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Either I'm getting old (er) or I just can't take 4 weeks off and hang with the big dogs - or both - at least in winter with limited base to fall back on. After weeks away in India and surrounded by bikes that did my fitness little good, it was nice to get back out an ride. Perfectly timed was the Thursday lawyers lunch ride, mild 50 degree weather and a pause in the rain. I knew it would be a special day when we took the detour around the first tunnel on Lovejoy and there was Frank and Tom struggling to clear a downed alder tree. Road maintenance - that's what I love about cycling in this part of the world - ya know, we could all ride in Arizona or Southern Cal, but what fun would that be.
Nothing like getting back in the saddle after 39 hours of commuting from half way around the planet - don't get me wrong, the India trip was great, and the bike culture research for the upcoming film was better than I ever hoped (more on that in future posts) but it was time to ride. I especially was served up a big dose of outta-shape when I naively tried to follow Ryan's wheel up the bottom of Thompson - the head kept telling burning lungs and legs that "we" could maintain, just hang, but POP! Damn, it's good to feel muscles ache again - now let's see how they respond in the Cheery Pie Road Race this weekend... I may be writing this from the ER on Saturday night!
I changed up my Thursday training ride to sandwich the lunch Lawyer Ride like cream filling between two harder cookies - an hour of tempo climbing, the ride, and a finishing hour like the first - it was a great way to break things up and keep the workout interesting. Other than virtually everyone whimping out on the turn up NW53rd (Mark???) it was great fun and reminded me why its worth switching up Thursday training just to get out with a great group. Really, if you live in Portland, have the lunch open, or are visiting with your bike - get out there, its great fun!
If you are interested in the lunch ride search for the Thursday label for more details on this ride, a map and other links.
Yikes, 12:22, damn I'm late - out the door, fly down Greely and over the Broadway bridge up Lovejoy - short-cut, I've totally missed the noon start at Pioneer Square!!
Racing through the Pearl/Northwest there's no sign of them - I'm WAY behind. Jump on the draft of a passing Porche Cayenne Turbo and downshift for all the "turbo" these legs have left after six straight days on the bike. Up Lovejoy and around the first tunnel (the Porche dropped me two-blocks ago - funny how they hate cyclists on their wheel :"), then came the second tunnel and there it was - the first droppee - just as I passed him there was the second appeared and then past the Audubon Center approaching the right turn up NW 53rd (not today) I could see them - whew - the chase was paying off - hellava way to warm up legs that thought they were going to get a day off.
I opted for Thompson since I was behind and soon latched onto the group - out came the camera (see the accompanying slide show or portfolio) - click - there was Richard - click and then ride leader Ray - and more - "where did all these people come from?" "you make 60" said either Richard or Ray. Sixty!! Ya, apparently the Oregonian artcile two weeks ago by David Stabler change our little (15-25 normally) lunch ride into a cycling celebrity.
Although today was a bit crowded it was fun - if you're interested in coming out check out the article link from the Oregonian above for details (and 2-things - stay on our side of the yellow line and WEAR a helmet!) - and better to get to Pioneer Square by noon - there isn't always a porche's wheel in NW to follow :")
Photo Gallery
The legs felt great today afterall - although they are definitely getting Friday off before a tandem ride on Saturday. A little tandem time with Jenn before the NW Tandem Rally in Victoria weekend of the 4th.
Either I'm getting old (er) or I just can't take 4 weeks off and hang with the big dogs - or both - at least in winter with limited base to fall back on. After weeks away in India and surrounded by bikes that did my fitness little good, it was nice to get back out an ride. Perfectly timed was the Thursday lawyers lunch ride, mild 50 degree weather and a pause in the rain. I knew it would be a special day when we took the detour around the first tunnel on Lovejoy and there was Frank and Tom struggling to clear a downed alder tree. Road maintenance - that's what I love about cycling in this part of the world - ya know, we could all ride in Arizona or Southern Cal, but what fun would that be.
