The B

Howdy

Local riders from Scappoose/Saint Helens/Columbia City/etc out there? Anyone on Strava? Are there any local clubs out here? Any fairly open, semi-organized, loose affiliations? Any fellow soloists looking for someone to race between 'Poose and Saint Helens with? Facebook pages? ETC?

-B

The B

Bump

I started a facebook page called Columbia County Cycling - https://www.facebook.com/groups/508738899252669/

fietsbob

Sorry, mate, I'm in Clatsop County.

The B

Another bump, now that summer's coming around full swing

Wildwood 

I think you are getting your answer. Must be lonely down there.

In 2008 I rode between Rainier and St. Helens a few times. And also in the Seaside-Astoria area.

The B

Fer srsly.

There's some dudes on Strava... I've already gone around and nabbed all their KOMs, hoping to shake the hornets nest... but it seems none of them actually live around here (the better times) or care (the slower times).

Wildwood 

Some guys just can't be baited (by Strava).

B. Carfree

Your theme song:

AngelaK

I'm in Scappoose. New rider on a new bike and trying to just log some miles. Usually ride around the Scappoose airport and along Dike Rd but curious about the paved trail that runs along Hwy 30 out by Tide Creek Rd. Any info on where it starts/stops?

trainsktg

Ah...I had to quit lurking and sign up just to say there really are a few more of us from CC here. You'll usually catch me in between St. Helens and Portland somewhere along 30 or up the Crown-Z, creeping along in a Big Dummy. I just did the Banks to Vernonia trail and back for the first time last Thursday with a bunch from work.

Edit - Hey B, aren't you also on NWFA... ...?

Keith

trainsktg

I participated in my first 'pace line' of sorts with a couple from St. Helens to Scappoose on Sunday. Two hard core racing bikes followed by...the Big Dummy. An unlikely looking team up to say the least, but very fun. I made it the whole way without having to drop back once. Pushing a 45# bike at road speed is really packing on the muscle .

Keith

The B

Haven't logged in for a while!

Howdy! Sounds like Trojan Park? I'm not aware of any other trails out that way, but Trojan Park has a couple of miles worth of paved trails, I believe... some surely wind through along the highway

Yes.... how'd you recognize me?? I don't seem to be too popular 'round that place....

Nice... pacelining is fun, when you can actually get a good one together. I've had very mixed results trying to get non-competitive cyclists to run a disciplined line.

45 lbs?? What the hell are you riding??

You on Strava?

trainsktg

A 45# bike...that would be...the aforementioned 'Big Dummy'. That's the model's real name...Surly does stuff like that. I'm not sure which is the bigger dummy though, the bike, or me trying to use a cargo bike like it's a road bike.

I believe your NWFA bike thread was one of the more lively ones. I just reread it all again a few days ago.

Strava? Yes, I'm on it but just got it like a week or two ago so I'm still figuring it all out. So far, I've just been using it to compare times against my bike computer's. I've only been riding like four months now. Never rode as a kid and only commuted for a few months in 1990.

Keith

trainsktg

Alrighty, considering that the Dummy is an expensive steel bike, I decided to keep it newer, longer and get another bike for winter riding, so I picked up a Giant Defy last weekend. First run from Scappoose to St, Helens today was about 5mph over my previous best time, and I averaged 20mph on the way back after a coffee with my wife at Starbucks. I guess that's OK for only riding four months. I'm gonna take it up to Rainier tomorrow and try Rainier Hill to see how much better up (and down) a 20# bike will do . I hit 36.2 mph on the Dummy last time, surely over 40 is possible now.

Keith

The B

Sweet! congrats on the upgrade... a true road bike is a true dream to ride on roads.

Watch for me out there... Brushed Ti frame with bright red bar tape and tires (although tomorrow I'll gave gray gravel tires on 'er)

What's your Strava profile name? I can be found under my last name - there's only two of us (my wife and I) on all of Strava.

The B

Or here.... better way to spot me:



The yellow/white/black "Paceline" cycling cap is a dead ringer, too

trainsktg

No need to search for you on Strava...all I have to do is look for who's in the top two or three of a particular segment .

Last name is Gordon...I think I can be found in the middle of the pack somewhere . That's OK, as I heard someone else say here "I'm only riding against the guy in the mirror and Father Time and they both ride the same bike I do. "

Edit: Oh yeah, how to recognize me...I have a grey MTB helmet with a red bandana underneath, black and grey cammo MTB shorts, and a red cotton tank top...total roadie attire. Sometimes I'll throw on an orange long-sleeved Tshirt or a grey sweater on colder mornings.

I'll probably start riding out to Rainier about 8AM or so provided it isn't drizzly like this morning was.

Upgrade? Mmm...different bike with a specialized purpose and certainly faster, but the Defy still won't be my main bike. I don't think I'd ever try take it up CrownZ all the way to Vernonia and back on the gravelly parts of Dixie Mountain loaded for an overnighter, but the Dummy handles that with ease.

Keith

trainsktg

Here you go, me on the left, but now minus the beard.



Keith

fietsbob

How do you like the Scapoose -Vernonia road?

trainsktg

Banks to Vernonia is nice, completely paved, and any type of bike can be ridden on it. The 'other half', Crown-Z - Vernonia to Scappoose, not so much. Sections are broken pavement, others loam-covered or just dirt, although sporadic improvements are happening. There is an abandoned train tunnel that I've found the location for and plan to check out next time I am up there.

Keith

The B

I haven't ridden the trail. I should right now while I have gravel tires on the steed, though..

I ride the highway itself as rarely as possible. What an incredibly unfriendly road for cyclists. I actually got my shoulder brushed by some **** ****** that passed me in the lane against oncoming traffic while I was TT'd out on the tops and basically max-effort around 33mph. The fog line was practically in the gravel, one of the few short stretches where there's not even a 4" shoulder. Couldn't believe I didn't go down, I wobbled around so much before I finally straightened 'er out. What a POS human being.

Speed limit is 45, I was going almost 35. Can't tap the f'ing brakes and go around 3-5 seconds later?

Unfortunately, I have to ride the highway for short linkups between the hills to the north and south. Cater/Walker on the north side, Sierks to Pisgah on the south. Great climbing roads, almost zero traffic... but you have to do about 2 miles on ScapVern to get from one to the other.