Category: 2017 Northern Tier

We’ve made it to St. Helens. The day started with heavy fog which lightened by the time we left. I intentionally waited until it got even lighter but that made me the last to leave.

I did not realize Hwy 30 turned left instead of going straight so went about two blocks out of my way. Not bad for a start to the day, right?

Didn’t take long to see sunshine, then fog, then sunshine, then fog as I went up and down the rollers. Eventually it was just sunshine and I had to stop and remove all my layers. Glad I brought my backpack today.

Here are some of the wildflowers I saw. I was able to get the white and purple/white bell flowers today.

The route was: just stay on Hwy 30 from start to finish. It is called “the dirty 30” by the locals because the shoulder is filled with a lot of debris. Even so, there was a shoulder for the most part. We had one long climb where, of course, the shoulder almost disappeared. Bonus for the day was a tailwind that pushed us the last several miles into town.

There were some quiet times on Hwy 30 but there were lots of times where the traffic was almost continuous, loud and close (especially on the aforementioned climb).

During one of the quiet times, I passed by a stand of tall cottonwood trees. Their branches were waving in the wind, little puffs of white were falling from the sky like snowflakes then hack, hack, plu, plu what’s that stuff in my mouth and up my nose?

Later, I was riding and started feeling hungry. I had a bagel in my pocket so pulled over and started munching on it. Then I noticed some red berries. Raspberries! A taste told me they were not raspberries but they were still good. The longer I stood there, the more berries started appearing. They were a good compliment to the bagel. Later my roommate suggested they were probably thimbleberries.

Even though I was the last to leave this morning, I was not the last to arrive. Made me feel good that I could catch up with a few of my fellow riders.

Here is a picture of the bridge at the beginning of this post but in sunshine.

Woke up in the middle of the night last night. As I looked out the window I noticed the ground in the parking lot looked shiny. Sure enough it had been raining!  As I was getting ready for the ride to the Pacific, Dan was saying, “Are you sure Bev still wants to ride? You should call her.”

Then I received a text, “We can be ready before 10…” There was my answer. No skipping out on it because of a little drizzle.

You’d think I’d never ridden before but I finally got myself ready…I only forgot to put water in both water bottles but I did have two.

Greg, Bev and I made it to Fort Stevens State Park where we went down to the shipwreck and dipped our wheels in the ocean.

Had to get a photo of some flowers. There were white ones too and some that had shades from the darker purple to white on the same plant.

Stopped to get this photo of the Whispering Giant in honor of “the Clatsop, Chinook, and all northwest coastal Indians.”

My riding buddies for the day, Greg and Bev.

Supposed to have a sunny day tomorrow and there’s a burger place in St. Helens that serves a great milkshake…

Dan and I started our journey toward Astoria on his birthday. Our first stop was in Glen Ellen at a friend’s home. Betty prepared a sumptuous meal with cheese cake for dessert to celebrate. Their home used to be a bed and breakfast so we had a beautiful room in which to sleep. They also live at the top of a mountain where it is quiet and peaceful.

After a wonderful visit, we left and headed to the coast and then north. Once Dan starts driving, he doesn’t necessarily like to stop. So we made it to Crescent City where we found a nice motel on the edge of the ocean.

Listening to the ocean all night was very nice.

Today started out very foggy. Hmmm, maybe the coastal route wasn’t the best choice. As we drove along, the clouds lifted somewhat so we were in low overcast. Depending on where we were, we were back in fog or overcast. Since we have time, we stopped in Newport after crossing this bridge.

To get this photo, we started walking to the edge of a nearby facility. “May I help you?” We turned to find a young man in a Coast Guard uniform speaking to us. Turns out we had walked right past the sign that said no admittance. After I explained I just wanted to take a picture of the bridge, he escorted us to a location where I could get this photo. Then he escorted us back to the gate we had entered with the No Admittance sign. I truly didn’t see it when we walked past it, truly!

As we continued to wander in the area, I felt as if I were at the wharf in San Francisco…Dan said he didn’t believe it, so we just moved on.

Again, we are staying in a motel right at the edge of the ocean. A lighthouse in the distance.

My cycling friend who now lives in Tennessee and who is going on the same ride I am sent me a message asking if I was excited. My initial answer was no but after she and I “spoke,” I realized I AM excited. Now I  can hardly wait to get to Astoria, dip my wheel in the Pacific Ocean, and meet the rest of the riders and leaders.

I haven’t been on any bike for several days but here are some of the wildflowers I saw on my last two rides.

