following the snow, we had a short rain shower as we started the Cascade Highway Hills.

Sal's first control was in Scio where we stopped for lunch. The next portion of the ride took us through several wooden bridges in the Scio area, including the damaged Gilkey Covered Bridge. No, it is not open to traffic. Yes, we crossed it none the less.

Following the route, we returned to Salem, Sal's next control, and stopped at the Beanery coffee shop. I enjoyed a Bran Muffin while Joanne and Sal enjoyed cookies.

Leaving the Beanery, the sky had darken so much, we turned on our lights an hour before sunset. In addition, it started to rain. And the rain was a cold rain. We would ride in the cold rain for the last 35 miles of the ride. Yes, we were riding in the rain in the dark.

We worked our way northward toward Willsonville and we finally come to our last test, crossing the freeway bridge, in the dark, in the rain. This is not something I wish to do again anytime soon. But, we survived and rode back Starbucks where the manager was so impressed with us he gave us free cookies!

Posted 10:56 AM by John Henry

Baby, it is Cold Outside

We woke up to a very cold Sunday morning, but the sun was out and promised warm afternoon temperatures. Our group of Scott and Jim left the red log promptly at 10:00 am and finished the ride by 1:00 pm. We did not take any breaks along the way, instead we rode non-stop.

A whole herd of tandems!

Ah, summer in the Yakima Valley site of the 2007 Northwest Tandem Rally.

Posted 8:38 PM by John Henry

Yes, that is a Stop Sign

In 1997, Joanne and I rode our first Oregon Bicycle Ride. Somewhere in the outback of Eastern Oregon in a location now forgotten, we came upon this scene. In California, you have fours to get your dead car off of the highway. In rural Oregon, you have four decades.

Posted 7:25 PM by John Henry

Saturday Century in the Cold

The weather took a turn toward the cool and cloudy today after several days of spectacular sunshine. There was even a threat of rain. So, we decided to stay on the flats and we rode to the small town of Shedd. Mark Newsome had told me that the local market served food, so we just had to check it out.

Joanne and I met Mark Janeba in West Salem and headed south through Independence, Buena Vista and Albany where the casing on the front tire of our tandem failed and we had to resort to the emergency tire. Thanks to the two lovely young ladies in the local coffee shop who share their table with me as swapped tires.

Leaving Albany, we noticed a cyclists behind us trying to close the gap to us. We eased up and soon "Cookie" joined us and rode with us. Cookie move to the US back in '84 to Tuscan, Arizona from northern India. In April of this year, he move to Oregon and is enjoying his first winter here.

The market in Shedd met our expectations. Two very nice women welcomed us out of the cold. In addition to the ever popular chips and beer, the market offers a small deli that includes real, sandwiches. Joanne and I shared a turkey sandwich before the group headed north toward home.

He headed north on Seven Mile Rd and cross Scravel Hill Road to Jefferson. There, we turned to the west and rode through the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge before crossing the Independence Bridge over the Willamette River.

Posted 7:16 PM by John Henry

Scott's Tuesday Night

Cyclist with United States Flag in Oak Creek Canyon

When on a bicycle tour, you often meet other cyclists, but rarely if ever do you meet someone cycling with a 4 x 6 US flag attached to a BoB trailer. But we did. His name is Chip Schultz and his web site is www.omeh.org. He rode his bike and flag across the USA to raise funds for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund which "Honors the bravery and dedication exhibited by Americans in our armed forces who have sacrificed life and limb by providing educational scholarships to their children." A worthy cause indeed.

Posted 8:39 PM by John Henry

Best Restaurant in Jerome

Joanne and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner and yes, it was the best piece in town.

Posted 9:06 PM by John Henry

Wickenburg Ghost Bicycle

On our recent bicycle tour of Arizona, we came upon this Ghost Bicycle just outside of Wickenburg. This was the first day of our ten day tour and this sight sobered us up a bit.

Posted 8:46 PM by John Henry

A Saturday Double Metric Century

Joanne, Sal and I rode the Three Prairies 200K Permanent Brevets. We started in a light rain from the Coffee Cottage in Newburg and headed south toward the towns of Dundee, Dayton, Amity, Perrydale and Dallas. Between Perrydale and Dallas, the skies open up on us and rain came down in buckets at which point in time Sal spoke up, "If you wanted to know what Paris-Brest-Paris was like, it was like this!".

Fun.

We returned to Newburg, but our ride was not done, but the rain was. We did not see any more rain as we headed out of town crossing the Willamette River and rode through Gervis to Mt. Angel where we took a short stop at a new bakery in town. It was so good, I will be back.

Posted 10:32 PM by John Henry

Nutria Nails the Furnace Creek 508!

Mark's Mug Shot.

Receiving last minute instructions from crew cheif Sandy Earl while Joanne looks on.

Mark flys through the "windmills" on Tehachapi Pass.

Climbing Towns Pass.

Not having fun on Salsberry Pass.

Having fun crossing the finish line at 6:20 am Monday Morning.

Chris Kostman awarding the coveted Furnace Creek Finishers Metal

Nutria and crew.

Posted 4:44 PM by John Henry

The Furnance Creek 508 - The Day Before the Race

I am crewing for Mark "Nutria" Newsome as he attempts to finish The 508 solo. Mark crewed for me last year, I this is my way of thanking him for his hard work supporting me.

Sandy Earl, Crew Chief Extraordnaire, is our team leader and Scott McClellan fills out the team. The Van (known as "Eggplant" because of its color) is packed and ready, Mark is trained and rested and the weather looks to perfect for racing. It all goes well, Mark will roll into Twentynine Palms 36 hours after the 7:00 am start tomorrow morning.

(Not so) secretly, I wish I was the one racing again.

Other Oregon racers include:
Hugh "Dall's Porpoise" Gapay, 43, Cornelius
Greg "Gorilla" Geser, 54, Sisters
Del "Spider" Scharffenberg, 62. Portland
George Thomas, 2-man team (with David Holt)
Michael Wolf, 2-man recumbent team (with Jim Verheul)

Hugh is a rookie at The 508, while the rest are all veterans. In addition, Del Scharffenberg is a Death Valley Cup holder. To win this, you must finish both the Badwater UltraMarathon and The 508 in the same year.

Posted 4:01 PM by John Henry

Knoxville Double

That's me smiling as I ride pass Lake Berryessa on the 2007 Knoxville Double Century.

Posted 1:54 PM by John Henry

Knoxville Double Century

After server rides in which I did not do well, I had some trepidation about the Knoxville Double Century. Yes, I had finished it three time before, but this was another year.

But not to worry, I finished and had a very good ride.

Some thoughts about this year's ride. First of all, due to the closure of Big Canyon Rd, the course now includes Loch Lomond Rd, and some additional climbing. To say the road is steep is an understatement. I was in my lowest gear (26x25) and turning over the pedals was very difficult. And, with each pedal stroke, I was lifting my front wheel off of the ground. Yes, it was that steep.

Secondly, ultracyclists just can't pace line. Just after I left the Lake Hennessey rest stop, I was passed by eight riders in a pace line and I managed to jump on the back. But I soon observed that this was not a well run pace line. My first clue was that riders were taking too long of pulls. When the rider who had been pulling drifted back, the rider in front of me gapped the pace line. As such, he signaled that he would not be taking his turn to pull. I began to watch the dynamics of this line. A rider near the back appeared that he should know how to pace line. His legs were shaved and he work a jersey from a double century ride, but his actions were otherwise. He could not hold a line. He drifted back and fourth and on several occasions nearly took out the wheel of the rider behind him. When I saw this, I dropped off of the back a couple of bike lengths.

Lastly, riding a double is like meeting people in a bar in that you have short conversations, but then never see them again. On the way to the last rest stop, a tandem flew by me with one single behind it. Again, I managed to jump on as we flew down a small hill and the flat beyond. When the tandem came upon a small hill, they slowed and I struck up a conversation. I learned a lot about them; they lived in Susanville and had down the Devil Mountain Double on their tandem, twice. When we reached the rest stop, I was focused on setting up my lights and they left just before me. I tried to catch them, but I never saw them again. Just like some people I have met in bars.

Posted 8:52 PM by John Henry

Knoxville Double Century - The Next Ride

Yes, I have not been riding much in the last week. In fact, I took last weekend off completely. This was due to three reasons. The first was I was not feeling well, Not really sick, just tired and lazy. The second reason is that I drove SAG for my club's Peach of a Century. Lastly, I am tapering becasue this Saturday I will be riding in my third Knoxville Double Century. This will be my fourth Knoxville; I finished in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

The published elevation gain for this ride is 12,600 ft, and it is listed as eighth hardest of the 18 California doubles. However, due to the wash out of Big Canyon Rd, I am sure that there is more gain than before and it may even be promoted from "High" difficulty to "Extremly High".

I will be riding my LeMond and beginning at 4:45 am. I hope to reach the last rest stop by dusk, as I did in 2005. Other than that, my only goal is to finish.

Posted 10:16 PM by John Henry

Under a Harvest Moon

We rode the last East Salem Wednesday Night ride for the season, and it was under a Harvest Moon.

Posted 9:35 PM by John Henry

Do I need another bicycle?

No, but did that stop me from buying one? No!

I saw a Colnago CT2 frame and fork on eBay, and decided to bid for it. No, I really do not need another bicycle, but as one ages, one does need a fine Italian bicycle, and there is no finer Italian bicycle than a Colnago.

Now, I need to buy a bike build kit. Dura Ace or Ultegra?

Posted 9:55 PM by John Henry

Riding the Rollers

I attended a seminar in Eugene today, and did not get back in time to ride before the sun went down. So, I broke out the rollers and did 45 minutes on them. As you can see, my speed was nearly constant, but my heart rate slowly increased and I lost 13 feet in altitude!?! My intention was a easy ride to reacquaint myself with rollers. I believe I succeeded.

Some people just do not know how to drive!

It takes talent to jackknife inside of a covered bridge.

Posted 9:53 PM by John Henry

Wednesday Night Under Clear Skies

We did Hibbard tonight.

