A good weekend for riding

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.

Yet one more waterfall along the way

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.

Me, Fixie Joe & Mark

*garmin data from Skyline Velo rider.  Note he rode from SW Portland, but still - 9000 feet of gain!?

Cherry Blossom Ride

Our first big ride of the year was yesterday, the Cherry Blossom Ride that starts in The Dalles.  Our group rode a 77 mile/4400 feet of gain loop that ended at 7 Mile Hill for a fast finish.  We had a really good ride, all except for the little dog that came after us as we descended, going about 36-40 mph.  The best part was the weather!  We left the pouring rain in Portland and by the time we reached Hood River, the rain stopped and we even had a bit of blue sky throughout the day.  We agreed that the 1 and 1/2 hour drive to The Dalles is worth doing this ride another day when we have dismal weather in Portland.

Mark's Holland

Our group at Rowena Crest

Looking down at what we came up

7 Mile Hill, ready to go down

I got home early enough to watch Fabian Cancellara sprint the last 6 km of the Paris Roubaix for an amazing 2nd place finish.  What could be better?!  Next Sunday, Portland has an informal unorganized version of the Tour de Flanders ride, the Ronde PDX.  The last couple of weeks the 'organizers' have been  busy placing the turn markers all over the west hills.  46 miles, 4700 feet of gain.

April 1st and 68 degrees

Friday, April 1st, we finally had sunny weather.

Council Crest park

I rode by our neighbor's house and had to do a double take.  They put some very realistic decoys on their front lawn for April Fool's day.


Yesterday was a different story.  58 degrees, sun and mixed rain.  I rode with a young guy who is is training for a tri.  He wore shorts, a short sleeved jersey and NO gloves.

Flanders Classics

The 2011 Gent-Wevelgem leg was today.  Tyler Farrar of Washington State came in 3rd.
2011 Gent-Wevelgem Live Video, Route, Preview, Teams, Results, Photos

The Tour de Flanders is next Sunday followed by the Paris-Roubaix on April 10th.

Dutch 'wind' riding

Found this video on Cycling Tips blog from Big Ring Riding.  Check out the guy trying to get back on his bike!

Hawaii vs. Oregon in March

Mark and his friend Ron decided to ride out in the Columbia Gorge yesterday.  I think they picked a perfect day:

7 Mile Hill

 Looks like fun!

Hawaii

We just returned from the big island of Hawaii.  Craig got some good tips for riding from Bike Works in Waikoloa.  The first day we rode to Hawi, going out against strong headwinds.  

One of our favorite routes was the Old Mamloahoa Highway.  This relatively traffic free road takes you down to the NE side of the island from Waimea.

The first time we rode this, we parked in Waimea, headed down and then west on Honoka'a Road (Highway 240) to the Waipi'o Valley.  The next trip took us east for about 8 miles on Highway 19 toward Hilo and then up a quiet country road to the Vanilla Factory.  We were constantly amazed by the variety of climate zones and changing landscapes.  One could almost imagine you were riding in Scotland or Ireland.  Then you'd descend a bit, turn a corner and have a vertigo producing view of the Pacific Ocean.

The bad part about riding the Old Mamalahoa Highway is Tex Drive-In, situated at the intersection of Highway 19 & Highway 240 in the small town of Honoka'a.  Bad because of the malasadas - they are amazing, warm, high caloric donuts, available with a variety of fruit fillings that are only filled upon ordering.  I found myself only wanting to ride as far as that intersection just to get a malasada.  Craig pushed on for some more miles and sightseeing.

The last ride we took was from Hawi north on Highway 270 to the Pololu Valley.  A short ride, it takes you by the Kamehameha Statue and Lapakahi State Historical Park.  When you reach the valley you can almost see over to the Waipi'o Valley.  Unfortunately, the road dead ends here.  There is, however,  a hike down to the black sand beach.