Happy

We had a great time on our trip. I wrote about on our travel blog if you are interested in reading it, here's the link. Surprisingly, I injured my left calf on our 7ish mile hike on Friday. (I say surprisingly because I have been entertaining the notion lately that I am actually in shape). All the cycling I've been doing did a great job preparing me for the 2.4 miles of up (1900 ft), but left me quite lacking for the longer nearly 5 miles of down that we did. About two miles from the car I could tell that my calf was done. But, what do you do? You are in the middle of nowhere...you have to keep walking.

I've been taking Saturdays off of all activity (I spent the afternoon sipping wine and making dolmas - lovely), but when Sunday came around I was disappointed to discover that my calf still really hurt. I did a short two-mile errand on my hybrid just as a test. Clearly, riding was out of the question for the day. Damn.

Two years ago, I injured this same calf really badly and it took months to heal. So, when I woke up Monday morning and my calf was much improved I rejoiced. It was no longer a stabbing pain, but more like a needling pain. Time for another test. I rode to the grocery store to get some supplies for dinner. My heart sunk as I felt with each pedal stroke that my calf was just not ready. My mood plummeted as I wandered aimlessly around the store. The lack of endorphins (and no promise of a dose for today) left me blue and cranky. To console myself I bought sushi and chocolate for lunch. Riding home I tried to pull myself together. "Sara!" I say. "It is not going to kill you to go three days without doing cardio. If you make the same kind of improvement tomorrow that you made today you'll be on your bike tomorrow for sure."

This morning I woke up and my calf just felt like the slightest ache. I can ride on that. I plan out a flat, easy spin ride around the east side. With virtually no hills I ride pain-free for 21 miles and mostly just feel so happy to be back on my bike. It's raining but I pass many other cyclists out in their colorful jackets enjoying what must surely be for all of us the highlight to our mornings. It wasn't a great workout, but it was gratifying. There are lots of other ways I could get in 90-minutes of cardio. Believe me, I've tried them all. But, with all of those, my cardio time was usually preceded by a sigh and the words, "I need to get my cardio in." Riding is just so different and this minor little injury just reminded me of why I love it so much. Because whether today's ride had been a 21-mile spin ride or a 60-mile hill ride, I've got a grin on my face. I got to ride my bike today.

My Goal

Okay, I'm just going to say this: I want my odometer on my road bike computer to click past 3000 by the end of the year. I'm actually not too far away from 3000 miles total for the year if you count both bikes. I racked up a lot of miles on my hybrid before I got my road bike, but this goal is simply for Amie. 3000 miles since I bought her in March. Currently, I'm at 1668 which leaves 1332 left to do over the next 18 weeks. If I figure that I'll take two weeks off out of that 18 (for vacations and whatnot) that means that I need to average 83 miles a week. Sounds easy, I know, but when the rain really gets going, my stationary bike and elliptical start looking more and more appealing. "Come, ride us," they say. "You can stay warm and dry and watch a movie instead." This makes racking up even more mileage over the course of September that much more important. September is beautiful in Oregon and I could easily put in 500 miles that month. Which leads me to today's ride.

I start all my calculations for the week on Sunday. Sunday did 7.5 miles on the elliptical, did some Pilates and watched the movie Whip It in an effort to cross-train. Monday I did 27 miles. It wasn't a very exciting ride (aside from narrowly missing running over a snake) so I didn't blog about it. Tuesday was my rest day and tomorrow we leave for 3 days of hiking and camping. I made my goal of 3000 miles the day I went to pick up Amie from the bike shop and even with the excuse of our mini-vacation (boy, I hope it feels like that) I didn't want to drop below 83 miles so early. Which meant I needed to do a 56-mile ride today.

I was in it for the miles today, pure and simple. I wasn't interested in climbing hills (which I did on Monday). I just wanted to ride hard and fast. So, I headed over to the Springwater, which to my dismay was under construction today. Before and after every light, they were pouring concrete into little ditches. Whether it was fresh concrete or the ditches you had to slow down and ride over gravel and grasses to get to the other side. Not for the first time this reminded me of how great my bike is. Amie took the abuse like a champ.



