2012 winding down

Well just an update to keep the blog alive.

I only did six out of the seven days on the Oregon Coast ride this year.  Just 50+ miles from finishing.  I had crashed in July during the STP (Seattle To Portland bike ride), bruised my ribs and ended up with pleurisy.  I was getting sick and the pleurisy was acting up, decided to abandon for health reasons.  Hope to edit and post those last two days soon.

Since then I had not done much riding, occasional weekend rides along with the commute to work.  Not as many miles as previous years, and my weight is showing it.

On November 8th on my way to work I crashed when I hit a car sensor cable that was laying in the bike lane.  Road rash on my right elbow and knee, bruised my right leg from the thigh to the bottom of my foot and broke my left wrist.

 Had surgery on the 11th, they added a little something. And yes it is permanent.

Between the break and the injury to the right knee, I had not been able even ride my trainer until just a few days ago.

I also was not able to type very well until just recently.

Still have not assessed the damage to my bike yet.  I do know I broke the handlebar mirror as well as twisted left controller with nice scrapes.

I hope to use some of this down time to add more information to my blog: What I travel with and why, reviews on equipment, websites and services that are related to cycling.



Oregon Coast Bike Ride 2012 - Day 4

The motel last night did me good. Felt a lot better this morning. Grabbed a muffin and coffe frim the motel lobby, packed up and headed out. Leaving Newport I had to cross the Yaquina Bay bridge. They had construction on the bridge so had to walk the bike on the east side of the bridge.

The ride to Yachats was pretty good, a few climbs and a slight tail wind. My heart monitor started acting strange, said my hpm was 185 while pedaling easy on the flats. Stopped at the Drift In Family restaurant for lunch but I was a little early and had a second breakfast instead. Denver omelette, potatoes and toast with a nice big glass of milk.

Heading out from Yachats, I had a very nice tail wind. The first climb was Cape Perpetua. Don't know if it was the good sleep, the tail wind or I was just getting into the groove, but the climbing did not seem as hard as previous days.

The next two climbs were at Heceta Head. Again the climbs did not seem as hard. I did stop several times to both catch my breath and enjoy the views. This is a really scenic area of the coast.

Nice down hill and a few rollers and I was in Florence. Stopped at Fred Meyers for batteries, for the heart rate monitor. Then had time to do some laundry, and pick up a spare derailer cable for the bike shop.

Stopped and had dinner at the Bridgewatch Restaurant and Zebra Bar. Ordered the Smoked Salmon with Pesto Linguini. It was superb! Also had and IPA, which I was regretting as I rode the last few miles to the camp ground.

Arrived at the hiker/biker camp in Honeyman SP. Trevor and Shahana were there, had met them at Cape Lookout. Had just finishes setting up when Carolyn and Deanna arrived. I may be traveling alone but it is nice to see familiar faces and have someone to talk to.

Showered, called mom and Nancy, then off to bed.

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Location:Oregon Coast Hwy,Reedsport,United States

Oregon Coast Bike Ride 2012 - Day 3

Posting this late, yesterday was a tough day. Started out with the 2.5 mile 1000 ft climb up to Cape Lookout. Did this climb last year, it was a lot tougher. I know it took longer, I will have to compare stats with last year. It was cool going up but did not need a jacket until I was heading down the other side.

Had a bit of a tail wind into Pacific City. Too early to stop at my favorite place, The Pelican Pub & Brewery. The tail wind continued back on Hwy 101. Deanna and Carolyn (Squirrelgal) pulled into the viewpoint area, while I was taking a breather. They mentioned that Slab Creek Rd was closed in July.

We decided to stop in Neskowin to verify. No seemed to know for sure if it was open yet or not. One gentleman said he saw 4 cyclists heading up near the Neskowin school. We arrived at the turn off. Signs said that the road was closed 4 miles in. Another sign said not passable by car or bike. We decided to stick to Hwy 101. It was a steeper climb and really took its toll on me. Had a nice long downhill into Lincoln City.

Took East Devils Lake Rd, you avoid the traffic and little to no shoulder through downtown, but you have more climbing that mostly rollers. Stopped at Roadhouse 101 for lunch, had the teriyaki chicken burger. It was pretty good, had two grilled chicken breasts on it.

It was then on to Depot Bay and the Otter Crest Loop. The loop is the way to go, very little traffic, nice wide bike lane going up hill an not as much climbing as 101.

Decided to go on to South Beach S.P. instead of Beverly Beach S.P.. Had a nice tail wind, but by the time I got into Newport I was cold, low on energy and feeling too much pain. Decided to spend the night in a motel.


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Location:Newport, OR

Oregon Coast Bike Ride 2012 - Day 2

Woke around 6:30 this morning, made coffee and had Mountain House Breakfast Skillet Wrap. Got everything packed up and on the road shortly before 9:00.

Legs are a little sore from yesterday, climbing still feels difficult. Cable for my rear derailer broke just after Wheeler.  Had to ride two miles to Rockaway Beach in the small cog on the cassette to get cutters so I could install the new cable.

Stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for lunch, but the wait was too long, had a root beer float ice cream cone instead. Tried to find a bike shop in Tillamook but they were all closed. Had a chicken wrap for lunch.

