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| Women's Forum, on the way to Crown Point |
After all the rain we've had, KRhea, Portland Velo's leader, suggested we go out Old Columbia River Highway to see Multnomah Falls at it's best. Starting at Glen Otto park we rode up to Crown Point then down the old road, numerous waterfalls spotted along the way. We had just the right amount of rain according to one rider, promptng another to ask, 'what is the right amount of rain'? 42 miles.
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| Yet one more waterfall along the way |
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| Craig, VA & KRhea |
Yesterday was Portland's version of a Flanders Classic ride, the Ronde PDX. The route, marked by the Lion of Flander, takes you through the hills Portland. You don't ever leave the city limits. This is an unorganized ride without scheduled water or food stops. Luckily I hooked up with two guys I rode with last Sunday. Quite a few riders gathered in NW Portland at 10 am, then headed out Highway 30 and up the first hill of Saltzman Road. This 4 mile dirt road is blocked to cars by concrete barriers at the entry way to Forest Park. I knew this was going to be an interesting ride when a guy in front of me bunny-hopped over a 3 x 4 foot concrete mass - on a road bike no less! A father even rode a Surly long bike, carrying his 3-ish year old kid in the seat on the back and I witnessed him riding Brywood (a ridiculously steep road off Miller) without stopping! Myself, I had to stop in two driveways to get some momentum, only to be caught in the mass of riders also trying to do the same thing. I've done most of this route alone, but it's far more fun with a group of like minded riders! I only fell once, going up Cascade towards the Arboretum when my tire got bogged down by mud; a soft landing, no harm. Along the way, kids and neighbors cheered us on, making us feel as if we were truly in the Tour de Flanders. Several people even set up road side stands with cookies, water, lemonade, Gatorade, scones (yes scones!) and I spotted a carton of Morton's salt to add to drinks.
I think I have done most every hill in Portland now. Sometimes we'd go down the same road twice just to climb a slightly different route, then you think you have no legs left, bam....there's another one to do. The Ronde PDX site states the route is 47 miles with 4800 feet of gain. I had 55 miles on my Cateye, no Garmin data for gain*. In a 2009 video from Oregon Field Guide, you can hear one guy stating he climbed 7400 feet. Whatever the gain, this ride is very hard.
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| Me, Fixie Joe & Mark |
*garmin data from Skyline Velo rider. Note he rode from SW Portland, but still - 9000 feet of gain!?
