Day 2 -- We're in Welches...grape juice anyone?

June 22, 2004

ROUTE:  St Helens to Welches OR        
DISTANCE:  75 miles              
WINDS:  Light tail most of the day

WEATHER: Supposed to be in the mid 80s but I was cold all day with arm warmers...stayed overcast, but overall really a nice day to ride.     
TERRAIN:  Easy early, gradual up for the last 30 miles or so...piece of cake   
TOTAL CLIMBING:  3200 ft give or take

MIKE'S RIDE OVERVIEW: Is it day 2 already?  I guess it is since we are in Welches tonight.  Today's 74 mile day started out a bit on the cool side, but as the afternoon was supposed to get to the mid 80s...didn't happen.  It was almost a picture perfect day except for the fact that we were overcast all day and the beautiful views of Mt Hood were not a happening thing as we neared our destination.  Hopefully, we'll break out of the clouds tomorrow and get an "up close and personal" look tomorrow.  The photo at the left was taken last year...that's what we would have seen if the sun had burnt through the thick clouds this afternoon.

Today's route left St Helens on Hwy 30 and crossed the St John's bridge in Portland.  We got a head's up from a former rider that it was closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic but, as it turned out,  the bridge is closed in the evenings and was open for us to cross by the time we got there.  They had only a single lane that was barely wide enough to drive a car through so the riders had to take the lane on a bridge that was a climb to the middle and over a mile long.  Of course we backed up traffic, but the motorists didn't seem too put out as us being there...they are used to bicyclists out here.  As we drove our van over there were no cyclists on the bridge and we couldn't go over 20 MPH anyway so cyclists didn't slow them down too much more.

Everyone made it across without incident and made it to the first SAG in good time.  From there the route went right by the Portland Airport and followed the Columbia River for quite some time varying between streets and a nice paved bike path that was right next to the river.  We passed an area of "houseboats" (right) that really looked like floating houses.  It looked just like a little neighborhood from Leave It To Beaver complete with flower beds, shutters, and hanging plants.  Probably a good way to save on flood insurance...build your house on a floating bottom.  Hmmm, I wonder what this neighborhood looks like when they all go out to sea?  Just an empty dock I imagine.

One thing I like about this part of the country is they have bike paths or lanes almost everywhere.  You can go just about anywhere downtown in the major cities and be on a published bike route.  I wish Alabama would get to that stage...but it may be too hot to ride your bike there in the summer.

Anytime you try to navigate through a city with bike paths the route sheets get a bit confusing...today was no exception.  Karen and I drove to the first SAG ahead of the riders and from there we got on our bikes with cans of spray paint to guide everyone through the maze of Portland.  Everyone seemed to appreciate the easy navigation, but they better not get used to arrows everywhere.  In spite of our efforts, we had one that got lost for more than an hour...or at least we were looking for them that long.  Seems they turned left when the arrow said turn right.  I forgot to tell them to follow the pointy end of the arrow...my bad!  After a search and several cell phone calls, all was right again as all the sheep were were back on track and accounted for.

 

We did have a boo boo today.  Lynn came to a stop and failed to unclip in time.  As a result of her fall, she sustained a pretty severe cut on her left lower leg.  As luck would have it, our three doctors (speak, hear, and see no evil from yesterday) came to the rescue and proved they did in fact graduate from medical school.  They provided special care (left) and helped Josh load her up for a ride to the ER for stitches. Thanks guys...well done.  Lynn will miss a couple of days on the bike, but she will stay for now and see if she can ride in a day or two.  She'll live and ride again soon.

Tonight's dinner is at Panda Panda, a Chinese restaurant where we also had route rap.  After rap, James our botonist, spoke about native plant life...a nice addition to the ride...no end to what we learn out here. 

I think everyone is ready to do some real climbing tomorrow...they'd better be...and I get to ride!!!!   The road to Kah Nee Ta is a beautiful ride and I'm definitely looking forward to it.  I told the riders that the toughest climb on this first leg to Boise was the last 150 yards to the motel in Kah Nee Ta...hope they can make it. 

PHOTOS OF THE DAY:

We were off...well almost.  We had a visit from a Fast South rider today . . . Big Bill Phillips.  I guess things never change...he always did have trouble starting out in the mornings.  As you can see everyone is headed  out of the parking lot...except for Bill.  Do I see a pattern here? Bill, by the time you get that thing turned around, they'll be long gone.

Give me a can of Krylon and I'll change the world!

Karen found her knight in shining armor...well, dull armor. 
She always wanted to be kept warm on a "cold knight."

We always have great stories out here...today, Neal ran into his cousin on the road.  Neal said he hasn't seen his cousin for over 50 years . . . small world sometimes . . . great story.

Eugene and Evelyn make quick work of the bike path by the airport.

The other white meat!  For those who follow this site, you know
 of the "Pink Pig" of Ohio...this is the pink pig of Oregon.