String of bad luck

After the Wednesday night MAC ride, I came back to my truck, which was parked at Germantown and Skyline, to find that someone had bashed in the back window and stolen my purse.  I never take my purse on rides, but had errands to do beforehand.  After spending all day cancelling credit cards, opening up a new checking account and getting a provisional license, a gas station in N. Portland called to say they had the purse.  'They' pretty much cleaned it out, but left my MAC and 24 Hour Fitness Card, Costco, AAA and library card, along with various store cards.  Gee, thanks.

Later I found out that Art, our friend that fell Sunday, had two pins placed in his upper trochanter yesterday to prevent necrosis & further damage.  4-6 weeks off the bike.

We leave today for LA to take our daughter to college.  Driving our 'new to us' Volvo.  It might be nice to be off a bike for a few days!

Ride slow going down slick hills

Just got news that our friend Art does have a hairline fracture of the trochanter.  Good  news is he should be able to ride in 2-3 weeks but his doctor said, 'no falling', which seems obvious enough.   

A riding weekend

Saturday we rode the Vine Ride, a nice ride that gives a rider the option of 35, 70 or 100 miles out in the Oregon wine country.  We opted for the 70 mile ride and completed the course with a quick 19 mph average, courtesy of a nice pace line made up of the usual suspects plus one enthusiastic, athletic 18 year old who's only ridden for a year.  Rolling hills for 2300 feet of gain.    After a cool start, the sun came out and we enjoyed a nice barbecue on the lawn at Newberg High School.

Today was the Portland Century.  Starting at Portland State, we rode out the Springwater Corridor and headed up to the Bull Run area out of Sandy where Portland gets our famous water.  The weather wasn't cooperative and we had cool temps accompanied by scattered showers.  Suffice it to say, the first rain of the season made for very slippery roads.  There were three crashes, one of which involved our friend, Art.  He fell descending a steep hill, slipping on a rainbow colored slick of oil on a tight left turn.   After checking him out, he attempted to get on his bike, but going up the first hill couldn't put pressure on his left pedal and we had to call for a van to get him back to Portland.  X-rays are pending but we really hope his injuries are minimal and that he'll be at our usual Wednesday club ride.  I heard the other two crashes involved possible clavicle fractures, so maybe Art will be lucky with only a large hematoma on his left hip and some bad road rash.  Art's first comment after he fell was, "I ruined my new kit!"  He was speaking about his new MAC club shorts and jersey.  He was also concerned about the condition of his  bike.  A true biker.

Coming back into Portland was an adventure with a west headwind coming up the Columbia River on Marine Drive, congestion with many riders coming in from the 25 and 50 miles route, along with some rain.  99 miles, 5300 feet of gain.

I decided I'm not an urban rider.  My favorite rides usually require a drive.

Clare and Judi at the finish line, Portland State University

Update - Good news; Art's x-rays were negative!

Destination rides

Washington Park Rose Garden with
a view of downtown Portland

I love rides with a purpose.  Today I headed from home and went up to the Washington Park Rose Garden. The roses seem to be at their peak this time of year, a bit surprising since it's mid August.

After touring the gardens I headed down to NW Portland to my second destination - lunch with Craig.

Council Crest Park looking West toward home

Third destination -  Council Crest Park.   Makes for a nice 20 mile noon ride.

Jackson's Ride the Gorge

Jackson's Ride is a benefit for the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation.  Yesterday, Craig, VA, Art and I rode the 100 mile route starting at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River.  We picked up Tom and his wife, Ann at the 15 mile point and carried on, stopping briefly to look at the beautiful property they recently bought in Parkdale.

Craig and Art at mile 18 before the Parkdale rest stop

The course split at about 40 miles and our route took us out the Old Columbia River Highway to Mosier and The Dalles.  We biked through the Mosier Twin Tunnels, up to Rowena Crest and then down to The Dalles.

VA at an overlook on the Old Columia River Highway

Mosier Twin Tunnels

The switchbacks looking down from Rowena Crest

We had a pleasant rest stop at The Rowena Baptist Church and biked on toward The Dalles.

At mile 64, we started our first climb, a steady 12 mile ascent to another  rest stop before starting Seven Mile Hill Road.  The wind had picked up to an estimated 25-30 mph with gusts,  a memorable epic climb we'll be talking about for weeks.  We sometimes found ourselves traveling in the opposite lane, being blown sideways, not to mention trying to avoid the drop off to the right.  I thought it could be easy to fly off the side of the road with just the right gust.

Obviously Seven Mile Hill summit.
I wish I could add the motion of the sign sailing back and forth
along with the sound of the wind to this picture!

We all stopped at the top and congratulated each other for making it safely.  Getting back on the bikes to resume the ride was another story, or as VA put it, "I can't even get on my *&%# bike!"

I'd just as soon go up a windy hill than down and what goes up must go down.  Everyone except me flew down the hill to Mosier, but VA practiced good bike etiquette and waited for me half way down.

Refreshments at the Mosier Cafe

100.5 miles, 9800 feet of climb. I highly recommend this ride.  It's well supported with nice volunteers, lots of good food, incredible scenery and most important, it supports a great cause.  They may even dial up the wind to make it a little more challenging!

The sign says it all

Dia Europeo de la Opera en Pamplona. CORO "PREMIER ENSEMBLE" de AGAO

I sure have made a lot of nice friends while biking.  Dennis, one of the bikers we met on the Pacific Coast Century ride last May, read my blog and emailed me with kind words and concern for my daughter (she is fine and now in San Francisco - thank you to all our friends for the emails and calls).  Dennis enclosed a link to one of the neatest videos I've seen lately; opera in a Pamplona cafe during their celebration of Opera Week.  Makes me miss the crazy loud tapas bars and cafes of Spain, smoke and all.  Thanks Dennis, for making me smile today!