We spent the afternoon at the Alpenrose Dairy watching the kick-off to the 2009 Cross Crusade cyclocross series. We were there last year as well.
It was so Portland; coffee, bikes, dogs and kids.
Oh and tattoos. There were lots of tattoos.
And cowbells.
I love the scene - the energy and the vibe. It's why I love Portland so much. Thousands of people show up to cheer on a muddy bike race.
I read that it was the biggest cyclocross race in the U.S., with over 1500 racers (and probably 3000+ spectators).
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
04 October 2009
29 September 2009
Back in Oregon
After a two-day sprint up the West Coast, we have arrived back in the Portland area. The kids were super rock-stars and managed two full-days in the car with a minimum of complaints. Driving up California's Central Valley is an experience all should entertain!
We had been thinking that we'd be in Portland until Nikki's graduation next August, and were hoping to get a place in South East, but were told a few days ago that Nikki's Nov-Dec. rotation has been switched from PDX to upstate WA, so it looks like we're gypsy-lifeing it for a couple of more months.
We're staying in Hillsboro at the apartment of one of Nikki's classmate's who is gone for this rotation. It's not where we want to be, but it's only temporary.
We had been thinking that we'd be in Portland until Nikki's graduation next August, and were hoping to get a place in South East, but were told a few days ago that Nikki's Nov-Dec. rotation has been switched from PDX to upstate WA, so it looks like we're gypsy-lifeing it for a couple of more months.
We're staying in Hillsboro at the apartment of one of Nikki's classmate's who is gone for this rotation. It's not where we want to be, but it's only temporary.
17 July 2009
Three weeks in central Oregon
With one week left in Bend, I thought I'd reflect a bit upon our stay.
It's been an active stay, that's for sure. Everyday, the boys and I ride our bikes around town, with the exception of one trip, Liam has ridden his own bike. I've been trying to log our jaunts on the Trails app on my iPhone. I only remember to start the app about half the time - and right now we're at 14 miles.
We've also been taking advantage of living in Central Oregon.
Todd Lake
An easy hike from the parking lot, we explored this alpine lake within days of arriving. We hiked around the lake, starting along the southern edge, which is on a north-facing slope. At this time of year, it's normal for snow to still exist in the Cascades.
And exist it did! We played with it, slid on it, and hiked over it.
We arrived at the southwestern edge of the lake and hopped right in. Camper found a little stream coming into the lake that he really enjoyed sitting in!
The views of Mt. Bachelor from Todd Lake are pretty spectacular.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
We spent two weekends exploring this amazing place. It ranks up with the Canyonlands of Utah in terms of unbelievable, geological places that make me feel like the speck of dust that I am.
We started our adventures by heading to the top of Lava Butte. The road spirals around the old cinder cone, to the summit where you have a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. A trail runs around the edge of the crater, affording many views across the landscape - much of which is a relatively recent (about 6,000 years old) lava flow (to which, Nikki remarked, "it's amazing it didn't run over the highway.") - and down into the crater.
After going up the mountain, we thought we'd go into the earth and explore the Lava River Cave. It's an old lava tube that runs about a mile into the earth. In terms of caves I've explored, it's huge. Most of the time, the cavern is about 30-50 feet wide as well as tall. There are a few places where it gets small, and I understand that at the end, if you want, you can crawl into a tiny spot (but we didn't make it that far...).
The next week, we went down to the Newberry Caldera.
A caldera is (from Wikipedia), "a cauldron-like volcanic feature usually formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption." This one is huge; 4 by 5 miles in diameter. Within it lies Paulina Lake and East Lake, as well as The Big Obsidian Flow, a giant pile of obsidian.
We started our visit by driving to the summit of Paulina Peak and hiking around. From the summit, you can see much of the Cascades as well as the high desert floor, almost a mile down! I took a couple of panoramas from the summit.
We then drove to East Lake where we enjoyed a dip in the water and some play in the weird obsidian and pumice sand.
After that, we headed over to the Big Obsidian Flow. From the summit of Paulina Peak, the Flow looks fluid and almost gooey. Up close, it's a bazillion shattered stones - including
obsidian chunks the size of buses. It's weird, because obsidian is clearly a dense material, yet right next to it are huge chunks of pumice-like stone that weigh a fraction of what they look like they should.
I really want to go back to the Flow and hike further in. It's an absolutely unreal place.
On our way out, we stopped at Paulina Falls. Yet another amazing geological feature.
Tumalo Creek
Last week, I hiked up to Tumalo Falls for a sunset photoshoot. The next night I brought Nikki and the boys up for a dinner picnic. It's an amazing waterfall that drops 97 feet into a narrow canyon - all covered with moss.
Since then we've been exploring and playing in Tumalo Creek. Mostly at Shevlin Park, a city park on the western edge of Bend. It's a tree-lined park with trails crisscrossing it, and the creek cutting through the middle of it. We found a great spot where the boys and I have been working on a dam (OK - I've been working on the dam while they throw rocks in the water...).
In addition to all the family and boys' days fun, I've been able to get out on my road bike and explore the Bend area that way. I've found a great 15-mile ride with almost 5,000 vertical feet! The smooth pavement and wide bike-lanes are just icing on the cake!
We have one more week here and I plan on making the most of it!
Check out my Deschutes County photoset.
Or maybe my Beaver State one.
It's been an active stay, that's for sure. Everyday, the boys and I ride our bikes around town, with the exception of one trip, Liam has ridden his own bike. I've been trying to log our jaunts on the Trails app on my iPhone. I only remember to start the app about half the time - and right now we're at 14 miles.