The Hibbard hill strikes fear into any reasonable bicycle rider. It comes upon you almost with our warning. The road is flat, but the trees up ahead seem wrong. Suddenly, you realize that you are looking at the tops of tall trees. Looking through the trees, you can see the road beyond, and it appears vertical! Then you are descending into a steep walled ravine. You pick up speed but you have to brake to make a shape right hand turn as the road crosses a small bridge. You look up and see the road climb up the other side of the ravine. If you are lucky, you get into your smallest gear, but even so, your legs scream "Why are we climbing this wall?" It is very steep, but it is also short. When you reach the top, you are gasping for air. This is fun?

Yes, it is!

Posted 9:26 PM by John Henry

A Quick Fall Ride

Fall has fallen and it fell fast. The days of sunny skies are over and I had to check the weather radar to see if it was going to rain. The forecast was for a 20% chance of showers in the evening, but we got the ride in before the rain.

Posted 8:37 PM by John Henry

First Night Ride of the Season

Posted 9:24 PM by John Henry

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Posted 9:56 PM by John Henry

Weekend Update

Oregon Randonneur 200K

Miles: 126.76
Elevation Gain: 6,004
August Miles: 407.4
YTD Miles: 5533.02

Four o'clock in the morning comes early, but that is the time you must get up if you want to start a ride in Eugene at 7:00 am. It takes 45 minutes for Joanne and I to get out of the house, a half hour to pick up Mark Janeba at this house, and an hour and 15 minutes to drive to Eugene. Still, we started a few minutes after 7:00 am.

We took the Blackberry Bramble route out of town which means a steep climb. And this is where our Cannondale Tandem began to have rear derailleur problems. We stopped for an adjustment and watched Mark ride away up the hill. This was the first of many stops for adjustment as we could never get it tweaked in correctly.

From Eugene, we headed south to the town of Drain, which was having their annual town-wide garage sale. As we pulled in, Mark was just leaving but he stopped long enough to ask me my shoe size. Yes, I was puzzled why he was interested in my shoe size. I the years that I have know him, he as never given me any indications that he may have a shoe fetish. So I felt safe in answering him, "43.5", I said. "Today is your lucky day! There is a lady over there trying to give away a pair of brand new Sidi Genius 5 road shoes size 44." I turned around and yes a woman was coming toward me with a Sidi shoe box. She asked if I could use them. Could I use them? Of course I could use them. She trust the box into my hands as turned a walked away. Apparently, she had purchased them in an estate sale and could not find anyone in Drain to sell them to, so she gave them to me, the first cyclist with the right shoe size that came by. They even fit in our large bag we use with the Cannondale tandem.

Covered Bridge Century

Miles: 99.29
Elevation Gain: 2,917
August Miles: 506.69
YTD Miles: 5632.31

Yes, after riding 127 miles on Saturday, we pull out the Meridian tandem and ride 100 miles on Sunday. We started easy and stay easy for the first half of the ride, but the hills in the second half, and the rabbits (a new Santana tandem and a couple of fast riders wearing Cycle Oregon jerseys) motivated us.

Posted 8:07 PM by John Henry

Blog Post Number 500

Yep, I have now posted to this blog 500 times since starting it in March 28, 2002.

Miles: 39.56
August Miles to Date: 280.64
Year to Date Miles: 5406.26

An easy Salem Bicycle Club Wednesday Night Ride. It must have been easy as my average heart rate was just 78 beats per minute.

Addtional Rational Discourse

Cyclists not Wearing down Roads

August 6, 2007

Alan Bender, in his July 31 letter, expresses concern that bicycle riders do not pay for the privilege of using our roads. I ask him to consider the difference in wear and tear on the roads between a vehicle (especially an SUV) and a bicycle.

In addition, those who have the courage to ride their bikes on public roads are not using our precious resources and are not contributing to air pollution.

Perhaps the Legislature should be putting more effort into making the use of bicycles more attractive to more people.

-- Jo Johnson, Salem

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007708060305

Posted 9:50 PM by John Henry

Mt. Shasta Super Century

Miles: 132.18
Elevation Gain: 15,194
August Miles: 241.08
YTD Miles: 5366.7

I did the Super Century! I rode 132 miles up four climbs that total over 16,000 (advertised) feet of elevation gain.

I left my warm trailer at 6:00 am. I was soon on the route and following a couple dressed in full race kits. They set a quick but not fast pace so I used them to pace myself. But soon, my LeMond started to have a mechanical problem. When in the middle chain ring and the largest two cogs in the rear, the chain would spontaneously drop into the small chainring. Now, I would be in the small chain ring a lot in this ride, but unexpected downshifting is not a good thing!

The first climb is Abbey Summit. This climb has kicked my butt before so I took it easy at the beginning. I found myself riding with an older man out of Redding on his wife's Colnago (because it has a triple). The pace was easy and we enjoyed good conversation as we rode the gentler early climb. When the grade increased I pick up my effort and started climbing alone. Then, Del passed me! Del is my Tualatin Tuesday Night ride leader and 2008 508 finisher. We spoke breifly and then he powered away from me. I wish I could climb that well when I'm 62. I wish I could climb that well at my age now!

Near the top of the climb, I looked up and saw a sight no cyclists want to see - someone was down on the pavement and not getting up. He was covered with a blanket and surrounded by other cyclists. A red pickup truck was stopped and the driver was radioing for medical assistance. As I walked my bike around the scene, I glanced down at the fallen rider. Someone was talking to him so I surmised that he was conscious, by his feet were sticking out of the end of the blanket in an unnatural way.

At Abbey Summit, I refilled my food bottle and sucked down a Clif Shot and was on my way down the hill. I passed the fallen rider who was still on the rode. Now, there was a Sheriff there alone with a Forest Service Ranger. Descending, I had to pull off of the one-lane road for six emergency vehicles, the first being a ambulance.

I made it safely down the hill and headed toward the rest stop at Weed. But I blew by it and made my way toward the next rest stop at the Mt. Shasta Resort. These, I took another short stop refilling my food bottle and consuming another Clif Shot.

The next climb is Munbo Summit, and this climb I believe is the hardest. While the third highest of the day, it contains the "Wall", a quarter mile section so steep, I have seen lean, fit, young cyclists pushing their bikes up it. I dropped down into my lowest gear (26 x 25) and slowly worked my way up. After an initial couple of turns, the "Wall" straightens out and you can see a line of cyclists suffering up the face of the "Wall".

I took another short stop at the top and began the descent. My fear of falling induced by the unfortunate scene on the first climb forgotten, I sped down the hill passing several other riders.

While the time was approaching noon, I had one more climb before lunch - Castle Lake. This is the shortest and lowest climb of the day, but it is the hardest. I have to take it on during the heat of the day, and the first five miles is constantly steep. I was very happy to obtain the top.

Lunch was a quick turkey sandwich and a short stop at the mechanical support tent. There, the wrench found that my Wippermann quick link had worn and was now loose. A simple reversing of the link solved my problem.

The last climb of the day is Mt. Shasta, and it was very hard. Just yesterday, I was holding myself back on this climb, but today I was truly suffering. I stopped at each of the two rest stops on the 14 mile climb to refresh. Yet, the last two miles to the top were truly hard. I arrived at 6:00 pm, twelve hours after my start that morning.

I was greeting by cheering rest stop volunteers and I sat down for the first time today. But soon, I put on my arm warmers and wind vest for the cold descent as it was just 60° at the top.

The descent went very well, and I must admit I broke the 35 mph speed limit and I did pass a car that was obeying the speed limit.

At the finish, I sat with Del and traded stories until he had to leave to return home. I limped back to the KOA.

Posted 9:06 AM by John Henry

Mt. Shasta Super Century Pre-Climb

Miles: 30.87
Elevation Gain: 4,030'

I arrived at the Mt. Shasta KOA in time to jump on my bicycle and take it for a spin. The question was, where should I go? Of course the obvious answer is to climb Mt. Shasta! So, off I went up the mountain.

Now, some may think this was a bit odd as I am riding the 135 mile Mt. Shasta Super Century that has over 16,000 feet of elevation gain tomorrow. Not me. I just kept my heart rate below 135 bpm, or in the fat burning zone, and slowly made my way up the mountain. And, I was not the only one; I saw two other riders during the climb.

I felt very good climbing today. Of course as my legs have finally recovered from the madness last weekend (RAMROD and Pedal the Pinchot on the tandem). As I worked my way up, I remember the many times I have climbed this mountain and how awful I have felt. But today was a different day and it was fun spinning up the mountain. No worries mate!

Tomorrow, I attempt the Super Century which has four major climbs and some say is more difficult than the Death Ride. I can not comment as I have never had the pleasure of riding the Death Ride, but I do know that this is the toughest ride under a double that I have every done.

Oh, by the way, if I survive tomorrow, I plan on climbing Mt. Shasta again on Monday before I leave for home.

Posted 9:54 PM by John Henry

Rational Discourse

Sorry, bicyclists, you do not own the roads

July 31, 2007

In response to your skewed July 17 editorial, "Drivers must share the road with bicyclists," bicyclists do not have a right to the road. It is a privilege, as it is to all motorists. The difference being, motorists pay for this privilege and motorists also pay for all the bike lanes through gas taxes, registration fees, etc.

Where does the bicyclist ante up? Maybe a registration fee for cyclists? I'm surprised our Legislature has not discovered this source of revenue.

I don't understand why a person would want to go onto a single-lane road, with blind corners, with tires that are too small to handle road hazards and take on a 3,000-pound vehicle traveling at 55 mph, let alone a 50,000-pound gravel truck. I see this all the time.

A friend of mine was hit by a passing vehicle's mirror. He does not ride on these roads that are not designed for cyclists "because it is not worth his life." Smart man.

If they want to play on the road, expect the consequences. This is called natural selection.

-- Alan Bender, Turner

(http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007707310305)

Cyclists give to road funds

August 3, 2007

Alan Bender's July 31 response to the editorial in which the Statesman Journal urged motorists and bicyclists to share the road contains a commonly held misconception -- that bicyclists do not contribute to the costs of constructing and maintaining roads.

The sources of money in the state highway fund are gas taxes, weight-mile taxes and registration fees. However, the state highway fund is not the primary source of funds for street construction and maintenance, particularly in urban areas.

