Sounds like y’all had a hell of a ride, pics and ride report please!

@scaler911

@co-mo

Report from the fat old man grupetto:
Thanks frank and mcsqueak for pulling me across the I-205 bridge. I made it to Sandy in time for a late lunch. Also added some extra miles when I somehow got off-course near Corbet. All-in-all a great route, with savage headwind.

Thanks for the update. I wanted to e-mail you last night, but had cleared out my inbox, trash and sent folders. Glad you made it, I can’t imagine riding in that wind alone. I’ll post up a follow up article real soon with all (some) of the details and all (a few I do have some leverage on G’rilla and Fränk now) of the photos. Thanks for coming out!!

“Leverage” like G’rilla’s urine-soaked pants? The trick for the group is to guess who’s urine it was. (Hint: not his, not mine, and not Scaler’s.)
@mcsqueak
Indeed. Scaler reported the wind at 55kmph.

Naw. I was thinking about the photos I have of you on the leather recliner at 0030, and of G’rilla out by the fire going all “Middle Eastern”.

@co-mo

Report from the fat old man grupetto:
Thanks frank and mcsqueak for pulling me across the I-205 bridge. I made it to Sandy in time for a late lunch. Also added some extra miles when I somehow got off-course near Corbet. All-in-all a great route, with savage headwind.

Thanks for the update. I wanted to e-mail you last night, but had cleared out my inbox, trash and sent folders. Glad you made it, I can’t imagine riding in that wind alone. I’ll post up a follow up article real soon with all (some) of the details and all (a few I do have some leverage on G’rilla and Fränk now) of the photos. Thanks for coming out!!

“Leverage” like G’rilla’s urine-soaked pants? The trick for the group is to guess who’s urine it was. (Hint: not his, not mine, and not Scaler’s.)

@mcsqueak
Indeed. Scaler reported the wind at 55kmph.

Oof, I think you may have mis-underestimated the wind speed by 20kph or so. Much time was spent leaning into the wind in order to not be flung sideways into the person riding next to you. Having to brace against the wind while stopped is also a good time.

Report from the fat old man grupetto:
Thanks frank and mcsqueak for pulling me across the I-205 bridge. I made it to Sandy in time for a late lunch. Also added some extra miles when I somehow got off-course near Corbet. All-in-all a great route, with savage headwind.

Thanks for the update. I wanted to e-mail you last night, but had cleared out my inbox, trash and sent folders. Glad you made it, I can’t imagine riding in that wind alone. I’ll post up a follow up article real soon with all (some) of the details and all (a few I do have some leverage on G’rilla and Fränk now) of the photos. Thanks for coming out!!

Thanks frank and mcsqueak for pulling me across the I-205 bridge. I made it to Sandy in time for a late lunch. Also added some extra miles when I somehow got off-course near Corbet. All-in-all a great route, with savage headwind.

Hat tip to you!

I was reminded to ask because I work out near the entrance of the gorge (in fact we’ll be riding right behind my office at one point), and I noticed the strong winds.

Overall it looks like a good day considering it’s February!

10AM:
4.5C (40F)
East winds around 10 kph (5 knots)
Abundant Sunshine
Note: When you cross the river and more so when you head away from town expect the winds to pick up quickly out of the east, to closer to 15 kph.

4PM:
8.3C (47F)
East winds around 18 kph (10 knots)
Abundant Sunshine
Note: Probably the driest and gustiest time of the day.

6PM:
5C (41F)
East winds east and down to around 10 kph (5 knots)
Clear Skies
Note: Sunset is officially 5:21 PM

General Notes:
The high pressure that will be bringing rather nice weather for the season will be however creating enough pressure gradient to give some breezy conditions tomorrow, especially around midday. Winds were rather gusty today, and while tomorrow does not look as bad, heading east will most likely be met with resistance. Skies should be clear, maybe some high clouds but in general clear. Also note dewpoints will be in the 20s, so things will feel quite dry by midday. Lastly, note that unless I state otherwise winds are sustained, not gusts. That means a few gusts above those numbers are possible, and seeing how gusty today was, expect a few tomorrow. Enjoy the Ride!

