Last October, Kevin “Desert Coyote” Van Dyke raced The Furnace Creek 508, 509.8 mile race through the deserts of Southern California. I was honored to serve as his crew chief. Today is his birthday, and he was hosting a bicycle ride. I just had to go.

Seventeen of Kevin’s friends started out on a almost drippy day. The sky was cloudy but nothing was falling. However, the roads were wet from overnight showers. I had decided to ride the rain bike and the fenders came in handy.

The route headed south across the Boone (I-5) bridge and then along the Willamette river to Butteville, Champoeg State Park to the small town of St. Paul. From there, we continued southward to Waconda Road where we turned eastward to Howell Prairie Road where we turned to the north past Bauman Farms, the town of Woodburn and finally back across the Boone bridge to Willsonville.

The group was friendly and lively and of varying capabilities. A small group broke away on Butteville Road. I managed to close the gap and hold their pace, for awhile, before I dropped off of the back. I then took it easy and road at the back of the pack for most of the rest of the ride.

On Howell Prairie Road, I had my first flat of the year. I limped into Bauman Farms and fixed it in their parking lot.

I finished with 57 miles and then celebrated Kevin’s birthday with cake in the local watering hole.