Kentucky - #15 - Horsey Hundred

I started to think that I'm not getting any younger and if I want to do these state century rides I need to pick up the pace.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9152700866

 

My early state century rides - recap

Wisconsin Northwoods tour century

As part of the first day of riding I added 20mi before and 20mi after (plus a bit in the middle for a century ride

https://www.strava.com/activities/7523276028

 KJ 100 Bike ride - Jackson, TN

https://www.strava.com/activities/6089293127

 Great Illinois Bike Tour Century

We finished on a very hot day of riding with about 75 miles.  In post COVID fashion, the hotel was backed up.  after sitting around for a bit I went back out in the heat to get a century ride.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5470640659

New Mexico '18 - Enchanted Circle

New Mexico Biking '18

I wondered what I wanted to do for my bike adventure.  The best option I heard was from Andy.  "I've always wanted to do the Enchanted Circle ride".  I talked Dwayne into making the trip; and better I talked Dwayne into driving his Explorer so we could ride in comfort.

Day One:

Red River, NM is a 10 hour drive.  There is not much between Bartlesville and Red River.  The lunch stop in Guymon proved to be great.  El Pollo Ranchero was great!  Aside from food we were entertained with an audio book, "The Martian".  It was definitely entertaining.

Finally made it Red River.  We got a good amount of rain coming into New Mexico and into he mountains.  Rain was in the extended forecast for every day we were going to ride.

Red River, NM

The Condo

Day Two:

I had a few plans for pre-rides in the area.  The first biking stop was Raton, NM.  There is a 6 mile climb into a canyon to the Colorado border.  Rain was a threat for late morning/afternoon so we left early.

Heading toward the canyon.  The sky looks a bit angry

Me near the top

Dwayne near the top

Turns to gravel at the state line. 

route for the day

Stop on the way back to look at cool mountains

Never had rain on day 2.

Day Three:

Santa Fe.  Today I've planned a 15 mile climb up to the Santa Fe Ski Area.  

Day Four:

Nothing  - mandatory rest day

Day Five:

Enchanted Circle Century

Lots of great views on this ride

Dwayne was nice enough to wait.

It's literally all downhill now

118 mile average at mile 90 turned into something much less by the time we were done.  The last hill was a killer.

Day five:

 

Our return entertainment.  I would recommend this audio book.

Oh no!  she stopped working

And then it started just fine after a 2 hour tow.

We made it home without anymore issues.  Whew...

Seattle to Portland '17

Seattle to Portland '17

I met a guy at Hotter 'n Hell last year with a Seattle to Portland T-shirt.  I knew about the ride but this got me interested.  I didn't have anything else planned for the year so this turned into my destination.

This was only a one day event and the family wasn't going so I had to plan other riding and activity.

Day One:

Eugene, One of my favorite coworkers, left us about 6 months ago.  Fittingly he lives close to Eugene, OR.  So the first stop off the plane had to be Eugene.

Day Two:

Pick up my Rental Bike and visit Mt Tabor.  I can remember driving in this park before and I tried to explore all roads in all directions.  It was extra great because cars aren't allowed in the park on Wednesday

Looking toward Portland downtown

Mt Hood

That's not going to happen

Mt. St Helens

route map or Mt Tabor and visiting a area I lived one summer.

Day Three:

Seattle to Portland is a one way ride.  So, I'm taking AMTRAK to Seattle.

Wow, they have payphones!

Nice of AMTRAK to leave me down by the water in downtown Seattle.

A bike traffic signal.  We have to obey traffic signals?

Not shy at all.

A bit of time before I can check into my hotel.  I better take a one hour harbor cruise.

On the way to the hotel I found this interesting landmark.

And had the best meal ever at Din Tai Fung.

Day Four:

Greg, an ex-coworker that I started with in 1990, lives North of Seattle.  He took the day off and we went for a ride around some country East of Seattle.

Scenic with a few cool downhills

I probably should have rested more considering what I was doing the next day

Day Five:  Seattle to Portland

4:45 AM start

Where did everybody go?  For a 200 mile ride I wasn't alone too much.

Hey, here are some people.

I rode with a number of people off and on.  I kept running into Phil and his friends.  He has lived in Dallas and has done the hh100.  And Jim who I talked to on the bike and for a while at the 150 mile rest stop.  And, no I don't have a picture of any of them.

Crossing the Columbia River into Oregon

Crossing the Willamette River (and looking onto Downtown Portland)

M....F***er!

So, I passed a wavering townie rider in Portland on the left without announcing myself.  This turned into me being called MF'r at least 4 times.  I really didn't get close to this guy; but I've now been accosted on the bike in the most chill city in North America.  Hmm, maybe I am a MF'r.  Sorry for the folks who have to ride with me.

206 miles later thankfully.  (I took this after I finished)

Woo!  One day finisher.  There was a two day option too.

11:45 riding time

13:12 overall time

perfect weather

From the dump truck.

Day Six:

Rest day!  Everybody needs one sometimes.  Went to see "Baby Driver" then met Cindy and Steve, my step-sister and her husband, for a long lunch.  It was good to catch up on the Oregon family.

This day ended in Astoria, OR.

The Atomic Motel.  It served me well.

Day Seven:

Back to the bike.  Let's ride down Hwy 101!

translation:  Park with restroom; but it was nice.

Wrong side of the blue line and you are a goner.

So much climbing in Ecola State Park

The climb was worth the view

This was creepy

Extreme NW corner of OR

Looking back on Astoria

102 great miles.  Actually there is too much traffic on 101.

Grabbed the hotel bike to catch the sunset

Day Eight:

Astoria Column

View from the top of the column

Day Nine:

Heading home

Be early and first in line

To get delayed and spend 5 hours in the Portland airport.  Better than many airports and AA gave me money for lunch.