We've also been taking advantage of living in Central Oregon.
Todd Lake
An easy hike from the parking lot, we explored this alpine lake within days of arriving. We hiked around the lake, starting along the southern edge, which is on a north-facing slope. At this time of year, it's normal for snow to still exist in the Cascades.
And exist it did! We played with it, slid on it, and hiked over it.We arrived at the southwestern edge of the lake and hopped right in. Camper found a little stream coming into the lake that he really enjoyed sitting in!
The views of Mt. Bachelor from Todd Lake are pretty spectacular.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
We spent two weekends exploring this amazing place. It ranks up with the Canyonlands of Utah in terms of unbelievable, geological places that make me feel like the speck of dust that I am.
We started our adventures by heading to the top of Lava Butte. The road spirals around the old cinder cone, to the summit where you have a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. A trail runs around the edge of the crater, affording many views across the landscape - much of which is a relatively recent (about 6,000 years old) lava flow (to which, Nikki remarked, "it's amazing it didn't run over the highway.") - and down into the crater.After going up the mountain, we thought we'd go into the earth and explore the Lava River Cave. It's an old lava tube that runs about a mile into the earth. In terms of caves I've explored, it's huge. Most of the time, the cavern is about 30-50 feet wide as well as tall. There are a few places where it gets small, and I understand that at the end, if you want, you can crawl into a tiny spot (but we didn't make it that far...).
The next week, we went down to the Newberry Caldera.
A caldera is (from Wikipedia), "a cauldron-like volcanic feature usually formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption." This one is huge; 4 by 5 miles in diameter. Within it lies Paulina Lake and East Lake, as well as The Big Obsidian Flow, a giant pile of obsidian.We started our visit by driving to the summit of Paulina Peak and hiking around. From the summit, you can see much of the Cascades as well as the high desert floor, almost a mile down! I took a couple of panoramas from the summit.
We then drove to East Lake where we enjoyed a dip in the water and some play in the weird obsidian and pumice sand.
After that, we headed over to the Big Obsidian Flow. From the summit of Paulina Peak, the Flow looks fluid and almost gooey. Up close, it's a bazillion shattered stones - including
obsidian chunks the size of buses. It's weird, because obsidian is clearly a dense material, yet right next to it are huge chunks of pumice-like stone that weigh a fraction of what they look like they should.I really want to go back to the Flow and hike further in. It's an absolutely unreal place.
On our way out, we stopped at Paulina Falls. Yet another amazing geological feature.
Tumalo CreekLast week, I hiked up to Tumalo Falls for a sunset photoshoot. The next night I brought Nikki and the boys up for a dinner picnic. It's an amazing waterfall that drops 97 feet into a narrow canyon - all covered with moss.
Since then we've been exploring and playing in Tumalo Creek. Mostly at Shevlin Park, a city park on the western edge of Bend. It's a tree-lined park with trails crisscrossing it, and the creek cutting through the middle of it. We found a great spot where the boys and I have been working on a dam (OK - I've been working on the dam while they throw rocks in the water...).
In addition to all the family and boys' days fun, I've been able to get out on my road bike and explore the Bend area that way. I've found a great 15-mile ride with almost 5,000 vertical feet! The smooth pavement and wide bike-lanes are just icing on the cake!
We have one more week here and I plan on making the most of it!
Check out my Deschutes County photoset.
Or maybe my Beaver State one.
04 July 2009
Bend suits us
Well folks, we survived the packing and the moving.
Barely.
As Nikki alluded, I kinda freaked out during our three-day packing and moving. Sometimes I'm not the most mellow person on this planet. OK, OK.... I'm never the most mellow person on this planet.
I hate moving. I hate packing. And yes, I blamed Nikki and her need to go to a school across the country.... I got mad because we're broke and I quit my well-paying job to become a full-time dad while she goes to school. Not exactly paying attention to "the big picture," I realize, but hey, we're allowed our moments of weakness.
Aren't we? Please say yes.
Whatever. What's done is done. It is what it is. And right now, "it" is us living with what we could fit in (and on) our car.
We're in Bend, and I'd say it fits us well. It's full of - as my friend Bryce would say - "the PLU." That's People Like Us. Unlike Hillsboro...
People here like the great outdoors, beer and each other. There are a ton of bikers (on our street the bike traffic is easily twice that of cars), climbers, skiers, kayakers, hikers and other adrenaline junkies. There are also several breweries and brewpubs. AND, AND.... the people are friendly. I constantly find myself in conversations with strangers (who don't feel like strangers). So unlike Hillsboro, where if you talk to someone you don't know they either ignore you, glare at you or try to talk about their intimate relationship to Jesus Christ (or how a woman's role is in the home.... and she should have, as one woman told me "as many babies as God allows. I hope to have eight." "Wow," I replied. "That's a lot. I hope you have help." "Oh yes," she said, "God." "Does God change diapers?" She stopped talking to me after that. I was fine with that.)
The boys and I have been riding around town checking out the playgrounds (all of which seem to have a mandatory climbing wall) and the river scene (it's been in the mid-90's, so a dip in the ice-cold river feels perfect!). On Nikki's first day off, the family went on a hike around Todd Lake, an alpine lake up near Mt. Bachelor. It felt so good to be in the mountains again.
We'll have to put Bend on the short list of "places we could move to when Nikki is finished with school." It would be a great place for the boys to grow up; there's skiing, world-class mountain biking, climbing, and, most important, a sense of community.
Barely.
As Nikki alluded, I kinda freaked out during our three-day packing and moving. Sometimes I'm not the most mellow person on this planet. OK, OK.... I'm never the most mellow person on this planet.