 Ceonathus- I think

Although I am training for this awesome bicycle ride, I am also doing other things…like motorcycling and flying with Dan. Of course, both motorcycling and flying involve stopping somewhere to eat…

The other day we were at one of our local eateries sitting out on the deck. Another motorcycle couple came and sat at the table next to us. A conversation was started and the fact I’m riding my bicycle across the country came up. It turns out the two ladies have done the Cinderella century so they know what it’s like to write a 100 miles in one day. The husband of one woman asked my name, which I gave him. He then said he would be praying for me this summer. I’ll take all the help I can get.

Only 14 days until Dan and I head out for Astoria. I took the bike to the shop today, along with the required maintenance list from America by Bicycle. They will have it ready for me on Monday. In the meantime, I had to get the saddle back on my touring bike so I’d have something to ride this weekend. It wasn’t too difficult. Even I could figure it out. (yay me ~ with silly grin)

Several folks have asked about the route and the distance. The attached list should answer those questions for the curious. The distance is 3,653 miles if I don’t get lost.

Long before I took up cycling, I enjoyed singing. As a child, I loved going to church because we got to sing every time we went. In school, I was in the choir. As an adult, I joined several different choirs, did solos and eventually took voice lessons. Now I’ve found a community choir where I live that is fantastic. If you’re ever in the neighborhood when they are performing, come and enjoy!

Continued from I CARE Classic – Part I

I’ve done this ride in the past but noticed changes in the route. When I asked, I was told “yes, changes have been made,” so it wasn’t poor memory.  Some of the changes made it more challenging.  Bridal Path Road was new.  We have climbs where I live but this one was steeper than what I usually ride.  Then there was the area after the second rest stop…are they trying to kill us!?!

The other condition I noticed was the wind.  Seems like a recurring theme this year.  At least there were times when it was at my back instead of always (seemingly) in my face.  Fighting the wind up Uvas Road, I was looking forward to the next rest stop.  When I reached it, one of the workers said I could take a short cut back by cutting over Bailey Road and just riding up Santa Teresa.  Six miles shorter than following the route sheet.  What? Perfect!  Make up for the six miles I added at the beginning of the day.

The return to “home” was quick once I got onto Santa Teresa. Tail wind blew me back. I almost missed the final turn that got me back to my car as I was enjoying that tail wind!  Turns out the woman who told me the difference would only be six miles was wrong!  I ended up with 85 miles for the day.

When I got my after-ride meal, I was looking for a place to sit. Saw a table with some shade so asked the young man there if I could share his table.  Turns out he, Aldrin, and his friend Ben had done the full hundred miles. Nice guys. We had a good conversation before they moved on.  Then Leslie came and sat with me.  She had also done the full 100 miles.  All of them mentioned how difficult the last portion of the ride was.  Maybe I’m glad I missed it!

This is my last organized ride before I head off to cross the country.  I’m doing well with the fund raising for Bike the US for MS but am greedy…I want more money to help all of us who are dealing with multiple sclerosis!  Here is the link if you’d like to help out: http://www.biketheusforms.org/cyclists/detail.asp?CID=1194 

May 13, 2017

“For over 25 years, the Almaden Super Lions Club has sponsored the I CARE Classic Bike Tour to raise funds to provide eye exams and glasses for children and veterans in need. 100% of the proceeds of this event are dedicated to that cause.

Ride through the spectacular spring scenery of Morgan Hill on well mapped, marked courses with great rest stops and SAG support along the way.” – from the icareclassic.org website

This ride was on a Saturday so Friday I drove to the bay area. I met my eldest for lunch which was great. We really had a good time together.  Then I went over to meet several of my cycling friends from way back – sooo good to see them!  Finally, I made it to Cindy’s house where she had dinner ready for me and a couple other cycling buddies.  Fun to reminisce.  A wonderful Friday!!

Saturday I was up early and off to the ride.  With only a ½ hour drive, I expected to be on the road early to get a good start on the 100 mile route. Well…I was on the road early but forgot my water bottles at the car.  Back I went to retrieve them and re-start the ride.  About six extra miles and ½ hour of time used.  I was feeling good, back on track, country road, light traffic but why is my bike feeling squirrely? Oh no – a flat!

New bike, first flat – how do I deal with this?!?  I am starting to panic.  OK, calm yourself. Step one is get the wheel off the bike. Crap! Which way do I turn the axle to get it out?  Left-no movement.  Right-no movement.  Wish I had my old quick release system.  Hailed a rider who came over and was able to get the axle to turn.  I’m sure I loosened it for him…yeah, right.  Many thanks and I sent him on his way.

OK, next step, check tire – yup, found a rock and removed it.  Remove tire and check it again in case the rock wasn’t the problem.  Found: nothing.  Next check the tube.  Cannot find a hole.  Did I just not fill it with enough air?  OK, put same tube back on rim, put tire back on, use new pump and prepare CO2 cartridge for use.  Got the pump up to the four bar but need six.  Another rider hailed.  He helped fill the tire to the six bar (didn’t use the CO2 at all).  Sent him on his way with many thanks.

