| Quick Stats Ride Distance: 138 miles Elevation Gain: 6,953 feet Average Moving Speed: 15.26 mph |
We did this exact ride last year, along with shorter variants of it as well, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. So we were definitely looking forward to it.
We had planned to be riding at 6 a.m. and actually hit the pavement at 6:22 a.m., so not too far off. As we were getting the bikes out of the van and getting everything ready (putting things in the right pocket, tires pumped, etc.) I was going through my mental checklist of items, saying some of them out loud. I then added "arm warmers falling down", which is extremely annoying, particularly when you have a jacket on over them and cannot adjust them without first removing your jacket, and Amy hilariously responded "Check!". This was a source of great amusement at later points in the ride. "Frozen Wrap Sandwiches Left Back In The Freezer." "Check!" "Stiff headwind." "Check!" Good stuff.
The morning was cool, but not terribly so, particularly with direct sunlight adding significant heat to one's body as only it can do. We both had limb warmers and jackets and it seemed to be enough. I stowed my jacket after an hour of riding and the warmers after two hours.
We arrived up at the Main Lodge at Mt. Bachelor at about 10:10 a.m. I had called them a couple days earlier and knew they wouldn't open until a little later, so we had enough water to make it to Sunriver, just like last year. I had four bottles and Amy had three. While resting a few moments at a picnic table near the lodge I asked a nearby worker if there happened to be access to any water faucets and he couldn't think of any, instead referring me to the ski patrol that might be able to help out. I assured him I was only asking for future reference and didn't need emergency assistance at the current time. Not sure he believed me. I must have looked terrible. Or maybe it was that I had just finished off one of my water bottles and was trying to squeeze out that last drop. It probably looked pathetic.
It had been rather warm on most of the climb up the mountain, due to both the temperature and energy expended while climbing, but particularly the aforementioned sunlight shining directly on our backs. It was odd to be so hot at 9 a.m. But as we neared the top the breeze started to pick up, and it was quite cool. So before leaving to descend down the other side Amy put on her jacket and I my arm warmers. It was a good decision, but once the high speed descending stopped they had to come off. It was getting very warm again, and now our direction was south on Cascade Lakes Highway, directly into the sun.
Early on the descent from the mountain there was considerable snow alongside the road in one area, but of course the pavement was bone dry. The mountains, Broken Top and the Three Sisters, were as majestic as ever. It intrigues me how mountains seem so much bigger-than-expected as you get closer to them. I guess I need to adjust my expectations. The whole Sparks Lake area is wonderfully green. The various creeks and of course the Deschutes River are flowing as full as I have ever seen them. It has been that kind of year.
RIDE DATA: |
We arrived at the convenience store in Sunriver and refilled all our water bottles with ice and either Perpetuem or Gatorade or plain water. I also shared a 32-ounce Pepsi with Aim. I was mildly concerned about having too much Pepsi, as it was sort of a problem on the next big climb during last year's ride. But apparently thirst for sugar in the here-and-now won out because it was easily consumed.
Just before we started that last big climb Amy finally broke down and took a natural break. I couldn't believe it. I thought her bladder was the size of a basketball! The irony is that not one mile later there was a portable toilet alongside the road, in the middle of nowhere. She later said she remembered the portable toilet from earlier rides and was looking for it, but when ya gotta go ya gotta go.
I was definitely a little tired on that final climb, but I was also trying not to overheat as I did last year. Pouring ice water on my back and head probably helped. But I think the biggest help was the cloud cover that swooped in just before we started the climb. Amy had no trouble and floated up like she usually does. I told her to just keep going once she got to the top and started to descend. I would catch her before she got to Bend.
Sure enough, I was able to catch her at the tail end of the steep descending, well before getting to Bend.
There was some traffic to start and end the ride between Bend and Redmond, probably the standard Monday commuting traffic. While riding around the mountain though traffic was much lighter than we've experienced on previous weekend rides. Monday is definitely a good time to ride up there.
In comparing our stats from this year to last year I was surprised there was so little change. But then I realized last year's ride was in September, after a full season of riding. We are still ramping up our fitness this year. I'm sure we'll ride it again in August, so we'll have something to compare our progress to then.
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