So yesterday was my fourth time riding the 3 Capes 300k and it was quite fun. This will probably be my last brevet on my Hilsen as my custom rando bike will be on the road soon. The Hilsen seemed to really shine in yesterday's configuration. I reinstalled my Berthoud fenders as the forecast was for rain all day. For luggage I used a Sackville XS SaddleSack stuffed with 2 tubes, tools, 2 ProBars, spare socks and gloves. I also had my jersey pockets stuffed with food and vest and rain jacket at times.
I love this route and in spite of the cold and rainy start I felt great as we rolled out of Forest Grove. My Joshua and I held back a bit at the start so as not to get caught up in the front towing the line something which I've tended to do in the past. As we went over the coast range I felt great and had a great descent down the other side and into Tillamook. Usually in Tillamook I use Safeway as a control which is always a huge timesuck. Instead I got my brevet card signed at a Shell station and back on the road quickly. The 3 Capes that we go up and down are absolutely regardless of the weather but I always tend to unravel at some point while climbing them. On the approach to Cape Meares I flatted. Of course it then started to rain but the tube change was quick and without issue. Climbing up Cape Meares and Lookout went well. I was feeling super strong but was definitely challenged by the steep grades. Fortunately I had no cramps and while going up Lookout I just kept telling myself "This climb never ends" so I was quite happy to finally go over the top. In year's past I've been fooled by the multiple false summits on the climb. I managed to catch two riders towards the top of Cape Lookout and rode with them into Pacific City. Like Safeway in Tillamook, Pacific City can be a huge time suck and I had planned on just getting my card signed and rolling out quickly. But I needed real food and so ordered a roast beef sandwich that I inhaled. As I was leaving a group of friend's rolled up and I told them I'd see them in Grand Ronde in anticipation of slowing down as I climbed up and over Sourgrass Summit. Sure enough I lost contact with my two companions and just sorta noodled up to the summit of Sourgrass Summit. It's a mellow climb at river grade. I wasn't feeling quite right but instantly felt better after taking a leak at the top. Not sure what it was about that but I just felt better. I stopped in Grand Ronde to enjoy a Coke and soon enough friends from Joshua and friends from Seattle rolled up. We only had like 50 miles or so back into Forest Grove over rolling back roads. We had an amazing tailwind that pushed us along these roads. Unfortunately Joshua fell off the back. Still, it was just too hard not to utilize the tailwind to our advantage and pick-up the pace. We were rolling along at like 20mph with little effort. About 25 miles from the finish we stopped at a mini-mart in Dalton to fuel up for the ride to the finish. Cokes, Pop-Tarts, corndogs and other processed food were happily devoured. The last 25 miles in were great. We all continued to feel great and weren't discouraged in the least by the seemingly never-ending rollers into Forest Grove. We were also happy to make it in just under 14hrs--13hrs 59 minutes. It was a great ride, much better than the 200k a few weeks ago. The Hilsen performed exceptionally. I really liked the set-up I had. Still, I managed to overpack. I didn't need the extra socks and gloves. While it was very wet and cold during parts of the ride the sun popped out here and there along the ride and I was never caught in any major downpours as other riders apparently were. Now it's time to pedal to work. I feel a pleasant fatigue and am looking forward to the 600k later in the year. I'll do the 400k in a few weeks but it's not a ride or distance I really enjoy. If I could, I'd rather ride two 600ks and use one of them for my 400k towards my Super Randonneur award but I can't squeeze a second 600k into my schedule. Perhaps the new bike will help make the 400k a little more enjoyable. A few pictures from the ride: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/sets/72157626363581246/with/5563934539/ These were taken with my phone but my plan is to have a real digital camera by the time of the 400k. --mike -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