I hate moving. I hate packing. And yes, I blamed Nikki and her need to go to a school across the country.... I got mad because we're broke and I quit my well-paying job to become a full-time dad while she goes to school. Not exactly paying attention to "the big picture," I realize, but hey, we're allowed our moments of weakness.
Aren't we? Please say yes.
Whatever. What's done is done. It is what it is. And right now, "it" is us living with what we could fit in (and on) our car.
We're in Bend, and I'd say it fits us well. It's full of - as my friend Bryce would say - "the PLU." That's People Like Us. Unlike Hillsboro...
People here like the great outdoors, beer and each other. There are a ton of bikers (on our street the bike traffic is easily twice that of cars), climbers, skiers, kayakers, hikers and other adrenaline junkies. There are also several breweries and brewpubs. AND, AND.... the people are friendly. I constantly find myself in conversations with strangers (who don't feel like strangers). So unlike Hillsboro, where if you talk to someone you don't know they either ignore you, glare at you or try to talk about their intimate relationship to Jesus Christ (or how a woman's role is in the home.... and she should have, as one woman told me "as many babies as God allows. I hope to have eight." "Wow," I replied. "That's a lot. I hope you have help." "Oh yes," she said, "God." "Does God change diapers?" She stopped talking to me after that. I was fine with that.)
The boys and I have been riding around town checking out the playgrounds (all of which seem to have a mandatory climbing wall) and the river scene (it's been in the mid-90's, so a dip in the ice-cold river feels perfect!). On Nikki's first day off, the family went on a hike around Todd Lake, an alpine lake up near Mt. Bachelor. It felt so good to be in the mountains again.
We'll have to put Bend on the short list of "places we could move to when Nikki is finished with school." It would be a great place for the boys to grow up; there's skiing, world-class mountain biking, climbing, and, most important, a sense of community.
21 June 2009
Sunday Parkways
little rider
Originally uploaded by Ben McLeod
The loop connected several parks and neighborhoods, and temporarily converted a good portion of the city into a (carfree) park. The turnout was amazing and the weather was typical Portland-weird (sunny rain showers).
Last year, there was one experimental Sunday Parkways. It was such a success that the city decided to host three this summer. I wish we were going to be around for the next two.
Liam rode his own bike, and, while there were a few tears and moans about halfway through the ride, we all made it and had a wonderful time. He tried his hand at the MTB skills course that was set up in Kenton Park.
A big HUGE thanks to the City of Portland as well as all the volunteers who made today possible!
15 June 2009
change in plans!
We're being sent to Bend, Oregon rather than Nampa, Idaho!
View Larger Map
I guess the doctor in Idaho is having some personal issues (like a trip to see Betty Ford), so Nikki has been reassigned to a dermatology clinic in Bend.
Sweet!
I'd much rather spend July at the base of Mt. Bachelor than in a town with a slaughterhouse and paper mill. So would you.
Two weeks from today we'll be in Bend, so we've been packing and organizing. Most of our belongings are going into (or are already in) storage, so it's a matter of picking what comes and what stays, and then of the stuff that stays, making sure it's well-organized and easy to access so when we do need stuff, it'll be easy to find.
View Larger Map
I guess the doctor in Idaho is having some personal issues (like a trip to see Betty Ford), so Nikki has been reassigned to a dermatology clinic in Bend.
Sweet!
I'd much rather spend July at the base of Mt. Bachelor than in a town with a slaughterhouse and paper mill. So would you.
Two weeks from today we'll be in Bend, so we've been packing and organizing. Most of our belongings are going into (or are already in) storage, so it's a matter of picking what comes and what stays, and then of the stuff that stays, making sure it's well-organized and easy to access so when we do need stuff, it'll be easy to find.
29 May 2009
in case you were wondering...
...I'm enjoying myself.
The past couple of weeks without Nikki have been tough - and given me a huge amount of respect for single parents - but I've managed to enjoy myself.
I'm really glad that we made the decision to have me stay with the boys full-time. It's tough financially, and there are moments when I want to cry (oh wait, I've done that...) and scream (and that...), but I know that in the long-run this is the best thing for everyone. I get to see my boys grow up.... and they get to hang out with me, the coolest guy ever...
Despite the fact that we're car[e]free, the boys and I went into Portland today (we rode the MAX - suck it George Will) to take in the Rose Festival Carnival.
It was free admission, and the rides were just two bucks each. The problem was, Camper was too small for most of the rides, which meant Liam would ride alone and I'd have to stay with a kicking and screaming two-and-a-half-year-old. When he did get to ride, he was into it. He showed his big brother how to do the crazy bungee-jumper, easily going twice as high as Liam had, all while screaming, "I Iron Man!"
We sucked down some carnival food and headed home. Upon arriving at home, we hopped on our bikes and rode around the neighborhood, meandering our way to the pool for a late afternoon/early evening swim.
I wouldn't trade today for a "real job" ever.
There will be time for that later...
The past couple of weeks without Nikki have been tough - and given me a huge amount of respect for single parents - but I've managed to enjoy myself.
I'm really glad that we made the decision to have me stay with the boys full-time. It's tough financially, and there are moments when I want to cry (oh wait, I've done that...) and scream (and that...), but I know that in the long-run this is the best thing for everyone. I get to see my boys grow up.... and they get to hang out with me, the coolest guy ever...
Despite the fact that we're car[e]free, the boys and I went into Portland today (we rode the MAX - suck it George Will) to take in the Rose Festival Carnival.
