30 Days of April: April 26

Shall I begin with rain again? Or maybe the moments without rain!

One moment without rain was fortunate during Vickie's flat tire repair ;'-), The major other moment --- we had sunshine while we were in the tavern having our lunch! And in between those two things we got totally soaked in a very heavy shower that lasted for about three miles before it began to taper. The tavern for lunch wasn't just for eating -- it was for drying out.

But first -- the beginning of the route took us through some nice neighborhoods in that ever present mist that became drizzle.

 

A little color to brighten up this gray day.

Our ride today took us by the University of Portland again, from the other direction. So we did a little loop on the grounds before continuing on.

 

 

Beautiful trees line the driveway entrance.

 

Our intention was to continue across the slough along a foot/bike bridge and onto the slough trail. We had seen the "bridge closed" sign that said it would reopen on 4/29. Curious, we continued on to see if maybe we could scoot around some barriers or something, as often happens with a bike. But...

 

...we had to turn around and look for another way.

Vickie found us an alternative way to get across the slough on her phone map app. The alternate route took us onto some industrial area roads and that is where we think Vickie picked up the industrial "tack" that ran right through her tire, her tube and to the wheel rim.

We were heading to Kelly Point Park for an overview of the confluence of the Columbia and Wilamette Rivers.

 

Squinting into sun!

The ship is heading out on the Columbia. The tug in leaving the Wilamette.

 

This is where Lewis & Clark got confused.

We had our moment of sun while looking over the rivers, took the trail all around and through the park, and rejoined our route on the bikeway/sidewalk along a highway. There was traffic, but at least we were not riding on the road.

In just a few moments the deluge hit us and we were in full hard rain for several miles. Cold, wet and hungry, we found a tavern that served food. Walking through the parking lot to the entrance of an old building, it looked like a place where you might "knock three times and tell 'em Joe sent you".

 

 

Bartender said we could put our bikes in the enclosed patio. And with the sun coming out again we considered eating out here. But we were too cold from our rain episode.

 

 

The bar had some decent choices for food also ;-)

 

There were about half a dozen regulars at the bar.

After our comfort food of pulled pork sandwiches with a side of mac 'n cheese we were at least warm if not totally dry. The five more miles of our return trip retraced some of our outgoing route as we cut it a bit short due to that detour that would not allow us on the slough trail going the "other" way either.

Blue sky came out as we neared the car. We pass through some to the Port of Portland area which explains the truck traffic.

Another day, another ride in the rain. Glad we did I it, no need to do this one again either. Both of us are a little underwhelmed with the bike rides around Portland. Lots of highway riding, big trucks and not a lot of scenery. The in-city bike infrastructure is definitely a plus for Portland, and we will be on some of those roadways tomorrow as we do the short waterfront loop before heading home.

 

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30 Days of April: April 25

I am tired of the rain!

It rained for our entire 38 mile ride and was so consistent that at one point I forgot that it was raining.

We drove to a park to begin our ride today. The bike ride to Sauvie Island was ... ummm... awful. It was on a highway that had huge trucks and lots of cars speeding by and spraying us with gritty rain water. The shoulder was fine in most places, but some parts had heavy grit or mud or gravel one had to maneuver around.

We finally got to the bridge that took us to Sauvie Island.

 

 

Most of my photos seemed to be blurry on this day. An indication of how I was feeling.

 

Our route was around the 13 mile loop on the right of this photo.

 

Some history

Any place that has the word "island" in it always draws me to it, and I had, for a long time, wanted to bike on Sauvie Island just outside of Portland.

Vickie and I both ended up feeling that the loop ride on Sauvie was bland and boring. The season has not opened yet, so all the farm fields are empty and all the produce stands are closed. It is a totally flat island so there are no views to climb up to see, and no picnic areas or shelters to stop at for a rest or snack stop. We finally came to one porta potty about halfway around the loop which also had a trail heading "up" to something. We took the short trail up to the view of a pond and sat on a bench there to eat our lunch under the rain.

Not too much to take photos of but I did find a couple of mailboxes of interest, and flowers in truck beds.

 

 

I think there is a lot of beauty in the fields and at the produce stands once the season opens, but that would bring a lot more traffic to the island and with no shoulder on the road, biking may not be too fun.

 

We took a stand up snack stop here.

