Century #27: Decker loop, Brownsville, Shedd, Peoria loops, Tangent, Philomath

Welcome to Brownsville.	Historic church in Shedd.	Amtrack train that came blowing by soon after I crossed.

Played hookey from work today -- actually my boss encouraged me to try to get a century in today. The weather is about to turn soggy for a few months, actually about 6!

Distance: 101.6
Average temp: 47F
Cadence: 58/94
Average: 17.7 mph
Calories: 4043
Climbing: 1255 ft (mostly the Decker loop)
Miles-to-medal: 223.2 miles
Ascent-to-date: 72,855 ft (only the centuries)

Century #26: Shedd, Brownsville, Rowland, Peoria Rd loops

It never really warmed up today. The fog didn't burn off until around 1pm as I approached Brownsville. Saw a bunch of wild turkeys on the way out of Brownsville on the Rowland loop!


Rode 98.4 miles -- almost ran out of daylight!

Calories: 3875
Climbing: 1360 ft.
Avg Speed: 17 mph
Miles-to-medal: 324.8
Cadence: 59/87
Counties visited: Benton, Linn

Go Beavs!!! This just in -- Oregon State beats #3 USC!

Nutzo Nutria

Top candidate for my totem at the 508 next year! Thanks Echnida!

You see, at the Furnace Creek 508, racers don't get assigned numbers. Instead you pick an animal totem, possibly one that begins with the same first letter of one of your names...

Century #25: Bellfountain, Harrisburg, Peoria, Peterson Lp, Philomath Lp

Barely squeaked this one out before it was completely dark!!! Rode the first 57 miles on the Ritchey/Alps and my new orthotics. My left calf, which had been sore from a spinning class earlier in the week, started giving me problems. It felt better to pedal out of the saddle!

The left calf always gets it when I start back to the spinning class -- I'm missing a soleus thanks to getting "whacked" during my record attempt across MS in '97. Of course the "Helen-ator" led my first class back -- "I'll be baaach!" Seems the spinning bike engages the muscles a little differently than my road bike.

Near Peoria, I came across a rider in the his aerobars wearing a Chronos TT helmet. I concentrated on catching him and it took a while. (The calf felt a little better when I hammered.)

I think the new orthotic/shim for my left shoe is somehow working my calf more. Scott Peterson (my orthotics guy in Bend) had said that he put in more correction since I had adapted so well to the old ones. Perhaps my position on the bike isn't exactly dialed in -- nothing like a longer ride to point that out!

I stopped at the house after 57 miles and changed bikes and shoes. Pulled out the red De Rosa. The calf still hurt on the upstroke, but I decided to push on. After a few miles it settled down and actually got better. Aha!

Another reason I'm doing bike changes during rides is to simulate what will happen in a long event. Good to know in advance how this works out. Sometimes it is helpful to change saddles and shoes to alleviate a problem. (No problems with my feet and bum these days!!)

counties visited: Lane (nuclear free!), Linn, Benton
climbing: 1500 ft
calories; 3263
miles: 91
temp: 59F (but comfy -- a bit windy!)
cadence 59 avg, 89 max
avg speed: 17
Miles-to-medal: 423.20

Century #24: Kings Valley, Monmouth, Independence, Buena Vista, Albany, Decker + Peterson Loops (120 miles)

Before I started my ride, the Weather Channel said it was 39F, but my outdoor thermometer said it was 34F! Nonetheless it was clear outside and no real excuse not to ride!

I left at the last possible moment, 9:15, to attempt to intercept the MVBC "long" ride to Monmouth. (It warmed to a blazing 40F now!)

I saw nobody in Philomath and though I rode slowly, nobody caught up with me. Maybe they took a different route? Didn't spent much time at the Kings Valley store and pushed on. Absolutely gorgeous in Kings Valkey this time of year!

In Polk County I saw a few signs for "Tom Ritchey -- Polk County Commissioner". Don't know about the politician, but the Tom Ritchey who made my Breakaway has my vote.

It eventually warmed up to 70F by the time I finished my first 73 miles. I made myself a grilled sandwich (thanks to Mr. Foreman) and took off for some more miles. I swapped my De Rosa Primato for the Ritchey and changed into my newer shoes with my most recent orthotics (with greater correction than the old ones).

The Ritchey felt funny for a few miles but I eventually settled in. I felt as though my pace picked up riding the Ritchey. I think the De Rosa needs a little work. There's a little creaking noise on every down stroke of the pedal; might swap pedals to see if it goes away.

The Ritchey, in comparison, is quiet. The PP 247 pedals on this bike are very easy to clip into -- it's as though magnets are pulling your shoes in!! (The older pedals on my De Rosa have almost 16,000 miles on them -- maybe they're tired! I *do* grease them from time-to-time.) I've already ruled out the BB, I've already reinstalled the crank arms and BB to the proper torque.

Counties: Benton, Polk, Linn
Distance: 120 miles
Climbing: 4040 ft (not the flattest ride)
Calories: 5311
Avg cadence: 62 (91 max)
Low temp: 39F, High: 70F
Miles to medal: 514.20

Tip of the day!

"If your bike is under 20 lbs and you get dropped on a hill, it's not because of the bike." -- Lon Haldeman

I'm a winner ... of a Giant Rincon Mountain Bike

At the health fair at work, I entered a drawing for a bike and it turns out that I won! (Now I can't say I never win anything!)

Verry cool. Since I converted my '96 Stumpjumper to a commuter, soon I will have a bike I can use out in the nearby McDonald-Dunn forest this winter!