For example, Salem's share of the state highway fund is not sufficient even to cover the costs of operations and maintenance. The city council recently raided the general fund to pay for street repairs.

Developers are generally required to construct new streets to serve their developments, and they pay transportation systems development charges used to fund road-widening projects. Many street construction projects have been funded through bond levies, and the city is considering asking voter approval of another levy.

Polk County voters just approved such a levy to fund road repairs. These bonds are paid with property taxes.

Ultimately, everybody contributes regardless of their preferred mode of transportation.

-- Doug Parrow, Keizer

(http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007708030310)

Posted 8:59 PM by John Henry

RAMROD

For many years I have been hearing of a ride in Washington named RAMROD. RAMROD stands for Ride Around Mt. Ranier in One Day. The route is usually 150 miles with tons of climbing. It is also so popular that it is almost impossible to get in.

Well, this year they used a lotter system, and thinking that I did not have a chance, I entered. My thinking was faulty as I won.

And, due to winter storms which closed roads, the route in not around Mt. Ranier, but up and down it.

At 6:05 am, I head out onto the course. Most folks started earlier than I, but I valued that extra hour of sleep. I soon caught up with two riders and decided to use their easy pace up to the first check point. We slowly climbed for 25 miles to the first check point where I took a very short stop. I did see someone wearing a California Triple Crown vest and I asked him which doubles he has done. He named three of the hardest - Terrible Two, Devil Mountain and Mt. Tam. We left together and he soon road away from me.

After several more miles of gentle climbing, we crossed a stream and the real climbing began, I brought up my heart rate to 142 and kept it between 140 and 150 for the rest of the climb. This is rate that I can maintain for miles and thats how long the climb was. I hooked up with someone riding an Litespeed Appalachian with a power tap. We soon got into talking about training as we climbed together.

I must admit that the views from the top of this climb were spectacular! I really need to return when I have some time, but again, I took a very short stop at CP2 before beginning the long descent back the way I came. The road was smooth and not difficult and I reached 40 miles per hour before returning to the main highway.

Here, I descended down to the Chrystal Springs Road where I turned up the hill toward the ski resort. This climb was both steeper and the road was rougher. Most of the riders descending from the CP were taking it easy. I wished I could just turn around and join them, but that would have been route cheating! This climb was much more difficult than the first due to the grade and also due to the increase in temperatures. I was really sweating, but I kept my heart rate between 140 and 150 bpm. At the top of the climb, I pored cold water over my head and felt the refreshing wetness drip down my back.

This descent was very fun. For some reason, the rough road did not bother me and I raced down the hill passing several riders chasing someone in a grey jersey. He beat me down the hill and we turned into the head wind for the twelve mile ride to the next turn. Soon, a young woman in a pink T-Mobile jersey joined us and we formed a pace line with three minute pulls. This allowed us to pass several riders who were fighting the head wind by themselves. All too soon, we came to Forest Road 70 and began the last climb of the day, except for pink T-Mobile who had enough climbing for the day.

I joined Chris (grey jersey) on the first three miles of the climb as the grade was easy and we could easily talk. But then the climbing got serious with the steepest grade of the day - 12%. It was not long but it hurt. Again, I kept my heart rate between 140 and 150 bpm. Then, something terrible happened, the road began a 12% downgrade. Yes, I enjoyed it, but knowing that I would have to climb it on the return did not please me. After the downgrade, I returned to climbing up to the check point.

At the check point, we were promised a treat. But it turned out to be donuts. Since I avoid refined sugar, I did not partake.

The return was as tough as I reared. Twelve percent is a very tough grade to climb after 115 miles. None the less, I felt good climbing and soon I passed over the top and I knew the climbing for the day was over.

Rejoinging the highway, I came upon the "Deli" stop and I ate a turkey sandwich before returning to start/finish line. I arrived just before 5:00 pm.

I am very pleased with my performance as I felt I had many more miles left in my legs.

Recovery Ride

After driving to Cougar, Washington for the Pedal the Pinchot, I decided to go on an easy recovery ride. But, not knowing the roads allowed me to do an 1,000 foot climb before descending the other side. There, near the bottom, I came upon Al, Julie and Kathleen who are also riding the Pedal the Pinchot tomorrow. My easy recovery ride soon began to be very hard as they powered up the hill. I held on until my heart rate reached 152 bpm and I dropped off the back. They noticed and slowed so I could rejoin them.

Posted 6:21 PM by John Henry

The Perfect RAO Rider Swap

Staged at one of the few stop signs on the course, Patty Jo begins to pedal just as Sandy comes to a stop. Very well done ladies!

I will have more Race Across Oregon photos once I get back from RAMROD and Pedal the Pinchot. I love hills!

Meanwhile, here are some other blog entries on this years RAO:

Sandy Earl - member of Team She-Cat Flash

K-Man - an Ultracycling Groupie?

Posted 2:26 PM by John Henry

Race Across Oregon

I crewed for Team She-Cat Flash last weekend as they shattered the (non-existent) two woman team record! We left Portland at 7:00 am on Saturday Morning and arrived at the finishing line at Timberline Lodge at 9:30 pm (or so) on Sunday. Sandy Earl and Patty Jo Struve road side by side for the last two miles (two miles - two person team) and crossed the finishing line to the cheers of the crowd and their very tired crew!

Posted 11:55 AM by John Henry

Oregon Ultimate Road Ride

Miles: 211.57
Elevation Gain: 12,799'
July Miles: 321.26
Year to Date: 4677.38

At five o'clock in the morning in Sisters, Oregon sixteen bicyclists are standing around Mike as he gives us the pre-ride speech. We are about to start on a 215 mile adventure known as the Oregon Ultimate Road Ride. It is well named. The ride starts in Sisters and ends in Bend, but the route does not take the 20 mile Hwy 20 route. No, we are taking the long way get to get to Bend by crossing the Cascade Mountain Range twice. First, we climb the McKenzie Pass and drop down to McKenzie Bridge. Next on the adventure in one of the most scenic roads in Oregon, the Robert Aufderheide Memorial Drive. Now in Westfir, we cross over a nasty ridge to Oakridge and start the toughest climb of the day, Willamette Pass. It is 25 miles of up, 4000 feet of up. After achieving the summit, we turn north and ride the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway over Mt. Bachelor and then down to Bend.

OURR Elevation Map

Mike gives us the usual warning, ride safe, in single file, etc. But one thing causes me to pay attention. McKenize Pass is closed to all traffic. But he has it on good authority that it is passable. Oh Kay, this sounds like fun!

Actually, there was on 50 foot section where we had to carry our bikes cyclecross style pass where ODOT had covered the roadway with boulders. Other than than, the road was fine.

This was my second OURR, and this year it was easier than my first. I kept my rest stops short, I had more water on the Willamette Pass climb, and I was ready for the headwinds on the Cascade Lakes Byway. I finished at 8:35 pm with an 15.0 mph average

Sunday Recovery Ride

Miles: 38.04
Elevation Gain: 295'
July Miles: 359.62
Year to Date: 4715.74

Yes, after driving home from Bend today, Joanne and I went our for an easy recovery ride. At first, my legs had some strength, but at the end of the ride, Joanne beat me up a small hill. Oh, the shame!

Posted 8:40 PM by John Henry

Scott's Tuesday Night Group Ride

Miles: 40.11
Elevation Gain: 676'
April Miles: 64.94
Year to Date: 4421.06

I am tired. I need to go to bed. I need to recovery from this ride. Good night.

By the way, in the last three rides, I have had four flats. This makes for an very unhappy bicycle rider.

Posted 10:30 PM by John Henry

Hill Repeats, Part Two - The Torture Continues

Miles: 24.83
Elevation Gain: 1125'
April Miles: 24.83
Year to Date: 4380.95

Hill Repeats. Even thought I did a century yesterday, I went out for a set of hill repeats. My performance was slower than my first set of repeats, and my average heart rate was 10 bpm higher. None the less, I had fun, and a flat in the rear.

Posted 7:13 PM by John Henry

Saturday Century - Foolish Flat

Miles: 105.59
Elevation Gain: 1253'
April Miles: 1107.42
Year to Date: 4356.12

The Salem Bicycle Club has a route created by Charlie Perry. I need a flat route as next weekend I will be suffering on the climbs of the Cascade Mountains riding the Oregon Ultimate Road Ride. Thanks to Charlie, I had the route.

Joanne and I rode our Meridian Tandem and Randy Thomas joined us as we visited just about every small town in the Northern Willamette Valley. We road through Mt. Angle, Marquam, Scotts Mills, Silverton, Turner, Marion and Jefferson and in the process only gained 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Unlike last weekend, the weather was very nice with clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 70° - a very nice day.

Half Year Recap
Well, the first six months of 2007 are now history. I managed to ride my bicycle 73 times for a total of 4356.12 miles. In addition, I did 24 centuries! None the less, I am behind in my competition with Mark Newsome. He has 30 centuries through the month of June. Will I be able to catch up in the second half of the year?

Posted 6:35 PM by John Henry

Watermelon Stories

Mark Janeba and I were riding side by side on Webfoot Road. This is a two-lane, no shoulder country road that runs along side of several nurseries. At the edge of the road to our right was a small strip of grass leading up to a high fence. Suddenly, my eye detected motion and I saw a fawn (baby deer) running along the fence trying to get away from us. But the fence had it blocked! The fawn ran several yards in front of us and I was thinking that it might turn in front of us. But, it stopped and turned around to run back the way it came, escaping from us. Bambi Lives!

My old coach has posted her Wateremelon experience in her blog.

Posted 9:16 PM by John Henry

Watermelon Double

Miles: 167.48
Elevation Gain: 4291'
April Miles: 1001.83
Year to Date: 4250.53

The alarm woke me at 4:00 am and by 4:40 I was picking up Mark Janeba. At 5:00, we were at the start of the 2007 Watermelon Double. At 5:30 am, we were on the road.

During the ride, we suffered through two rain storms, one flat, and lots of miles. We enjoyed this with some impressive folks. Mark Newsome is training for the Furnace Creek 508 as is Del Scharffenberg. But my hot goes off to Adam (I did not get his last name) who is training for Race Across Oregon. He started at 1:30 am in Portland and rode down to the start of the ride. I heard he was to ride back also.

