|
Climbing Mount Bachelor
Rider Responses...
WOW! Now I know what you've all been talking about, Cycle Oregon was & is tremendous fun! What a great week. Maybe I don't get out much, but [for me] this was the most fun I've had in many, many years.
I can't believe it's over... Moo.
Richard Rodriguez
Hello TBB members, fellow riders and all of you who couldn't ride CO this year. I drove back to Canada last night after crossing the finish line at 11 am yesterday. I will download the pictures from my digital camera later today and share the better ones with you.
Somebody please explain to me why crossing the finish line is so emotional. As I turned the last corner and sprinted through the line of flags and the small group of spectators cheering and applauding I had to muster all the male hormones I had to stop from openly sobbing. The turn after the flags that took us towards the Bag Drop was blurred by watering eyes and anybody within hearing distance might have heard me choking back my emotions.
Like most members of my new CO family, I did not have a parent, spouse, child or friend waiting at the finish line to greet me, hug me or give me a pat on the back. Most of us arrived alone and anonymously. The week of pain and joy, triumph and tears was over and I suspect that most riders experienced the same heart wrenching sensations that I did as we passed beneath the row of flags.
For this reason I returned to the Finish Line after showering and stowing my bike so that I could join the audience. I applauded and cheered for my fellow riders. I did not stay until the end though. The thought of watching COWnsellour Ken and the entourage of Police vehicles and Ambulances bringing COXIII to a close would have been too painful for me to witness. I didn't want it to end.
We rode our bicycles 500 miles. We did it as a family. We did it with a tremendous amount of support from the CO staff and hundreds of volunteers. Yet it was you and me and the guy beside you and the girl in front of you that pushed yourself through the head winds into Silver Lake. It was you who wiped the burning sweat from your eyes as you climbed Mount Bachelor. It was you who watched your odometer turn 100 (perhaps for the first time) in Antelope. It was you who careened down through the switchbacks into Maupin and it was you and only you that rode through Hood River, down the hill, across the overpass and made that last turn towards the finish line.
Congratulations to one and all. You are a hero.
To my many new friends in Team Bag Balm, again thank you for your companionship. You guys are a scream. Richard and Gayle, Richard R, Stacey, Linda, Andrew, Bob & Rox, Ken, Jason, Scott, Dave & Edna, Blake & Beth-Ann and last but certainly not least, Don "Drew Carey" Bolton.
Steve Heim
You are definitely not alone in your emotional reaction to crossing the finish line on Saturday. I too started feeling choked up as I got into Hood River and especially coming down through the flags, seeing all those total strangers applauding. My husband and son were not there yet, but after I had parked my bike and done a blue room stop I walked back to the finish to find they had just arrived. I totally burst into tears at that point!!
CO is just a magical experience; hard to capture in words, the emotion says it all.
Thank all of you for contributing to that magic that is CO!! (for fear of forgetting someone I won't name names, but you are all loved!)
Diane "same time next year!" Kerns
Maybe William Shakespeare explained this best:
This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
Sonnet 73
Ever had a kid go through high school? For three years and 33 weeks they hate it. For the last three weeks before they graduate it’s the best thing ever, and they can’t bear the thought of having to leave school.
I wish that I could hang out around this virtual campfire more, but the real world is waiting in the form of a proposal deadline…
Thanks all for a great week. As I said before we left, for me CycleOregon is a people event.
Andrew Black
Now you know.
And, those who have never completed a Cycle Oregon tour can (maybe) sense some of why we come back for more each year.
There is nothing like that endorphin rush.
All the headwinds ("head-gales"??), long lines, dust, etc., etc., become a distant memory.
When do we sign up for CO-XIV?
Curt Coleman
Welcome home, my friends! Steve H, so now I know who the "speedy" was that crossed the finish at 11am! Jeez, slow down, would ya?? :) I'm sure that Scott S was right there too, injured knee and all. Scott, are you feeling ok? I'd love for you to email me a picture of your doggie, if you can!
