Heartland Ferry

After a week of being in the garage, doing the U2 pain tour, it was nice to be out on the open road. My dad and I met two guys (one I knew from work and his friend) 10 miles from the house in Newberg to the small town of Donald. We rode down to the Heartland Ferry on the Willamette River to find the ferry closed due to high water. So we stopped at the State Park, had a bite, and rode home. All told, 51+ miles in 3 1/2 hours. It wasn't a blistering pace but good enough to get a good work out. It was all about tempo and leg strength building today. I now know my own century route - ride south through Salem to Albany and back. It should be a good ride whenever I get it done.

Solvang is in three weeks. This means that next week, more miles and time on the bike.

It is good to have the Hogg back in the USA. I was really looking forward to being on the TdC route this year like I was last year. With the change, no can do. I will just have to catch it on Versus and see if I can see the Hogg at the top of Sierra Road. With all of his climbing, keeping up with him at Solvang will be a challenge. I'll just keep calling him at 4 AM to get him out of rhythm.

I think Yoda is lost to the Jedi world. Probably hanging out on Dagobah in some swamp, eating bugs and drinking green junk. Don't worry Yoda, your fellow Jedis will save you but you'll have to wait till August when HHH rolls around.