Last call for anyone else joining us for beers/food at the NE Williams Ave. Hopworks Bike Bar tomorrow at 7 pm?

I’m going down there early to score us some seats but I can’t save you room if I don’t know your coming.

So far I think it’s going to be Scaler, Frank, G’rilla, and myself. I’ll save six seats just in case some extras show up. Feel free to show up without warning, but you could wind up having to stand!

@scaler911
Here’s the plan: You and I will sit on the front all day, controlling the pace and quoting the Shit Cyclists Say video. I’ve got all the “*blank* makes such a difference” and “is that carbon?” lines. That will keep people either way behind us, or they’ll attack us. No way will someone just sit there at tollerate it.

Good option,
My thought is this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjLikEwfEwQ

We talk like these guys the whole ride.

@scaler911
Here’s the plan: You and I will sit on the front all day, controlling the pace and quoting the Shit Cyclists Say video. I’ve got all the “*blank* makes such a difference” and “is that carbon?” lines. That will keep people either way behind us, or they’ll attack us. No way will someone just sit there at tollerate it.

the commentary aside, just the gas alone will force the issue…

Just remember to bring your lightest bell.

I’m guessing I’m going to be hurting at the end myself.

I already call dibs as “lead” for the slow poke grupetto.

I am getting so excited for this ride! Especially now that the weather is looking pretty solid.
We should plan for a lunch stop in Sandy, perhaps? I imagine they have a choice of coffee shops and whatnot. On the Whidbey cogal it was nice to stop and recharge for a bit with a snack, and it’ll be after all the major climbing is done.
PS Scaler, did you spot me bonking on Saturday? I went downhill pretty fast after we turned around. Nothing to eat for four hours except a granola bar doesn’t exactly cut it for my caloric needs. I was dragging serious ass by the time I got back to my side of town. I will be loading my pockets up with goodies for this ride…

I’m guessing I’m going to be hurting at the end myself. What you need is the ol’ Eddie B Atom Bottle for the end of the ride. Bonus points to anyone but Oli that can tell me what was in it.

We should plan for a lunch stop in Sandy, perhaps? I imagine they have a choice of coffee shops and whatnot. On the Whidbey cogal it was nice to stop and recharge for a bit with a snack, and it’ll be after all the major climbing is done.

PS Scaler, did you spot me bonking on Saturday? I went downhill pretty fast after we turned around. Nothing to eat for four hours except a granola bar doesn’t exactly cut it for my caloric needs. I was dragging serious ass by the time I got back to my side of town. I will be loading my pockets up with goodies for this ride…

Rain, shine, count me in. Do not, however, expect me to show up with fenders.
Eat my spray, fucktards.

Nipple lube!
On a sidenote (and the reason @gaswepass brought this up I assume), is we had a hugh flame war on our teams site about using fenders. I maintain; we live in the PNW, and no matter what you do, you’re going to get wet, so quit being pussies. Apparently myself and one of the other directors are alone in that attitude.

Eat my spray, fucktards.

When we were prepping for the Whidbey island cogal, I remember some sort of vague threats from Frank towards anyone who was thinking about showing up with fenders…

Is anyone up for drinks/food the night before the ride?

I’m still thinking the Hopworks bike bar over on NE Williams. Maybe something like 7 pm, so those coming down from Seattle (or elsewhere) can get into town and settled wherever they are staying?

I can go there after work a little early and get us on the seating list if I have an idea of who all would be interested in joining for a drink.

Any input from a professional, @KingClydesdale?

May Merckx smile upon us with decent weather…

@mcsqueak

@gaswepass
Nicely done G’rilla. Looking forward to following you and Frank up the climbs in a few weeks.
As to @gaswepass: I gotta convert him to the road. I love me some ‘cross (watching form the sidelines), but RR is PRO. He’s coming along nicely I might add. Just need to start working on McSqueek now. Just more to add to the fact that I’m the development team director for the team I ride for. Tho I feel like I’m turning into whoever it was that was yelling at Frank whilst smoking a cig, during his march up Haleakala. Going slowly from racer to coach.

