Tour de Portland

Yesterday, I went on an excursion with my buddy Derrick and Nikki’s uncle Hung on the Portland Century.  Only in it’s 2nd year of existence, the event was well planned.  For $40 registration, each rider got a lot: things like all you can eat Hot Lips Pizza, salmon dinner, all you can drink microbrew, and a goodie bag with a couple of bottles of beer in there.

I found out the hard way how out of shape I am.  This particular ride featured two major climbs and I really struggled with it.  This 100 mile ride was my first of the year.  In  year’s past, I would have had a couple major rides under my belt by this time.  My legs cramped up a dozen times during the ride and so I employed a different strategy.  I would take frequent rest stops along the route but only for a minute then get back on and ride.  This seemed to help and it wasn’t such a drain on time.

I liken my climbing shape to the time I first rode up to Crown Point.  I remember going up that path for the first time was a killer.  My shorts were drenched in sweat and I had to take frequent rest stops.  For all the subsequent times after that, I rode up that path without stopping and I was overall in better shape.  I had an easier time going up the hill to Timerline Lodge last year without stopping. 

During the Portland Century, Nikki’s uncle taught us young guys a lesson.  I never saw him after the third rest stop.  He cruised on by and went home first.  You can’t discredit Derrick though; he attempted a monumental challenge by riding the century with his single speed.  He, too, has not ridden as much as he did in the past but he made it!  Good job Uncle Hung and Derrick!

People in Nikki’s family has already begun to make fun of me for trailing Uncle Hung by so much.  I heard he punctured his tire on Marine drive and it took him a long time to get it repaired.  He didn’t have too much experience changing tires and he said he waited for me but I never showed up.  I must have been pretty far back even though I only spent 5 mintues at each of the last three rest stops.

After finishing in 7:30 hrs of ride time, I passed out waiting for Derrick.  Maybe it was the exhaustion, maybe it was the two beers but I felt good for finishing up the ride with such little training.  When I got home, I passed out on the couch completely. 

The ride went around Portland: From PSU to Sellwood, Sandy, Roslyn Lake, Marine Drive, industrial North Portland, Smith and Bybee Lake, University of Portland, then back to PSU.  Check out the map.  Portland Century Map

Today, I feel good.  I got a little headache but my legs feel fine.  Notch up another century in my ride book…..