An Act of Kindness

My thanks to Kris Jensen, Attorney At Law, who saw me walking along 1st Ave. in Sodo today with bike slung over shoulder, and gave me a ride all the way into work. Turns out Kris works down the block from me, and in the past, he'd commute from Burien to downtown.

So, how did I come to be walking instead of riding? Last Sunday, I put finished putting together an old wheel for which I'd ordered a freehub replacement (the old freehub pawls weren't catching). As I was putting the wheel together, I noticed one of the axle cones was very pitted. "Oh well," I thought to myself, not wanting to wait til I obtained a replacement cone, "now I'll see how far I can get with a pitted cone."

Now I know. Not far. Fourth day in, the bearings seized.

My thanks again to Kris for his act of kindness. I hope to encounter him on the road again, this time with me, at least, on a bike.

Crew Needed for Race Across Oregon

My teammates and I are in search of a 1-3 more crew for the 2008 Race Across Oregon (RAO). A positive attitude when sleep deprived is what we are looking for.

The basic plan is that we will have 2 full-sized vans with 2 racers and ideally 3 crew in each. Crew responsibilities are relatively minor at this point (we already have a "manager" and a wrench). We need people to help drive, help the racers when they start and stop their shifts, and make sure drivers are wide awake.

In addition to the race weekend below, we are going to do a team ride this weekend (June 21) to recon the course and practice riding relay style. Crew are welcome to join us this weekend for some fun in warm, dry eastern Oregon.

Our team is called the RAOd Warriors. We have yet to fully implement the Mad Max theme, but we do have jerseys that feature a nuclear explosion and a skull and crossbones. The other teams will no doubt shiver in fear.

I've ridden a bunch with Mike Stafford and Vic Stueber from Eugene, and Mark Mirante is Mike's brother in law and lives on the east side of Lake WA.

The racing plan is 40 minutes on, 2 hours rest. Repeat until baked 535 miles later at TImberline Lodge.

Here is the schedule:

Friday July 18, 2008
12:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Vehicle and Bicycle Inspection

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Meeting for solo riders

6:30 – 6:35 p.m. – Extended meeting time for Rookie Solo riders — you'll see who you're up against for RQ.

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Special Guest Speaker

8:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Meeting for 2 & 4 person relay teams

Saturday July 19, 2008
5 a.m. – Solo and tandem racers start. Please assemble at starting area by 4:45 a.m.

7 a.m. – Two and Four Person Relay racers start. Please assemble at starting area by 6:45 a.m. Note new starting time for Four Person Teams

Monday July 21, 2008
(Not sure we'll go to this) Post Race Banquet. The event after the event! Please join us for our special awards ceremony. 6:00 PM at the Portland Airport Holiday Inn.

Interested folks can email me at: cascade.cyclist@gmail.com, or call: 541.514.1502

Thanks!

Local Boy Matt Makes the Big Time

Matt Mikul is a local randonneur how has just achieved a bit of notoriety for having his mapping website veloroutes.org featured in the Washington Post. In his own words...