| Distance | Average Speed | Max Speed | Time | Elevation gain |
| 49.20 miles | 17.4 mph | 31.0 mph | 2:49:13 | 1332 feet |
I woke up every 2 hours last night to pee. Man, that's annoying. It rained in the night for a little while. Nothing heavy. We awoke to clouds and light wind gusts. I just decided to get up at 5:15am (a little later than normal), and I was still early for breakfast. They didn't start until 5:30am today. It was scrambled eggs, sausage patty, biscuit, gravy (which I skipped), oatmeal, and fruit. I made a little egg and sausage muffin with my biscuit.
The clouds started to break up as I packed up to leave. It was a lot easier to close the duffle back today for some reason, and I could zip up the bag more easily. I don't know why. The air was cool this morning, but not cold. Probably in the 40's. I wore my full tights, toe covers, long sleeve jersey, knit gloves, and short fingered gloves over top.
I dropped my bag off at the truck and hit the road at 6:30am. The first 11 miles was over rollers like yesterday into wind and through plowed under wheat fields. The rollers were steep (they felt steeper going up than going down, mostly because of the wind). After the ODS rest stop at Helix (where I met the mayor), we climbed a little bit more, and then started a very gradual descent into the wind. I was able to pull a good speed, but I had to really work at it to keep it up into the wind. I pulled off at the middle water stop, but I didn't need anything. It was convenient that I did, though, since a wide tractor was coming up the road just then taking up almost all of it.
The last climb came up through a canyon where onion trucks must roll through a lot since there were a whole bunch of onions on the side of the road. It smelled of sweet onions, as well as rotting onions. At the crest of the climb, the Columbia River opened up below. I took some brief video (while riding, of course).
The last rest stop was at Hat Rock State Park. It was named by Lewis and Clark because, well, it looks like a hat made out of rock. I picked up some snacks for the girls and something quick for me to make it the final flat-ish stretch into the wind for 9 miles to the finish in Umatilla. I rolled across the finish line a bit before 10am. Nothing was really ready yet except the finish line itself and the shower truck. I took my bike to the car and went back to the finish area to have my second breakfast of bratwurst, potato salad, chips, apple, cookie, and soda. I talked with a couple other early finishers. They had left a set of clothes and shower things in their cars at the finish so they could shower in case the bag trucks weren't in yet. I wish I had thought of that. Next time, perhaps. It didn't matter much since the baggage truck showed up as I was finishing my "lunch". I was still able to get the last open shower stall before a line started forming. I was on the road by 11am.
It was a good week. We got the traditional day of rain and cold that has become as much a hallmark of a good Cycle Oregon as tough climbing days which were really nice this year in the Blue Mountains. The downhills, which aren't really my specialty, were fast and fun. The head winds were fierce, but manageable. As always, the views, the people, and the experience was terrific. I managed to make it the whole week without flatting once, which I think, is a personal best. I'm disappointed that I was never able to make it to the Community Cycling Center tent to get my bike detailed, but I'll survive. I'm looking forward to February for the unveiling of the 20th anniversary route for Cycle Oregon. I don't think I'll do it, but it's always fun to think about.
Logistical Notes from the week:
Camping: I have not been using the rain fly this year when it is supposed to be dry during the night. The condensation has not been as bad as a result, and I get better air flow and ventilation. Also, I've been leaving the vents open wider than I used to. Thanks to Pete for the tip. I also think my new approach to mornings is helping. I'm more comfortable during breakfast, and it doesn't make much difference in when I get on the course time wise.
Packing: I think I can bring fewer post-ride shirts - especially since the REI Sahara T-shirts do such a good job wicking and drying out. They hold up well, and it would eliminate wasted space in the bag. The 2 pair of short system is working out well. Mid-week laundry juggling has become necessary to help with space in the bag. Shuffling clean clothes into consolidated bags and switching dirty clothes around helps with this. I may be able to organize better. Though my stuff sack system works pretty well with color coded bags for specific items as well as using gallon zip lock bags for smaller accessories. I'm not sure a separate set of pajama clothes is necessary, but I keep going back and forth on that one.
Eating: I've done a better job this year of not eating a bunch of junk at rest stops. I pocket a few things for later, and only eat a little. Typically fruit if they have it. I still find when I hit camp, I'm not hungry, and I can easily make it until dinner without eating anything at all. Of course, the Alpenrose Dairy provided Chocolate milk at the finish line may also be helping with that. (I can't remember if I mentioned this before, but there was a study out last year that chocolate milk works just as well or better than most energy drinks as a post-ride recovery drink, so Portland's own Alpenrose Dairy provided free chocolate milk pints at the finish line every day.) On the bike, I carried 2 bottles - 1 for water, and 1 for Gatorade. I also carry my Camelbak fully filled the night before. I found it was too difficult to open the bladder if I waited until morning when it was cold. I usually filled my bottles at the first rest stop.
Announcements: I really need to remember to wear socks and shoes to announcements since it always cools off quite a bit by the time the sun sets.
General: It's funny how easily guys who don't know anything about each other can just start teasing each other.
Apparel: I have to say, I love my silver Nike cycling shoes with the carbon sole and ratchet closure. They would have cost me $186 in a store, but thanks to Jada's dad, I got a pair for half that. They're the same kind that Lance wore in the last 2 years of racing, except that they aren't his "signature" shoe which adds about $100 to the price. They're light-weight, really comfortable, and just look cool. Unfortunately, I don't think I ever got a good picture of them.
Back to Shtuff home page.