To Edna Van Gundy and Janice Nelson, I can't tell you how much you helped
me as we were going (slowly!) up Bachelor. What a scream going down! Edna,
who says I am the one who is a maniac on hills, PASSED me! I did a tremendous
(for me) 39mph. On a cross bike, no less!
To Lonnie (Capt Dink), thank you for the hugs and encouragement. You make
my ride so much more enjoyable!
To Cownselor Ken, hope the ankle is feeling better soon.
To David VanGundy, thanks for your smile and pats on the back. You never give up, that is cool.
To Beth Ann, our new cheerleader, I didn't realize you were so fast. Gosh! I am in awe.
To Scott S, Nat and Linda, you guys are like the speed of light! Linda, keep those boys in line. And Scott, thanks for always saying "hi" as you whiz past me.
Andrew and Dr. Amy, to see you two drafting each other made me smile. Maybe someday I can jump on your "pace line".....
To Don "always a quip" Bolton, your enthusiasm makes the day. Loved your "portable shade" that ended up being backyard/frontyard for so many great get-togethers in camp.
To Rich and Gayle, thanks for lunch. Do you think that waitress will ever recover??
To Richard, even though you snore, you were still a GREAT neighbor! Hope the cold is better.
To Stacy "cranky turkey", my hat is off to you for riding the first few days with that horrible cold. Now if you'd just quit kissing Richard, maybe he wouldn't have caught it!! :)
To Sassy, you amaze me. Riding all those miles with a very sore hand. And passing me to! Jeez!
To the rest of TBB (and Todd!!) thank you for another great year. Last year was wonderful. This year even better, because of all of you! I miss you already.
Wendi "still a hill slug" Thornton
Hello TBBers!! I haven't been able to read or write any e-mails cos I've been too sad. Just knowing that I am back in the real world...my world of criminals...is too much.
Today was my first day back to work. I was surprised. A few people actually remembered I was away!! But no one remembered why. Another heavy sigh. You guys were the greatest. I haven't read all of the postings yet, but just seeing all of your names brings heaviness to my heart. Steve, I love what you wrote!! I rode in with Richard (whom I haven't been kissing, Wendi!!!!!), and I'm glad we were able to share that together!! I wish we could've all met for one last beer...but the end brought the reality of home and all of the responsibilities that brings (like my dog, Scruffy, who rode the whole trip w/ me on my Camelbak, and was getting tired.).
What exactly am I trying to say? I don't know. Just that that was a truly exceptional week, and I look forward to meeting w/ the TBB herd soon! Any evening is good, it's the days that are hard.
Stacey "Cranky Turkey" Gray
Thanx to all who helped on CO 2000. This was my third and by far the most fun.
It challenged me, but it was possible to win. Since we had been somewhat training-deprived this year we were pretty concerned about having to sag, but it turned out fine. We actually rode our bikes into camp in the early afternoon on 3 of the days and by around 4 or 5 on the other 3 days. On the option day we spent about half of the day just sleeping! Bob rode his bike the whole way and I did all but about 3 miles of the last hill before Dufur (which I walked).
The results of walking part of that hill were interesting - I could walk it comfortably at 2.8 mph and hardly notice the wind and heat or I could ride it at 4.3 mph and feel stressed. My heart rate and breathing were much higher while riding than walking. However, when I hopped on my bike at the top I felt like I had been resting for the last hour. I felt nice and fresh to fight the headwinds into Dufur. In general, if your ego permits and you need to make forward progress, walking a bike is a good break from riding.
This CO seemed much more of a relaxed vacation than the other two and I appreciated that. There were some hard days - both heat and headwinds can make a day seem long, but I always felt like I could succeed. It was just a matter of time... The stress I had on the first two CO's was missing and I really appreciated that.
Thanx again!
Rox
Before I get too caught up in my "real world" life, I just wanted to say a big THANKS to all the members of Team Bag Balm! My first Cycle Oregon experience was unbelievably great and all of you played a large role in that.