Speaking of riding down from Portland, my Furnace Creek coach, Sandy Earl, also had one long ride. I do not know when she started, but it must have been very early.

I had a very good ride. My legs never felt tired and I was riding at a very good pace. But, I did not finish. As I approached the last rest stop, my stomach started to rebel. I limped in to the Rittner Creek Bridge rest stop and fell to the ground. I laid there hoping I could recover, but it was not to be and my ride was over at 167 miles.

Posted 6:51 PM by John Henry

Ah, Early Summer Evening Rides!

Miles: 28.44
Elevation Gain: 203'
April Miles: 759.99
Year to Date: 4008.69

After a brief gym workout with Martin, who is recovering from pneumonia, I found my wife working in the front yard on a sprinkler head. Whenever I ask the question "Would you like to go for a bike ride?", the answer she gives is always the same, "Yes!".

We took the Meridian out for an early summer evening ride in the flatlands to the north of Keizer. It is so much fun to ride in the cool evening air!

Tour de Blast, Barlow Trail or Watermelon?

Three rides this weekend. What a dilemma!

All three rides are well run and challenging. Tour de Blast can be really nice, if the weather is good. Too many times I have come off the mountain in rain and then "enjoyed" a cold shower. The last time Joanne and I went up north for the ride the weather was fantastic - clear blue skies and warm temperatures. Too bad I left my cycling shoes back home in Salem. I should have duck taped my feet to the pedals.

The Barlow Trail is the new kid on the block and Joanne and I rode it last year - in very hot weather. While we intended to do the long 100 mile route, common sense prevailed and shortened the route to 60 miles. On another note, the route uses the Springwater Multipurpose Path. Putting a large number of cyclists on this path, in contention with the usual traffic, cause me some concern last year. I do not have much experience with these multipurpose paths which probably accounted for my tenseness. I much rather ride on the road.

I have been coordinating the Watermelon Rides for the last five years, but I have stepped down to due to job pressures and because I wanted to concentrate on my ultacycling. So this is the first year that I will be able to ride the Watermelon Rides and I do plan to do so. I will start at 5:30 am (aka O'dark thirty) and home to finish the 200 mile route within 14 hours. Of the three rides, the Watermelon has the flattest routes. That being said, there are still some good hills (Fishback Hill out of Monmouth). In addition to these hills, late afternoon winds can be challenging.

Posted 9:40 PM by John Henry

Saturday Century - the slow and easy kind

Miles: 106.39
Elevation Gain: 2215'
April Miles: 731.55
Year to Date: 3980.25

My pre-ride email:

"Well, with no event ride to ride this weekend, we will do an honest Saturday Century. Please join Joanne and I as we do a variation of an old SBC Century - The Thornose Century. Starting at the Red Lot at 8:00 am, we will ride north to Keizer and then cross the Wheatland Ferry and head north to Dayton on Webfoot Road. From Dayton, we will pass through the small towns of Lafeyette, Carlton and Yamhill before turning to the south and skirting McMinnville on our way to Sheridan (and lunch). With full stomachs and energy to spare, we head home via Ballston and Perrydate crossing over the ferry yet again on our return to Salem.

This is going to be a slower paced flatter route as I will be riding the Watermelon 200 mile route the following weekend. Doug has posted the Watermelon route sheet on the SBC website and all I can say is that the route looks juicy! If you join us, not only will you get some miles in, but you will learn how the Thornose Century got it's name!"

Upon opening the newspaper this morning, learned that the Wheatland Ferry is closed for maintenance. As such, we altered the route to use Wallace Road / Lafeyette Hwy. Mark Janeba, Nanci and Jean met us at the red log on a cool and cloudy morning. We left promptly at 8:00 am. As we approached Dayton, we came upon some wet roads. It must have rained in this area before we arrived. We kept to short stops until we reached Sheridan, which was celebrating the annual Phil Sheridan Days. We stopped at the very busy Sheridan Pizza Company for sandwiches before heading for home and riding with a strong tail wind.

Posted 10:14 PM by John Henry

A Rest Day for Me, but not for all!

No miles today as it is an official rest day.

However, not everyone is at rest.

Jon Wolf on the Elite PAC Tour

Posted 9:33 PM by John Henry

Back into the Hills!

Miles: 28.73
Elevation Gain: 1132'
April Miles: 625.16
Year to Date: 3873.86

I joined the folks at Scott's Cycles for their Thursday Night ride, and I decided to ride with the "fast" group instead of the medium speed group like I did on Tuesday night.

Well, I was hoping for a flatter ride, but no, up to the East Salem Hills we go. I managed to stay on as we climbed Macleay Hill, but they rode away from me on the next hill leaving me alone. So, since I was in the hills, I decided to get in a few more climbs and did the climb out of Shaw, Aumsville Hwy and then Joesph St. I worked hard and came in with a 17.9 mph average.

Posted 10:13 PM by John Henry

Wednesday Recovery Ride

Miles: 24.94
Elevation Gain: 240'
April Miles: 596.43
Year to Date: 3845.13

Joanne and I rode the Meridian 25 miles tonight leading the Salem Bicycle Club Wednesday Night Ride. We had the largest group this year as we did a flat ride east of Salem. The wind was coming strong out of the west so heading back into McKay Park was slow.

What Have I Done Now?

I have just signed up for the Watermelon Double and the Oregon Ultimate Road Ride. I have done both before and I am looking forward to each test again.

Posted 10:23 PM by John Henry

French RAAM Update via Babelfish

Even though my heritage is French-Canadian, I do not speak the French language. But, I have signed up to receive email updates about a Frenchman who is riding RAAM. Yes, they come to me in French. So, I am using Babelfish to translate into english, well sort of. Here is an example:
"Hello with all! And here, it left! The RAAM 2007 flew away this morning of Oceanside at 12 noon (9h standard time), Patrick at the head since it was on the first line. Alarm clock for everyone with 6h30, but Patrick was already awaked since 4h of the morning (hold hold odd...). After a copious breakfast, we joined the few 300 people who massed along the beach to attend the beginning, the "solos" at the head. The first 20 miles proceeded without us, since the riders were in "parade" in the streets of Oceanside. The junction was established after the official start which proceeded to a "signal departure" of the runners each thirty seconds. It is with a not dissimulated satisfaction (cries in the van, high speaker à.fond and music!) that we followed the first rise of the day when Patrick is taken for a "shirt with pea": it passed to the collar in the 7 first with a surprising ease and a great smile to the lips, undoubtedly, like us all, charmed capacity finally to unstitch some. After 57,4 miles, it reached the first "time station" (not of control), located at the edge of a superb lake, before penetrating front the arid earths of California. Rob, Estelle and myself trained the team of the following van, while Herve, Thierry, Christian and Fred joined a point of precise rallying between the first and the second "time station". Did you already see an immense roundabout filled with greenery in full medium of the desert? American prowess, it is on this splendid quay level that Patrick carried out its first true stop of the day (20 minutes) after an extraordinary descent of 8 miles to more than 7% of slope where it flirtait with the 50 m/p/h (75 km/h!). Pure happiness, for him without any doubt, and us also, music with "donf" (would say young people) to justify it with "releasing" the brakes, like one says in the jargon... It was 15h30 when it set out again, reinflated by excellent salad prepared by the "Master ès chef" whom we discovered, alias main Thierry! (I also acknowledge from of to have benefitted... pleasure from the papillae when you hold us...). Always it is that that requinqué our man who went himself from there drum beating to face the Californian desert with a "poulidoresque" aggressiveness (yes yes, that is said!) he allowing to border one 20 m.p.h. of average. It was so much with its ease that it was called Patrick the "scorpion", king of the desert! The "time station" 3 was thus a formality since it was presented there in form at 23h. Small 15 minutes halt to absorb the remainder of the salad (mâlin!) and here it is set out again in the heat harms American (26°) for, there still, to roll to an excellent average of 20 m.p.h. During this time, the teams turned, Christian and Herve taking the changing of the following van after we before subjected Fred then Thierry to the baptism of fire so that they can be accustomed to the "roadbook" (guide) in order not to lose as of their first harms our champion (euh, excuse me, you would not have seen French on a bicycle in the desert and two other French in a van following it by chance??). Lastly, per hour when I write to you, they are sleeping before taking their "quarter", Patrick pedals towards the "time station" 5 (it passed the n°4 to 3h15 of the morning) guided by Herve, Christian and Estelle (who met Morphée since already well a long time...). Rob as for him leads the other van of which I try to write to you in spite of the bumps met on the road... Here, thus advances one night in full desert, an end of adventure which is achieved in the friendship, serenity and the performance, one night when even far, one thinks Yours sincerely... Go Patrick, go Patrick!! Good night... Jerome"

Posted 10:58 AM by John Henry

Dog Stampede

Miles: 29.30
Elevation Gain: 538'
April Miles: 571.49
Year to Date: 3820.19

I did not feel like have Del's group in Tualatin rip my lungs out after yesterday's hill repeats so I joined the slow group from Scott's tonight.

In order to help me ride with them, I am now keeping my old Cannondale CAAD3 bike at their shop. They recently tuned it up and I threw on some old Spinergy XAero Wheels. I must admit, that this was the first road ride for the CAAD3 since I purchased the LeMond three years ago. I found that I like the bike, even if the ride is a bit harsh and the feel is twitchy. Also, the handlebars are very low compared to my other bikes which leads to a whole different feel on the bike.

Oh, about the dogs. As we were leaving the small town of Turner, two small Chihuahuas came out onto the road chasing the peloton. They darted every which way and when we were not about to run over them, they were about to be run over by passing traffic. They were relentless in their pursuit and it would appear that they would chase us all of the way back to Salem. But we stopped and let them have the taste of victory before they turned back and headed home.

Posted 10:38 PM by John Henry

Blog, Damn it!

Been busy the last month.

Tonight, I did my first set of Hill Repeats. The concept is to ride four minutes up a steady hill and then ride back down to the bottom. Repeat four times.

