Her name was Holly.
Had a good ride out with a Sean, Ryan, and a couple other fellas. After getting out of Suburbia we rode along the rolling farmlands as Bald Peak started to come into view. We decided to try a new way up to the top. Holly Hill Rd it said on the map with switchbacks about. What a sweet way up to the top, meandering up and up until she gave up on pavement and we rode a few miles of gravel. And Then got some sunshine just in time to ride the ridge line on Mountain Top then scream down Bell Rd. 70mi and 5k climbing. All and all a good day on two wheels.
http://app.strava.com/rides/4089287
Back in the Saddle
By Lorelei.
Though it wasn’t my first solo nor group ride of the year, this Sunday I rediscovered an incredible kind of connection with my bike that I had not yet felt in 2012; the kind that has you thinking about your next ride before the one you’re on is over, the kind that makes you consider taking the long way home even though your legs are already shaking, and the kind that has you wanting to spend all of your savings on your bicycle. A combination of beautiful weather and sites, challenging winds that strengthened my heart and legs, and a group of fun and excited riders made the 60+ miles on the Cthulhu Sunday Ride (this week titled “Back in Time for the Puppy Bowl Ride”) go by in a blink and had made me ready for the next adventure.
Before we (Jose, Jason, Amanda, Craig, and myself) all met up at Tiny’s that morning, we originally intended to ride out to Women’s Forum. However, weather reports of 40+ mph gusts in the Gorge made the climb sound far too daunting, so we decided to still head east but keep it flat. Despite being more protected on Springwater Corridor and the winds gusting far less than they were in Troutdale, it still felt like a steady uphill nearly the entire way east! Riding straight into the wind for that long was tough, but the sunshine and the view of Mount Hood really made me glad we took that path. Once towards the end of Springwater and once after turning north, I got a flat. I hate getting flats on group rides, but I was thankful for the help I received each time – a hole was growing in my tire and the dollar bill that would just not stay in place, but Craig came to the rescue with a new tube and a folded Cliff bar wrapper that held for the rest of the ride. I’m glad I didn’t have any more flats, but it looks like I’ll be tire shopping this week.
When we turned east on Stark in Troutdale, I thought I was going to be blown back to the Willamette! The wind was gusting so hard that many of us were pedaling to make it down the hill. When I reached the flat, I found myself grunting and crouched fully in my drops just to inch forward. Thankfully it wasn’t long until we were turning north again and crossing the Stark Street Bridge. I’ve only been out in that area once and the weather couldn’t hold a candle to the day we were currently having – the river looked beautiful. As we started turning west with the wind at our backs, waterfalls on our right, and the Sandy River on our left, I felt like I had truly earned this part of the ride. There were a couple more turns that had us facing east, but it wasn’t long before we found ourselves on Marine Drive soaring home. And speaking of soaring, at two different points on the path we saw bald eagles playing in the wind – it was a bit surreal to watch them attempting to float in one spot as we tore west.
My legs were jelly when I broke from the ride to head home on 33rd, but I couldn’t help weaving a bit through some of my favorite NE neighborhoods in that sunshine. It was an inspriring kind of day, and I’m looking forward to my next long road ride.
The Pancake Race: There will be gluten
Yesterday Jason, Erika, Jake, Jenn and Jeremiah competed in Black Lodge’s pancake race.
Oh what is a pancake race? You eat a pound of pancakes. Then race up the west hills. Then you eat another pound and bac down. Then more pancake, up to North Portland. And for a change of pace you eat more f*cking pancakes and down it with some beer.
On this epic carb-loaded adventure we had three barfers. I think we at least won that contest.
Here is the initial evidence, I am gonna try to put together some GoPro footage into a little edit soon.
Good job yesterday to all who compete in this terrible, terrible idea of eating and racing until you puke.
USGP Lap1
Had a good frigid weekend racing in Bend. Here is the first lap of day two. Some good shots of Gabe early on and Sean a little later. That is it for 2011 cyclocross, hope you all enjoyed it as much as we have. It’s been a good break through season with a lot of people upping their game. Next season we are looking at having I’ve been so busy I haven’t written any more thoughts on training racing in awhile, but I have some stuff on the back burner I’ll put down here soon.
XOXO
Ben Grimm
PIR Lap 1
Finally a muddy Portland day. Fun day, everyone did well.
Barton Times Two
Jake Tong’s video from Baton.
Barton Strikes Back
The team showed up in Barton to schralp some gravel. A bit of blood later we we’re done with that stupid park. Until next year. Here is lap 1 from Ben in the B’s.
Bend One Two!
Sporting Warriors Vests TS took to the dust of Bend for a first and second place.
Lap 1 in the B’s
Finally used the GoPro this season. Here is lap 1 on Ben G in Hillsboro. Ended up taking 9th on the day. Yea yea!