It was free admission, and the rides were just two bucks each. The problem was, Camper was too small for most of the rides, which meant Liam would ride alone and I'd have to stay with a kicking and screaming two-and-a-half-year-old. When he did get to ride, he was into it. He showed his big brother how to do the crazy bungee-jumper, easily going twice as high as Liam had, all while screaming, "I Iron Man!"We sucked down some carnival food and headed home. Upon arriving at home, we hopped on our bikes and rode around the neighborhood, meandering our way to the pool for a late afternoon/early evening swim.
I wouldn't trade today for a "real job" ever.
There will be time for that later...
26 May 2009
crimson [and] clover [over and over]
I've been a bit obsessed with clover recently.
Trifolium incarnatum to be precise.
It began a couple of months ago when I noticed that it was growing in many of the fields that had wheat in them last summer. About a month ago I noticed that this clover seemed to grow taller than the clover I'm used to.
And it has gigantic leaves, such that, when viewed as a whole present a lush, verdant field undulating under the ripples of wind
that move across them. I'd be riding my bike on roads with acres and acres of the stuff all around and would find myself starting at it.
A couple of weeks ago, they flowers started to bloom. Slowly, at first, but then, within a few days, the giant, green fields turned to a reddish-purple. While out riding, I stopped and took some pictures in midday sun, with my phone, but I knew I'd have to come back in better light.
Last Friday, at sunset, I went out to capture that golden hour glow in the fields. Standing in the midst of them made me feel like Horton looking for the Whos (I always wondered why he didn't simply leave the clover they were on in the midst of all the other clover - seemed like a safe place to me...).
I believe the clover is planted for the hay, but according to this web site "the main reason is to provide biologically–fixed nitrogen" to the soil.
Trifolium incarnatum to be precise.
It began a couple of months ago when I noticed that it was growing in many of the fields that had wheat in them last summer. About a month ago I noticed that this clover seemed to grow taller than the clover I'm used to.
And it has gigantic leaves, such that, when viewed as a whole present a lush, verdant field undulating under the ripples of wind
that move across them. I'd be riding my bike on roads with acres and acres of the stuff all around and would find myself starting at it.A couple of weeks ago, they flowers started to bloom. Slowly, at first, but then, within a few days, the giant, green fields turned to a reddish-purple. While out riding, I stopped and took some pictures in midday sun, with my phone, but I knew I'd have to come back in better light.
Last Friday, at sunset, I went out to capture that golden hour glow in the fields. Standing in the midst of them made me feel like Horton looking for the Whos (I always wondered why he didn't simply leave the clover they were on in the midst of all the other clover - seemed like a safe place to me...).
I believe the clover is planted for the hay, but according to this web site "the main reason is to provide biologically–fixed nitrogen" to the soil.
08 March 2009
Bike Registration
A bill recently introduced to the Oregon Legislature would require all bicycles in Oregon to be registered. Registered!
House Bill 3008 proposes a $54 bi-annual “bicycle registration and licensing system.”
I'm not really sure why this bill has been introduced. Is it to solve some problem? Bike theft? The licensing system will somehow curb theft... Too many bikes? At $54 per bike, people may think twice about buying a bike.
All I know, is that it would cost way more to register my bikes than my car! I guess the bill only penalizes those over 18 for not registering, so I think we can get away with not registering the boys' bikes. That said, we're still looking at $324 every two years for our bikes, and $131 for our car (and $10 of that registration fee goes to the BTA!).
So of course I'm opposed to the bill.
Read about it at BikePortland.
[Update: Jonathan Maus, the Editor of Bike Portland interviewed the primary sponsor, Rep. Wayne Krieger (R-Gold Beach). Apparently, for Representative Krieger, it's a matter of equity. If bicyclists want to be treated equally, he believes we should pay our fair share. I could agree with him, but I believe $54 per bike is too steep. Perhaps it it be a percentage of the value of the bike, or something like that.]
House Bill 3008 proposes a $54 bi-annual “bicycle registration and licensing system.”I'm not really sure why this bill has been introduced. Is it to solve some problem? Bike theft? The licensing system will somehow curb theft... Too many bikes? At $54 per bike, people may think twice about buying a bike.
All I know, is that it would cost way more to register my bikes than my car! I guess the bill only penalizes those over 18 for not registering, so I think we can get away with not registering the boys' bikes. That said, we're still looking at $324 every two years for our bikes, and $131 for our car (and $10 of that registration fee goes to the BTA!).
So of course I'm opposed to the bill.
Read about it at BikePortland.
[Update: Jonathan Maus, the Editor of Bike Portland interviewed the primary sponsor, Rep. Wayne Krieger (R-Gold Beach). Apparently, for Representative Krieger, it's a matter of equity. If bicyclists want to be treated equally, he believes we should pay our fair share. I could agree with him, but I believe $54 per bike is too steep. Perhaps it it be a percentage of the value of the bike, or something like that.]
07 March 2009
spring beauty
I was able to get a ride in on Friday (March 6th). It was my first ride since getting the bike all tuned up a couple of weeks ago.
I thought I'd need a new drivetrain, but the guys at the shop said that all I needed was a new chain and a tune. (I like it when the shop-guys option is the cheapest!)
I went on my usual, Hillsboro Hills ride, and brought Nikki's iPhone with me. I had just installed the EveryTrail app and wanted to try it out.
It was a gorgeous spring day, with temperatures in the mid-60's and my bike riding like a sportscar, accelerating around corners and up hills - feeling that new-chain love!
You can see a map of my ride here (keep in mind, the ride-time and average speed are taking into account thelong rests at the tops of the climbs to take in the beauty of nature - seriously, Mt,. Hood and Mt. Saint Helens were out. It was awesome!)
