Dutch Canyon

For those of you who stayed indoors today, you missed one of the best rides we’ve done.  I would say it fits the definition of epic and one we are going to do again.  I think on a clear and warmer day, the views would be amazing and the descents would not have us pinching leather. 
 
Chad, Dave, Cameron and Nick left St. Johns this AM and headed into the westhills (Hiway 30, up NewBerry to Skyline, down Rocky Point, then up Dutch Canyon to Otto Miller, on to Dixie and back along Skyline in reverse.  Sure only 50 miles you say, but over 5,100′ of gain of which 10 miles of that gain was on gravel road (Otto Miller).  Ran into a bit of ice (Chad ran into the road – wrist is good though), and Cameron not to be out done decided to take a dive in the gravel. 
 
We all were plenty cold for sure at spots, one flat, one seized rear hub, one broken spoke – but hungry for more.  Bring it!
 
Let’s do that Rainier thang next weekend!
 
 
N.

Pete’s Mountain – the few, the proud, the sick‏

Just the four of us met yesterday for what turned out to be a terrific route and very pleasant weather.  We need to do this one again when we have a larger group because the roads were indeed tasty, the climbs and descents enjoyable and we had a great mix of road surfaces. 
 
Ron, Andrew, Dave and I enjoyed a chilly departure out of Portland.  Headed down to the Sellwood, rode around Lake Oswego and Pete’s mountain.  Thanks to Ron for keeping the bus in gear for the first hour as Dave and I were down with the sickness.  You guys missed an opportunity to put us in the hurt zone because between the two of us we might have averaged 175 watts.
 
Dave and I finished the entire loop and clocked 55 miles and 4500 feet of gain.  Nice.
 
Next weekend we are scheduled to visit Rainier.  This is an absolutely great course and has been the site for the OBRA champ road race course.  Mike Vanhoose is hosting.  Please get it on your calendar.