Started down the road, tire’s getting soft.  Dufus!  This time changing the tire was not so daunting.  A SAG vehicle came down the road so I hailed the driver.  I was able to change the tire all by myself this time and just needed the floor pump from the SAG vehicle.  Of course, I used the spare tube just like I should have the first time.  Bonus:  I now remember I am to put the chain into the smallest cog before removing the back tire.  All this probably put me back another ½ hour – at least.  But now I’m on my way, for sure this time.

As I’m working on the tire, I hear, “Is that Nikki?”  It was my buddy, Tony F.  Nice to see him.  He was doing the metric century so continued on his way and I continued to fix the flat.  Ended up seeing him and his sister a bit later on the ride.  Serendipity!

see Part II for end of the tale…

May 11, 2017

I really need to get out more than one day a week on the bicycle so today was the day for a ride. I am still not comfortable on the saddle so had to squiggle around to find a spot with an acceptable pain level. Another saddle has been ordered – hope it helps.

As I left the house, Dan asked where I was heading. Told him Evergreen Lodge so he said he’d meet me there with a sandwich. As I was going along, I realized going all the way to the Lodge was going to make me late for choir rehearsal but there was no way to reach Dan at that point as I was out of cell phone range. So I pushed to get to the Lodge as quickly as I could with the idea that Dan could go back home, get the car (he’d be on his motorcycle) and come back to get me so I’d be able to get to rehearsal on time.

Dan wasn’t at the Lodge when I arrived. I did have cell service there so left him a couple messages about my plan and a text message just in case.  Turning around, I was racing down the road when I saw Dan coming toward me.  We both kept going.  He turned around, passed me and stopped ahead of me.  We shared a delicious corned beef on rye sandwich with a root beer. Perfect!

He left to get the car while I continued homeward by bike.  We met just before I got to Rim of the World, loaded up the bike and came home.  I was able to clean up and get to rehearsal with time to spare – hooray!

Today…Dan the Man – personal SAG and savior!

However, I learned a lesson today.  Don’t go for a bike ride prior to rehearsal.  I was tired and my vision was blurry.  Hard to concentrate and hard to read the music.  I already know not to go for a ride before a performance…that is another story from a long time ago.

Oh, I did get in 41 miles today.

May 7, 2017

The Delta Century – yup, I finally did a full century. I’ve been playing around with metric centuries plus a bit but finally stopped messing around and did the 100 miles at this event.  By the time I was through, I knew what my friend, Eva, meant when she said she’d not do this one again.  It is too flat (how could that be?) so one is sitting on the saddle the whole distance (that’s what she meant!).  If I wanted any relief from the saddle, I had to stand on the pedals which really isn’t a good way to ride for any distance.

Bonus on this ride was meeting my new friends from Fresno.  The ‘Possums drove up on Saturday, did wine tasting in the Lodi area and then met me Sunday morning bright and early.  Side note: I took their lead and went up Saturday to get a good night’s rest in a motel – that was a joke.  If you haven’t slept in a motel recently, you might not get it.  Anyway, off we went, our little group of four.

Based on the forecast, I dressed for a cool start to the day. At the first rest stop, I was still comfortable. Even though we were riding in the flats, the wind helped make the ride more of a challenge and it was cool. I started to get an inkling the ‘Possums had a different way of dealing with rest stops than I at the first stop. As I was getting another piece of fruit, they were on their bikes ready to roll.  Oops, guess I need to move faster!

Somewhere in the 40 miles between the first and second rest stops, we split into two groups of two. Iris took the lead. I tried to give her a break and did for a bit but she didn’t seem too interested in giving it up.  Later, she had me take the lead and take the lead and take the lead.  I figured it was good training for the upcoming ride across the country.

At the second rest stop/lunch stop, I finally removed the extra layers which allowed me more time to actually rest before getting back on the bike. Trying to figure out where to pack the layers was a good exercise. After a couple configurations I got it done but I’m pretty sure I didn’t look very svelte…more like lumpy.  Iris tried not to hover but she wanted to get going even though Maria and Paula rode up just as we were getting ready to leave.  Had it been just me, I would’ve waited for them so we could all ride together again but it wasn’t just me.

Because of the ’Possums, I learned what it is like to take a quick break and keep moving. I had my best total time of doing a century.  Average time including rest stops was 12.5 mph. I usually count on 10 mph so I can see where it makes a difference if you want to finish the ride earlier.

It is three days later as I’m writing this. I had a choice of going for a ride by myself in the Sierra foothills or flying off to Auburn for breakfast. Guess what I chose…