Now, I have done intervals on the rollers, and I thought that hill repeats would be harder. But I found them to be easier that intervals on the rollers. With intervals, I would watch the clock and count down the seconds, but with the hill repeats, the time flew by and four minutes was just the right length of time.

You can see my results here.

Miles: 25.97
Elevation Gain: 1,273'
April Miles: 542.19
Year to Date: 3790.89

Posted 9:54 PM by John Henry

Just Playing with Graphics

I am unable to import my gpx file of the 2007 Cherry of a Ride into RouteSlip.com. As such, I am playing with Bikely.com. The input went very quickly the site will create an elevation graph. But, it is multicolored. It show brown for climbing and green for descending. This is useless information. Once can tell when the graph is going up or down. So, I have "corrected this with the image below.

Posted 8:39 PM by John Henry

April Recap and Catch Up

Wow, Have I been busy! I finished the month of April with three centuries in the last nine days of the month.

Cherry of a Ride

Miles: 93.23
Elevation Gain: 5,364'
April Miles: 580.32
Year to Date: 2235.97

It rained hard on Saturday, April 21. Joanne and I looked out the window of our warm home and decided not to ride. We would do house work instead.

After cleaning the house, we loaded up our Cannondale rain tandem and headed for The Dalles, Oregon. It rained all of the way, even after we passed the Cascade Mountains, the usual place where the rain stops.

But, upon waking on Sunday morning, we found only damp roads and cloudy skies. We started the ride with hopes that the skies would clear and the sun would shine. Our hopes were rewarded and we had an very enjoyable, but hilly ride.

We rode by ourselves for the most part, but joined Tim and Georgia, our Jack Frost Time Trial competitors, for the last long climb of the day.

Rip Your Lungs out Tualatin Tuesday

Miles: 31.42
Elevation Gain: 2,051'
April Miles: 611.74
Year to Date: 2267.39

I joined Del and the Portland Wheelman Touring Club for their weekly hammer fest in the hills southeast of Tualatin. Most of the half fast group is in Italy leaving me to chase Jack up the hills. He showed no mercy and dropped me near after I worked so hard to follow him. No, I am not angry. How else am I going to improve my climbing if not shown how it is done? My average heart rate for hill climb was 155 bpm.

Wednesday Recovery Ride

Miles: 19.16
Elevation Gain: 157'
April Miles: 630.90
Year to Date: 2286.55

After Tuesday's ride, I needed a nice, easy recovery ride and I was happy to putt along staying with the slow riders. My average heart rate for the nearly 20 mile ride was just 78 bpm.

Saturday in the Hills

Miles: 94.17
Elevation Gain: 4,829'
April Miles: 725.07
Year to Date: 2380.72

Jon Wolf joined me for a session of hill climbing outside of Scotts Mills. He showed me a new hill to climb - Crooked Finger Road.

The 31st Annual Monster Cookie Metric Century

Miles: 100.29
Elevation Gain: 761'
April Miles: 825.36
Year to Date: 2481.01

Ah, the Monster Cookie. This is the granddaddy ride of the Salem Bicycle Club. 62 flat miles in the Willamette Valley from the Oregon State Capital to Champoeg State Park and back.

Joanne and I rode our tandem down to the start and back home again for a total of 78 miles. Then, I jumped on the LeMond for 22 miles fun filled miles for a full century. Yes, it was a good day to ride.

The Statesman Journal covered the event very well including a this video.

Posted 8:07 PM by John Henry

Mark Janeba Makes the Local Paper

Long distance riding partner, Mark Janeba, made the local newspaper this morning. The Statesman Journal reports that Willamette University, where Mark is the current chair of the Math Department, has opened a student operated bicycle shop as part of the University's efforts to foster sustainability.

As to my riding, with my lingering cold and the wet weather outside, I would rather do housework today. Sometimes the right decision just does not feel right.

Posted 8:12 AM by John Henry

The Metal Cowboy is...

... coming next week. Yes, I showed up a week early.

Meanwhile, here is a photo taken by Sal Ortega of Jon Wolf enjoing the Oregon Randonneur Three Capes 300K.

Posted 8:40 PM by John Henry

It Has Been Cold Around Here

I have been suffering from a slight cold that has kept me from riding (and working) this week. But I am feeling better and plan on a Late Saturday Century this weekend. Yes, it is true and not a time warp. This weekend's Saturday Century will be on Sunday, April 22. We will be riding the 3rd Annual Cherry of a Ride in The Dalles. This is one sweet ride! You have a choice of five different distances between 30 and 100 miles. Sal, Joanne and I rode this last year and put it on our must do every year list. In addition to great views of the Columbia Rive and Gorge, you ride through the Moser Tunnels and climb up to the green wheat fields above The Dalles. More information can be found at http://www.stmarysacademythedalles.org/upcoming_events!.htm. Currently, the weather forecast for The Dalles for Sunday is "Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers. Highs 57 to 62."

Meanwhile, tonight, I plan on traveling to the Silver Falls Public Library to attend The Metal Cowboy's presentation. Info below.

The Silver Falls Library Presents: Joe Kurmaskie A.K.A. The Metal Cowboy Momentum is Your Friend Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:00 p.m. Young and old alike are invited to enjoy a dynamic presentation filled with Mark Twain-like tales of adventure, humor, and inspiration. The program includes storytelling, giveaways, and slides depicting Joe's amazing 4,000 mile cross-country bicycle trip towing his two sons. Unassisted, with no support crew except for his boys' comic relief and the periodic kindness of strangers, he pedals hundreds of pounds of gear and offspring over mountain passes, across the wide plains, through thunderstorms, and into the heart of what it means to be a dad. Along the way they encounter wild horses, roadkill, grizzly bears, and a variety of interesting people. Joe Kurmaskie is an award winning journalist, adventurer, and author, who has pedaled over 110,000 miles in search of laughs and inspiration. The whole family will enjoy a fun-filled evening with Joe, learning about travel, cycling, safety tips, relationships, and how to balance a life of adventure with family. Sponsored by the Silver Falls Library, 410 S. Water St., Silverton, OR, 503-873-8796 All library programs are free of charge.

Posted 7:08 AM by John Henry

Oregon Randonneur's Three Capes 300 K

Miles: 186.63
April Miles: 487.09
Year to Date: 2142.74

The weather forecast for the 2007 Oregon Randonnuer's Three Capes 300 K was rain. Not showers, not a chance of rain, but rain pure and simple. Well, the forecast was wrong.

I woke up at 3:00 am with just four hours sleep. The night before, I attended the Oregon Symphony concert in Salem 'John Pizzarelli Sings Nat King Cole'. We had very good seats and the concert was very hot. But, I did not get to bed until 11:00 pm.

After waking and loading up the van, I picked up Mark Janeba and we headed north up to the start at Forest Grove. Along the way, we drive through one strong shower, but most of the drive was dry. When we arrived, the sky was cloudy, but there was no rain falling. John Spurgeon rolled up on his single speed. We spoke and he advised that his training for Race Across America (RAAM) was going well.

Promptly at 6:00 am, we were off. The first control was at the foot of the Timber Road climb. It was here that Mark realized that he had forgotten his brevet card. What could he do? He simply advised the control and they did check off his name.

We reversed our route and returned to Hwy 6 and turned toward the coast. And it began to rain. Now that our fears of riding 10 hours in the rain were realized, we could only zip up our rain coats and continue peddling. But, in twenty minutes the rain stopped! Just then, I came upon a tandem suffering up the climb. As I passed, the sun broke thought the clouds. I turned to the tandem team and said "It is always sunny when you are riding a tandem." They agreed.

Mark and I continued up the climb and then descended into a slight headwind toward the Tillamook. After the Timber Rd control, our first real stop was at the Safeway in Tillamook. We only had 14 miles to the Netarts control, but there was a significant climb to overcome to get there. So we stopped and refueled.

As we climbed Cape Mears, the first of the Three Capes we would climb, we were treaded to our first views of the Oregon Coastline. If I had to choose a single word, I could only choose "spiritually spectacular". Ok, so I can't choose a single word.

We spent a lot of time at the control at Netarts was well stoked and well participated. Greg Olsen, Sal Ortega, Jon Wolf, Dennis Wolcott Michael Wolf were all there enjoying the sun, the Oregon Randonneur provided sandwiches and good conversation.

But the road was calling and Mark and I headed to climb Cape Lookout. This one is steep and long, but Jon Wolf rode with me as I suffered up the climb. This was the second time that I have climbed Cape Lookout this year, and as such, I knew the descent down to other side is fast and fun. I followed Jon down through the curves toward Sand Lake. It was on this descent that I obtain my maximum speed of 39 miles per hour.

As Jon, Mark and I rode toward the last of the Three Capes, it began to shower. I attempted to ride thought without stopping to put on our rain jackets, but finally we had to. Back on the road, we found that the rain soon stopped making our rain jacket stop needless. Mark and I stopped at coffee shop in Pacific City, a unmanned control where I enjoyed a Latte and Mark enjoyed a very hot Earl Grey tea.

Knowing that the day was passing, and hoping that we could finish by sunset, we had to say goodbye to the young woman barista who wish us nice riding and get back on the road. We climbed up Sourgrass Summit passing the same two riders who we also saw on the Cape Lookout climb. We would play tag with Peg and Charles for the rest of the ride.

This years route took us off of Hwy 18 and through Willamina and Sheridan. While the traffic was less, the harassment was greater. First there were the two drunk(?) rowdies in the beater AMC Hornet who shouted at us several times. (Note to rowdies: If you plan to shout at us, please speak distinctly so you can be understood. Otherwise we will take it that you are shouting encouragement). The second incident occurred at a sharp angled railroad crossing where we slowed to cross safely. However, this annoyed a large, blue, diesel pickup truck who advised us with a long sounding of it's horn and excess acceleration, and wasting of precious fuel, after it passed us. I am please to say that these two were the only examples of rudeness that we saw on our ride.

Now that we were in the valley, the strong tail wind pushed us toward the Grand Ronde store where we stopped for fuel. I really wanted a corndog, and there was just one left. But, the woman in front of me purchased it and I had to do without. Leaving Grand Ronde, the wind pushed us to the small town of Amity where I did manage to snag the last corndog in town. Yum!

