Date: September 4&5Combined mileage: 49.0
September mileage: 54.0
I spent the past two mornings riding the island roads with Geoff. Geoff and I hardly ever rode together during the summer because he was always training for mountain running, and I always insisted on four-hour rides whenever I could squeeze them in. But now we're both in a fitness lull, eager to explore our new home and unconcerned with upping our VO2 Max. For all of that time spent apart, though, we're having a hard time synchronizing our road riding. He can still outclimb me without even breaking a sweat. But today, I somehow dropped him cold on the flats, putting nearly a mile between us before I started to get worried and turned around.
As soon as I can get over my aversion to riding in downpours, I think I’ll begin to appreciate just how great the daily road riding opportunities from my doorstep really are. The route to Eagle Crest Ski Resort climbs 1,200 feet in 5.2 miles on a smooth, scenic canyon road that sees almost zero vehicle traffic this time of year. The North Douglas Highway snakes along the ocean shoreline for 13 miles, occasionally breaking away from the rainforest for sweeping views of jagged, glacier-capped peaks and a treeline draped in puffs of clouds. I can cross the bridge to downtown and ride my fill of lung-searing, 20-percent grades, then roll along the Thane Highway and cross numerous salmon-choked streams. Or, if I’m feeling destination-inclined, I can take the valley bike path 11 miles to the base of a giant glacier. For as limited as my options are, I think it’s going to take me a long time to get tired of riding these rides.
Sounds like some fun routes. I not to much of a fan of rainy rides but coffee does wonders for me =)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have some great rides. Most of us have a lot mmore options of where we can ride each day. But I know myself that I tend to ride the same three or four loops most of the time. So in a way I am limited by my own choices. I think most riders do that. Consider yourself fortunate that your three or four rides are incredibly scenic. By the way stop by my blog when you have a minute and check out my new snowbike. A bike like this could also handle all those roots and mud you have in your neck if the woods. Doug
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