Forty-one: Knox Butte, Decker++

Took the Cervelo out for a 104 mile ride.

Did the first 60 with the MVBC (www.mvbc.com). Nobody wanted to go long today.

After arriving back at home, I grabbed a snack and went out for an assault on Decker. On the way back, I met up with the legendary Griz, *the* Ironman, and rode a few more miles.

Energy: 3690
Distance: 104 miles
Ascent: 1750 ft.
Bike: Cervelo SLC

Forty: Lighthouse Century

Hello from Newport, Oregon!

Yaquina Wheels put on a ride today called the Lighthouse Century (See http://www.yaquinawheels.org). Since it was supposed to rain, I brought "the truck", my '91 Specialized Sirrus, which weighs over 30 pounds. The rack, CXP-30 wheels and pannier loaded with clothes made it even heavier.

It used to be a Shimano 7-speed bike, but after wearing out a third rear wheel, I decided to graft on some classic Campy 8-speed components. (The crankset is still Shimano -- they work just fine together.) In 1991 I rode my first cenury on this bike in Montgomery, AL.

I think I had the only bike on the course with downtube shifters. Had a good time passing all the carbon -- tee hee! (Of course I too have a carbon bike, but today was retro day!) You know, it's amazing how simple and reliable the old downtube shifters are!

At the rest stop on the Siletz highway I met RAAMster Ish Makk! (His RAAM hat and T-shirt have it away.) He was working at the SAG.

Distance: 101 miles
Average speed: 17mph
Energy: 4344 calories
Ascent: 3015 ft.
Food: ate lots of stuff (potatoes, boiled eggs, chips, etc.)

Thirty-Nine: 91.1

Rode the MVBC ride to Monmouth, Kings Valley, Philomath; followed by a Decker Loop.

Distance: 91.1 miles
Ascent: 3470 ft.
Energy: 3899 Calories
Temp: 70F
Avg speed: 17.9 mph
Bike: Cervelo

Had a bagel in Monmouth, a bottle of Perpetuem, two breakfast bars, a Tiger Milk bar, and a can of V8 (at the Kings Valley store).

Tuesday evening ride: Decker ++

Pulled out the 1993 Colnago Master Light (Team Word Perfect bike) and rode Decker. (It's Campy 8 speed and has a straight-block cassette: 11-19. Turns out it was perfect for Decker.)

The Colnago has CXP-30 wheels and overall weighs about 24 pounds. It still rides like a dream. The ornate chrome lugs and the straight steel fork (before it was popular) are nice touches.

(I have a Terry saddle on this bike -- sometimes it's nice to ride with a different saddle; most of my other bikes have Arionnes or Flites on them.)

Averaged: 18.2 mph
Distance: 36

Thirty-Eight: 100 .1 miles

Rode the Covered Bridge Bike Tour, put on by my club, the Mid-Valley Bike Club (www.mvbc.com).

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 100.1 miles
Average: 18.3 overall (19.1 to the lunch stop @ 50 miles)
Ascent: 2950 ft.
Calories expended: 4257
Food: bottle of Perpetuem, turkey sandwich, pretzels, chips, tomato juice (tiny can), two Diet Lime colas, one Grapefruit drink
Max temp: 81F

Thirty-Seven: 97.2 miles

Rode to Bellfountain, Alpine, Monroe (via Coon Rd.), Harrisburg, the Decker loop and the Airport loop.

Bike: Cervelo SLC
Distance: 97.2 miles
Ascent: 2445 ft.
Calories expended: 3776
Food: Bottle of Perpetuem, can of tomato juice, Tiger milk bar, bowl of Raisin Bran (at home before Decker/Airport loops)

Tuesday/Thursday miles

Tuesday: Took the red De Rosa out for the Tuesday night ride. Only Eric and I showed up. I rode about 36 miles. (10 commuting)

Thursday: Went out with the triclub. Got in a total of 37 miles today. (10 commuting) Took out the Cervelo. It's fun keeping up with riders who are not only much lighter, but whose parents are younger than you. I thought one strong rider was going to drop me on Highland, but when he shifted down and slowed a bit, I came around and kept plodding for the summit. I suppose endurance counts!

They were repaving Walnut -- we avoided recrossing the fresh, but oily pavement but cutting through a mobile home park.

Commuting -- I topped 500 miles for the year a couple of days ago. I commute on a '97 Stumpjumper equipped with slicks and yellow fenders...

Best route to coast from Eugene, OR

Best route from Eugene to Florence.

1. Take the West Eugene Wetlands bike path to the very Western end. About 5
miles from downtown Eugene.
2. Take Green Hill Rd. South across Hwy 126, it turns into Crow Rd. About 1
mile
3. Take Crow Rd west to Territorial Hwy. About 8 miles.
4. Go south (turn right) on Territorial Hwy. for ~3/4 mile to Crow Vaughn Rd.
5. Go west (turn left) on Crow Vaughn Rd. till it ends in the town of Noti at
Old Hwy 126. About 8 miles.
6. Go west (turn left) on Old Hwy 126 through Noti till it intersects with
New Hwy 126. About 1/2 mile
7. Go west (turn left) on Hwy 126 to Poodle Creek Road. About 1/2 mile.
8. Go north (turn right) on Poodle Creek Rd till it ends at Hwy 36. About 8
miles.
9. Go west on Hwy 36 (left turn) and continue to the town of Mapleton where
Hwy 36 intersects with Hwy 126. Not sure how far this, but I guess about 20
miles. Through the towns of Blachly, Triangle Lake, Deadwood, and Swiss Home.
10. Take Hwy 126 to Florence. 15 miles.

(source: OBRA forum)

Thirty-six: Roaring River

Rode the MVBC Roaring River ride (+ a litle extra) on the Cervelo.

Very few riders wanted to go long. Most of the pack turned back at Waterloo (OR).

Distance: 99