Having completed the full length of the Springwater and looking for more mileage, I headed south on the I-205 bike path through a great stretch of fast turns and smooth pavement. At one point after riding down a hill and hitting a flat with all that momentum I was going 31 miles an hour and thinking, "So this is what it feels like to be Lance Armstrong."

Heading back north I got to my favorite stretch of Burnside and started pedaling east. I was starting to feel a little tired, so I ate a banana and drank some water. Then as I was heading into the next stoplight I was actually thinking, "I most decidedly will not bonk!" and I had that little momentary lapse of concentration that is all it takes to tip you the wrong way. I fell pretty hard into the pavement and gravel, cutting my leg and scraping my elbow.

A very nice man wearing a U of Oregon shirt helped me up and said, "Are you okay?" I did a quick check, and aside from the blood gushing down my leg, I felt fine. Embarrassed, but fine. So, I got on my bike, noticing as I was riding that the handlebars were a bit crooked and the right brake was bent in. But, it seemed to be working alright.

The strange thing was, the adrenaline and embarrassment had completely rejuvenated me. I felt great and pedaled happily all the way home. When I got home I realized I had made the best time I'd ever done on a 60-ish mile ride(90 minutes faster than my first 60 mile ride - of course, that included a 40 minute break to walk my dog and refuel).

Rest Day

I'm not very good at resting. I mean sure, I like a good movie or to sit and surf the web, but to go a whole day without exercising for me is next to impossible. I've been putting in lots of miles on both bikes plus doing a couple days a week on my elliptical (I'm trying to actually cross-train) and when I woke up this morning I knew it was time for a day off. Legs were t-i-r-e-d. Mentally, I didn't have much to draw on beyond mustering the incentive to walk my dog. So, I did that and came home and relaxed in our sauna. While I rested in the warm steamy heat, I stretched everything. Hamstrings (two ways), inner thighs (two ways), IT bands (two ways), hip flexors (two ways), glutes (two ways), quads (two ways), the gastrocnemius and soleus of the calf, and the low back. I couldn't believe how tight my leg muscles have gotten from so much time in the saddle and the very minimal stretching I do when I get done. It felt like each stretch in the 200+ degree heat (holding for a minute or two) was desperately needed and long overdue.

Thoroughly relaxed and stretched, I took a cold shower, dressed and collapsed into bed for a 30-minute nap. I awoke refreshed and restored. So, I hopped on my bike to get a few errands done before my afternoon and evening sessions. (I told you I wasn't very good at resting). It really wasn't a big ride (maybe 2.5 miles) and I just did that coasting kind a riding where you only apply a few needed pedals every so often. It was hot and I didn't feel like getting all sweaty again, anyway. But, I'm certainly not going to DRIVE to the library! :)

This weekend we are going camping in the mountains which feels like the first official step (unless you count our two nights sleeping in the back yard as our first official step) to becoming cycle tourists. By the way, the Exped sleeping mats were great. Very comfortable and easy to inflate and roll up the next day. We're car camping because we don't have panniers or a little tent (our tent is actually embarrasingly large - it might be bigger than our little bedroom in our bungalow). We want to buy our cycle touring supplies slowly so it doesn't feel like one gigantic expense. And, we want quality stuff so it will last for many trips. So, here's hoping that two nights in a campground in the mountains in Oregon will spark a love of camping that takes us on a 6-week trip through Europe in the (not-too) distant future. I, at least, am going to try to love it.

Cycle Touring Dreams

This weekend was filled with lots of cycling, eating, drinking and dreaming. Cycle touring dreaming, that is. But, I'll get to that later.

We started with a ride to Peter's periodontist (his 8th appointment this year - yeck!) and while he was in there getting his checkup I hurriedly tacked on a quick 11 miles. I was riding on a street that had cars parked on the right hand side so I had to vigilantly watch out for drivers opening their doors, but I had fun. One driver did try his best to hit me with his maladjusted window washer (before and after a stoplight), but I deftly maneuvered my bike to avoid a direct hit muttering to myself, "You're maladjusted."

