[strava id=”40481979″]

Woke up this morning feeling better. Taking yesterday off was a good idea.

I know this is February, but I am ready for Winter to be over and Spring to begin. I want to see Daffodils! I was hoping for some sun on today’s ride, and I did see my shadow – but only for a few minutes. Most of the time it was cloudy and there were some wet roads I had to ride.

I headed north from home and crossed the Wheatland Ferry into Yamhill county. I rode north to the Grand Island junction where I turned toward the island. Once on the island, I did the loop clockwise. The found the road surface narrow, rough and covered with rotting leaves in places. The unpaved section was very rough with large water filled pot holes. This loop will be the route for the Heiser Farms Grand Island Road Race in a couple of weeks. This should be a fun and challenging course. No, I will not race it.

Leaving Grand Island, I continued north to the small town of Dayton and stopped at the Block House Cafe. Before I could sit down, I had to grap a towel and walk outside to wipe the road grit off my back side. I should have ridden the rain bike instead of the fenderless LiteSpeed. I enjoyed a small latte while the locals kept and eye on me.

Leaving the cafe, I needed a bit more miles/time of the bike so I headed toward Amity, but I never made it. Along the way I decided to ride Walnut Hill also known as Valley View. This is short 0.9 mile climb that averages 8.1% and climbs 500 feet. I intended to climb at and easy pace, but none the less, I set Stave personal record. I really must hit this hill hard some day.

I returned home via the Wheatland Ferry and got in the planned three hours.

After my ride, I went to the gym to do a “make up” workout. I walked on the treadmill and then did my strength routine. It was hard and I was a bit tired after my three hour ride, but I got it done and felt pretty good afterwards.