Cycling Explained

There is a funny video being circulated around the bike scene; just got the link from my friend, Dennis, down in San Jose, who wrote,
"Just got back from a ride to Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton today. Temps ranged from the mid 50's to the mid 60's. Brilliant sunshine and of course forgot sunblock, but a great ride today."  Yikes!  Our Velo ride was cancelled today due to freezing fog.

Waimea Canyon Double Rainbow

Just got back from Kauai.  We haven't been to this island and were impressed with the beaches, hiking trails, and....Waimea Canyon.  I wasn't familiar with the viral video, 'Double Rainbow' so was taken aback when our daughter, Andy, unexpectantly started yelling "it's a double rainbow" when she reached the top of the lookout and saw the canyon;

She makes me laugh.

Cross Crusade at PIR - DNF

DNF at Sunday's PIR Cross Crusade due to a hamstring injury.  Approaching the barriers right before the start of what would have been my third lap, I dismounted, started to run and slipped.  My left leg went under the bike while still clipped in and I felt a pop where I imagine the hamstring muscles originate, right under the glute.  Spectators were yelling at me to get up (I love cross crowds - think Mad Max).  Got up only to feel a bad pain in the posterior upper leg and crawled out of the course.  The pain was worse than what I encountered in June when I fell.  So, now I'm off the bike for at least 3-4 weeks per my ortho MD.  The Percocet I got at St. V's ER Sunday helps, but drugs are not as therapeutic as my bike.

Coach Mike's suggestions:
The things I'd recommend are: 1) Go EASY on the stretching right now - especially avoid anything that stretches your injured hamstring.  You don't want to put any stress on that area right now.  2) Be sure to keep icing it.  Did Tennant give you a plan for icing?  I'd say at least 3 times a day for the next few weeks then ice after stretching/exercise after that for another 3-6 weeks.   3) I think that you could probably get on a stationary bike and ride easy sooner than 3 weeks.  I think that easy spinning helps get the blood flowing in that area and aids in recovery.   Of course I'm not a DR or PT and I don't like going against what they say, so if you do this be sure to start slowly and go easy and pay attention to your hamstring.  By start slowly - I mean really slowly - 5-10 minutes the first day.  If no problems each day you can add 5 minutes a day.  Remember that you're not using this time to get in shape - you're just rehabbing your injury.

Peddlars at the Poor Farm

I am obsessed with cyclocross.  Last Saturday I raced out at Edgefield Manor, which is now a McMenamins brew pub.  I like the Saturday cross races.  There are less people than at the crusade series on Sundays.  This Saturday we had two races to choose from; Pedalers at the Poor Farm or the GPMC race down in Salem.  I choose the first, mainly because it was close, but also most of the 'real' racer types would probably be at the Apple Core which is part of Molly Cameron's series of cross race events.

The course was technical with lots of turns and quite a bit of running - mostly up hills, or in one instance,  a more than 45 degree wall.  My chain fell off on the first lap and I lost a couple of minutes fiddling with it.  Riders passed me and I was alone when I finally got back on the bike.  I cranked it up a bit, fell on some remounts after barriers, but managed to squeak in a 6th place finish out of 16 with 4 laps.

Next up is the last cx crusade, Sunday.

Blind Date; Cross is SO much fun!

We just finished racing in the Blind Date series.  OK, so we didn't win big, but we didn't get hurt either.  I can't believe we waited this long to ride cross.  It's a whole different world of mud and dirt on a bike.  I bought a really nice used cx bike listed on the OBRA chat site, a green Felt x15.  Craig opted for a new Scott, but I must say, my bike is a lot lighter than his with a carbon set post, fork and seat stays.

I rode a couple of Sunday's ago in a longer Cross Crusade at PIR.  The course is more technical than the Alpenrose course with more obstacles and jumps.  You can watch Oregon Field Guide's video of the Estacada course.  Very muddy!

PV members at PIR and Washington County Fairgrounds

My friend Barb and I laugh at how we place first in our age groups.  I'm the 'old granny' out there competing with some young women in their 20's.  Barb, at 47, she did amazingly well and came in #15 in the listed top 15 for Blind Date final points!  We're already planning on some clinics next fall.  I have to learn to remount my my bike, hopping on, without falling.  Barb and Craig have it (almost) down.

Finally, now it's back to Velo on Saturday's.  We had a glorious fall day last week for the signature ride.

Cyclocross!!

Last night a few of us rode cycle cross at Alpenrose Dairy.  Blind Date.  Craig and I used old heavy mountain bikes.  Mine?  One of Andy's, our daughter's, from about 10 years ago.  Most use specific cycle cross bikes that weigh a lot less.  It was the most fun I've had in a long time!  Beginners, 30 minutes to do as many loops on the course as you could.  We did ok for the first time.  Our bikes (and us) were crusted over with mud.

Bennett (VA's son), VA and me (before - we are clean!)

On course; KRhea snapped this photo.  I am sure I was the only one out there on a girls specific MB 

Last organized ride of the season

The Harvest Century, a benefit ride for Community Vision is usually our last organized ride for the season.  We were really lucky this past Saturday as the weather cleared and we rode on dry roads for the first time in a week!  112 miles (got lost two times), 17.1 mph pace (thanks Art... I think?).
We picked up two other fast guys to help us pace, but Art pretty much pulled the whole day.

