[VBC Buddies] Ride Report - The Lorelei

[Rebecca Smith]

From multitudes and throngs of riders to a great mass of cyclist. If we would have had just one more rider we would have needed road use permits and the national guard to direct traffic. Thanks to ALL the riders who showed up today.

Our ride today began and ended with overcast skies. Little bit of heavy mist (ok, rain) up on top of the mountain but nothing in biblical proportions. There were some thin areas in the clouds as evidenced by bright expanses, unfortunately these bright areas didn't follow the route I wrote and in fact seemed to favor the Oregon side of the Columbia River. And while on this subject, the blue skies and 70 degree weather I ordered failed to arrive in time but we did have over sixteen and a half feet of dry pavement on this ride.

The wild killer hounds from hell at the top of Sunset View were once again safely behind the electrified reinforced barbed wire fence. No incident of them escaping over the mine field was reported to me. Again, one of the benefits of lagging behind on a climb is that the lead riders act as dog distractors - thanks guys.

We got to ride a few miles on Gibson Road before I sadistically turned the route onto Turner. Gibson Road, before it enters Skamania County is freshly paved - a small joy that only a cyclist can truly appreciate. Except for the 'up' parts it was mainly downhill to Vernon and Washougal River Road.

The climb up 17th to Blair was uneventful as was the climb up Blair. A few more little rollers mainly in the up direction and viola, before we knew it we were heading down Woodburn and back to the start. There, we were greeted by riders that turned left after the first climb (instead of right) with a "where have you guys been"? Knock eight miles off the ride and you too can finish first. :-)

My next ride The Partution will be on Monday, April 25 at 10:00. Hope to see youse there.