When I first signed up for Cycle Oregon back in March, I didn't know a soul in the cycling community but decided to trust my instincts, jump in feet first and hope for the best. I got some great new wheels for my birthday in April (a Serotta Rapid Tour) and shortly afterwards suffered a terrible bike vs. tree limb accident which sent me to the hospital and set my training back for several weeks. I trained on mostly solo until late July when I met my first Team Bag Balm member, Beth-Ann. What a great way to get to know a new group; meeting the Team Cheerleader. We had a great ride up Bald Peak and I began to get the first inkling that I might actually be able to do this CO stuff. I met a few more folks on the Bridge Pedal ride, participated in 2 super group rides hosted by Don Bolton (thanks Don!) in August and rode in my first paceline with Scott but continued my largely solo cycling until it was time to leave for CO.
Poignant memories from last week’s incredible ride include:
- Spending time getting to know Stacey on the bus ride down to Paisley. (Thanks for not giving me your cold, I thought I was a marked woman for sure!)
- Scott and Natt pulling me through the 40 mile option on Sunday. (I thought I might die several times during the day but felt like a million bucks when I finished)
- Conquering the climb up Mt. Bachelor. What a great feeling of accomplishment at the ODS rest stop followed by a great sled ride into Bend.
- Great vistas, a super paceline, learning how to change my first flat tire and great day of cycling with Scott, Natt, Andrew and Steve on the Sisters option on Wednesday followed by some serious slide instruction in the pool!
- Completing my first Century ride on Thursday. The locomotive paceline into Madras for lunch still brings chills and the lunchtime music was a surprisingly great treat.
- Saturday's ride from Dufur to Hood River. An emotional roller coaster (I can relate, Steve) and perfect cycling day the memory of which will stay with me forever.
The cycling was great, the scenery was awe inspiring, the weather was unbelievable but the super people I met along the way are my fondest memory. Thanks Team Bag Balm for making it possible!
Linda (I've been bitten by the CO bug and I'll never be the same) M-H
I was wondering if my experience was unique? When the Trail Band performed it's last song in the regular set, sorry I don't remember the name. The song for the children. Annie and I were sitting close to the front next to the beer garden listening and watching. As I was sitting there watching the people dancing, a lot of the dancers mostly team crab (with their crab hats) were doing some kind of a circle dance moving in and out holding hands and the balance of the dancers were kind of milling off to the side watching the band and moving back and forth. I felt a rush of emotion like I have never felt before. I felt like laughing and crying at the same time. Something about the incredible music and the look of happiness on the faces of all the people dancing and watching really touched me. Anyway for me it was one of the most amazing moments in my life and if nothing else good happened (which is not the case) on the ride that moment would have made the ride worth it.
Thanks for listening to my rambling
Jim Morrow
Team Tangerine Scream (let me apologize for anyone who's hearing was damaged
by my wife's screaming on the way down from Bachelor)
Jim, I know exactly what you mean. When the Trail Band performed for us the first time (Dufur, yes! on Cycle Oregon VI), it caught us totally by surprise and we were simply stunned, laughing and crying at the same time. It was a magic night!
I'm listening to our Trail Band CD as I write this, and I'm really having trouble with the "re-entry trauma!" I'm glad you're all there to understand!
Wonderful tour this year! It really topped off our summer of bike experiences. We missed out on the Cycle Oregon e-mail list, but it was great to see everyone again.
Until the next ride...
Susan Christie
I also found the whole experience enchanting and uplifting. It reminded me of the "old days" when we'd sing Give Peace a Chance. Also great to share it with friends Nanette and Diane.
Re-entry trauma is so right. The devil is in the details, and each one is pecking away at my perch up high. Gotta slow to warp one some time, though. Nanette is coming to town for the Peach, and she may be here to ride on Saturday, too. Who's up for a RIDE? The RHR will not be this Saturday, too much conflict. More on that soon. Who wants to ride this week? I'm trying to be a bad influence here.