John, Sonja, me and Art

At least we have Velo rides to look forward to and also (maybe?) some cyclecross at Alpenrose Dairy.  I took Craig's old 55 Biachi Imola (too small for him and had it fit for me).  My new rain bike!  Look at the cool courtesy flap - leather.  Master mechanic Todd's suggestion at Southwest Bicycles in Multnomah Village.  Rode it yesterday.  Smooth.  Steel is real.  I have to tweak the bars/seat position a bit and I think it'll be perfect for this winter.  Maybe a change out on the bar tape to Bianchi Celeste, although I just had it wrapped in black for winter.

Multnomah Falls ride 10/1/11

VA and me in the parking lot

Poor VA, she can't get away from me!

Hood River Harvest Ride

Summer is winding down and the Harvest Ride is one of the last rides we do.  Yesterday's weather was gorgeous, a perfect day to ride.  The smoke from the Dollar Fire is gone but the base camp at the fairgrounds is still going and the road up to Lolo Pass is closed due to mop up. The ride started instead up in Parkdale at the Mt. Hood Town Hall.  We did two loops, 62 miles, 5100 feet of gain.

Lost Lake

This picture is from a ride I did from Pacific City to Netarts Bay last week with Art and Craig:

Our last organized ride is the 8th, the Harvest Ride in Hillsboro.

New Shoes

Got the shoes I won today.  Really nice Bontrager XXXL carbon.  Very flashy red!  Plus a cool t-shirt and back pack.  How nice!

Vuelta rides Angliru tomorrow!

Should be fun to watch!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stages

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

Jackson’s Ride the Gorge, July 23, 2011

One of my favorite sponsored events is Jackson’s Ride, a fundraiser bicycle ride for the Jackson Hill Foundation, it honors the legacy of Jackson Hill who passed away in 2005 from osteosarcoma. Last year’s ride, with epic 30-40 mph cross winds on 7 Mile Hill, forced us to ride canted leeward.  This year, we were fortunate to have clear skies and unusually light east winds. 

The 100 mile route starts at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River.  Riders start the first half of the course paralleling the river up to Parkdale, through Dee, and then down to Hood River via country roads surrounded by orchards.  The northern face of Mt. Hood is always looming in the distance. The course splits at the Old Columbia River Highway and continues east through the Mosier Twin Tunnels, up to Rowena Crest and then down to The Dalles. 

One rider in our group described the descent down the switchbacks from Rowena Crest as a mini Alpe d’Huez.  

After a pleasant stop for lunch at the charming house of the Rowena Baptist Church, we approached The Dalles and started another climb up Cherry Heights Road through farmland and wheat fields.  In retrospect, that climb was more difficult than 7 Mile Hill this year.  No wind, but we did have a bit of heat.  I’m sure the four of us that rode it last year lost a bit of credibility in the ‘this hill is SO hard’ category.  

That said, the lack of wind made for a really fun and fast descent into Mosier where we stopped and had ice cream at the Mosier Café (be sure to try their espresso milk shakes and home-made ice cream sandwiches).  From there we made our way back through the Mosier Tunnels (go slow and enjoy the cool air) and into Hood River. Back at the museum we enjoyed cold cider and beer. A good dinner was ready and some riders were enjoying a free massage.  This is a bargain at $60.  Fundraising is not a requirement, but riders can elect to do so via the foundation’s web site.  Approximately 100 miles, over 9000 feet of gain, with a max elevation approaching 1750 feet at Parkdale. 

I highly recommend this ride.  It’s well supported with wonderful volunteers, some who have had family members affected by sarcoma.  The scenery is incredible, the rest stops have lots of good food, and most important, Jackson’s Ride supports a great cause.  Maybe next year they’ll dial up the wind again for an added challenge!

(submitted to Portland Velo eNews)

Silver Anniversary Ride

Tuesday was Craig and my 25th wedding anniversary.  Silver.  He got me an 11/28 Dura-Ace cassette.  Should I tell him it's not compatible with my old Ultegra components?  Or use it as an excuse to upgrade?:

I got him (or us) a small replica of our wedding cake, poppy seed with raspberry filling:

We both celebrated the day by riding up in The Dalles (due to dismal Portland weather):

Followed by a visit to Bonneville Hot Springs:

What could be better?!

Stage 9 Tour de France

This years Tour has seen it's share of riders dropping out not from fatigue, but injuries.  Cycling Tips entry yesterday is titled,  Tour de France Jinxed.  Once again this site has a lot of pictures, comments and some videos, including a short one of the car hitting Johnny Hoogerland & Juan Antonio Flecha (did letting go of the bars help Flecha roll & avoid bad injuries?).  Whatever, it's amazing that these guys were able to ride away.

A photo in Bicycling magazine

This month's Bicycling magazine has an article about Chris King's Gourmet Rides.  Take a look at the upper left hand photo:

It's Allan, Craig and me!  Ha Ha, we got a good laugh out of that!  Where was VA?  She likes to fly under the radar, so was probably avoiding the photographer.  Or way out in front on her new IF!

Rode 100 miles the past three days without too much pain.  It's good to be back on the bike!  KRhea took a big group out yesterday for his 'Firecracker Ride' in the west hills of Portland.  36 miles, 38K gain.

Getting ready to cross Burnside to ride up to the Pittock Mansion

The MAC club time trial is tomorrow night.  That might be pushing it.