Sept 20, 2008 - The Big Loop...

Since I started riding, I thought it would be good to ride the Edberg, New Norway, Camrose, Home loop. Saturday was to be one of the last nice days of the year so I thought I would try it...
I drove from home to Hwy 56 and then south to the info pullout. I parked the van and headed South from there. There was a 20-30km wind from the SouthEast, so I started off into wind.
The first hill was not problem. I turned the corner after the Weir and headed up to Edberg. I had to stop once on the hill to catch my breath.

Edberg Hill looking West into the Hill.

Once on "top" the riding was fairly easy (and a lot warmer) because I was going with the wind. I stopped at Edberg, and Duhamel to phone home to give Louise an update, and me a break. The last leg through Camrose, and then up 56 to the van was killer. The wind had picked up more and if felt like it was straight into wind. I stopped at the COOP for an oatmeal bar and chocolate milk - then headed home. My legs started to cramp, but I was too close to quite. Finally made it back to the van. About 4 hours total ride - 85km, 1500ft vertical.

Total to date 786km

Sept 17, 2008 - Ross's Flats New Sprocket

I wanted to try Ross's Flats again with my new rear sprocket. I figured it would be a piece of cake. Wednesday was a really nice day, so I headed out after work. Unfortunately I didn't get started until after 6:00.


The ride was fine. I turned around at the entry to the campground and noted my GPS at 19km. Strangely when I got back to town m y total was only 35km???





Anyway, I got 3/4 of the way up the hill in bottom gear and started to struggle. Then I noticed that I had forgotten to put the front sprocket on the small ring... dummy....



This is a shot of the hill after I climbed it - looking back...

Anyway - good ride. Going East back into Camrose, my shadow was about 200m long. Good thing I was going away from the sun and not into it or drivers would not have been able to see me....

Total today 35km - total to date 701km.

2008-09-10 Half of 7 Mile Hill...

Today was a no wind day in Hood River. As usual, it took a long time for everyone to decide what they were doing. Andreas headed to the coast, and was very disapointed that none of us went with him. Ross did a 110km Lost Lake ride. Jim S. and Gerry stayed behind for a relaxing day. The rest of us (Jim C, Brad, Blaine, Harold, Greg, and I took off towards the Rowena Lookout. My new rear gears made the work a lot easier. My Heart rate stayed below 180, and I didn't have any trouble on the first hills. At Moiser, insteaded of continuing east, we headed up "7 Mile Hill". It is a killer with an 11% grade. I had to stop twice on the steepest parts...

1/2 way up, Greg and I took the "Marsh Road Cut-Off, which took us to the Rowena Lookout. The rest of the gang, continued up the hill, and ended up in the Dalles. Our route totalled 46km, theirs was 72km (and more hills).

All in all it was a great day for a ride. It was a little cooler than it has been, although it was very hot in the sun. There was almost no wind, so headwind everywhere we went...

It looks like we are planning Chineese for supper....

Total to date 666km

2008-09-06 - Rowena Lookout

We had a no wind day at the Gorge. After sitting at the Hatchery for a few hours we decided to go for a bike ride. I cleaned and re-oiled my chain. Kent, Brad, Harold, Jim S, and I headed off, first to Moiser, and then to the Rowena lookout. 42km and a total of 1800' vertical. Some killer hills for me. Kent and Harold did another hill into Rowena and back. Wow!!

Brad bought ice cream on the way back at the Moiser Ice Cream Shop.

Good ride.

Total distance 41km 1800' total vertical.

Total to date = 620km

2008-09-02-Ross's Flats - the BIG HILL

The day was warm, with a slight breeze from the South West. I started at the Edgeworth Center so I could have a shower when I was done. I headed to Junction, and then South towards New Norway. My goal was to try the Big Hill. After about 15km, I got to the top of the valley. The shoulder was quite rough, so I road the edge of the travel lane down the hill. I took it pretty easy. I'm sure I could have been much faster if I had peddled (and not braked). I turned around at the Campground entrance to Ross's Flats - and headed back to the big hill. I ended up in my lowest gear about 1/3 of the way up. It was a big push, and I was quite winded when I got to the top. I almost stopped at one point, but it looked like the grade was flattening off, so I kept going. It took quite a while to catch my breath, so I just kept it slow and easy. The hill is about 50m vertical - there was about 70m vertical over the trip. It was a good ride, and a perfect temperature - not to warm and not to cold. I enjoyed going downwind on the way home for a change. Good Ride.. I had a long hot shower at Edgeworth before heading home. Didn't get home until almost 8:00pm..

35km - Total to Date 578