Well it was an interesting time for sure. Lots of fun seeing old friends and riding around.

That is until I jumped the gun on fun and rolled my foot in a somersault race at Cool Guy. Whoops. As I type this I’m still on crutches a week later. Let it be known that somersault races aren’t that fun. But the time off the bike is giving my knees some much needed rest. They’ve been pretty upset since the tour at the beginning of the month and I haven’t had a chance to lay off em.

So perhaps this limited mobility is a good thing…

Anyways, here’s a couple of photos from the weekend. They go from Friday to Sunday pretty quickly.

Our third and most successful beer. It’s kind of a mix between a lager and an pale ale. Light like a lager, but double the amount of hops the recipe called for.

We’re taking a couple bottles to Seattle with us for the Westside to share with friends.

And just yesterday I accepted a new job. I escaped being let go from my temp job and wound up landing the exact job I wanted. Starting Wednesday I’ll be a salaried worker sitting in a chair. It’s been a number of years since I sat down for work, so it’ll be interesting. But I think I’ll manage just fine.

See you in Seattle.

Once a month, out past the Skyline Tavern I read meters for work. The last two times I’ve driven the company truck. If you know me, you’re aware that I don’t like driving, so I took the opportunity to ride this time around.

The weather was perfect and the first few customers I came across were amused that I was out riding. It was a great day.

And then I ran into some paranoid people who were appalled and equally angry that I was out riding around.

So after a few hours of being yelled at(?!) I went back and got the truck.

Oh well.

Before the Bill and Melinda Gates started building their new campus, the Furtado sat on the east end of a giant parking lot.

Sometimes you had to wait for someone to show up, or sometimes it just wasn’t ready when you were.

So a bagel and a beer were my usual choice for passing time. From the color of the can I’d say that I was enjoying a Beast on that fine day.

The scheduled meet up was 8:30 at the downtown Stumptown. I was happily surprised to see Disco, Tiah, and Ryan pretty much ready to roll. Just as we were saddling up, Dabby appeared out of nowhere.

The five of us made our way to the Goosehollow Max Station and caught the next train to Hillsboro. We got hassled for taking up too much space, Dabby almost got us kicked off, and the whole situation was lame, but we had fun trying on my sunglasses.

Then I left them at the next stop. The Gales Creek Tavern is a Quaint place. This is God’s country out here, as well as nascar.

This guy who was hanging out with us wanted his photo taken in front of this poster. I obliged.

From the tavern to Tillamook it rained. Really hard and the wind was relentless. Almost to the top of the pass we found Cory and Dorothy and took a much needed break. The descent was sketchy as hell thanks to the downpour, but eventually we made it to the campsite. The storm passed and we enjoyed a nice evening at the beach and around the campfire.

In the morning we walked out to the beach and played some boche before heading out.

At around 1 we headed out of camp.

The best weather we would see all weekend was upon us. The first thing out of camp we saw was a 3 mile climb.

Well worth it when you factor in the smooth descent to the sand dunes.

Our only purchasing stop happened in Beaver. We mailed postcards, ate corndogs, and stocked up on supplies. As we headed out, I paused for a photo.

After pedaling on a very scenic, and very calm river road for a number of miles, we stopped for refueling and stretching.

Soon after, about 1/2 a mile from camp, Ryan came around the corner in his truck with pizza, beer, donuts, and whiskey. We were in heaven. We had a great night around a small fire and woke up mostly dry.

Around ten we headed out, parting with Ryan. We climbed again right away.

This was one especially steep hill. I’m very pleased that I have a granny gear, because I used it a ton on this trip. Once we descended the mountain we were hit with a driving rain. It lasted the rest of the trip home.

We stopped once. There wasn’t much shelter to find, until we happened upon a small abandoned convenience store. I enjoyed my last beer, and a small snack.

Around 2:45 we made it to the Hillsboro Max station and called it even.

It was a great trip, and I plan on more just like it.

Pictures are still on the camera and will be uploaded this afternoon. We made it back yesterday around 3:30 after riding through a steady rain all day. We got on the road yesterday around 10 and immediately started climbing, which turned into an intense downhill. Then it started raining.

My knees are a bit loose today. I’m going to be taking it easy for the next couple of days I think. But the verdict is in.

After my first three day tour, I could easily do more for longer. Next year, Los Angeles.

So it’s 8am. I’m folding the top on the trailer, taking the last swig of coffee, and headed to the coast.

Given the fact that it rained all night and is going to rain all weekend, I’ve decided to bring a tent just in case. I think we’re going to need the tarps for sitting under.

I’ll be back in a matter of days.

Bike Tour!

Ryan has full fenders for me that I’m picking up tonight. Somewhere over time I lost my rear sks so I’ve been using this beaver paddle which really does nothing at all. It’s not the seat spray that gets annoying, it’s the bottom bracket spray. I can deal with a wet ass, but wet feet are totally not where it’s at.

The trailer is in the shed just waiting to be packed. I’m not taking a tent; instead I’m going to try out a tarp-style shelter I’ve been told about. We’ll see how that goes.

Either way it’s going to be a great time. I haven’t looked forward to a trip this much in a long time.

I may not have a secret garden, but I’ve got secret mountain bike trails five minutes from my house.

Take your Forest Park and Powell Butte problems. I’ll keep my short network thank you very much.

The approach and exit to this log are impossible for riding, but perfect for sitting and reflecting with a cold can of whateveryougot. From this angle, you can barely see the log, but trust me, it’s there.

Mis made this one for me, but my head is a little big physically. Mentally it’s just right.

One side of Tiah’s face is all red though, perhaps it’s swine flu. Or maybe it’s simultaneous picture taking. Probably the latter.