April 18, 2010
Ronde
Saturday, along with some fellow Sisyphean Hill Riders, I tackled the Ronde again. With the unofficial ride "officially" cancelled I think some folks got confused and there were fewer than the 600 or so last year, but still a good couple hundred+ at the start. At least one new hill by Hoyt Arboretum was added to the "Tour of West Portland" (I think hill or climb should be in the name). I rode my mountain bike which was heavier but I enjoyed the granny gears, especially on Brynwood and College. 2/3rds of the way there was an excellent aid station with a keg of Widmer and PB&J and a super-cute dog Eddie up for adoption by the Pixie Project. We lingered there (paid for that later) and then headed on. Near the end the ride gets very close to the finish at Council Crest a few times before it sends you way back down the hill for another climb, on the second to last of these what had been a nice overcast sky all day opened up and down poured. On the climb back up the little road was now a little creek. Luckily bicycling uphill is a good antidote to hypothermia. When we reached the well-earned finish at Council Crest the sun was out again and after a brief rest we bombed down the hill for some beers! Thanks to Amy for organizing our group once again.
Posted by Dave at April 18, 2010 09:52 PM