I've been off the bike for several weeks now dealing with some physical issues so I have to resort to posting a video I took during a ride in early July. It's a little crude but you get an idea what it is like to descend Hurricane Ridge on a nice day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxxlUfr3Yvc

Superb! Or should I say Superbe?

Hope you are back on the bike soon.

Same road as usual except this summer its a corn tunnel. The deer cross traffic is terrible. :eek:


http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/a...corntunnel.jpg

Thanks for all the comments regarding the RAMROD.

I spent the last couple of days in the town of Packwood, with my family. We've done some hiking and exploring by car around Mt. Rainier. Yesterday before we left, I got out for an early ride out on Hwy 12. From the RAMROD and the hiking on Friday, my left knee is aching pretty good. 20 miles of relatively flat road was about all I could muster.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...073144_848.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...3632_122-1.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...081112_092.jpg

Today we're off to ride on the Banks Vernonia trail, outside of Portland.

Today's weather prediction was ambiguous. We hoped to take the tandem out for a few hours real early before the rain and regular Sunday traffic started. Instead it rained (sort of) during the early morning so we didn't get out until 11. Still got in 34 miles. Moving avg speed 13.7, a new high for us. Stopped for some pics in Concord Center, classic New England style.

First Parish, built four times, the 4th version being:
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/Ri...ishConcord.jpg

On the font lawn is this bell:
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/Ri...4/BikeBell.jpg

Inscription on the bell reads Cast by G H Holbrook, Medway, Mass, 1826:
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/Ri...llHolbrook.jpg
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/Ri...llMedwayMA.jpg
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/Ri...4/Bell1826.jpg

Storm front moving in.
 

It was in the mid 70's today (Fahrenheit), a perfect riding temperature..
I got in my 12 miles or so, watching as the sky darkened to the west.
Yet, the suns rays still shone through at the bottom edges of the cloud mass.
Don't be fooled!

Rode the 2 miles home at top speed, with seconds to spare before the deluge.

Shown is my '72 Peugeot PX-10 that I bought new for $286.,
including truck shipping, (a few years ago).
Recently restored to near original (Cinelli bar and 3ttt stem).
It is my favorite bike, ride is perfect. If I could only have one, this would be it.

Matt! You came to Port Angeles and didn't even call me? Was it something I said?

Oh, well. The way my July went I probably couldn't have ridden the Hurricane with you anyways :(

August is looking better already, with 70 miles logged so far despite just finishing a 56-hour shift
at the hotel. After that I rode out to my mom's place on Lake Crescent in to have a cocktail-hour margarita on the dock and take
the Hobie Mirage for a quick pedal/paddle before sundown.

Gratuitously including the Grandis in the photo:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d.../photo-107.jpg

What's the mileage on Hurricane Ridge and maximum gradient? I want to do Mount Rainier before the summer is out, but before I drive all that way I'd rather do a primer closer to home. HR sounds (and looks) like a good one.

Nice vid, Matt :)

DD

Sorry caveman, I did think of you but this trip was a quick one where I was invited by others. Didn't even stop in town afterwards. Just went home.

D. Dude, to do it proper, you'd want to start at the waterfront making the ride somewhere near 40 miles R/T.
The max gradient isn't an issue. Be prepared though for the first 5 miles. It is steep and doesn't let up till you get to the heart o the hills fee station. If you're riding a 42x24 granny I guarantee you will be out of the saddle.... alot.. If I were you, I start with Rainier or Baker as a primer. Hurricane is the big daddy of em all.

My family came from Trondheim/Stordahl area. I have yet to visit, but that looks gorgeous! By the way, is it hard to pedal the bike in those Telemark skiis?

Today was miles to nowhere while I morn the loss of my Father. He left us this Sunday. I miss him too much to think of much else.

Sorry, no pictures.

I'm sorry to hear, @3speedslow. The quiet solitude of the open road and moving yourself along it are a fine way to be with your thoughts. Ride safe.

Trondheim/Stordahl is a long way from Telemark but I'm sure it's beautifull up there too. Haven't been there meself though.

Well, it really is relentless. There is only about 25 ft of descending in the entire 20 miles (if you start at sea level, as I always do; which makes it pretty much exactly 40 miles, RT). Which means you've got about 5,300 ft of ascending to do. Personally, I take at least a half dozen rest stops along the way, and go through a lot of granola bars, water, etc. As far as gearing is concerned, I've only done it on bikes equipped with triples up front or a 34T big cog on back.

DD, give me a call if you're going to come out and use it as a "primer" for Baker or Rainier. I'll be your excuse for making it a leisurely ride, rather than a sprint :)

Today, little climb on the French riviera...with my PEUGEOT "competition 7000" an excellent road climber !

http://s20.postimg.org/475lgvfjh/peu..._08_2014_6.jpg


http://s20.postimg.org/4in1tmvzh/peu...08_2014_20.jpg

http://s20.postimg.org/6eefija7h/peu..._08_2014_8.jpg

It's not a lovely as the French rivera (great pictures Papik), but I did a quick after work ride today.