Amy-still buzzing-Ream
That's basically why I keep coming back - it doesn't just happen at the entertainment - it comes when the sun breaks over the rim of Crater Lake and you're the only one there - it comes on a warm afternoon when you pass a cool stream & take a dip & see an old friend already there, it comes when you're pedaling like a madman downhill & the speedo says 50, it comes when you realize that you just spent 2 hours in total silence, assessing your life.
Oops - sorry if I got too real there - forgive me. :o)
Ps. - It was probably just low blood sugar, or too many beers (Whew ! that's much better)
Ken Cregger
A SPECIAL THANK YOU - -
My sincere thanks to all of the volunteers:
- - that made Cycle Oregon one of the most successful tours of all times. Without you we could not have experienced for some the Tour of a life time. The logistics of such an event has to be mind boggling at best. I congratulate CO for an outstanding "JOB WELL DONE". I didn't see or hear of any major niches during the whole tour (amazing) and, you know, I wouldn't have cared anyway :-)
A special thanks to the Oregon State Motorcycle Trooper who quickly and professionally removed the drunken motorcyclist from the road right out of Dufur Saturday morning among several passing bicyclists.
Another special thanks to the Emerg/Meds always seemed to have a great way of showing positive fun, fun, fun :-) It's a good feeling knowing that you are there in case we need you. You guys were great !
AND to the Sag Wagon Crews that were there for those who needed you. The encouragement you gave us all will not be forgotten. I'll never forget the fun, fun, costumes of some of you, and the kind words of encouragement along the Tour especially at the top of the Dufur climb.
"A Special Little Star" seems to keep coming back into my memory. Her name is Cory. She was the shining star (at the water stop) that not only filled my water bottles for me - she always had a bit of wit and humor for the moment. She even did the Tom Cruse bartenders shuffle with my water bottles one day :-)
People like her (and others) are the ones that make my day. A SPECIAL THANK YOU CORY :-)
A special thanks to the people in the back ground that are frequently over-looked like Lorraine Brown, for one, who was everywhere. She checked me in. She did rider count along the road way. I saw her every day doing something different. Truly a versatile volunteer I must say. And her husband drove a Sag Wagon. Thanks Lorraine ~ and to your husband.
Cycle Oregon is truly a first class operation and getting better each year. Was it me or did I detect an "exceptional customer service" presence this year. CO has always been great - but this year it seemed "EXTRA GREAT". It just goes to show that CO reads those questionnaires that we fill out. The improvements are noticeable from year to year. Again thank you CO staff and volunteers for allowing my vacation to be a success, for meeting once-a-year friends, and making more new ones.
SO ! Before I get all weepy eyed. "It HAS been a great ride". AND for those of you who are having a hard time getting back to the grind - enjoy the after glow of the ride. It takes about a week for me return back to normality with occasional relapses the week after and the week after and after - -
Capt. Dink ~
Bent Elite Consultant Group
To all C.O. 2000-er's:
As one of the AMR Paramedics providing support for this ride, I want to thank ALL of you for giving me the time of my life!!! Congratulations to those of you who made the entire trip without needing our services and for those of you who did, I hope our presence made as much of a positive impact in your life as all of you did for ours. I can't help feeling sad now that it's all over, if only for this year. I hope to see all of you again next year for C.O. 2001!!!
"Capt. Kirk"
Medic 42
When I see the ambulances cruising along on the CO route I always think of humor writer Erma Bombeck who wouldn't take up skiing because it was a sport in which an ambulance waited at the bottom of the hill. I sometimes question my own sanity of taking part in (and paying for) an activity in which ambulances accompany us! Thankfully, I have survived four COs without medical intervention. All the same, I too really appreciate your presence and your waves and smiles of encouragement and readiness to render aid, minor or major (a matter of perspective - MY problems are always major, just ask my husband).
Thanks again. Without you guys, we couldn't begin to do Cycle Oregon!
