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