After Peter's appointment, he needed a drink. Not being one to recommend cycling under anything stronger than good cup of coffee, we opted for a pub close to home, Bridgeport. Peter got the ESB and I had a Porter and they were delicious. The pleasant buzz I got, sitting outside (keeping an eye on the bikes) was partially from the strong, thick beer and partially because doing two hours of cardio (as hard as I can ride) is now just commonplace for me.



The beer was powerful and after checking our wallets for cash we decided we needed a little ballast. So, we headed a few blocks over for the best tacos in town. Lindo Michoacan, the taco cart across the street from Lauro, makes one of the best things I have ever tasted...the taco al pastor. We ordered one each and sat in the sunshine enjoying them on this perfect Portland summer day.

For dinner we rode over to Gladstone Pizza to use a gift certificate my friend Lori gave us. She felt bad for Peter having to go through gum surgery and got us a 20 dollar gift certificate to use after he felt better. The pizza was great, Lori! Thanks!


Friday morning, I was back on my road bike, doing a 4-time up Tabor, 20-mile ride. The more I ride, these days, the better I feel and this one was a great one.
When I got home we decided to walk downtown which is about a 6-mile roundtrip walk, but it was beautiful and we were in the mood. We stopped first for some crawfish pies which were tiny and tasty and a great appetizer for lunch. I had a greek salad for lunch and Peter had chicken paprikash with perogi. We sure were eating well.

On the way home I said to Peter that I'd like to go camping next weekend. He said, "We need some sleeping bags and something to sleep on." So, we stopped at Deek and Bryan's and spent the next hour trying out sleeping bags and sleeping mats. We've been talking about taking up cycle touring. A little cycling around Oregon, a two-week trip to the Netherlands, and (the real dream) a 6-week trip from Paris to well, wherever we can get to in six weeks- Copenhagen, maybe. Stockholm if we are feeling ambitious. From now on any camping equipment we buy will be cycle-tour friendly.

When we got home we dug out all the camping supplies (tent, cooler, my old mats, picnic basket) and decided to set up the tent in the backyard. We just spent 400 bucks on camping equipment and we want to try it out! The sleeping mats we got were made of bamboo and you had to blow them up. The were in the shape of a mummy bag and super light. But, at 2 am we both were woken up by backaches. We decided to let a little bit of air out of them and this helped, but this morning we decided to take them back. We are willing to spend more for a little more comfort and our research says the Exped air mattresses are the way to go.

So, we cycled back to Deek and Bryan's and they very graciously took back our mats. Then we rode over to REI and got the Exped Synth 7 air mattresses which immediately feel more comfortable, but I'll let you know how it goes tonight. It's possible that we are WEE bit pansyish from our super high-end expensive king size bed. But, if there is anything that I learned from RAGBRAI, it is that the number one thing you need to be able to accomplish something outside your comfort zone it is determination. More than training, equipment, food, hydration, whatever...determination. And, we've got that in spades.

Crown Point By Myself

At 6:01, the alarm starts screeching and I bolt out of bed. My plan is to ride up to Crown Point, maybe tack on a little extra mileage if I feel good, and be home by lunch time to avoid the heat. It seems to take me an hour and fifteen minutes to do everything I need to do (including walk my dog) so at 7:15 I am on my way.

I like starting most of my long rides these days with a trip over Tabor. I'm used to it, the way there is second nature and it gives me a chance to warm up on a cool morning. Today, there is a bit of wrench thrown into my sleepy climb. An angry brown and white mutt has set his sites on my pink, fleshy right calf and he is barreling down the hill with blistering speed towards me. "Noouh?!?" bleats his 100 pound owner unconvincingly as she is dragged down the hill behind him. "Oh, shit!" I yell out and I try to pick up speed (which is hard on a hill that steep) and move over to the left. I feel exposed all clipped in and flinch as the dog snarls with lips curled toward my leg. At the last possible moment, the woman digs in her heels just as the dog is jumping, mouth open, inches from my calf. "Arp!" the dog yells out as his collar must have nearly crushed his throat he was moving so fast. He falls back to the road, gets a severe scolding from his owner, and I pedal gratefully up the rest of the hill...a little shaken, but otherwise unscathed. This would be the most terrifying event of the day. As I'm about to learn, I can do a 7-mile descent (if I've had a chance to try it once before) without freaking out.