I thought I'd need a new drivetrain, but the guys at the shop said that all I needed was a new chain and a tune. (I like it when the shop-guys option is the cheapest!)
I went on my usual, Hillsboro Hills ride, and brought Nikki's iPhone with me. I had just installed the EveryTrail app and wanted to try it out.
It was a gorgeous spring day, with temperatures in the mid-60's and my bike riding like a sportscar, accelerating around corners and up hills - feeling that new-chain love!
You can see a map of my ride here (keep in mind, the ride-time and average speed are taking into account the
Hillsboro hills ride
Widget powered by EveryTrail: GPS Geotagging01 February 2009
February ride
I went out for a small, 15-mile road ride today. It was partly sunny with temperatures in the upper-40's. I was probably a little overdressed, with the exception of my gloves, so I ended up sweating more than I think I would have had it been in the 90's!
I've been riding my commuter bike three days a week to get to work, but that's in Portland, where I'm surrounded by fellow bike commuters and where the Department of Transportation does helpful things like clear the bike lanes of gravel (they have to; Portland has the highest rate of bicycle commuters in the nation, somewhere around 20%!).
Hillsboro, while only 13 miles west of PDX, is a completely different story. What bike lanes exist are covered in gravel, which forced me out into traffic. However, I only had one jacked-up pickup honk at me. The other jacked-up pickups and SUVs just gave me dirty looks (and no elbow room).
I've been riding my commuter bike three days a week to get to work, but that's in Portland, where I'm surrounded by fellow bike commuters and where the Department of Transportation does helpful things like clear the bike lanes of gravel (they have to; Portland has the highest rate of bicycle commuters in the nation, somewhere around 20%!).
Hillsboro, while only 13 miles west of PDX, is a completely different story. What bike lanes exist are covered in gravel, which forced me out into traffic. However, I only had one jacked-up pickup honk at me. The other jacked-up pickups and SUVs just gave me dirty looks (and no elbow room).
17 January 2009
first ride of the new year
It's a beautiful, sunny day today, so I went for my first ride of 2009!
Temperatures were in the low-to-mid 50's, without a cloud in the sky. I love seeing Mt. Saint Helens covered in snow.
I wasn't the only biker on the road; I must have seen at least a dozen others, all with big grins on their faces.
Temperatures were in the low-to-mid 50's, without a cloud in the sky. I love seeing Mt. Saint Helens covered in snow.
I wasn't the only biker on the road; I must have seen at least a dozen others, all with big grins on their faces.
08 December 2008
December ride
So far, December has been pretty tame, with sunny days and mild temperatures. Certainly not the driving rain we've been told to expect! [I'm sure that will come...]
I took advantage of the weather on Saturday and went for a road ride (I guess, at some point, I may need to face facts and admit that I haven't been on my mountain bike in two seasons, but not now).
It was hovering around 50 degrees under mostly sunny skies so I took the Masi out on the Hillsboro Hills ride. It's become my standard, go-to ride. It's 22ish miles, depending upon how many warm-up and cool-down laps I ride around my neighborhood (each is 1-mile).
View Larger Map
The first 10 miles are mostly big-ring spinning by berry farms and nurseries, then a pretty decent climb to the top of SW Iowa Hill Road (it's a great view from the top, looking over the valley, straight at Mt. Hood). The drop off the top is steep and straight drop (with the exception of a crazy-weird, but fun "s-curve" in the middle of the downhill - in an earlier post, I referred to it as the Unger Drop and Twist...) into the valley and another 10-or-so miles back to Hillsboro.
It was an incredible day for a ride. I had just watched Obama's weekly radio address (I love saying that... watched a radio address... who woulda thunk?! ... oh and Obama. President. Let me say that again. President Obama). In it, he spelled out his plan for economic recovery; a new New Deal, if you will. I've been doing some work for a GIS firm in Portland, and one
thing that pretty much every single one of these programs that the President-elect is proposing will need some form of GIS.
The warm sun and green fields (seriously - green fields in December!) combined with the words of a thoughtful (intelligent!) president(-elect) got my brain all roiling with good thoughts of change.
Yes we can.
My Unemployed in Oregon line may be changing soon, but the geek riding his bike part won't stop.
Shortly after arriving home, I was awed by this sunset.
I took advantage of the weather on Saturday and went for a road ride (I guess, at some point, I may need to face facts and admit that I haven't been on my mountain bike in two seasons, but not now).
It was hovering around 50 degrees under mostly sunny skies so I took the Masi out on the Hillsboro Hills ride. It's become my standard, go-to ride. It's 22ish miles, depending upon how many warm-up and cool-down laps I ride around my neighborhood (each is 1-mile).
View Larger Map
The first 10 miles are mostly big-ring spinning by berry farms and nurseries, then a pretty decent climb to the top of SW Iowa Hill Road (it's a great view from the top, looking over the valley, straight at Mt. Hood). The drop off the top is steep and straight drop (with the exception of a crazy-weird, but fun "s-curve" in the middle of the downhill - in an earlier post, I referred to it as the Unger Drop and Twist...) into the valley and another 10-or-so miles back to Hillsboro.
It was an incredible day for a ride. I had just watched Obama's weekly radio address (I love saying that... watched a radio address... who woulda thunk?! ... oh and Obama. President. Let me say that again. President Obama). In it, he spelled out his plan for economic recovery; a new New Deal, if you will. I've been doing some work for a GIS firm in Portland, and one
thing that pretty much every single one of these programs that the President-elect is proposing will need some form of GIS.The warm sun and green fields (seriously - green fields in December!) combined with the words of a thoughtful (intelligent!) president(-elect) got my brain all roiling with good thoughts of change.
