| (Long Distance) Ramblings |
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I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out). "The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget." "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
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Sunday, January 06, 2008
Prairies and WetlandsFour of us rode the Prairies and Wetland 200K RUSA Permanent. Sal met us at our house at 6:30 am and we drove up to the start in Newburg together. The drive was interesting. We drove through a heavy downpour of rain mixed with snow. The van's thermometer read 37 degrees F, a temperature that we did not like. But, as we drove northward, the rain lessened and then ended. We arrived to grey but dry skies, very wet roads and an extremely strong south wind. Yes, our route took us to the south. Paul Rozelle joined us at the start to make a total of four of us. After warm cups of coffee, we pushed off and crossed the Willamtte River on our way to Mt. Angel. The strong south wind kept our pace very slow and we made the control with just minutes to spare. Along the way, the rain began to fall, but soon ended. The only advantage of a strong wind is that it will dry you off quickly. The worst part of the ride was riding Hwy 47, in the dark, and in the rain. But we made it to Forest Grove where we had a nice break. And, I had to fix three flats. The best part of the ride was riding back to Newburg from Forest Grove on closed back roads due to a bridge outage. We just walked around the barriers making the second permanent in a row that we cross a closed bridge
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