I think the way to Troutdale is a little bit downhill because I seem to be able to keep a 20-21 mph pace. This times the lights almost perfectly so I'm to the Historic Highway (about 16 miles later) in no time. Starting the climb, I notice that it already feels easier than last time. It's amazing how the body can adapt. As I climb, I think mostly about Larch Mountain. This climb, which is 14 miles past the turn off for the Crown Point Vista is the recommended training ride to prepare you for Cycle Oregon. I want to do Cycle Oregon so I need to tackle this 4,000 foot (elevation) cinder cone. I'm actually not too incredibly worried about going up it. If it is like the climb to Crown Point (only 3 times longer) I've got plenty of gears to be able to spin up. Coming down is what scares me because last Thursday coming down from Crown Point I got really freaked. I decide as I'm riding up today that I might just try it in 2-3 mile sections. Not today, though, for today climbing to Crown Point seems like enough.


I make it to the top and feel much less hungry than last time. Grateful to be able to fill up my water bottles and use the bathroom, I only stay for about 10 minutes before I unlock my bike from the strangely designed bike rack and pedal up away from the vista.
There is no shoulder on this windy section of road and it scares me a bit when I see an idiot in a red sports car peeling around the curves and breakneck speed towards the vista. Slow down there, buddy. Nobody is impressed. Now, the guy I saw doing this on a skateboard. That is impressive.

Heading down the long descent I look at my mileage. "You'll be at Stark at around 30 miles," I say. I shift up to my big chain ring so I've got some ability to maneuver and pedal/coast all the way down. No freak out...I actually enjoyed it. This was the triumph of the day.

Making it down terror-free really boosted my spirits and I start the long climb up Stark into Troutdale feeling like I wanted more out of this ride than 46 miles. I've got plenty of food (bananas, gels, granola bars) and water so I decide I'm going to go for 60. When I get to the I-205 bike path, I turn north, ride up to the river, and ride for a few miles on my favorite stretch of bike path.
It's a hazy day so it is hard to see the mountains, but the river looks beautiful rippling gently in the breeze. Geese and ducks cool themselves by splashing water over their backs along the edges and a steady stream of happy cyclists ride by with cheerful hellos.
When I know I've done enough mileage to get to 60 I turn around, getting hot now and looking forward to the shady streets just north of Burnside, and head home. When I get home I feel ready to get off my bike, but my mileage says 60.2 which is .1 longer than my longest Portland ride. That tenth of a mile, my triumphant descent, and my intact right calf make today's ride a very rewarding one.

A Reilly Day

I set off today dressed in a lovely Carol Anderson pink, two layered skirt and a dressy tank. On my feet were a pair of my favorite go to Teva dressy flip-flops. Hmmm...15 miles of errands in a skirt and flip flops on my hybrid. Does this count as cross-training?

My plan is to cycle to the Taco Truck for lunch, eat a taco, then continue on east on the bike streets to the Bike Gallery. Unfortunately, the taco truck is closed on Mondays, so I pedaled on, lunch-less, figuring that if I get too hungry I've got a granola bar in my purse.

When I reached 82nd, however, an idea struck me. Bahn mi! That lovely French-inspired Vietnamese sandwich is perfect riding fuel and a stop in an air-conditioned restaurant on this 95-degree day sounds perfect. I head south for a bit on 82nd and lock up my bike in the only bike rack I can find.

HA & VL is the name of the restaurant and at 3 bucks for a pork bahn mi it feels like I am robbing them blind. I take a picture of the cute decor, sip my ice water and relish the air conditioning. A foursome beside me are slurping away at my favorite food, pho, and chatting amiably.

