Cookie Power

They tell you that the Monster Cookie Bicycle Ride is not a race.  That’s true, unless you’re a cyclist who also happens to be a church musician. Let’s just say that the songs might have been “extra peppy” this morning so that I could just squeak in before the deadline to start riding.

It felt good to join the 2,000 other riders, especially when I finally caught up to them. We’re all a bit eager to welcome the spring, the sun, and the exquisite riding that the Willamette Valley offers. The wind coming up from the southwest made us feel like champions all the way to Champoeg, and like rag dolls all the way back to the Capitol.  Didn’t matter, it still was a perfect day for riding. Thanks to the Salem Bicycle Club, and the many volunteers, for making this ride happen.

And, did I mention the cookies at the end of the ride?  Oatmeal Raisin for me!

Day One

On Day One of every new year we’re encouraged to create new goals for ourselves, become more organized, get skinny, and stuff like that. I probably should have been hitting the stores to buy totes and planners and Dr. Oz cookbooks.

But today the Willamette Valley was awash in sunshine. Quite a contrast to the slushy stuff that pelted our faces yesterday and made visibility a problem. Sorry, Dr. Oz.  You just got trumped by Mother Nature.

Today you could see as far as the mountains allowed, in every direction. The cold dry air made it a spectacular day for riding out on some country roads out south of town.

Winter birds were quite entertaining, and I encountered several folks with high-powered cameras who had to have come away with some amazing shots.

I think my goal for 2013 will be to remember that days like today are gifts, not to be missed.

Bringing the bike outdoors

A morning ride in the chilly Oregon air. Long overdue! I’m reminded of so many things I’ve been missing by not riding outside lately. The schedule just hasn't allowed much opportunity to ride during the daylight.

A little climb, a little descent, how differently a real bike handles than the one I've been riding indoors.

A waft of wood smoke lingers in the air from a nearby fireplace, followed by the welcome smell of breakfast being served up at local restaurants.

Only a handful of cars are out so far. For a little while, I can pretend that I really do own Twelfth Street, and I go careening down the middle of the car lane on Morningside Hill.  The speed and the cold air make my eyes water.

Those chaotic, scary intersections we all know about are no problem when the cars aren’t out.  I easily pass through one of them and turn toward downtown.

Walkers and joggers are already out along the Riverfront. Most of them say “good morning” to you, and they smile.

I stop down at the river’s edge.  Fifty yards away, a great blue heron is perched in a tree.  I wait for that magical moment when he stretches out his massive wings to fly over the water, but he wins our little waiting game.  This time.

Riding indoors has been valuable. It’s good for conditionining, but it’s not riding, really. Braking, steering, leaning, interacting with the world...most of the best parts of riding simply don’t happen on an indoor bike.

Heading back for home, I’m already thinking about tomorrow’s ride.

Outside.

Fall Into Winter

I took this picture at Detroit Lake, not far from the little town on the east side. I wish I could say that I was on a bike ride there, but that would be lying and bloggers never lie. I was just on a walk.

Oregon is so beautiful in late fall, when the weather and landscape seem to be in cahoots together, creating amazing combinations and textures. Even though it was a rainy, sloppy day when I took this picture, I felt like hopping onto the saddle and following a road into those hills and just enjoy the serenity.

I need to get out and ride more than I have been lately. Pedaling indoors is okay for a workout, but it's not the same as riding.

With the right kind of clothing, I've learned that riding in cold and wet conditions is really great.

Especially if there's soup afterwards.

Leaving The List At Home

There is something about fall that is restorative.  Nature brings a new rhythm and inspiration to us as we notice the changes of this season.

I’d thought about staying inside this afternoon to take care of part of the “to-do list” around the house. That would have been nice, I suppose. I’m glad that I forced myself out of the house and onto the bike instead.

For two hours I pedaled through the long shadows of the late afternoon, on a freshly paved road that was smooth and quiet as I rolled. 

I pedaled hard, but stopped a few times to notice things, like these apples.

I could have taken a few things off the list at home and used up what energy I had left today. Even though the bike ride was strenuous, it gave more energy than it took.  

Turning

We don't really need calendar to notice that the seasons are turning.

What a great time of year to get outdoors and explore this valley.

Fall is such a dynamic season.  Things are changing all the time!

Find a stretch of road and take a ride.

Riding The Scenic Bikeways In Central Oregon

However long it may take you to get there, the Oregon Scenic Bikeways in Central Oregon are definitely worth the trip. If you like cycling, and you like interacting with nature while you’re pedaling, you must find your way to Central Oregon on a day in late spring, summer, or early fall. You could ride two or three of these bikeways in their entirety in a weekend; the views along the way are nothing short of spectacular. The routes use roads that help to minimize your interaction with vehicle traffic, so it’s safer than the highways and main arterials. Most of them are fairly level and don't require big climbs. Farmland, forest, desert, and mountain views constantly make you want to stop riding and just gaze at the views. Aromatic cedar, pine, and sage add to the sensory experience that you can’t replicate inside a car. Several amenities along the way such as hotels and campgrounds, great restaurants and coffee shops, and bike shops galore will help you plan a trip in just your own way. Get thee to a Scenic Bikeway in Central Oregon. Pronto.

I just got back from there myself. In future posts I'll share about the bikeways that I rode in greater detail. I hope I can describe them in ways that convince you to try them, too. For now, though, just a little tattle on myself.

I’d planned a two-day ride that would cover three Scenic Bikeways: Metolius, Twin Bridges, and Sisters To Smith Rock. I brought camping gear, extra clothes, and the usual stuff you’d take along on a bike tour. I wanted to get a feel for fully-loaded touring. Unfortunately I learned that my tires had their limits, and I had pushed them too far. The pavement became hot and unforgiving in the summer sun. Out on Lower Bridge Road, miles away from town, I started getting flats. The blistering roads, the touring load, and jagged cinder rock proved to be too much for my tires, and they finally gave out. I ran out of spare tubes and patches, I was low on water and morale, and I wasn’t able to finish the final leg of my ride. Defeated, I turned around and pushed my bike and all my gear on a long, hot walk back into the nearest town. 


Lesson learned...the hard way. It's okay, though. Sometimes it's just how you have to learn some of this stuff. It's funny, just minutes before that first flat tire, I remember how ridiculously blissful it felt to be riding out in the forest, in such a great spot. I was thinking to myself: “Enjoy this moment. this ride’s going to be over before you know it.” Minutes later...it was!


I will get back there. Not only is there I ride I need to finish, there are several others waiting to be experienced.