Hah, awesome stories. The last place I lived across town before I moved in with the VMH, there was a guy who I’d always see walking his kid up and down the sidewalk. I finally met one him one day as I was getting ready to leave for a ride, as he started asking me questions about my Felt. Turns out he raced at PIR all the time and had broken his collar bone the past season. Sort of sad I moved shortly thereafter and didn’t get to know him better.

I’m in the front yard, washing mud and grass off my bike. I should have done it last night right after the race. I hear a voice.
“Hey, is that a Van Dessel with disc brakes?”
A man crosses the street, carrying a small baby.
“Yeah, do you race cross?” I ask.
“I used to, but I stopped riding bikes altogether when I had kids. I’ve recently started running to get some exercise.”
“Dude, I have two kids age 2 and 4. That’s no reason to stop riding.”
His eyes brightened up. I saw a glint of gears turning, memories of that frame still in the garage, that box of spare parts that might just be enough to build something.
“It’s good to see someone using a cross bike to ride cross,” he said as he slowly walked away.
Rule #11, delivered.

We have a 3 n 6 yr old. The other dads, when they realize I’m gettin out to do cross, start asking a lotta questions. I like to describe cross as “fight club” for “normal” people. Or, reliving playing in the mud like a child to bring me closer to identifying with them (the kids) again(insert wifely eye roll here!). Either way, now that the breed n bloat is completed, thank god for bike racing- squash just was destroying my knees. Now scaler is trying to turn me into a roadie (makin him grayer by the day!).

NIce job at the cross race, btw! haven’t had a chance to ride in such a small group, sounds awesome! Most of the pdx races have >100 (and occasionally more than 200…) in my class.

“Hey, is that a Van Dessel with disc brakes?”

A man crosses the street, carrying a small baby.

“Yeah, do you race cross?” I ask.

“I used to, but I stopped riding bikes altogether when I had kids. I’ve recently started running to get some exercise.”

“Dude, I have two kids age 2 and 4. That’s no reason to stop riding.”

His eyes brightened up. I saw a glint of gears turning, memories of that frame still in the garage, that box of spare parts that might just be enough to build something.

“It’s good to see someone using a cross bike to ride cross,” he said as he slowly walked away.

Rule #11, delivered.

Joking aside, glad no one was hurt.

Ridiculously well designed courses with crazy features. They actually built a pro-style flyover in a public park for this one. Unlike other leagues, the lowest ranks ride about 45 minutes instead of the standard 30.

In the start after my race, someone spilled in the first 50 meters and took down two other riders. I’ve never seen spokes shredded quite like that. It was as if someone revved a chainsaw and sliced a line right through 1/4 of the spokes in the front wheel. Fortunately no one was hurt (someone caught the whole thing in video on a smartphone and replayed it on the spot!).

We had mud, rain, and a bit of snow. I felt really strong and finished 4th out of 13 in my division. A great end to my first year of racing cross!

[dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/topfunky/2012.01.15.02.53.22/”/]

ahhh so gutted I am missing it – work stuff means I will be on my way back from Japan – this ride is RAD ( I think rad has fallen out of favour so I am bringing it back!!)
The climbs are great, the scenery lush – it will be a great ride.
I think I may try and organize one later in the year – how about a Lolo Pass ride or a ride from Hood River Scaler?

@mcsqueak

@Gerard
Ah, that’s too bad! Japan is pretty badass though.
Even if it’s not an official cogal, I’d love to go on some country rides out of Hood River/The Dalles. I’ve heard there is excellent riding out there, but I’ve never been.

@frank

@Gerard

ahhh so gutted I am missing it – work stuff means I will be on my way back from Japan – this ride is RAD ( I think rad has fallen out of favour so I am bringing it back!!)
The climbs are great, the scenery lush – it will be a great ride.
I think I may try and organize one later in the year – how about a Lolo Pass ride or a ride from Hood River Scaler?