Yes we can.
My Unemployed in Oregon line may be changing soon, but the geek riding his bike part won't stop.
Shortly after arriving home, I was awed by this sunset.
20 November 2008
spin class blues
I went to a spin class last night. About two minutes into it I remembered something; I really don't like spin classes. The bikes are nothing like real bikes, the room smells horrible, and you don't go anywhere!
On top of that, the instructor played The Who, The Beatles, The Who, The Beatles, The Who.... for an hour (the only non Beatles or Who song was that ode to rednecks by Lynard Skynard - Sweet Home Alambama - one of THE WORST songs ever)! I'm a fan of both bands (and I HATE Lynard Skynard), but.... come on! Variety is good. Monotony is bad.
In the instructor's defense, he was playing to the crowd; a bunch of 50 and 60 year-olds that I guess did not appreciate the hip-hop he had been playing lately.
The Bikes
Spin class bikes feel nothing like a real bike. The one I was lucky enough to get had wobbly handlebars and a jiggly saddle (which also pointed down making me slide off of it every 10 seconds or so). The pedals had either cages - which I find annoying - or SPF clips that I don't have cleats for. Also, they didn't spin in a circular motion, more like an oval, which was incredibly disconcerting and somewhat uncomfortable (but frankly, not as bad as it sounds). And what's up with the shifting/friction thingie?! There must be a better way.
The Music
As I already stated, this class played nothing but The Beatles and The Who with a horrific redneck song thrown in just to make me freak out.
I imagine that this is the hardest part for an instructor. Not everyone will like every song you play. I've been to a few dozen spin classes in my life (there was a time in Concord when I went a few times a week for a few months) and only liked every song played in about 4 or 5 classes.
The Instructor
That was the big bright spot to this class. This guy was nice and even humble, a trait uncommon in the spin class instructors I've met. Generally, I've found them to be a miserable lot who think rather highly of themselves.
In Conclusion
I'd like to buy a trainer. That way I can pick my music (or watch TV).
However
I got to ride next to Nikki, and I always like that (she is my best friend, after all!). Then, after the class, we went swimming with the boys in the amazing pools at the SHARC. The "warm water pool" is a shallow pool that starts at 0 inches deep and goes to 4 feet. In the middle, there's a big gadget that dumps water onto the kids (and adults) that wander beneath it.
Liam showed us what he learned in his swim classes, and Camper, fearless as he is, repeatedly jumped in (at first we caught him, but as he grew more bold, we just stood by and watched as he'd jump in, land on the bottom, and jump up). At one point, the lifeguards turned on the waterslide into the big pool, so Liam and I went for a few runs.
Meanwhile, in the outdoor pool, the high school team was hosting a swim meet.
So yeah, I'll be back for more spin classes and more fun in the pool. Maybe there'll be better music next time - or maybe I'll bring my iPod (with big-ass headphones)!
On top of that, the instructor played The Who, The Beatles, The Who, The Beatles, The Who.... for an hour (the only non Beatles or Who song was that ode to rednecks by Lynard Skynard - Sweet Home Alambama - one of THE WORST songs ever)! I'm a fan of both bands (and I HATE Lynard Skynard), but.... come on! Variety is good. Monotony is bad.
In the instructor's defense, he was playing to the crowd; a bunch of 50 and 60 year-olds that I guess did not appreciate the hip-hop he had been playing lately.
The Bikes
Spin class bikes feel nothing like a real bike. The one I was lucky enough to get had wobbly handlebars and a jiggly saddle (which also pointed down making me slide off of it every 10 seconds or so). The pedals had either cages - which I find annoying - or SPF clips that I don't have cleats for. Also, they didn't spin in a circular motion, more like an oval, which was incredibly disconcerting and somewhat uncomfortable (but frankly, not as bad as it sounds). And what's up with the shifting/friction thingie?! There must be a better way.
The Music
As I already stated, this class played nothing but The Beatles and The Who with a horrific redneck song thrown in just to make me freak out.
I imagine that this is the hardest part for an instructor. Not everyone will like every song you play. I've been to a few dozen spin classes in my life (there was a time in Concord when I went a few times a week for a few months) and only liked every song played in about 4 or 5 classes.
The Instructor
That was the big bright spot to this class. This guy was nice and even humble, a trait uncommon in the spin class instructors I've met. Generally, I've found them to be a miserable lot who think rather highly of themselves.
In Conclusion
I'd like to buy a trainer. That way I can pick my music (or watch TV).
However
I got to ride next to Nikki, and I always like that (she is my best friend, after all!). Then, after the class, we went swimming with the boys in the amazing pools at the SHARC. The "warm water pool" is a shallow pool that starts at 0 inches deep and goes to 4 feet. In the middle, there's a big gadget that dumps water onto the kids (and adults) that wander beneath it.
Liam showed us what he learned in his swim classes, and Camper, fearless as he is, repeatedly jumped in (at first we caught him, but as he grew more bold, we just stood by and watched as he'd jump in, land on the bottom, and jump up). At one point, the lifeguards turned on the waterslide into the big pool, so Liam and I went for a few runs.Meanwhile, in the outdoor pool, the high school team was hosting a swim meet.
So yeah, I'll be back for more spin classes and more fun in the pool. Maybe there'll be better music next time - or maybe I'll bring my iPod (with big-ass headphones)!
