2010 Tour de CUF--Bend, Oregon

[mtnbiker]

Ha ha, that's awesome! Nicely done. Kudos to Mrs. PAC.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

If you look at the picture it doesn't take long to tell one of those things is not like the others.

I had very low expectations for the ride, one was to not die and the other was to not be the cause of ruining the ride for anyone else. I hope I accomplished both.

It started off as a frustrating weekend for me as I had planned and hoped to play a round of golf with PAC on Friday afternoon, however some personal responsibilities required me to be in Portland in the early afternoon and I had to cancel. I did get there in time for dinner and somehow everyone was easily able to pick me out as I came into the restaurant.

The next morning I had decided to skip the big climb to start as I had not done as much training as I should have. I met the group at the base of Mt. Bachelor and watching them come flying into the stop was awesome. Then we started down the descent and I guess PAC had drawn the short straw as he very kindly stayed far behind the group to ride alone with me. I didn't dare look back at him while enjoying our conversation, for fear of seeing him walking his bike backwards or carrying it on his shoulders, while I was feeling like my heart was ready to explode.

After our stop at Lava Lake I found myself in the enjoyable spot at the end of the pace line. Thinking to myself this isn't so bad I can handle this, however all good things must come to an end and the pace line for slow people is no exception. We hit the climb and for some reason my bike seemed like it was stuck in mud, while everyone around me shot off like a cannon.

I would not have been able to finish without steelblue, he hung back pushed and pulled me through the climb and then gave me the chance to chicken out of the last big climb without looking like a total wimp. I had a great time riding and talking with him, and was feel lucky to have gone on our own separate adventure at the end.

I felt bad that after the ride I wasn't able to hang out and enjoy the evening with the CUFers and being a pretty awful host to Big Piney and his family, but my boys had been so excited to go to the Weird Al concert that I didn't have a choice. As we were leaving the concert that night my oldest said to me "That was pretty much the best day of my life". So I was glad I made the decision I did.

I had a great time and truly thanks to the group for not making me feel like the out of place idiot I was.

[PaloAltoCougar]

... I had very low expectations for the ride, one was to not die and the other was to not be the cause of ruining the ride for anyone else. I hope I accomplished both....

I can't speak for the first goal, although I'll hope for the best. As for the second, you totally nailed the routine; even the East German judge gave you a 10.0. Putting aside the very generous lodging and SAG support (excellent rest stop) you provided, your presence seriously enhanced the experience, and the beard added much needed street cred to our otherwise cherubic-looking group.

Mrs. PAC scoffs at the notion I was holding back on the Bachelor-Lava Lake leg; you were cranking along at pretty much the identical pace I would have done if left to my own devices. For a guy who hasn't been riding all that much your performance was really impressive. And chatting it up with you as The Flash ran by will remain a treasured experience.

Thanks again for the help and good times. Keep riding, and we'll look forward to seeing you and the missus next year.

[creekster]

One final photo... Here's a shot of the pre-ride dinner, taken just at the moment when creekster appeared out of nowhere to award his trophy to bluegoose.

Great photo. A good looking group. one of these years I will actually have to make it to a ride. There will be another one, right?

[SteelBlue]

For a guy who hasn't been riding all that much your performance was really impressive.

No doubt. Husky went more than 60 very hilly miles, exceeding his previous longest ever ride by more than 10 miles I believe. All of that was done with a very non-aerodynamic beard. That is nothing short of bad ass.

[old_gregg]

so who's going to label the pictures so we lay people know who the faces of our superiors?

[creekster]

so who's going to label the pictures so we lay people know who the faces of our superiors?

It is very simple. If you are not a cyclist, they are all your superiors.

I am the guy with the mirror image sposnsorship.

[PaloAltoCougar]

...one of these years I will actually have to make it to a ride. There will be another one, right?

Guaranteed. In fact, we're working on an interim ride for September 4 (morning of the UW game). Probably the Alpine Loop. Details to follow.

[beefytee]

Guaranteed. In fact, we're working on an interim ride for September 4 (morning of the UW game). Probably the Alpine Loop. Details to follow.

I might have to find a bike for that. It sounds fun.

I doubt I could make it very well without some training.

[old_gregg]

Guaranteed. In fact, we're working on an interim ride for September 4 (morning of the UW game). Probably the Alpine Loop. Details to follow.

i would show up for that, as long as y'all can guarantee i won't have to take any pulls

[mtnbiker]

Guaranteed. In fact, we're working on an interim ride for September 4 (morning of the UW game). Probably the Alpine Loop. Details to follow.

Who is "we"? I haven't heard a word. Wife and I would love to get in on that action.

i would show up for that, as long as y'all can guarantee i won't have to take any pulls

Wheel sucker, huh? Well, you'd have to be pretty slow to stay behind me, but if that's your speed, I don't mind dragging people up the hill.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Who is "we"? I haven't heard a word. Wife and I would love to get in on that action.

"We" would be Mrs. PAC and I. We're pretty sure we'll bring our bikes with us to Utah and, if we do, we're definitely on for the Saturday morning ride. Be assured you and Bellavela will be commanded to join in. I may start a short thread for the ride in a week or so once I know for sure our noble steeds will make the trip.

[mtnbiker]

"We" would be Mrs. PAC and I. We're pretty sure we'll bring our bikes with us to Utah and, if we do, we're definitely on for the Saturday morning ride. Be assured you and Bellavela will be commanded to join in. I may start a short thread for the ride in a week or so once I know for sure our noble steeds will make the trip.

Excellent! We live pretty close to the canyon, and might be persuaded to host pre- and/or post-ride festivities.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Excellent! We live pretty close to the canyon, and might be persuaded to host pre- and/or post-ride festivities.

It'd be a great place from which to launch. I don't expect we'd linger much after the ride, as we'd head to back to the hotel to clean up for pre-game revelry.

[old_gregg]

Wheel sucker, huh? Well, you'd have to be pretty slow to stay behind me, but if that's your speed, I don't mind dragging people up the hill.

yeah, i'm that guy. and i'll be lucky to average 14 or 15 up that way.