Scholls Oregon

Nathan Davis & I took a 43 mile ride this afternoon on the tandem in the 97°F (note, the official high was 102°F, my bike computers read well in excess of 100°F, but I didn't want to exaggerate!) plus heat. We took a rest stop at the cute cafe in Scholls, Oregon. Schools is just the intersection of Hwy 219 and Hwy 210 out in the middle of no where. This cafe in a 104 year old building was so interesting. The owner was very nice. Nathan and I consumed lots of Coke and an Italian drink, Bibicafee (carbonated sweet coffee). All combined it made for a wonderful stop. I have ridden by this spot many times on our Tuesday night rides. However, on those rides I go flying by, not realizing what was there all the time. Hum... I guess life is that way too. The "races" are fun, but it is nice to also stop and "smell the roses" sometimes too.

Ride to work - rotated!

A beautiful sunset

Ride into work

This is my first day to ride into work in some time. It was a beautiful ride in. It is supposed to get pretty hot today though. I'm happy to be able to ride into work. The jersey is a special gift from a friend.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach from 2nd street.

Lunch at Left Coast Siesta

This is one of the funky places in Manzanita.

Dinner at the usual spot

We almost always have pizza when we first arrive.

Manzanita Beach

Out for a ride to Estacada

This is the farmers market in estacada. I'll ride a little less than 50 miles today.

Summer - maybe it is finially here in Oregon

Blue sky, bright sunshine, maybe summer really is going to come to Oregon. It is a great day because my bride returned home last night from visiting family in North Carolina. Three humans and four cats are VERY happy to have Rosie back home.

Tuesday night romp on the tandem

39 miles in 1 hour 44 min. on a relatively 'flat' course. A fun ride with Nathan on the back. This was one of the Portland Wheelmen's  Tuesday night rides. We are sporting our "cool" Death Ride 5 Pass Finisher jerseys from last year. I got the iBike working on the tandem. It was fun to watch our power data during the ride. Tandems rock!

Father's Day

Today I had lunch at my Uncle Clint Thomas' home. We celebrated Father's Day and his 84th birthday. My Uncle Clint and Aunt Lucille (and their family) are the only family that we have in the Northwest, so it is always special to be with them. Since my father passed away, Uncle Clint is a cherished connection to that side of my family. 

I have been blessed by my daughters with wonderful cards today. My youngest daughter, Hannah, soon to be 18, wrote an incredible blog for me, My-Papa.

I am a very bless man.

Finished!

This is why they call it the Strawberry Century. The last 20 miles were tough with head/cross winds. 71.8 miles, 3 hrs. 58 min, 18 mph. Not bad for an 'ol man and a solo effort (just a few miles with one other guy). A beautiful ride.

Brownsville Oregon

50 miles, still 18.8 mph average, mostly solo.

Food stop near Foster Res.

25 miles in, averaging 18.8 mph, feeling good.

On the way with a beautiful day

Strawberry century

Registration area for the Strawberry Centuy. I'm going to do the 70 mile loop.

Mile high in Denver

In Denver on our way to Portland.

On board!

Pdx here we come!

Billy Graham Library

The girls and I visited the Billy Graham Library. It was awesome and very inspiring. It motivates you to serve God with all of your strength. We are now ready to fly home.

Lunch with my girls.

Lunch at Olive Garden on our way to the Charlotte airport.

Finished!

8 hrs. 7 min. Actually, my official time was 8 hrs. 21 min., but we had a new addition to the ride, a 14 min. delay due to road paving! The heat was fierce. I think a lot more people than normal dropped out. A fair amount slower than last year, but I think that is probably due to the heat.

Marion in under 4 hrs.

74 miles down, 28 to go. In the 90's °F.

Ready to start

Start at 6:30 am. Already hot and humid.

The end of an era.

I registered for Mt. Mitchell this evening. This picture is of me & John Bryan. John was part of the small group that started The Assault on Mt. Mitchell 33 years ago and has been the ride director all along. Age and health have caught up to John and this is the last year that he will be the ride director. John has known me over the years as the crazy guy who moved to Oregon, but keeps coming back for more. This will be my 23rd Assault on Mt. Mitchell. John, thanks and I wish you the very best in the future.

DeeAnne, Alyssa and Braedon

A fun visit from my niece and her family.

Warm up ride for Mitchel

A real warm up for me. It is in the mid 90's at my sister-in-law's in Weaverville, NC. Mt. Mitchell is on Monday. My checkout ride went well. The bike made it fine and is running well.

Cracker Barrel - Asheville NC

Oh, it is so good to be at Cracker Barrell with my family. We had a great time at Ghost Mtn. and Cherokee.