15 November 2008
fall family ride
It was a sunny, beautiful autumn day today so we took the McLeod family bike-train for a ride. It was close to 60 degrees out, so I wore shorts and a long-sleeve jersey, while the rest of the crew was a little more bundled up.
Basically, we rode out to the base of the hills that surround Hillsboro (out to Forest Hills Golf Course) and back via Rood Bridge Road (which brings us by another golf course - I guess you could call this route the Golf Course).
View Larger Map
The mostly flat route takes us through farmland and nurseries, with great views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams (the sun glowing off the new snow on the peak was creating a gorgeous alpenglow!), Mt. Saint Helens, and a glimpse of Mt. Rainier.
We saw cows, horses, chickens, llamas (OK, OK, alpacas!), geese, and goats - to which, Liam and Camper would shout a greeting. At one point Liam even yelled a greeting to a farmer ("hello farmer!"), who politely - and graciously - gave us a wave.
Most of the trees were barren, with a few still clinging to their leaves (or is it the other way around?) but the scene was almost more reminiscent of spring than fall as many of the fields are verdant with the fresh shoots of whatever was recently planted (lettuce, spinach, rye?) having just broken free of the soil.
The ride ended with a trip to the Rood Bridge playground, so everyone came away satisfied. At close to 20 miles, it was the longest ride Liam has ever ridden on his trail-a-bike - this time he even pedaled a little!
Basically, we rode out to the base of the hills that surround Hillsboro (out to Forest Hills Golf Course) and back via Rood Bridge Road (which brings us by another golf course - I guess you could call this route the Golf Course).
View Larger Map
The mostly flat route takes us through farmland and nurseries, with great views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams (the sun glowing off the new snow on the peak was creating a gorgeous alpenglow!), Mt. Saint Helens, and a glimpse of Mt. Rainier.
We saw cows, horses, chickens, llamas (OK, OK, alpacas!), geese, and goats - to which, Liam and Camper would shout a greeting. At one point Liam even yelled a greeting to a farmer ("hello farmer!"), who politely - and graciously - gave us a wave.
Most of the trees were barren, with a few still clinging to their leaves (or is it the other way around?) but the scene was almost more reminiscent of spring than fall as many of the fields are verdant with the fresh shoots of whatever was recently planted (lettuce, spinach, rye?) having just broken free of the soil.The ride ended with a trip to the Rood Bridge playground, so everyone came away satisfied. At close to 20 miles, it was the longest ride Liam has ever ridden on his trail-a-bike - this time he even pedaled a little!
08 November 2008
winter[riding] season begins
I went out for a ride in the rain today.
The rainy season set in about a week ago and I've been dying to go out and play in it. Camper and I have been taking the Breezer/Chariot combo out for some fast laps around the neighborhood, but we haven't hit upon any serious rain - just a drizzle-or-two.
I've been wanting to take my road bike out in the wet conditions, but haven't had the chance to until today. It poured this morning, which was a little more than I was prepared for, so I waited until the clouds broke and the sun came out.
The pavement was wet, and while the sun was shining at the moment, there were still scattered showers all around. Perfect.
I put my bike stuff on, grabbed my bike and set out on my usual route.
I quickly made a discovery
Skinny bald race tires are not the best option for wet riding conditions.
Compensating for the lack of surface contact, I continued on.
As I rode toward the hills, I noticed the fact that I really couldn't see them, and the way the sun was making those low-level clouds ahead of me glow, was spectacular. I then realized that was not clouds ahead as much as it was a wall of water.
I plowed headlong into the water and was quickly consumed by the downfall. It was pouring, and all the while, the sun was pounding down on me. I had a shadow!
The sun was on one side of me, and on the other was a huge, double rainbow. One end was i a stand of trees amid a wheat field, and was making the trees glow. The other end was on the barn and silo of a farm and was lighting them up.
I rode out of the rain after a few minutes, but looking towards the hills, could see that it was raining. A fifteen-hundred foot descent on wet roads with my current tires was already discouraging. Doing it in the pouring rain was out of the question.
I detoured onto SW Johnson School Road and rode back towards Rood Bridge.
The sun was shining and I quickly dried off in the breeze (of my totally-hauling-ass speeds!). Wool is good for that. I kind of like riding in cooler temperatures. In the summer heat, it's hard to regulate your body temperature, but when it's 55 degrees out, it's easy (wool tights, long-sleeve poly shirt, wind/water resistant jacket - add a layer if it's cooler, open vents of it's warmer, etc.).
It was a good first-of-the-season ride.
The rainy season set in about a week ago and I've been dying to go out and play in it. Camper and I have been taking the Breezer/Chariot combo out for some fast laps around the neighborhood, but we haven't hit upon any serious rain - just a drizzle-or-two.
I've been wanting to take my road bike out in the wet conditions, but haven't had the chance to until today. It poured this morning, which was a little more than I was prepared for, so I waited until the clouds broke and the sun came out.
The pavement was wet, and while the sun was shining at the moment, there were still scattered showers all around. Perfect.
I put my bike stuff on, grabbed my bike and set out on my usual route.
I quickly made a discovery
Skinny bald race tires are not the best option for wet riding conditions.
Compensating for the lack of surface contact, I continued on.
As I rode toward the hills, I noticed the fact that I really couldn't see them, and the way the sun was making those low-level clouds ahead of me glow, was spectacular. I then realized that was not clouds ahead as much as it was a wall of water.
I plowed headlong into the water and was quickly consumed by the downfall. It was pouring, and all the while, the sun was pounding down on me. I had a shadow!The sun was on one side of me, and on the other was a huge, double rainbow. One end was i a stand of trees amid a wheat field, and was making the trees glow. The other end was on the barn and silo of a farm and was lighting them up.