The last 37 miles back to Forest Grove were uneventful but we soon realized that we would not make our goal of finishing in daylight. 14 miles out, we came upon Peg and Charles lighting up, so we joined them for a relaxing ride back.

We finished in the 300 K (186) route 14:20, which was a bit slower that our 2006 finish of 13:54. But, I felt much better the last quarter ride of the ride. I learned the difference between suffering and just being tired.

Posted 10:17 AM by John Henry

Three Rides - (it's all about the feet)

Davis 12-24 Hour Challenge

Miles: 179.85
April Miles: 264.37
Year to Date: 1920.02

I intended to ride for 24 hours, but I did not. Here is why...

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Go! And I was off on the Davis 24 Hour Challenge. I rolled out of the paring lot and headed toward the intersection in downtown Winters, California. And, I had to wait for a car to pass through the intersection. I then rolled across the bridge and began to turn to the left as if I was on the night loop. But Lee Mitchell was there to correct my mistake and get me back on course. Great, in less than 1/4 mile I had already made a wrong turn.

We were set off with only 15 seconds apart. My coach from last year, Sandy Earl, left 30 seconds before me, but was already out of sight. Mark Newsome, one of my 508 crew members, left 15 seconds before me and was following Sandy's advise - "Start slow and then taper." I decided that was good advise as 24 hours is a long time to be on a bike. Mark and I were in contact for the first 43 files, occasionally passing each other.

However, well before the first rest stop, my left foot told me something that I did not want to hear. It said, "Golly, it seems that you forgot to insert your orthotics into you bicycling shoes this morning." At the first rest stop, I checked and yes, it was true, I was planning on riding for 24 hours with my arches in pain.

I had pulled ahead of Mark on the rollers leading to the first rest stop and arrived just as Sandy was leaving. I quickly refilled my water bottles and asked for a rest room. I was pointed toward a store just down the road. I was getting back on the bike to ride to the store just as Mark arrived.

My restroom break was short, but Mark's stop must have been shorter as I saw him ride by as I exited the rest room. He did not see me and thought I was ahead of him. He spent the rest of the 162.5 mile day loop trying to catch me not knowing I was behind him.

Near the top of Honey Hill, I came upon Sandy who appeared to be suffering. She was. Her legs began to cramp and she slowed down in an effort to stop the cramping. It felt strange passing my coach and leaving her behind.

The next rest stop was after the Cobb Mountain climb, which was a bear! I saw several instances of 12% grades as I slowly worked my way up the climb. I did not research this climb and had no idea how high it was, but I found out that it was much higher than I thought it should be. I put the bike into my 26x25 and kept it there for most of the climb. I thought that after the second rest stop, the climbing would be over. I was wrong. As the road again turned upward, Patty Jo caught me and road away from me up the hill. She look fresh and strong. I did not.

But like all good things, the climbing came to a end and I descended for quite a long ways. Now, I was on busy, California highways with wide shoulders and lots of speeding cars. I even got to witness an automobile accident. Seems that one pickup truck did not notice another pick up truck stopped in the road in time to stop. Bang!

The next and last hill of the day I have ridden many times on the Davis Double Century, Resurrection Hill. But after Cobb Mountain, it was nothing and I pass over the top before I knew it. The third rest stop was just after the summit and I kept it short as I was looking forward to the ride down the canyon back toward the valley.

Only now did I look at my average speed. I wanted to average 15 mph on the day loop, and I feared that I had been much slower than that. I was supprised to see that my average was a speedy (for me) 14.5 even with all of the climbing that I had done.

I dropped down into my aerobars and picked up the pace. As I wound my way down the canyon, my average slowly increased. When it hit 14.9 mph, I was at the fourth rest stop and a ride, the first I had seen since Cobb Mountain, was leaving. I took some time to drop off some clothes as the day had warmed up nicely, and then I was off.

Again, I worked hard and my average slowing increased. After fifteen miles, I caught the rider in front of me and passed him by. Even with the afternoon headwind, my average continued to increase and I pulled into the start/finish line with a 15.3 average.

Since I had enough fluid with me, and I had some time before sunset, I did not stop to rest but headed out on the night loop, correctly making a left turn after the bridge this time. Now, I had a tail wind and my speed increase to well above 20 mph. But, since the night loop is a loop, the tail wind turned into a head wind and I slowed. I could see a ride far ahead of me, but it did not seem that I was gaining on him.

During the entire ride, my feet had been in pain. My left arch was especially painful and in the last fifty miles my knees began to hurt also. So, I was thinking of stopping at 12 hours and noted where I was on the course when 12 hours elapsed - 177.5 miles.

Upon my return to the start/finish line, I found out that the ride in front of me was Mark and he was advising the race official that he was done. He was not continuing on for the 24 hours. This sealed it for me. I also decided to stop at 12 hours, mostly to ease the pain in my arches.

The official results follow:

12 Hour Race Solo Category: Women 18-49 Kate Riggs 186.9 Sandy Earl 170.5 Jean Cordalis 168.5 Cathy Morgan 97.3 Men 18-49 Graham Pollock 221.7 Wayne Riley 197.5 Doug Sloan 180.9 Mark Newsome 179.5 Andreas Shultz 162.5 Tim Reese 162.5 Martin Christian 162.5 Ric Shrank 162.5 Pete Perez 131.7 Men 50> Joel Sothern 214.3 Kent Mulkey 199.3 Mike Haberski 184.9 John Henry Maurice 177.5 Vance Ray 162.5 Men 60> Del Scharffenberg 186.9 Bob Brouhard 162.5 12 Hour Race Mixed Tandem 90> Keith Vandevere Mireya de la Vega 213.0 12 Hour Race Men Fixed Gear Sam Snead 210.3 12 Hour Race Men Recumbent 18-49 Randy Gillet 162.5 (rode 15 minutes less) Jon Lauer 162.5 12 Hour Race Men Recumbent 50> Tim Woudenberg 209.3 24 Hour Race Solo Category Women 18-49 Nicole Honda 354.5 Women 50> Patty Jo Struve 346.5 Men 18-49 Hugh Gapay 379.9 Tom Strause 328.1 Jon Baker 254.5 Men 50> David Kees 400.3 Men 60> Dan Crain 387.3 Greg Olson 366.9 Recumbent 50> Glen Cooley 304.3 Single Speed 18-49 Chuck Knoble 315.4 Team Brothers from Sisters Gregg Geser 508.7 Rich Hummel Winter Lewis Greg Zadow

Tualatin Tuesday - On Tired Legs

Miles: 19.20
April Miles: 283.57
Year to Date: 1939.22

I did not even try to ride with the half-fast group. I started early and rode with Walt at an easy pace on the short option. At the beginning my legs told me "Are you crazy! We have not recovered yet!" But I force them to pump the pedals and they slowly accepted the fact that I was forcing them to work.

Tuesday was a very good day to ride. The promised rain did not appear and we enjoyed blue skies and warm weather. Too bad I brought the rain bike. I did remember my orthotics, but I put the left orthotic in the right shoe and the right orthotic in the left shoe. Yes, it hurt but I thought it was still painful from Saturday.

Windy Wednesday on the Tandem

Miles: 16.89
April Miles: 300.46
Year to Date: 1956.11

Can you say wind?

Going to the north was fast. Coming back toward the south as slow. And wet as we road through a spring shower. But, the wind dried us off as we finished the ride.

Since I forgot my cycling shoes, I did not have to worry about forgetting my orthotics. I did the ride in my waling sandals. Good thing it was a short ride.

Posted 9:43 PM by John Henry

Davis 12-24 Hour Challenge

I often get asked What's your next big ride?"

Seems that my friends expect me to continue to do "big rides". Well, they know me well. My next big ride is the Davis 24 Hour Challenge, a 24 hour time trial. This will be my second 24 time trial. But this one is different.

First of all, it happens much earlier in the year. I rode the Ring of Fire in September last year, near the end to of the cycling season. Davis is in April, near the beginning of the season.

Secondly, the Davis Challenge does not have half the elevation gain that Ring of Fire has. Elevation gain on the Davis 162.5 mile day loop is about 7000 feet. And the night loop has only 50 feet of gain. In contrast, the Ring of Fire 156 mile day loop has nearly 14,000 feet of gain and the night loop has over 1,800 feet of gain. In the 307 miles I rode at Ring of Fire, I had over 20,000 feet of elevation gain. I expect to have less than 10,000 feet of gain at Davis.

Lastly, the number of entrants at Davis greatly exceed Ring of Fire. At Ring of Fire, I rode most of the time alone. I did see others, as they passed me or during the out and back on Bakeoven Road, but during the night loop, I was alone. I expect this not to be the case at Davis. I expect I will feel move involved in racing others, not just myself. None the less, a time trial is a "test of truth".

Goals:

1) To ride 24 hours
2) No more then 45 minutes off of the bike
3) 385 miles

I did 307 miles at Ring of Fire, but with over twice the elevation gain.

Davis 12-24 Hour Challenge night loop map

Davis 12-24 Houre Challenge night loop elevation graph

Posted 5:51 AM by John Henry

Pictures!

Sal on the Arizona 400 Km Brevet

Jon on the Oregon Randonnuer 200 Km Brevet

Posted 11:45 AM by John Henry

Increasing Miles!

Saturday
Miles: 125.56
March Miles: 833.27
Year to Date: 1655.65

Sunday
Miles: 39.49
April Miles: 39.49
Year to Date: 1695.14

Tuesday
Miles: 27.96
April Miles: 67.45
Year to Date: 1723.10

Wednesday
Miles: 17.07
April Miles: 84.52
Year to Date: 1740.17

On Saturday, I did the Oregon Randonneur Birkie Brevet. My intention was to ride it easy as I am tapering for a big ride on Saturday, April 7. I was successful. Mark Janeba and I rode together and generally had a good time. We did experience a bit of rain, but the last half of the ride was dry, and evening clearing.

Sunday found Joanne and I riding our Cannondale tandem in the East Salem Hills. Again, we were taking it easy and just having fun. We even (don't tell anyone) cut the ride short.

Monday night, I spent cleaning my bike for my ride on April 7.