(I love all the little sauces that go with Vietnamese food)

(My warm delicious sandwich)

When I have just a few bites left, a woman comes in to complain about where my bike is parked. Apparently it is too close to the entrance to her shop. I explain that I am almost done and will move it in 2 minutes. Hurriedly, I finish my sandwich, drink the rest of my ice water and unlock my bike. Realizing that I have no idea if I have cilantro stuck in my teeth (and having no mirror to check) I snap a pic of my teeth with my camera. All clear.

Next stop is down Division for a bike computer for my hybrid, some new water bottles (the lids of mine melted in the dishwasher yesterday), and a much more powerful taillight for my road bike. Daryl recognized me right away when I walked in and asked me about RAGBRAI. I thanked him for the stem extender and told him what a difference it made for me and my back. As he tried to figure out where to put the computer on my bike, he laughed and said, "You sure do have a lot of things on your handlebars." It's true, with my bell, my umbrella attachment, my light, my reflector and my Japanese phone charm there was really only about 2 inches left for the computer.

I leave and head back toward the I-205 bike path with my new fancy computer telling me that I was going an easy 18 mph and the temp was 95 degrees. Following the advice of Bycycle.com (I love that site) I head north to Burnside, then to 74th, to Tillamook and then ride the bike streets over to Irvington. On 30th and Broadway is my next stop. I need a new battery for the light on my helmet. At this point, my thermometer on my bike computer is registering 98 and 100 degrees, but amazingly it still doesn't feel as hot as Iowa felt. Humidity is what makes all a difference, I decide.

After what seems like an eternity waiting behind a woman who is doing the watch battery version of "Who's on First?" with the woman who worked there, I get my battery replaced and head home, all on bike streets pulling into the driveway with the exact mileage of 15 miles.

Soap Box Derby

We learned our lesson about starting too late on Thursday...too hot! So, this morning we were out of bed at a quarter to 6 and on the bikes by 7am. I wanted to introduce Peter to my Two Volcanoes, 5 Climbs ride. He's never done the backside of Rocky Butte before and has been dreading ever trying climbing Yamhill for a year now. Many times we've been out on rides and we've detoured around this climb up the east side of Tabor because it is so steep. He expresses his trepidation as we start our ride on Tabor. "You're making it into too much of a mythical thing," I tell him. "You'll be fine. Just gear down, open your chest and spin up."

Tabor is filling up this morning with soapbox race cars and their beer drinking crews. Part of me is thinking, "It's 7 o'clock in the morning!" but the other part thinks, "Good for you. I'm glad you're having fun." I stop to take many pictures of the early group of cars. As we ride away from the collection of cars we hear one of the crew members say, "Hangover, a cup of coffee and a beer. Every year."

This is where the race ends...clearly closed to cyclists and hikers today.

Mt. St. Helen's in summer.

Riding early on a Saturday morning means you can ride all the way to the top of Rocky Butte without seeing a car. "Good morning," I say to a women striding purposefully up the long hill. "Beautiful one, isn't it?" she replies.

We head down the back side of Rocky Butte and I tell Peter to pay attention as we go down. Knowing what you're climbing always makes it easier. We turn around at the church, pedal our way back up and then notice a sign for the Amazing Race. I run up to check it out. It's just AN Amazing Race, not THE Amazing Race. Oh well.

We head back over to Tabor and tackle YamHILL (as Peter calls it). He does great, staying right with me the whole way up. Before the last little bit up Tabor (where you have to weasel your way around the gate) the parking area is overflowing with soapbox racers. "You want to just head home?" I ask. "No way!" replies Peter. "I want all 5 climbs!" Without too much difficulty, we make it through the crowd, up and around the top and head back down. I stop for some more pics. These are quite impressive.



We get back home at 23.5 miles, switch bikes, and head right back out to Whole Foods. Yesterday, we saw that Albacore tuna was going to be on sale today for 2.99/pound. We buy a 20-pounder (which ends up being about 10 pounds of fish) and pedal back home with an entire paper grocery bag filled with tuna in my bicycle basket. Total mileage for the day: 28.5. My total mileage for the week (a non-RAGBRAI record): 191.