Ann Morrow
Stoker Team Tangerine Scream
Five Cycle Oregon tours with zero flats! I was certain I was going to fall victim to the suddenly airless tube this time. :-)
BTW: according to my Vector those of us that didn't option days one and two but did the Sisters option rode 468.5 miles and did a cumulative elevation gain of around 17,000 feet this year, descended almost 20,000 feet. So exactly flat it wasn't.
Add to that the headwinds that kept hitting us and some of those "flat" stretches were downright "steep".
Congratulations to all the veteran riders old and new!
Don "Aero bars *ROCK* when transporting livestock" Bolton
I wake up around 1:30 in the morning. I typically wake once in the middle of the night.
My ears wake up first. It's so quiet. Almost _too_ quiet. Generators are really far away. No coyotes. I'm only hearing one person snoring at the moment.
I stretch slightly. Missed the tent. Cool, I hate it when I get the moisture and dew on my sleeping bag or pillow.
Wow, I'm comfortable. I haven't even slid off of the thermarest; a nice, flat campsite. I _really_ don't want to get up to visit the blue room. Doesn't seem too cold, though. This ought to be manageable.
Hey, what the... _sheets_? _SHEETS_???
I'm at home, in my bed.
It finally hits me. It's really over.
Oh well, until next year, you guys...
Jason Penney
Hey Jason, you know you're in CO withdrawal when you wake up in the middle of the night and automatically stand in front of your ensuite door, waiting your turn.
Steve Heim
Hey gang,
Thought it was time I put my two cents in. It was great to meet all of you, and I know I didn't spend a lot of time in the herd, but the time I did spend was enjoyable and hope to do it again. Other friends on the ride took up a lot of my time, so I hope you all understand.
For me, this year's ride was a personal triumph in more ways than one, and I know that applies to most if not all of us. I rode the whole basic route, no options, and recorded 411 miles in six days of riding, and I also did it without a flat! My body feels as good as it has since my accident, and I was on such an endorphin high after the ride that I actually got the bike out on Sunday and rode another 35 miles, including a climb up to Council Crest! Crazy, huh? My friends are thinking of committing me to BA, Bicyclists Anonymous. The only struggle I have now is not to eat everything in sight.
I crossed the finish line before 11 Saturday morning, and I too felt a wave of emotion hearing the cheers of strangers, and I was laughing at the fact that it was over and I had done it!
So, now it's back to reality and my tan lines are already beginning to fade. Stay safe everyone, and I'll see you out there on the road.
Emery "I've ridden and I can't stop" Wilson
I still can't believe it's over...
You've all said what I've been feeling, exhilaration at such a wonderful ride, and sadness that it's all over. You all made this (my first Cycle Oregon) [CO13] truly remarkable and unforgettable.
Thank you to Cycle Oregon, all the volunteers, AMR, Oregon State Police, the cities of Paisley, Silver Lake, La Pine, Bend, Antelope, Dufur and Hood River for hosting and welcoming us, and every Cycle Oregon 2000 rider for making this event a tremendous success.
Thank you Team Bag Balm for the camaraderie we shared the entire week. I especially enjoyed sitting around the "campfire" re-living the day's scenes and happenings. The TBB banner led us "home" and was always a welcomed sight.
My life is so much better since Cycle Oregon, but I can't help feel sad that I won't see you all every day. I look forward to seeing you again soon, until then my collection of memories will keep me smiling.
Richard "happy but sad" Rodriguez
The wind in your face, the satisfaction of accomplishing something difficult, the expressions of amazement on your friend's faces when you drop "450 miles" in conversation, and (oh yeah), the unusual odors.
Ken Kahn
"If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand." This is actually a Harley quote, but it works for us bikers, too.
Tanya Schroder
It's Tuesday night and my left wrist still tingles from the phantom band. I cut it off on Saturday, really I did! No matter how wild and woolly the workweek has been (plenty of both, and we're only two days in!), I still get reminded of the trip every time I bend my wrist.
