I awoke about 30 minutes before my alarm went off and wasn't sure where I was for just a minute. As things came into focus I realized that one, I could have slept another 30 minutes (longer actually as it will become evident in just a bit). Two, I already had the beginnings of a saddle store...no fun...so had to jump on that. Long day ahead and I was at a 20 mile deficit, distance-wise, for my plan - was supposed to be in Corvallis end of day one. Obviously that wasn't the case and so I planned an earlier start to make up the time. So, note the title of day 2...perfect example this decision to leave early. It was still raining but as yesterday's rain wasn't super cold I figured that I could put up with it for a 20 mile ride. But no...this rain was cold, very cold and by the time I got to Corvallis I was non-mission capable; had to sit in the McDonald's for over an hour to recover. This essentially wiped out any benefit that leaving early might have given me. A 20 mi
As I had prefaced my previous entry, my arriving and departing Baker City under pedal power was a key objective for me on this year's race. Having arrived and with a reasonable night's sleep (and a good breakfast, thanks to Brian) it was time to roll on. Stuart was holding back...doing a little recovery time before he headed out. Rodrigo headed out with a rider named Corey and I wouldn't see him again until Richland, OR. Stuart breakfast at Baker City hostel Baker City bike hostel Rodrigo, Corey, Brian, and his wife Corrine...just great people! Up and out of Baker City...literally, it's a steep if short climb out...and then onward to areas that I have only seen through map recon of the route. As you might imagine, a 2d map view does not even begin to provide the same info as actually being on the road 🙄 and I found myself at times questioning my readiness for this part of the race. However, I was determined to make Idaho
NWS was right, the atmosphere was/is "destabilized". I know this based on the umteem thousands of gallon of water that fell from the sky during almost the entire day today. Starting, most conveniently, about 30 minutes after the start of the race, we were treated to all of hospitality that the Pacific Northwest's weather could provide. Rain, wind, more rain and wind...you get the picture - it was wet! The only saving grace was that it was about 10 degrees warmer this year then last year. The race started as it always does with a "neutral start"; a 6 mile group ride where no one is technically allowed to break away. In practice all this really does is give the fast and really fast riders an opportunity to bunch up so that when the flag drops they don't have to navigate around us not-as-fast riders (like myself). For a while I played tag with a couple of guys from Greece (never got their names) before we pulled out of SeaSide then they left me...haven't se
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