Tuesday was the first Portland Wheelman Touring Club Tualatin Tuesday night ride. Yes, they ripped my lungs out and I had lots of fun. We did 1500 feet of elevation gain and my average for the night was 16.6 miles per hour. No, this was not an easy ride.

Wednesday, Joanne and I rode our Meridian tandem on an very easy ride. During the ride, we enjoyed the company of Tom Tilque and Jim Kinghorn.

Posted 11:26 AM by John Henry

Thursday Night Scott's Ride

Miles: 44.87
March Miles: 707.71
Year to Date: 1530.09

I joined the crowd for the Scott's Thursday ride, and there was quite a crowd!

I rode down to the ride taking the Windsor Inland Loop so I have several miles in when I arrived for the ride. The group headed out to the east of Salem and into the hills. Folks must have been feeling frisky, as we extended the usual route. We did climb Macleay hill, but my legs were tired and I did not attempt to keep up with the lead group.

When we turned back toward Salem, I broke off and headed north taking country roads home.

Posted 9:06 PM by John Henry

Wednesday Night Ride

Miles: 25.20
March Miles: 662.84
Year to Date: 1485.22

This was the last Wednesday "Night" Ride. Why? Well, because the sun is setting so late now we do not need to ride in darkness anymore. We brought our lights, but turned then on only so others could see us, not for us to see.

Bob and Jim join Joanne and I and we rode out to the Wheatland Ferry which, according to the Marion County Website:
The Wheatland Ferry will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 13th. The U.S. Coast Guard annually inspects the Wheatland Ferry and this is accomplished during normal operations. Every five years, the U.S. Coast Guard requires that the Ferry be hauled out of the river and the hull visually inspected. Ferry Operations is going to pull the vessel out of the river for inspection and painting. It is anticipated that this process will take several additional days depending upon weather conditions.

The ferry was completley out of the river and looked somewhat like a beached whale.

Posted 8:46 PM by John Henry

Sunday Recovery Ride

Miles: 50.90
March Miles: 637.64
Year to Date: 1460.02

Joanne and I took our Cannondale Tandem out for an easy(?) ride in the east Salem Hills. Yes, even if the route took us in the hills, we took it easy, soft pedaling the climbs. We did gain 1942 feet of elevation gain, but none of it was worked hard for.

The spring weather is a joy to ride in. The air is chilly, but if the sun is shinning, you feel warm. Throughout the ride, it seemed that the sun shine was just ahead of us. I kept pointing this out to Joanne, who kept advising that we were not in the sun shine.

Posted 8:37 PM by John Henry

(Not a) Raining Century

Miles: 100.26
March Miles: 586.74
Year to Date: 1409.12

It was suppose to rain today. The chance of precipitation was 80%. But we had only a few light showers early in the day. It was a very good day to ride.

I rode a century today with Jon Wolf - who training for the Elite Pac Tour, Dennis Wolcott, who is training for Paris-Brest-Paris, and John Spurgeon who is training for RAAM. I had to work hard today.

The route took us to the southwest to Monmouth and then over Fishback Hill to Kings Valley Highway. We then took Airlie Road all of the way to 99W where we turned to the south of Coffin Butte Rd (don't you just love that name?). We turned on Soak Creek Rd and then climbed through McDonald Forest on Sulpher Springs Rd. We then returned to Salem on Corvallis and River Roads.

This was the first time that John Spurgeon has joined us and the conversation was very interesting. Between RAAM, Paris-Brest-Paris and the Elite Pac Tour, there was a lot of questions being asked.

By the way, did I mention that it did not rain on us?

Posted 8:56 PM by John Henry

Wednesday Night Ride

Miles: 21.92
March Total: 486.48
Year to Date: 1308.86

No one showed up for our Wednesday Night Ride, so Joanne and I rode alone on our tandem.

Since I had forgotten my cycling shoes, we rode to the house so I could get my shoes. Leaving the house, we decided to head to the Wheatland Ferry and along the way we came upon Julie and Brenda out on a training ride.

At the ferry, was saw that the Willamette River was very high and moving very fast. The ferry was on the west side, the far side, of the river and was completely out of the water for an annual hull inspection.

Joanne's wrist was still sore from the prior week's fall, so we returned to the house and I jumped on my single to retrieve the Van.

Posted 8:30 PM by John Henry

A Saturday Century in the Sun!

Miles: 95.89
March Miles: 464.56
Year to Date: 1286.94

Mark Janaba and Sal Ortega joined me for a "sufferfest" in the hills above Scott's Mills. We rode out to Marquam. From there, we road Wildcat Road to Leabo Rd and then to Sawtell Rd. We obtained our highest elevation at the intersection of Sawtell and Maple Grove (1,570 feet), which we descended down to the small town of Scott's Mills.

At the Scott's Mill Store, we purchased and ate a small lunch before reversing our route and climbing up Maple Grove to Sawtell Rd. There, we descended Leabo Rd to Wilholt. Instead on continuing on Wildcat, we turned to the south so we could climb Bird Rd. This allowed us to return to Scott's Mills for a quick refreshment before heading back to Keizer.

Posted 8:31 PM by John Henry

First Night Ride without Lights, almost

Wednesday

Miles: 18.32
March Miles: 332.17
Year to Date: 1154.55

Jim, Joanne and I did a nice evening ride to the northeast of Keizer in the farmland of Lake LaBish. "The lake was originally named by early settlers on French Prairie for "la biche", the female deer. Originally a large, marshy area, it was drained by early settlers by the use of a large ditch. In the 1860s a dam was constructed to better control the flow of water. The area now is primarily farm land that is used to grow onions, grass seed and wild flower seed." ⁽¹⁾

It was somewhat chilly, but we started the ride in daylight, and almost made it back before darkness fell.

Speaking of falling, that is what Joanne did when she could not unclip. She put our her left hand and because of this, her left wrist is sore and swollen. But she did not break any bones. She rode the rest of the ride and then rode home.

Thursday

Miles: 36.50
March Miles: 368.67
Year to Date: 1191.05

Another Scott's Thursday Night Ride. We did the east route including Macleay hill, but I did not contest it. I did ride it hard, but not to the maximum of my ability.

I did not use my large and bright Niterider HID light tonight. Instead, I use two Cateye HL-EL410 lights. They were just enough to let others see me, but the street lamps lit the road for me.

We have the Power!

On the 508, our inverter blew. So, we could not charge the battery for my headlight. It was only through the kindness of some volunteers who loaned us an inverter, did I have a headlight for the Sheephole climb. Ever since then, my coach has been searching for a good inverter. Well she scored. Check out this unit.

RAAM Trailer

Cascade Productions have just released the 2006 RAAM DVD Trailer. And I want to do this someday!

⁽¹⁾
From http://www.oregonpioneers.com/marion/labish.htm

Posted 9:37 PM by John Henry

I'm so happy it is Spring!

Why? Someone asked me. Because winter is over!

Sunday's Ride

Miles: 38.07
March Miles: 278.37
Year to Date: 1100.75

I did not intend to ride on Sunday, I really didn't. The weather forecast was for rain, and it was a bit misty in the morning, so I decided to do housework instead. The kitchen really needed some cleaning.

As I cleaned, the weather improved and the temperature increased. It was beginning to be a really nice day. I tried to ignore it, but one just can not let such a nice day go by without getting at least some miles in. So, I stopped cleaning and joined the Salem Bicycle Club for their 1:30 Sunday Afternoon Ride.

Scott's Tuesday Night Ride

Miles: 35.48
March Miles: 313.85
Year to Date: 1136.23

While it was chillier than Sunday, I just had to go ride with the group from Scott's. We did the northern route, including Revina Hill. As we approached, it looked like the break of three would take the sprint. I was in a very good position in the chase group, third behind Al D. would was leading. As we approached the foot of the hill, someone attached but Al jumped on their wheel and I was on his. At the beginning of the short climb, the attached began, and I joined in. Looking up, I could see that the break would be caught and I was in the lead of the chase! But, someone came around me and took the sprint with me in second. None the less, I am quite pleased with my result as it was the first time I obtained a podium finish.

Posted 10:05 PM by John Henry

Snoozeville Populaire

The Oregon Randonneurs hosted another great ride today.

I arrived at 7:15 am and found Nate already there and getting the show on the road.

Nate getting folks ready for the ride.

Shortly after 8:00, over 30 of us were off. The sky was cloudy, the roads were wet, and the forecast was for rain, but our spirits were high as we rode toward the west and our first control.

I was riding with the lead group and looking forward to a quick and easy (drafting in so nice) ride when I flatted in the rear. I was just five miles into the ride. I pulled over and started the repair while 30 riders asked "You have everything?" as they rode on by. Sigh. I found a small wire in the tread and removed it, I slapped in a new tube and used a co² cartridge to inflate the tire. After ten minutes, I was off and the last rider on the course. What to do? Well, the only thing possible. Start spinning and try to catch up.

Since I was now alone, I have to navigate and not follow the wheel in front of me. I put my cue sheet and brevet card in the front left pocket of my rain jacket (remember, the forecast was for rain). As I crossed over the freeway (Hwy 26), a van that was turning onto the freeway behind me alerted me that I had dropped my map! Sure enough, it was lying on the pavement behind me. I almost lost my brevet card. For there kindness, there were rewarded with rudeness from the driver of the pickup behind them.

I started to catch and pass the slower riders, riders who enjoy taking the time and enjoying the scenery.

Some of the scenery to be enjoyed if you take the time.
I used to ride like that, but not today. One by one I passed riders until I reached the first control. I was there just long enough to have my card signed and grab a few fig newtons and I was back on by bike riding hard. I managed to catch a few more riders. I pulled one up to his friends. But, it would seem that I had catch everyone who was riding slower than I was. As such, I rode the last 30 miles alone. And this is when it started to rain.

But the weather was not bad. I must admit that this was the first ride of the year where the temperature was always above 50° F. This, and the multitude of daffodils along side of the road attested to the change in seasons. Yes!

The last control was a bakery in Forest Grove and again I stopped just long enough to have my card signed.