Before I even left town on Saturday morning, I was getting the feeling that this trip would be something special. I was loading the car in the dark and happened to look up into our normally light-polluted sky and saw that it was as clear and dark as I'd seen it in a long time. Just to the east of zenith, a small but very bright meteor ripped through the sky. I have sat patiently gazing through hours of peak Perseid shower nights and have not seen any as bright as that.
The bus ride was strangely subdued until near lunch... takes a while to recover from a 0300 wake up, I guess. It was at the lunch stop when things started getting animated... the herd was gathering. It was a little sad to get back on the bus where I was the only bovine, but my mood was better. Introduced myself to my seatmate. His name was Eddy. You could safely call him Slow Eddy. A tall, handsome, transplanted Texan, he looked like he might be a real hammerhead. Turns out he was the trike pilot we all saw (and probably passed) throughout the week... also one of the volunteers who took some of the group pictures.
Reliable Don had staked out the corral in almost the same area that I had last camped in Paisley in 1996... almost like coming home. It was my fourth CO, but really the first one that I felt a sense of belonging from the start. Meandering back to camp with Steve and Beth-Ann, meteor #2 streaked over us at the exact moment I decided to glance backward at the sky... saw the whole thing. It was HUGE!
Woke up too early on Day One and decided to stargaze for a while... meteor #3 in 24 hours lit up the camp for a second or two. Three glowing trails in one day. I'm not superstitious, religious or particularly outrageous, but it sure seemed like something was up.
Good ride on Sunday. As I had suspected when I first met her, Linda made a perfect third member to the "team" that Natt and I had formed last year. There were a few rough moments... a bee sting on my thigh, Linda questioning the wisdom of the option (but only for a little while), and those Full Sail riders with the matched Cannondales who managed to get them so completely tangled I thought we were going to have to start cutting spokes. We finished strong and happy.
We were in the second van out to the Fort Rock cave. Sorry... no drums. It sure was cool, though.
Nearing LaPine, we three passed a couple of other pacelines that tried again and again to put some distance on us. Natt's competitive side showed through, and we blasted by, leaving them in our rear view.
LaPine to Bend was gorgeous, even though I couldn't see too much of the first 25 miles... too much fog. After lunch, we agreed that we'd do the hill at our own pace and regroup in camp. As I passed the big sweeping corner by the green lake, I thought "Photo op!", so I doubled back and waited for Natt and Linda to pass and catch them in action. It worked, sort of... damned point-n-shoots, anyway! Back on the bike for a little rabbit-chasing. Pick a rider in the distance and try to pass him/her before they round the next corner. Repeat as often as possible.
Passing a rider on a nice, new LeMond, I said "Nice bike!". She called back "Yeah, but it won't go as fast as yours!". "I'd ask for my money back." We laughed, I rode on. A little later, I called "on your left" to a rider who called back "Gawd... you got a motor on that thing?" Yes, folks, I was feeling a little full of myself by then.
I reached the top and gulped Windex, er... Allsport, and waited for Natt. He showed up a few minutes later. We chatted for a while and watched others come up through the bends to the top. In a little while, I noticed a white helmet and white jersey atop a bike ripping up the hill and thought "Is that...?" and Natt said "That's Linda!" Boys 'n berries, you missed quite a performance there.
At the Inn, Natt and I welcomed Linda as we heard the "clicker person" at the cones calling out "98, 99, 100!" as the next people after her arrive. A very good day. To top it off, Steve introduced us to Jacques and Esther later in the day... I doff my touque to your storytelling skills!
And they just got better, for the most part! As Linda said before, the paceline screaming through the sagebrush with Natt, Andrew and anyone else goofy enough to follow us into Madras was just incredible! Mashing away on the point and glancing in my mirror, I saw Linda, Natt and Andrew grinning away with a line of helmet tops bobbing away behind them. It was such a thrill I got goosebumps on my thighs in the heat of the day. The rush lasted through lunch.