Nothin’ wrong with a summer Cogal in P-Town! Set it up and we’ll do it! No shortage of amazing rides around there, I’m told.

Sounds like a job for @Gerard! If this doesn’t turn into a disaster, I’d be glad to help. Too bad you can’t make the current one though. If the weather holds like it has been (which sucks for skiing), we might even get some views!

ahhh so gutted I am missing it – work stuff means I will be on my way back from Japan – this ride is RAD ( I think rad has fallen out of favour so I am bringing it back!!)
The climbs are great, the scenery lush – it will be a great ride.
I think I may try and organize one later in the year – how about a Lolo Pass ride or a ride from Hood River Scaler?

Nothin’ wrong with a summer Cogal in P-Town! Set it up and we’ll do it! No shortage of amazing rides around there, I’m told.

Ah, that’s too bad! Japan is pretty badass though.

Even if it’s not an official cogal, I’d love to go on some country rides out of Hood River/The Dalles. I’ve heard there is excellent riding out there, but I’ve never been.

That photo shows a great country road that I loved riding on a daily loop when I had 2-3 free hours to ride. Depending on how I approached, I’d either ride out of PA and into NY or out of NY and into PA. It was always quiet, cool, and damp on that stretch, whether rain or snow or runoff on the road.

It remains special to me because I moved back in with the Olds kind of late in life because I was in graduate school in town, why not live with my family, right? For some it seems odd, but maybe not for others. Anyway, I had a great time, and I really, really earned my Velominati wings there. Tons of riding, lots of climbs, a lot of learning about myself while in the saddle.

To be back home at an advanced age and have the outlet of heading out on my bicycle whenever I needed, or felt like it, was incredible. Hence, it’s not just about the bike!

@Oli

@ChrisO
I’ll take the km/h, but I still maintain that kph is less wrong (and more used) than kmph which I’ve never seen used in the real world. I am fully cognisant of the etymological origins of the word kilometre, but as it’s written as one word I guess that’s why it’s used in this fashion.
FYI, the ‘p’ in kph quite clearly does explain the ‘per’ concept, which is why kph does equate to mph – kilometres (one word) per hour v. miles per hour.
Hope this assists in your understanding, and I welcome your input on RdV’s breakfast selections at the first available opportunity. I am feeling somewhat unwelcome up here in the Pacific Northwest, so I will now leave you to your arrangements.

Actually (as the one who wrote that) I’d say its certainly less orthodox the way I wrote it, but I also disagree that its wrong. Convention certainly agrees with you and there’s an argument to be made with how sloppily people speak these days that convention takes precedence over what’s right or wrong.

That said, there’s nothing at all wrong with saying kmph. Its just unusual. Kinda like me.

Ah, that’s too bad – but yeah, I can understand coming all the way up from CA isn’t the most feasible for one-day ride.

Oh hey, that looks like a really fun ride. Not a whole lot of elevation gain for the distance, and the hills don’t look too bad. Granted – I won’t keep up if you tend to climb at 20kph… My climbing, while I enjoy it, isn’t among the fastest. (But it’s my goal to work on that this year)

Sadly, I won’t be able to make this Cogal. I’m saving up for my atomic tourism in late March. (Gonna go see the Trinity Test Site!)

Thanks for the awesome Sunday morning heads up.

On another note, did my first true, proper 161 km ride yesterday! Done plenty of 140s & such, but never went all in. Left late so had to ITT to a group winter charity ride, did the ride, then rode to meet the VMH at the local dairy for ice cream. It was 67*F here. Oh, and I had to do it on my cross bike. After two years of Steerer Tube Cutting Anxiety I took it in to the new shop on Friday to get it cut. They cut it too short! (on my LOOK!) Ah! Too shocked to be upset, but they did contact LOOK and they seem to have the same 2009 fork around, so I guess it’ll get sorted. And my cross bike was skipping in about three gears because I tossed my road wheels on & the cassette is different than my cross wheels, so I guess the chain wasn’t happy.