Mostly flat, but a few scenic climbs like this one...
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...4&d=1407369097

My hopes for a 20mph ride were dashed by a couple larger than me objects...
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...8&d=1407369104
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...5&d=1407369100

So I enjoyed my trip along the river instead
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1407369101
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...7&d=1407369103

@3speedslow, my deepest condolences. I did the same thing when my father died 10 years ago next week. Riding, time, and the love of friends and family all help me get through hard times. But, damn it's hard.
Brent

No photos as I'm too busy keeping my hands on the handle bars in heavy winds. Days like this and I would be up in the hills on the mountain bike smelling pine trees and enjoying nature. Well, Saturday Mother Nature decided to turn the tables on us with a lightning storm which sparked a wildfire that has increased from 1800 acres to close to 8000 since Monday afternoon. Much of that pristine area I ride in is now going up in smoke. Much like the northwestern portion of the state forest did 2 summers ago. The only good thing is we haven't had to evacuate despite yesterday causing some anxiety as the fire really exploded in heavy winds.

I rode my 1992 Grandis Max (Columbus Max tubeset, 175mm 28-46 TA cranks, 11-32 nine speed cassette, Shimano XTR rear der, Campagnolo Chorus front der, CLB Compact brakes, etc) up the San Diego County coastline a bit, shown here at Swami's
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=397831

Summer reruns: I did this ride again, same bike, same weather, almost the exact same route, except a month earlier than last year, and no salmon running in the river this time. Also added a stop by my buddy Van's house, to take him out for the middle 20 miles in my 60+ miler, making it a little gentler for that portion of the ride, as he's one of those poor souls afflicted by the disadvantages of a modern carbon bike, and has a little difficulty keeping up sometimes. :(

The 1986 Univega Nuovo Sport is still 100% factory original, except the air in the tires and the saddle. Just a really, really nice bike. Everything seems just right for my size and riding style. I realize I'm going to have to replace those 28-year-old skinwall tires someday, but they've still got less that 200 miles on them, so I'm thinking maybe next year?
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...n/IMG_2249.jpg

Not much riding this week. it started with a huge family reunion for my Mother's 87 Bday. That and a Dr appt. took care of Fri, Sat, Sun. Monday I got a nice 42 miler in checking out some more new roads with less traffic. Tuesday I got a nice 36 miler in but thanks to my sleeveless jersey I got sun in a place that hasn't seen the sun in a few years. I got this bad burn on the back of my right shoulder, not both just the right one. It hurt so bad last night I had trouble sleeping. Wed was off for sunburn and weather, and today for job hunting (thanks Dick Cheney and P.A.T.T.)

I don't know how many times I have been past this old Inn the last few weeks, but Tuesday I noticed what was on this sign for the first time

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...0&d=1407456935


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=397979http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=397980

No sprint - don't worry about that. I want to slog it and make a day out of it :)

Feel pretty good about tackling it with a 24T as my bailout. Why? Because last night, when I removed my straight-block to swap to the 14-24 unit I discovered I'd been doing all my climbing not on a 21T bailout as I'd thought, but a 19T! And I only used it twice while climbing Skyline in PDX, which means almost all my climbing lately has been done with an 18T cog or higher.

Since I tend to stand a lot while climbing, no biggie. I suppose in the end the siren-song of that descent will be enough to get me to the top.

I'll PM with my number. I'm planning on doing the ride either Saturday or Sunday. Sunday would be preferable as I'd have all day Saturday to get over there, get a room at your hotel and then be ready to go first thing in the morning.

DD

So many wonderful pictures - wish I had more time to ride!! We visited the in-laws this past weekend and got three rides in:

My wife on the 10 mile hill climb up Hyalite Canyon outside Bozeman:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/IMG_2598.jpg

Looking down Hyalite Creek:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/IMG_2600.jpg

We left the kiddos behind with the family on Sunday and rode 54 miles out to Three Forks (headwaters of the Missouri):
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/km...=w1790-h493-no

Of the 54 miles, 17 of the were on gravel. It was a hot day (low 90's) and there was no public water after mile 10. We had to stop at a farm not far from this old barn to ask for a refill.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P...o/IMG_2606.JPG

Our route took us past Madison Buffalo Jump where we took a nap which put my wife in a good enough mood to let me take her picture:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c...o/IMG_2609.JPG

We finally arrived at Sacajawea Hotel (which I was a little skeptical about spending money on just to have a night out on our own) and was immediately won over when the concierge offered us champagne ("sparkling wine" for you Frenchies paying attention) and a chilled, lavender-scented towel. He said it was "for your body" so I promptly used on my entire sweaty, dusty body until my wife smacked me and told me to "just take a shower." :innocent:

Then he had us hook, line and sinker when he whispered, "Normally I'm only supposed to offer one glass, but you can come back for more champagne!" And right after we had been discussing whether or not the hotel had ghost stories (built in 1910) he offered to give us a ghost tour in a part of the hotel where guests don't stay! (And he had more champagne! :beer:

We spent a blissful evening enjoying our coffee and crème brûlée on this porch watching the sun go down and the moon come up:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...o/IMG_2617.jpg

We took a slightly shorter, easier route home. It doesn't look like much, but we are on a bridge over the Gallatin River as it joins the Jefferson and Madison (in the background below the rock cliffs) to form the headwaters of the Missouri River:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A...o/IMG_2619.JPG

The ride home took us through downtown Manhattan...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mV...=w1040-h728-no
... Montana. We just missed the annual Potato Festival! (Sign in upper left.)

My hats off to all gravel grinders and riders. Loved the RAMROD summary @Roger M - we have a similar ride for Camp Make a Dream that must be inspired by yours called the RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day). That video of your descent looked awesome @northbend - helmet camera?

Keep the posts coming everyone!!!

PM back atcha. I'll book you a room for Sat nite and we'll go climb that little hill Sunday morning. Get here early enough on Sat and we can do a nice flat sundown ride depending on how many checkins are expected that night.

I have to move you guys are kicking my bum in the photography dept!