Distance 78.58 mi Moving Time 5:54:19 Elev Gain 4,003 ft Avg Max Speed 13.4mi/h 37.1mi/h Heart Rate 123 bpm 165 bpm Cadence 67 Power 113 W 661 W Calories 2,677
Fishback Hill
Skyline
Jun 252016
Mar 272016
Today, I joined the afternoon Salem Bicycle Club 25 mile ride. My goal was not to let my heart rate exceed 120 bpm. I was mostly successful – that is 92% of the time, but wind and hills do tend to make easy riding difficult.
Mar 262016
I was hit by a DUII drive last year – on 3/14/2015.
I started riding and training again in May of 2015 with the intention of getting into shape to compete in the Race Across Oregon. That was not to be.
In late January of this year, I came down with a illness that was never diagnosed, but kept me off of the bike for two months.
But I am back on the bike now, and it feels great.
I have done four rides in the last week. The first was last Saturday, an 18 mile “let’s see if I still know how to ride a bike” ride. I choose a flat loop and rode my Colnago CT2, a ride I ride just for fun. I did will, but I was surprised just how tired the ride left me. Oh well, my fitness maybe gone, but I love working to get it back.
My next ride was the Salem Bicycle Club Wednesday Night Ride that my wife and I lead. Due to the illness and a class I was taking, it was not since December that I have been able to join my friends on this ride. While it does rain in March in Oregon, the sky was nice to me on my first ride back and there was no rain. Again, this is an easy paced ride so I had no issues but again the ride tired me out.
I should have taken a rest day on Thursday, but no, I joined the Scott’s Cycling group on Thursday. I did have some sense in that I choose to ride with the slowest group and I had lot’s of fun reconnecting with folks that I have not seen for months. Good times.
After three shorter rides, today I choose a flat 34 mile Salem Bicycle Club ride. My goals for this ride were to take it easy – no hard efforts. I am please to report that I was successful. My heart rate never exceeded 80% of max. This ride was nearly twice as long as my previous rides, and yes, I did suffer. But I was on the bike and suffering on the bike is the best kind of suffering there is.
May 032015
Note: this post was authored over seven weeks after the ride.
I was on a long training ride; a loop out of Shaniko.
The weather forecast was for some rain, and just as I started the rain began. I stopped and added my rain jacket over my vest to keep dry.
The route took me down to Moro using Hwy 97. Traffic was light on this busy highway because I started shortly after dawn. The highway has a wide shoulder and there was not that much debris to avoid. My first stop was at the market in Moro. There I picked up some snacks (M&Ms) and spoke with a local who was impressed that I was on a 143 mile training ride.
I now headed toward Condon, a second of highway that is a bit of a bear to ride. You have to descend to the John Day River, and then climb out all of the way to Condon. This is a difficult section of roadway for me. However, I was feeling good and the suffering was minimized. In condon, again I stopped this time for a quick lunch of a deli turkey sandwich. The cafe was filled with locals and I was getting the ‘eye'; the kids were looking at me with what seemed to be desired while the parents were somewhat were just friendly.
Leaving Condon, I headed to Fossil. This section of road is not on the Race Across Oregon route, but is a joy to ride none the less. A gentle downhill takes you do Thirtymile Creek and then you climb. Lastly, you descend into Fossil where I rode into town to reach the market. After a few quick calories, I turned toward the west rejoining the Race Across Oregon route. I now had three major hills to climb; Fossil, Clarno and the hill out of Antelope to Shaniko.
The first hill is fun to ride and I enjoyed it. But my mind was on the Clarno Grade, and eight mile monster that could really make me suffer. I submitted and headed down toward Clarno and passing over the ‘Useless Hill.
I crossed over the John Day River and began the Clarno Grade. Checking my watch, I knew that I would not be at the summit before sunset, but I should reach the summit before twilight ended. I was not worried as I had two blinking rear tail lights on, I was wearing my bright yellow rain jacket and I was riding my Litespeed which is equipped with lots of reflective tape.
I felt good. I felt very good. I picked a good pace and was climbing the Clarno Grade well. Near the top, the sun set and I stopped to turn on my two Night Rider headlight so any oncoming traffic would have no problem seeing me.
I have done this climb many times and I know it well. I knew I was almost at the summit and I was looking forward to the descent to Antelope.
However, the next thing I remember is waking up in the St. Charles Hospital in Bend. There, I was told that a DUII driver hit me and left me along side of the road. I was not found for over an hour and then was light flighted to Bend due to my injuries; five fractures of my lower left leg, four broken ribs and a broken left scapula.
I am lucky to be alive.
Feb 282015
Another longish training ride for Race Across Oregon.
I drove down to Grand Ronde and packed my car that the Casino Gas Station. I was ready to ride just as the sun rose. This was going to be a good day to ride!
Heading west on US 26, the road was wet from rain the night before. There was enough water on the road to kick up wetness onto my shoes and lower legs, but I was hoping that I would soon see drive roads. And I did.
I rode into Pacific City and the shy was almost completely clear. While is was a bit chilly, the beach goers looked to having great fun.
I took Hwy 101 south all of the way to Newport and then headed inland toward Toledo and then Siletz. Now, I was a bit inland and enjoying my ride to the north. Once I reached Lincoln City again, I just retraced my route back to Grand Ronde.
Jan 242015
| Distance | 59.9 mi |
| Moving Time | 3:54:18 |
| Avg Speed | 15.3 mi/h |
| Avg Watts | 123 W |
| Elev Gain | 1,581 ft |
| Avg | Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 15.3mi/h | 33.3mi/h |
| Heart Rate | 133bpm | 157bpm |
| Cadence | 70 | |
| Power | 123W | 564W |
| Calories | 1,929 | |
| Temperature | 52 | |
| Elapsed Time | 4:18:57 | |
Even with the last remants of the flu, I went out for a long ride today. My ride plan was to take it easy staying in Zone 2. But I picked up my pace for the last third of the ride and had a great time.