Anyway, happy to be in the 161km klub.

Cool lead photo. Reminds me of one of my favorite stretches of road on one of my favorite routes:

Of course, this one is across the country right at the border where I’d ride from New York into Pennsylvania. A sunny day, but plenty of wet ones as well. Lots of clouds and rain on the many rides I did there.

Have fun at the Portland ride!

Glad to hear that some of our neighbors from the north might make it down!

FYI, the ‘p’ in kph quite clearly does explain the ‘per’ concept, which is why kph does equate to mph – kilometres (one word) per hour v. miles per hour.

Hope this assists in your understanding, and I welcome your input on RdV’s breakfast selections at the first available opportunity. I am feeling somewhat unwelcome up here in the Pacific Northwest, so I will now leave you to your arrangements.

@Champs, @robertsexton
All the route, start time, etc is located on the Cogal Event Page.

Aha! Right under my nose. Looks like a good ride, with some “Climbing”. A nice flat spin with a lunch ride ( Class V Lunch Ride ) in the middle :-)

Each rider will be assigned a bidon filled with a random Portland microbrew and will write a report immediately after.

I hope I get a Hair of the Dog.

Unrelated, I rode some Seattle cobbles this morning on the cross bike, knobby tires inflated to 50psi. It felt like cheating…the tires smoothed out the major bumps really well.

Granted, these were fairly flat bricks and not European kindernoggins.

I’m with robertsexton in wanting to know a bit more about the route. I’m good for some climbing, and for 127k, but for both in February, I’m not exactly… err, peaking, i.e. fitting into all my kit.
Unlike the Skeleton Man, I want to have some kind of idea what the climbs are like before putting myself out there with a 38×25 botom gear at 40%.

Ahh, but that’s the point. The beauty of this ride is that it’s not in June or July. Great weather, you’re peaking. The joy of this is going to come from the suffering among friends. As to the climbs: relatively short and steep. All close together in the middle of the ride. But again, as I wrote in the article, there is no bailout. Once you’re in the climbs, either way is up and down and up.
Gonna be a blast.

…it’s too easy to hit “post” on an iPad…

Funny, the differences in sub-cultures. I guess I’m used to writing kmph from my Nordic days, but my iPad wants to correct kmph into kph, so Steve Jobs (used to) agrees with you!

@Oli

Can I just poke my nose in to point out that the abbreviation is kph, not kmph?

Oi, Oli, I don’t post about what Roger de Vlaeminck had on his cornflakes the morning of Het Volk in 1972…

Roger was a real man, he ate steak for breakfast, not cereal.

Can I just poke my nose in to point out that the abbreviation is kph, not kmph?

Oi, Oli, I don’t post about what Roger de Vlaeminck had on his cornflakes the morning of Het Volk in 1972…

And actually I would suggest you’re both wrong but Frank is less wrong.

k simply means 1000 in the metric notation system as in kg, km, kj so kph has no meaning because there is nothing to say what units there are a thousand of. You use it because it equates visibly to mph but the m is a unit.

km/h is the correct usage, so in Frank’s version he at least use p to express the per concept.

Unlike the Skeleton Man, I want to have some kind of idea what the climbs are like before putting myself out there with a 38×25 botom gear at 40%.

I drove San Jose to Portland two years ago. That was a very long day. Theres gotta be a better way.

There is: ride from San Jose to Portland in however many days it takes.

Anyone from Vancouver, BC planning on heading down? Carpool? Also looking to see if Amtrack will do the business.

Amtrak will drop you off about 3K from my house. If you end up booking that, let me know and I can provide transportation from there to wherever you are staying.

Only if you fly up here and correct us in person!

What? No climb up Larch Mt.?

knock yourself out. The gate’s closed though.

I prefer the term carb loading.

Would 7 PM be an appropriate time to gather?

I’ll probably be off the back somewhere, so I’ll just catch up.