True, I crashed later in the day, but that's not what I think of when I remember that ride.
Prime rib, Parrotheads, and Linda and Natt doing the ice-bag relay... no wonder I could ride the next day! "Doc" Janice approved the medicinal use of (one) beer with my ibuprofen, and I was all set. I was extremely well cared-for.
The riding for the rest of the tour was somewhat more subdued... but it was still wonderful. Yes, it hurt sometimes, but I actually have to remind myself of that. Mostly it was just beautiful... especially in the morning on Day 7.
If you've hung with me this long, I thank you. If I got to hang with you through the week, I thank you, too. It was a really great trip. A three-shooting-stars great trip.
Scott Saulsbury
Hey Scott, You mean we can take these wrist bands off?
Jim
Team Tangerine Scream
I couldn't bear to cut it off. Fortunately I found a way to remove "the wristband" fully intact.
But every now & then I do get that tingle...
Richard Rodriguez
Has Amy-R started a new statement? How many wristbands can one collect intact AND on the original wrist? How many years will one of those things last?
Just wondering.
Igor....
Well... I have 9 of those bands still attached to my bike's top tube! They represent 8 of our 10 Cycle Oregon tours and 1 event a few years ago when Cycle Oregon sponsored a back-to-back centuries ride on a Saturday and Sunday.
Susan Christie
When Bob had to get a new bike frame last year I very carefully cut the scrunched rivet tails off and moved the bands to his new frame. They are now held on with 4-40 screws through the middle of the rivets. It works well. We all hafta brag after all!
For the last couple of years we have gotten our arm bands put on loose enough we could remove them at the end. I wonder what would happen if we were to show up at the next CO with all of them on our arms. :-)
Rox Heath
team cycle nu highlights
(without pictures)
day one
full tuck on long downhill , head wind , top speed 14 mph!!!!
day two
first ridge out of silver lake, around 8 mile, sunrise and the dawn of
time aura that those jagged hills projected
day three
the green of devils lake to the right and the black cone out cropping
on the left
day four
swimming pool, hot tub, strawberry margaritas, swimming pool, hot tub,
strawberry margaritas, swimming pool, hot tub, strawberry margaritas,
day five
first, the herd of reindeer, then the wooly lamas, then Smith Rock, then
the amazement that so many people rode by without stopping for any of
these sites.
day six
looking up eight mile grade, then looking down from the top.
day seven
the mansion abandoned in the wheat field, boards glowing in the rising
sun.
best laugh of the trip:
group of riders that cut the course on Saturday and rode the freeway into
Hood River (8:30 am) 35 mph headwind that gusted to 50 on the highway.
reported as the "snail line into Hood River"
cycle nu
Not to sound like a total Suckup but this year was hands down the best year for organization - the options on days 1 & 2 were engineered by a total genius - get into camp early, pitch a tent and _then_ go for another ride - excellent thinking - day 2 with the option right off the bat was great because it put the hammerheads at the back of the pack & let them see that not everybody is interested in pacelines all the time. I even had forgotten how nice and relaxed the people in the back of the pack are.
Now if we could only work up the homemade cookies like that year in Elgin...
Seriously - My hat is off to Brian for totally nailing it this year.
Ken Cregger
[The following posts are accounts of Ken Kahn's finish to CO 13 (The Slowest One Wins):]
Cownsellor Ken Escorted By Police
FLASH!!!
Cownsellor Ken was chased (er, escorted) into Hood River by motorcycle State Police as he approached the finish line of Cycle Oregon 2000.
Also participating in the chase/escort was three ambulances and an ambulance supervisor van. There may have been more.
All with sirens running and lights flashing.
There is some speculation that Cownselor Ken was the last rider to cross the finish line.
What's more, he did it on a recumbent bike and a broken back, acquired on August 7th, this year.
Should we offer congratulations or condolences?
Curt Coleman
Cow-nselor Ken Wins!!!