I now had just 15 miles to the finish. But I did not allow my effort to lessen; I concentrated on keeping my speed up. But, this caused me to miss the last turn and I got in a few "extra" miles.

Ride Stats:

DST: 64.34
AVG: 15.9
ATM: 4:02:16
Elevation Gain: 1407 per my HAC4.
March Miles: 240.3
Year to Date: 1062.68

Posted 3:57 PM by John Henry

Weeknight Riding

Tueday

Miles: 39.91
March Miles: 159.69
Year to Date: 982.07

I joined the group from Scott's Cycling on their ride to the east of Salem. We did the usual route which includes Macleay Hill. I did not contest it but stayed with the lead group up to the final sprint for the top of the hill.

At one time, the weather was forecast to be wet. But the night was clear and warm. I did not wear my long tights nor my long fingered gloves. Ah, spring is almost here!

Wednesday

Miles: 16.27
March Miles: 175.96
Year to Date: 998.34

Another very nice night. Cindy and Jim joined Joanne and I was we rode the Windsor Island loop. I notice that I am less than two miles short of 1000 miles for the year. While this seems a lot of miles, I obtained 1000 miles threes weeks earlier in 2006.

Ron's Death Valley Ride Report

Ron e-mailed me his ride report. Here it is:

Within a couple of miles I knew all was not well but I kept hoping things would change. Legs felt like I'd never ridden before, felt dehydrated (I'd really tried to hydrate the previous 2 days) I rode alone, didn't want to get in a pace line and overdo (common problem for me). Made it to Ashford in a respectable time ~2:40 , but as soon as I started the climb the writing was pretty much on the wall ( I refused to read the graffiti though), I believe a Granny with a walker passed me (this is a climb I looked forward to because I'd performed well before). Should have turned at the 100 mile mark but Nooooooooooo! I thought the little downhill might revive me. About 1/2 way up Salisbury I knew going to Shoshone would only mean the broom wagon. Should have turned then but I thought I should finish the climb, after all the ride back to FC wouldn't be that bad.

By the time I was back in the valley I could only get my heart rate up the low 120's. Passed a lot of century riders struggling in the wind, was passed by some of the more elite 200 riders. Ran out of water just before I reached Badwater, felt sorry for those riders I passed because they were bond to run out well before the rest stop.

Reached FC at about 4:50, of course there was no wind there, I noted it really switched off about Gold Canyon. I went back to camp, did a spit bath, packed up and went home. Sunday morning I had very sore legs, butt and even my arms. Now that's what I call fun!

Posted 9:19 PM by John Henry

More on Death Valley

Ron Farris and John Henry Maurice at the start

Joanne Heilinger achieving the Jubliee Summit

Posted 9:21 AM by John Henry

Death Valley - Stats

DST: 119.78
ATM: 8:29:20 - on the bike
TOB: 0:29:05 - time off of the bike
AVG: 14.0
MAX: 40.3
ALT: 7211

Of the 29:05 that was off of the bike, over half (10:54) was due to fixing the flat tire that I had.

Joanne's Ride

Joanne started the Death Valley Century at 6:30 am. After a short stop at Badwater, she continued on to Ashford Mill enjoying the tailwind. Joanne climbed well and reached Jubilee Pass in good form.

The return to Furnace Creek was very hard on her. She said that the wind was so difficult, she had to get off of her bike an walk every five miles or so.

DST: 103.69
ATM: 8:15:00
AVG: 12.5
MAX: 32.5

Posted 3:10 PM by John Henry

Death Valley Report

In 2005, I crewed for Graham Pollock in his defense of Race Across Oregon crown. Graham had won the prior year, and he was back to defend his first place finish. The 540 mile race started in Portland and Graham lead for the first 300 miles. He DNFed at 350 miles. I thought he could have continued and did not understand why he pulled out of the race. Now, I do.

I woke up at 5:00 and was at the starting line in time to watch the first wave of 50 rides leave at 6:00. These were the fast riders and did not want to ride try with them. Ron Farris, who crewed for my during my successful 508 last October, and I left in the second wave at 6:10. Ron had been ill for five weeks and did not have the opportunity to train properly he was going to see how well he was riding and then decide how far to go. I wanted to finish in under 14 hours, beating my best time of 14:28.

After Race Director Chris Kostman's starting speech, we were off. I saw a tandem and move up near it ready to jump in behind it after the small hill to the turn to Badwater. After the turn, a pace line formed behind the tandem, and I was in it. We sped toward Badwater very quickly. The tandem was aggressive, and soon I found that I was working to hard to keep uo so I decided to drop off. I did the next five miles to Badwater by myself.

At the Badwater rest stop, I did not stop. It was just 17 miles into the ride and the next rest stop was at 45 miles into the ride. As I passed the parking lot, I saw the tandem getting ready to leave and they soon caught me. I asked if I could ride with them and jumped on their wheel. They towed me all of the way to Ashford Mill, the next rest stop.

I took a very short break at Ashford Mill, just long enough to fill my water bottles with Sustained Energy, and I was back on the road. However, the tandem had taken an even shorter break and was already out of sight. This was not an issue as we how had 3000 feet of elevation gain to do, the Jubliee and Salsberry Passes.

I met up with Louise, another 508 finisher. I rode with her trading 508 stories as we climbed toward the first pass, Jubliee. However, just short of the pass, I flatted. I stopped to repair the rear tire while Louise continued on. After a not so quick tire repair, I was off and I decided to see if I could catch Louise. I put my heart rate at 160 bpm and kept it there. This was an high effort for me; I was working hard.

I crested Salsberry Pass and started the descent toward Shoshone and found myself in the teeth of a strong wind. Usually, I need to break at the first sharp corner, but the wind held my speed down to nearly a crawl. As I dropped down, the wind buffered me and made the descent very interesting. As I neared Shoshone, I saw Louise, heading back. I was still several minutes behind her.

I took another short stop at Shoshone, and got back on the road. I joined up with two other riders and they set a very good pace back up toward Salsberry Pass. My heart rate was again very high for me. I stayed with them until almost the top of the climb where I found myself dropping off. As with every year, the final quarter mile was very though. I was very glad that the climbing was over.

Again, the descent was windy and it blew my bike around. None the less, I let the speed creep up to nearly 40 mph as I flew down the hill. After dropping 2000 feel of elevation and passing two riders, I came to the short climb up to Jubliee Pass, and I found that I had no energy at all. The well was dry and I shifted into my lowest gear (26x27) and suffered up the short hill being pass by the two riders I had just passed. After cresting Jubliee Pass, the last 1000 feet of elevation gain went quickly. Turning to the north for the short ride to the Ashford Mill rest stop, I found myself fighting the head wind again. I dropped down to 10 mph and limped into the rest stop.

At Ashford Mill, I found Louise. I had finally caught up with her. Taking a short break, I was soon ready to leave, but no one else was. I missed one group and it seemed that the next group was not ready, so I headed out by myself, knowing that a pace line will come along soon.

The wind was very tough, worst than I have ever seen it. I had to fight for every inch of forward progress, even on the small downhills. It was going to be a very long 28 miles back to Badwater. After four miles, I was caught by a pace line and I joined in. But, some of the riders were stronger than others and we soon broke into two groups. I was in the weaker, slower group. Louise was in the stronger group. There were now four of us in the slower group; the two who I joined leaving Shoshone and a friend of there's. I watched the stronger group ride away from us as we fought the wind.

I really began to suffer. My legs were cramping even with all of the Enduolytes I was eating, and I had no power left. I was wasted! I suffered along until I came upon a private sag vehicle picking up a rider and I asked if I could get a ride. I DNFed.

I supposed I could have continued on, suffering all of the way. Evidently, I burned myself out on the climbs. I used too much energy riding hard up Salsberry. As I rode along, I decided that I had nothing to prove. I have finished the Death Valley Double six times before, and I was coming off of a strong 508 finish. Instead of suffering, I got off the bike.

This ride taught me how Graham felt when he got off the bike.

Posted 8:53 PM by John Henry

Sunday in the Snow!

A Very Sunny Saturday Century

Wednesday Night Ride

Picture of the Day

Oregon Randoneur Scio Covered Bridges 200K Brevet

Baby, it is Cold Outside

Yes, that is a Stop Sign

Saturday Century in the Cold

Scott's Tuesday Night

Cyclist with United States Flag in Oak Creek Canyon

Best Restaurant in Jerome

Wickenburg Ghost Bicycle

A Saturday Double Metric Century

Nutria Nails the Furnace Creek 508!

The Furnance Creek 508 - The Day Before the Race

Knoxville Double

Knoxville Double Century

Knoxville Double Century - The Next Ride

Under a Harvest Moon

Do I need another bicycle?

Riding the Rollers

Wednesday Night Under Clear Skies

A Quick Fall Ride

First Night Ride of the Season

Weekend Update

Blog Post Number 500

Mt. Shasta Super Century

Mt. Shasta Super Century Pre-Climb

Rational Discourse

RAMROD

The Perfect RAO Rider Swap

Race Across Oregon

Oregon Ultimate Road Ride

Sunday Recovery Ride

Scott's Tuesday Night Group Ride

Hill Repeats, Part Two - The Torture Continues

Saturday Century - Foolish Flat

Watermelon Stories

Watermelon Double

Ah, Early Summer Evening Rides!

Saturday Century - the slow and easy kind

A Rest Day for Me, but not for all!

Back into the Hills!

Wednesday Recovery Ride

French RAAM Update via Babelfish

Dog Stampede

Blog, Damn it!

Just Playing with Graphics

April Recap and Catch Up

Mark Janeba Makes the Local Paper

The Metal Cowboy is...

It Has Been Cold Around Here

Oregon Randonneur's Three Capes 300 K

Three Rides - (it's all about the feet)

Windy Wednesday on the Tandem

Davis 12-24 Hour Challenge

Pictures!

Increasing Miles!

Thursday Night Scott's Ride

Wednesday Night Ride

Sunday Recovery Ride

(Not a) Raining Century

Wednesday Night Ride

A Saturday Century in the Sun!

First Night Ride without Lights, almost

I'm so happy it is Spring!

Snoozeville Populaire

Weeknight Riding

More on Death Valley

Death Valley - Stats

Death Valley Report