I rode out of the rain after a few minutes, but looking towards the hills, could see that it was raining. A fifteen-hundred foot descent on wet roads with my current tires was already discouraging. Doing it in the pouring rain was out of the question.
I detoured onto SW Johnson School Road and rode back towards Rood Bridge.
The sun was shining and I quickly dried off in the breeze (of my totally-hauling-ass speeds!). Wool is good for that. I kind of like riding in cooler temperatures. In the summer heat, it's hard to regulate your body temperature, but when it's 55 degrees out, it's easy (wool tights, long-sleeve poly shirt, wind/water resistant jacket - add a layer if it's cooler, open vents of it's warmer, etc.).
It was a good first-of-the-season ride.
06 October 2008
First Cyclocross event
Nikki and Camper attended their first cyclocross race on Sunday. Liam and I are, of course, veterans.
We all went to the first of the Cross Crusade races; which will take place every Sunday for the next two months. Going in, I knew that I was already interested in trying out a race. It was fun to watch Nikki get increasingly drawn in, until she finally said that she too would like to give this cyclocross thing a try!
The race was fun to watch - lots of mud flying and people sliding - and the venue itself was a fun atmosphere.
The course looked challenging, but doable. There were the requisite obstacles, from stairs to muddy hills, some twisty, turny riding and some fast straightaways.
I'll be gone next weekend, and the Sunday after that, we're celebrating Liam's birthday, so it looks like our next chance to try a race would be Sunday the 25th in Astoria.
We all went to the first of the Cross Crusade races; which will take place every Sunday for the next two months. Going in, I knew that I was already interested in trying out a race. It was fun to watch Nikki get increasingly drawn in, until she finally said that she too would like to give this cyclocross thing a try!
The race was fun to watch - lots of mud flying and people sliding - and the venue itself was a fun atmosphere.The course looked challenging, but doable. There were the requisite obstacles, from stairs to muddy hills, some twisty, turny riding and some fast straightaways.
I'll be gone next weekend, and the Sunday after that, we're celebrating Liam's birthday, so it looks like our next chance to try a race would be Sunday the 25th in Astoria.
13 September 2008
Cyclocross
Liam and I went up to Bald Peak to watch the Pain on the Peak cyclocross race. I think I found a new obsession!
For those of you that don't know what cyclocross is, here's the Wikipedia entry on it (what did we do before Wikipedia?!).
It was hot and dusty, pretty much the opposite of the stereotypical cyclocross image, but it still looked like a lot of fun. Watching these guys race their bikes in a dusty pack, then hop off and carry their bikes across obstacles made both of us want to try it. They had a junior competition, and when Liam saw the kids go by, he looked at me and said, "I want to try that." I nearly cried.
There's a place in Portland that rents cross bikes, and a series is starting up soon. I think I'll have to give it a try!
Check out my set of pictures here.
For those of you that don't know what cyclocross is, here's the Wikipedia entry on it (what did we do before Wikipedia?!).
It was hot and dusty, pretty much the opposite of the stereotypical cyclocross image, but it still looked like a lot of fun. Watching these guys race their bikes in a dusty pack, then hop off and carry their bikes across obstacles made both of us want to try it. They had a junior competition, and when Liam saw the kids go by, he looked at me and said, "I want to try that." I nearly cried.
There's a place in Portland that rents cross bikes, and a series is starting up soon. I think I'll have to give it a try!
Check out my set of pictures here.
07 September 2008
03 September 2008
In a ditch
Well, it had to happen.I guess.
Given the amount of rides I go on, and the number of cars that pass me, I was bound to get driven off the road.
Into a four-foot deep gravel-lined ditch.
At 25 miles-per-hour.
The good news: I was able to walk away from it with only a few cuts, scratches, some torn skin and a sore shoulder.
The bad news: My bike is pretty fucked-up, and with my being unemployed and all, I doubt I'll have the money to fix it.
I wasn't hit, but....
I was riding along SW River Road - a route I've never ridden but I thought I'd catch it down to Route 10 - when it happened. The bike lane suddenly disappeared about a half-mile or so before, forcing me into the traffic lane. I was literally riding on the white line when a white van passed me. They didn't hit me or brush me, but were so close that it freaked me out. I swerved, was caught by the gravel (there's no shoulder here; the white line runs along the edge of the pavement, with about 4 inches of gravel before the four foot drop into the ditch) and pitched head first into the ditch.
View Larger Map
I'm not sure what pisses me off more, the fact that there was no oncoming traffic, so the white van had no excuse for not giving me any room (I think he was pissed because the woman driving the truck that stopped to see if I was OK drove really slowly behind me before passing me; he was stuck behind her and took his anger out on me by not giving me an inch), or the fact that there were several cars behind the van that clearly saw me fly face first into a ditch and DID NOTHING! The only person that pulled over was a woman who was driving a pickup truck two cars IN FRONT of the white van. She saw the whole thing in her rear-view mirror and turned around to see if I was OK.
I should have taken her up on her offer of a ride, but I was too stunned and in shock to really talk. I told her that I was OK, but after she drove away I realized that my bike was not. I'm not sure what happened, but the rear wheel doesn't spin easily when my weight is on it (it spins fine when you pick the bike up and spin the pedals). It feels like the brakes are applied, but I can't see any signs of rubbing.
Funny Irony
Before heading out on my ride today, I logged-in to our bank web site and saw that the Oregon DMV recently cashed our check for car registration. Our Share the Road plates should be arriving any day now...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)