First Ride of the New Year

The new year is upon us and knowing this I felt the need to hit the gym for a spin class and then the road for a nice 30 mile ride.  The spin class is a new adventure for Kelly and I, we both like cycling but Portland, Oregon doesn't always allow us the luxury of warm, dry and windless riding.  So on Sunday we gave spin class a try, and both liked it.  The upbeat music and fun groups and instructors make the pain almost bearable...almost.  For those who haven't attended a spin class I recommend at least giving it a chance to see how it goes, it is a fun way to burn LOTS of calories.  Go on give it a try.

Mt. Hood from the middle of the I-205 Bridge 

The road ride that I embarked on this afternoon was with a friend from school who has recently gotten into cycling.  I enjoy riding with him because we can have both school and non-school conversations all while enjoying the unseasonably nice, albeit cold, weather.  Our ride started out from NE Portland Near 15th and Going, and took us in a fun loop back to the same area.  The ride started with a balmy temperature of 36 degrees, and really never got any warmer.  We headed through NE Portland to the delta park area where we could hook into the bike path that would lead us into Vancouver aka Vantucky.  The I-5 bridge crossing was a first for Abe, which like most people who cross it the first time comment on how much of a climb there is to get over to the 'Couve.  With the perfect amount of layers we zigged and zagged through historic Fort Vancouver, then into "old town" Vancouver (more like ghost town Vancouver).  Dodging frost and ice on the shoulder we found ourselves near our midpoint stop, my parents house.  Stopping and warming our toes and fingers with some hot coffee, emptying the bladders and chatting with my dad we suited back up for the big descents for the day the I-205 bridge.  For those who have never ridden across the bridge, it is 2 miles of dust, noise and exhaust with some pretty nice views of Mt. Hood.

Abe Enjoying the Tailwind on the bike path

Mt. Hood From the Marine Drive Bike Path

After the cold and windy descent from Vancouver to Portland we decided to head back west on Marine Drive and use the tailwind to our advantage.  Well played!  With almost zero effort we were able to cruise a modest 18mph for the entire 7 miles, what a joy!  Alas all good things and tailwinds must come to an end, and heading back up 33rd towards Abe's house we were buffeted by and COLD ESE wind, which made the last push home a bit harder than either of us wanted.  After navigating the sketchy overpass back into urban life we meandered the remaining 3 miles uphill with remorse that such a beautiful day was coming to a close and that school was starting up tomorrow.

Headwind, Highways and Heat

Sunday start was a little later than I usually would be riding but the drive down took a little longer than expected (mostly because I wanted to start south of Ashland in CA).  The first 10 or so miles were good, got used to the bike and the weight.  As I started into the Shasta valley area I felt the wind of change, and not in a good way. The wind was heading out of the south and coming hard, which made for a long afternoon and evening.  At about 7:30 I started to loo, for camping options which were not very present in a valley.  After about 8 miles I came to an old burned out house that had been cleared and had good tree cover so I pitched camp behind some trees and ate some dehydrated refried beans for dinner. 

Monday I got up at 05:45 and packed and was on the road by 07:00 (fast for me getting out of camp).

  Rode into Mt. Shasta city and got coffee and warmed up. At the shop I met a cyclist who warned me about hwy 89, the road I would be on for the next 5 days, and advised about getting off the road frequently because the shoulder is such crap.  He was right,  over the next 5 days I had to pull off and wait more than I ever had in any touring I have done.  The white line was the shoulder then it was loose sand and gravel, a cyclists nightmare.  On the 89 I rode into more headwind, got some hills and a little bit of heat.  Ended my day in an RV park near hat creek.  It was a long day to make up for the short on the day before, 83 miles...

Finally getting this blog up and running, just in time for my new tour!

The plan for summer break (June 23 - July 15) is to ride the second half of the Sierra Cascades ACA route roughly south of Crater Lake NP to The USA/Mexico border.  Depending on where I end up starting it will work out to 1400 - 1500 miles.  My plan is to camp as much as possible and eat mostly food that I prepare (trying to save some money).  As many of you know for my previous trip The Trans-Am 2010 I am pretty good at the camping and cooking gig, this time I am trying some new menu items and preparation methods for some of the dinner time cooking.

The other difference is that I will have a ride companion meeting up with me about halfway through, to help ease the solidarity and solo boredom that happens on long tours with no one to talk to.  I have know Mary for several years, she is an avid runner, cyclist and overall life enthusiast.  She pack some serious energy but is down to earth and great to hang out with!  She is planning on meeting me somewhere in CA (TBD because it will depend on where I am), with her husband Tim (who is also an awesome guy and probably one of the most supportive partners that I have met...besides my girlfriend), and she will ride with me and Tim will shuttle us back up to San Francisco when we are done.  So that is the trip, I will attempt to update while on the road, but services and internet are going to be spotty at best.

Until I get another chance to update I'll leave you with a photo I took on my training ride 6/15/12

Vista House with my other new companion Donkey...