Seattle to Portland 2008

This year's Seattle to Portland ride was a delight. The weather was warm, and got up to almost 90 at the end of the second day. That's not too warm for those who live in Antioch, CA. We had tail winds both days and were able to average 15.5 on day one and 15.75 on day 2. Tricia was a rock, just rolling along at 18 and 19 for long spurts. At one point she was leading a line of guys in Air Force jerseys. We were rolling!

We had no big adventures, but a couple of small amusements.
The night before the ride Tricia asked "Is your rear wheel supposed to look like that?" and indeed, it wasn't. When I wasn't looking I'd let the rear tire develop some darn near rubberless spots. I'd just oiled our chains and hadn't even noticed. I really would have been pushing things to keep riding on it. Fortunately REI is open until 9PM, and I made it just under the wire.

I did make one other screwball move. As I put cycling clothes out on Saturday night I realized I had no shoes. I'd left them on a table back at the midway point party when we got a ride to our host family's home. They were kind enough to haul me back and my shoes where right where I'd left them. I was contemplating how it would be riding in tennis shoes...but I didn't have to.

But it all worked out really well. Heck, we were hardly tired after the ride.

Oregon Coast

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
See the slide show in size you can actually see.

We just got back from six days on the Oregon Coast with Bicycle Adventures. I'd hoped to blog about it every day, but our days were too full.
Highlights:

• Great weather. Stunning weather.
• Fun ride.
• Best IPA I ever drank.
• Too much food.
• Hiking I actually enjoyed
• Great Pinot
• Portland Rocks
• Pedalpalooza events in Portland

Maybe more words and photos later. Maybe not.

Just in Another slide show: Portland and the Pedalpalooza Sexy Bike Ride along with a couple of other Oregon photos involving bicycles.

$eattle to Portland 2008 plans

I just signed up Tricia and myself for Seattle to Portland. YIKES! What with add ons and bus rides and parking and 2 hotel nights (not counting motels we'll use on the drive up and back) it came to a whole lot more than I'd thought. And that's before commemorative jerseys and mid-point lodging.

I started signing us up and it just got out of hand, but it was too late to stop once I'd hit the first button. The ride itself is only $85. It's when I started adding up all the other smallish pieces it went through the roof. At least they provide food on the ride. And I'm sure gas will be back to a buck a gallon by this summer, so that won't be an issue.

We had a great time last year, so maybe this year will be as good. Maybe better as we can turn th trip into family extravaganza by visiting Tricia's new child of her child (we've so far avoiding the G-word around here.)

If you're going on this year's STP please leave a comment and say what jersey you'll be in and bike you'll be on. Heck, there are only a zillion people there. Maybe we'll see you.

I'm a star!

I feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk when the phone directory comes and he finds his name in it then runs about yelling "I am somebody!"
Well, I am now somebody too! My favorite podcast is the Fredcast, a bicycling podcast. I listen to every episode. David, the Fredcast creator has been soliciting ride reports, so after the Seattle to Portland ride I recorded one in our hotel room. I mailed it in and darned if he didn't end up using the whole thing. I'm pretty excited about it. It's kind of like getting to sing backup on your favorite band's album. I'm in Fredcast #77 pretty near the end. And I am soooooo cool now.
A note on the Fredcast: I use iTunes and then download it to my iPod and listen on my commute. But you can listen through the web page, or any number of ways. You don't need a Mac, or an iPod. I highly recommend the Fredcast

STP insane

I've really gone and done it. Last night it sounded like a good idea, something very possible. Now, in the morning light, it sounds insane. But I put the money down. Even though it's paid for I guess I don't really have to go. I could just forget.
I've signed up Tricia and my own bad self for the Seattle to Portland two-day bike ride. That's about 100 miles a day for two days. It's only April and we'll have until July 14 to get ready.
I'm worried, but if I don't do it this year, when will I?