 

 

Once off the island we faced that traffic highway again for the return trip. Several miles along this highway the route map took us onto the Rte. 30 bypass. Sounded great to get off that Rte. 30.

Up a climbing hill, we came to St. John's bridge which by passed the highway, to get us across the river (the Willamette I think).

The bridge was high and long, and the two lanes carried fast and crowded traffic. With the sidewalk narrow and the bridge rail close, we walked over the (long) bridge. Still raining, still getting sprayed with grit.

Finally arrived at a quiet neighborhood to ride through, and to our tea stop. As we enjoyed our tea and crumpet in nice a little coffee shop the rain poured in earnest. We were in the right spot at the right time.

Back in the saddle we did enjoy some nice back streets of quiet neighborhoods and were surprised to ride through the University of Portland, and even more surprised that it is a Jesuit school.

 

With more time and less rain, it would be nice to ride through campus. We just rode past it.

Dreading crossing another bridge to get to "our" side, we were so pleasantly surprised by yet more bicycle infrastructure of Portland.

 

Cars and trains roll above us as we cross on the bike and pedestrian level of the bridge.

We are each proud to have done this challenging ride, and both say -- we will never do it again, even withiout the rain!

 

You know what they say ... April "showers" bring May flowers.

 

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30 Days of April: April 24

Today would be a two parter. My friend Vickie was to pick me up at about 9:30 for the drive to Portland, OR where we would have a few days of bike riding adventures. There was definitely potential for rain in Portland that could thwart any plans for riding, or we might arrive there too late for a ride. To ensure that I would ride today, I got on my bike at 6:45 a.m. and had a delightful early morning spin.

It was the very quiet time that would soon awaken with school bus and car traffic jamming the roadway. But for another half hour it would be my roadway. My trip had to be relatively short as I needed to get ready for pick up. Riding to one of the elementary schools and back was perfect, and as no one was arriving at this hour I could roam around the grounds.

 

The climbing wall at Endeavor Sdchool

 

This is the first year that I have not seen planting done at their garden.

Got home in plenty of time to breakfast, finish last minute packing and be ready for Vickie. We drove to Portland in heavy, non-stop rain. It was far from pleasant, especially with all the truck traffic making visibility poor with all the rain spray they produce.

Vickie had arranged an air bnb -- my first experience with staying in someone's home. We are on the top floor of the three story house so have a little climb each day ;'-). Two bedrooms, kitchen, bath and living room make it very comfortable, and it is near public transit should we need it.

We unloaded everything, changed into cycling clothes and took a ride! We had the sucker hole of sunshine overhead.

With a little help from the downstairs tenant, we found our way to the beginning of the ride. This was one of several that Vickie had found online that includes map and cue sheet, and we could start from our house in the southeast neighborhood.

 

We paid heed to this sign and carefully crossed the tracks

 

Tilikum Bridge

 

There is a bike of different color and design on top of the Clinton St. sign on every corner.

 

Squirrels live on a good place ;'-)

 

Along Stillwater Trail

 

A local man walking the trail told us this is a crematorium.

In the few hours we rode, we had the sucker hole of sun, some light mist which became a drizzle, heavy rain, dry sky, and several repitions of this cycle. So you see -- just like Bogie and Bacall, we had it all!

The bicycle infrastructure in Portland is very impressive. Wide green bike lanes when possible, sharrows on the smaller streets, bikeway signs, easy access for crossing to all the streets a bike uses, bike traffic lights, too much to even explain. And there are lots of bike commuters as we became part of them on our late return to the bnb. They are all in a hurry and know exactly what they are doing and where they are going in a hurry as we fumble along -- reminiscent of Montreal, Canada where Susan and I jumped up onto a sidewalk to "think" what we would do next as the bike traffic sped by us.

 

Got home drenched again. Showered and went to one of many pubs for dinner. A full day!

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30 Days of April: April 23

Another day in the rain! My friend B-A and I are becoming quite the weathered riders and rain doesn't bother us much.

We arrived at Blyth Park in Bothell to begin our ride on Sammamish River trail with clouds overhead but no rain .. yet. About a dozen Cascade Bicycling Club (the big club around here) riders were gathering at the same place for their ride. Even their "social" and "moderate" paced rides are faster than we ride. We have both ridden with them in the past and basically had a miserable time. We dawdle, stop for photos, sightsee and find whatever feels good for the day. They RIDE!

