Highrocks 2011

VA and Marc with their Independent Fabrication bikes.

Part of our group before the 'Disneyland' descent

Just finished this invitational ride set up by KRhea, Portland Velo's president.  71 miles, over 5600 ft of gain, starting at the Timberlake Civilian Conservation Center outside Estacada, Oregon, off highway 224.  The route starts with a 14 mile Cat 1 climb on paved forest service roads in Mt. Hood National Forest and circumnavigates Timothy Lake.  I'd definitely recommend this route.  We had volunteer support, even tech support courtesy of master mechanic,Todd, of Southwest Bicycle in Multnomah Village.  I do think prepared riders in a group of at least 4 could go out and do it unsupported.  There is water at some of the campgrounds along the way.  No cell phone coverage.  As KRhea put it,  If you have to tweet, update your facebook status or contact your bookie you're hurtin'. 

KRhea, his wife (who drove a support car) and his little daughter.
In the background you can see our mechanic, Todd (wearing the apron)

Catching Up With Chris Horner: Part 1

Catching Up With Chris Horner: Part 1

Chris talks about his current medical status, plans for training, his recent wedding and also the Gran Fondo.

Cascade Gran Fondo

Saturday our Portland Velo group got together over in Bend, Oregon for Chris Horner's Gran Fondo, a benefit for World Bicycle Relief, Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Fund and Livestrong.  The 85 mile route started in Bend with a neutral role-out, led by a police car for about 3 miles.  Once at the start, the police car sounded the siren and the timed portion began.  We rode up the Cascade Highway and around Bachelor Butte, a total gain of about 5K.

Portland Velo group at the start

We all rode for time and our group did pretty well.  I got 3rd place overall for women and won some Bontrager shoes.  The last I saw of the two women ahead of me was at about mile 30 when they lost me on the second hill.  Chris Horner isn't riding yet due to his injury in the 7th stage of the Tour and he was in a pace car along the way.  It was pretty darn exciting to have him come alongside me on the first hill and yell 'good job'!  My adrenalin was already peaking and to see him along the way gave me extra energy.  Craig and VA came in not too far behind me, in fact, VA was the 4th woman across the finish line.  I've never been in a racing atmosphere before and I am still feeling the affects two days later.  A totally different venue for us but it goes down as one of my favorite rides this season.

VA, Chris Horner, me and Craig

adjusting the number for fellow Velo member, Mike G.

Mike, VA & Craig

Pep talk at the start, Chris Horner (in black)

looking back to Craig on a hill

We had to stop and take a picture of Bachelor Butte

Chris Horner was very gracious at the start and finish.  It'll be fun to watch him in next year's and hopefully he'll be on the podium!

Nancy's Ride

This is one of my favorite lunch rides I can take from my house.  I named it Nancy's Ride after a friend who turned me onto this route.  One can easily do the 30 miles in about an hour and a half.  Flat with only one hill going out Murray Road and up Scholls.  Once on the top of Scholl's Ferry Road I'm out in the country.

Mile 12

This weekend we head to Bend for the Cascade Gran Fondo.  Chris Horner will be riding!

Weeds that look like tiny bird nests

End it all with a Tazo Passion Fruit Ice Tea

Mt. Shasta Century & The Alpine Century

We happened to be in Klamath Falls August 5th to clean out my Mom's house which had just sold.  To make an unpleasant task more bearable we took our bikes and headed down to Shasta City the evening of the 6th to ride the Mt. Shasta Century.  I've always wanted to do this ride.  It lived up to it's reputation of being a hot, hard ride.  I've never been to Shasta City and we were lucky to snag a room at the charming Strawberry Valley Inn.

The super century is 138 miles with 16,100 feet of gain.  We opted to cut out the 2nd climb up to Mumbo and Craig's Garmin picked up a little over 100 miles with 10.8k gain.

Last Saturday we rode the 93 mile route of the Alpine Century, leaving from Alpine, Oregon (near Corvallis) and up through the coast range by Alsea.  This is a pretty ride with 5k gain.

Pics from the Shasta Century:

Top of first climb, Parks Creek Summit

Looking west from the summit

Swimming after the 2nd climb, Castle Lake.  Yes, I was in bike clothes!

Bunny Flat

Heading up Everitt Memorial Highway to the old ski bowl on Mt. Shasta