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?!