Just as we were coming out of Pietro's Pizza in downtown Hood River we heard a lot of racket and looked up the street. Down the hill through town came Ken Kahn, flanked by the motorcycle police and with 4 ambulances and a sag wagon after him!!! All lights and sirens were going full blast. The racket was incredible. We watched as they escorted him down to the finish line and CO 2000 ended.
What a great ending!!!!!
Rox Heath
Here's what really happened
So I'm coming down the hill from the Mosier tunnels and I notice in the
rear view that I'm being tailgated by a sag wagon. Oh great, I'm thinking,
I'm going to be swept off the course and it's only a little before 4:00.
Far from being swept, the sag was removing signage from the course. Hmm.
I knew that there were at least 10 others behind me who were staring out
into space, admiring the view near the top. But, being used to the odd,
I think nothing more of it. I pull into Hood River thinking, I want to
be strong, look really good and have a power finish. Just as I pull up
(near the court house as it turned out) I suck chain while going from
the smaller to the middle chain ring, forcing a pull over, and simultaneously
looking NOT good. So I'm mucking with the chain, and getting grease all
over my hands (did I mention I wanted to look good at the finish?) and
next thing I know two motorcycle cops are by my sides. Oh great, I've
violated some ridiculous city ordinance and my bike's going to be towed
for no insurance or something. Nope. They want to know if I want to be
escorted in. At first I thought, "wouldn't it be great if one of
them rode ahead with my camera and take a picture of me
finishing the course?" and then I thought, "They want to sag
me." So I said, "No, that won't be necessary I can finish."
Then it clicked. They were offering a police escort. Irony sweet irony.
The OSP bringing a criminal defense lawyer down main street. We rode side
by side, three abreast, with me in the middle, red and blues going and
sirens like the end of the world. My niece was a contestant for rose princess
once, so I vaguely remembered her admonition on waving to the crowds:
side to side twice, and then up and down. People waved back. It was a
cause and effect relationship. The more I waved, the more they waved.
Then my ears started ringing from the sirens (which was ok, because in
that situation I prefer to have sirens). Only after I crossed the finish
line did I realize I was being pursued by three or four emergency vehicles
with their sirens and red lights flashing too. So this is what its like
to do an attempt to elude. please, Please, PLEASE, someone tell me they
got this on film. No one at the Multnomah County Courthouse is ever going
to believe it.
Your saddle pal,
Cow-nselor Ken Kahn
Here's what really happened..TRUTH
just like an attorney to leave out some small details.
Q: Cow sin leer Ken, is it true that when you arrived in the port area
that you tried to elude your police escort?
A: Okay, so I went the wrong way and left the banner lined avenue and
went outside of the course.
Q: Did you notice on your own that you needed to get back in front of
the police and ambulance escort or was it the frantic waving of the photographer
directing you back towards the proper finish.. Now be careful how you
answer this as he does have the event recorded on film.
A:
Cycle Nu
Ok, I admit, I was confused when we approached the last part of the finish line. Coming around the corner, I naturally assumed that we would be going to the right side of the roadway divider (this being America and NOT England). I further admit that I was on the right side of the divider and the police were on the left at that point and I did NOT understand why until I crossed the finish line to the left with the police now behind me. Hmm. Did I mention I was experiencing a rare moment of ecstasy?
Ken Kahn
Just wanted to tell you we got to see the whole thing - but from behind you. Janice wasn't feeling well so she sagged at lunch, and I had two flats up at Rowena Viewpoint, so I gave up pushing into the wind, when Janice and sag arrived. I rode in with her. I was sure that was you in the lead. Behind you were the three ambulances, ride director's car, and three sag vans. We were in the very last vehicle and we were trying real hard NOT to wave to everyone. We felt real conspicuous sagging. Not how we wanted to finish, but we were SO pleased for you. Must have been an awesome feeling. I can't wait to see pictures. I sure hope there are some.
CONGRATS ! ! !
Edna