Anyway, into about half an hour of our ride the light drizzle started and hardly felt like rain and we were having a fine time.

 

A favorite trail for all of us.

 

Following the Sammamish River we will ride over that bridge.

This trail can get very busy with cyclists, walkers, kids in and on all kinds of conveyances but this morning there was little traffic.

 

We stopped to appreciate the carpet of wild flowers at our wheel...

 

...and the trees that made a wall of what looked like moss lining the trail...

 

...and to take our usual water break at the bridge.

 

Making our way in some increasing rainfall, we came to Peet's for our tea stop (and where I was able to replenish my diminishing home supply). It was warm enough to sit outside under the roof eaves for our half hour break. Rain started in earnest.

 

Windmill at Marymoor Park

 

Heavier rain and wet trail kept it to ourselves for the return trip ;'-)

Dripping and soggy, we loaded up our bikes and stowed our gear for the drive to our homes. Another successful bike ride with a great friend and we each feel "accomplished".

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30 Days of April: April 22

How different can two consecutive days be!!! Yesterday sunny and 60s, today clouds, rain and cold!! Only in the PNW??

There is really not much to say about this day other than I got my 22nd ride in for April. I had a fairly nice plan for myself but it just didn't work out that way. I thought I would ride from Sarah's to the game, stay for the game and then ride home. I biked from Sarah's house and would meet the family at Jaydon's baseball game. I arrived at the field in plenty of time and no family members! And no Jaydon team. Then a call from Sarah to tell me the field had been changed to one across town.

Too far for me to bike and get there in time to see any of his game, so Susan picked up me and my bike for the drive to the "real" field.

By then the wind had really picked up and the clouds were getting darker. And it was cold. But the game got played.

 

2 year old Kaitlyn got some scoot bike time.

 

Jaydon -- number 8

 

Ready to run to second base.

 

Gotta get back to first base.

Colder and rainy by the time we were leaving the game. I stayed in the van for the drive home.

 

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30 Days of April: April 21

OMG what a gorgeous Spring Day!!! Sun. Deep Blue Sky. 60 degrees. Oh yes, I was cycling in bike shorts. Add to this four wonderful women who enjoy each other, love to have fun and love to bike and you have a PERFECT day!

 

Again -- I am the one in Bunny Ears!

Nakashima Barn. Japanese owners were sent to one of those camps during WW II. They never got anything back.

 

Half way point with snacks and laughs and rest ;'-)

 

Brenda got an inspiration for that photo above!

We cruised along the northern part of Centennial Trail to enjoy a little more "country" than the southern portion offers. Both parts of the trail are a delight, and some of us may get to ride both together if we join Cindy on her bike her birthday age ride this summer.

 

Several panels of mosaic art lines a wall on the trail.

 

A little music stop

 

Forming our own band.

 

I love my bike ;'-)

 

Big and not so big.

At our early rest stop a young woman came walking up the trail with her dog and a huge grin on her face. Laughingly she said.. "yesterday I rounded the corner on the trail and saw a guy on a bike pulling a trailer with a Rhinoceros on it. Today I round the corner and see a Bunny (my ears)!! What is going on here???" She had taken a photo of the Rhino and asked if she could take one of me. Of course! We had a nice long chat with her before taking to the trail again. A fun encounter.

 

There's a story here.

 

He is riding to raise money and awareness of endangered rhinos, and is on his way to San Diego.

Rhinoride.org for more important info:

The aim of the Long Ride to Free them is to raise funds and create global awareness for the current poaching crisis of the Rhinoceros in Southern Africa. In doing so, to shed the light on this urgent dilemma that involves rhinoceros and other keystone species worldwide. By bringing this issue to the forefront we strive to make a more positive impact in the way we interact and affect our natural world. Every 8 hours a Rhino is slaughtered for its horns... at this rate rhinos could be extinct in a decade,

 

Brenda had been telling us of her sighting of this guy the day before in Mill Creek, and didn't get a good photo of him.

All too soon it seemed, it was time to return to our start point. But not before tea/coffee and crumpets at the Pharmacy Stilly Cafe! Then we could call it a day and continue on to the end.

 

This eagle stood out at me.

 

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