Leaving Tillamook took the Three Capes loop. Had a head wind for about six miles, then the climb up to Cape Mears. Down to Oceanside and a few minor hills. Stopped at The Schooner for dinner, had a wonderful Smoked Seafood Pasta. Then the last seven miles to the campground.

Setup camp, called Nancy, took a shower an now time to turn in before I fall asleep at the picnic table.


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Oregon Coast Bike Ride 2012 - Day 1

Friday was a hectic day. Forgot a few things, I will cover this after the ride, as well as what I packed and other tips.

Today started early, earlier than I wanted it to. The dogs woke Nancy up at 5:30am, I tried to go back to sleep but it was no use. The bed was just not as comfortable as my own, and the pillow was worse.

Decided to get up and get ready. Took a shower and all the other usual morning routines. Then it was on to packing the trailer. Got everything in but the floor pump. Tried several ideas then gave up, I had never taken it with me before why start now. By the time I got everything packed, I was dripping sweat.
Packing was done, now a short ride to breakfast. Nancy met me at the Astoria Coffee House and Bistro.  Had a Denver omelette with potatoes and a biscuit. Omelette and potatoes were very good, the biscuit was barely passable.

Took the river walk because I was following the adventure cyclist map I purchased. Sections are wood with trolley tracks down the middle. This was tricky riding with a trailer, at times you had to cross over the tracks. They were recessed into the wood but there was a 4 inch wide slot right next to the track.

Took business 101 out if Astoria and then on to Ft. Clapsop Road. I stopped at the memorial and wandered through the exhibits. Had a gentleman approach me and ask if the bike outside was mine. Told him that it was, he was impressed with my setup, said it looked like I knew what I was doing. He wanted my email or phone so that he could find out more. I gave him my card to my blog. [Hope you are reading this and find the blog beneficial].

Was about to leave when I heard there was going to be a demo just past the fort. Lucky for me or I never would have seen the replica fort that was built. The demonstration was on muskets. The gentleman giving the demonstration was very good. He was entertaining and informative, he did more than just give a demonstration.

The Lewis and Clark River Rd was my route to Seaside. It was nice enough, very little traffic but no shoulder and more climbing than 101 has between Astoria and Seaside.

Reached Seaside, took the promenade, but ran into huge crowds because of the beach volleyball tournament going on. Off to the side roads and stopped a picked up one item I forgot. Grabbed a milkshake from McDs as I was craving something but did not want lunch yet.

Had the first real climb between Hwy 26 and Cannon Beach. The climbing this year seems a lot tougher. I think my trailer weighs the same as last year, likely the extra 35 pounds I gained since last year!  Stopped at Warren House Pub as it seemed less crowded than everything else and I was running out of options. The Ruben was okay, the meat on the second half seemed dry and powdery. Don't know why I didn't notice anything wrong with the first half? Too hungry?

Leaving Cannon Beach I had my second big climb of the day. Seemed worse than the first hill.   Not really that warm out, but climbing these hills had me sweating more than I ever had on a ride.  Finally downhill and into Manzanita, the stop for the night.

Arrived at Nehalem State Park campground. Chris greeted me upon entering the hiker/biker camp area. He is traveling south as well, says he wants to make it to San Diego (more a matter of money than time). He was the first here, I had arrived shortly after a father with his two very young daughters. Setup my tent, hit the showers, and then back into town for something for dinner. Gabbed a ham sandwhich from the grocery and deli, it was huge! Also got potato salad, a drink and a small Haagen Dazs ice cream cup.  Back at camp there are more riders that came in. Deanna and her friend Carolyn (Squirrelgal), both from the Vancouver BC area, heading to San Fransisco,   Two other couples and a late arriving pair of guys.

Now it is time for some well deserved rest.

Joined with Team In Training for 2012 STP

I usually do the STP every year.  It is just one of the those rides that I like to do.  I don't really care for the number of cyclists, it always seems so crowded.  But Nancy and I alway make July vacation around the STP.  We camp for two weeks in central/western Washington which means we have our trailer with us in Chehalis for the mid-point stop.  This makes for a more comfortable over night than a crowded gym floor.

This year I have joined Team In Training (TNT), which is a fund raising group for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  I have selected to join with TNT this year in support of my wife Nancy.  On January 31, 2012 Nancy was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma cancer. Please take a look at my TNT donation page and help if you can.  All donations are greatly apprecated no matter how big or how small.

To donate click on this post's title or see the TNT widget on the right.

Training for Oregon Coast Ride 2012

I will be attempting the Oregon Coast Ride again this summer.  This year I will be doing the ride in mid August.  This will give me more time to get back into shape, as I have gained a few pounds from not riding as much as usual.

I have already started training on my new Proform Le Tour De France stationary bicycle.  I have signed up for a few long distance bike rides in preparation for the coast ride.  This year might be a little tougher getting ready as things in my personal life are taking more of my time each day.  But I know that this is something that I really want to do, it is on my 'bucket list'.  I know most cyclists have to find the time to train and ride, so I will just have to arrange my time so that I will be able to accomplish the ride this year.