Talk'in it up

Stop me if you heard this one before... What do you get when you cross a 1/2 Gibb with a 1/2 Baldy ... a Bald Gibb (aren't they all bald by now) without the funky gold medallion!

"Here we are... in a room full of treasure... talk'in it up... talk'in about politics...it's the Barry Gibb talk show"


Let me explain - Monday was the big budget review with the Milgard Leadership Team. It was a long month of preparation for one day of execution - it went well. As always, we got some good feedback on our plans but also received praise for our location's results. I ran out of day light on Monday but I did get out on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for a total of 100 miles. Wednesday was big gear day as I rode the rollers and left it in the big gear all the way around,even on a few hills that I usually dropped down on. It felt good but hard. On Friday, I rode up half way to Gibb cemetary and then half way up to Bald Peak. The climbs felt good as the legs felt strong.

I got up early and was on the rode by 6:15 AM. It was still dark. As I rode over the Willamette river, the sun was just starting to light the morning sky, the fog was sitting in the trees and hovering over the water, the yellows, blues, and reds of the morning sky lighting the background...just beautiful! I headed down to Willamette Mission State Park and back. About mile 40, the legs started to feel the hard climbing from the night before and the going got a little tougher as I finished the last 10 miles.

After the ride, we headed over to Craig's game. He had a solid game - carrying the ball 8 times for 40 yards. I just love it when he runs up the middle. He has no fear. On several carries, the linebacker would step up and Craig would lower his shoulder and give the hit, gaining a few extra yards. Bam! All of his run except two were up the middle. He had an off tackle run that was backed up and he reversed field for a twenty yard gain. On a 4th and 2, he got the call up the middle and got the first down. On the other side of the ball, he had several solo tackles in the open field. Craig was laying the wood on both sides of the ball. Gotta love it!

It's been a good, full week.

Another Baldy Birthday

Last year for my birthday, I talked Christine into climbing up to Bald Peak by going up the steep Chehalem Road. This year I decided to add to the tradition by taking another route up to Baldy that I had not taken before. My boss had rode up to Baldy from the Hillsboro side and told me about the ride. I thought “hey, why not give it a try.” I started up Rex hill, then out Scholl’s Ferry to Scholls. I got on Hillsboro highway for a few miles and turned onto Bald Peak Road. I was moving at a good clip, averaging 19 MPH even with all the rollers and the little climb up Rex. I could feel the work out from last night as the road turned upward. This side climbs a bit different – steep for the first 3 miles with changing grades, flattens out, and then turns steep again the last mile before the park. The grades weren’t consistent like the Newberg side. I was able to get up in a little over 39 minutes. Not bad for not knowing the first half of the climb. There was not a lot of time to ride today. Craig had a game at 10 AM and it did not get light till about 7 AM.

All told, it was a nice week on the bike. Monday was a half Baldy, Wednesday was Gibb cemetery and Coral Creek, Friday was a 75 minute time trial, and Saturday was a back side Baldy for a total of 101 miles and a lot of climbing.

A note about Coral Creek: I had not ridden it for most of the summer. I decided to give it a try at the end of the Wednesday ride. I was riding my 11-23 for the first time up the hill. Without pushing, I equaled by best time up the hill. Maybe this next week, I will ride it with earnest and see what kind of time I can put up.

Congrats to Levi on winning the TT in the Vuelta today and for finishing on the podium.

See ya on the road.

Scoring

It has been a busy week with budget prep, mutual, riding, and football. The excitement for the week was Craig's second game. The league plays on the high school fields and the players get to experience what it feels like to be on the real field. The Tigers first possession, second play, Craig takes the hand off on a 34 dive - a run off tackle that ended up going up the middle. He broke a few tackles and is then in the secondary. He split the safeties. They get their hands on him and as they did, Craig kicked it into another gear and took it into the end zone - 50 yd TD. As he crossed into the end zone, he put both arms straight out. It looked like pure joy. In talking to Craig after the game, I asked where did the speed come from. His reply was "I saw the end zone and just wanted to get there." I sat in the stands and beamed. On his third carry of the game, he took the pitch, saw nothing, reversed field and ran for 60 more yards. All told, 7 carries for 132 yards and a TD. He had several tackles on defense as well. One was right in front of me, it was a sweep that he help to string out, as the back came towards the line, Craig popped him and got him to the ground. Nice tackle. He gave me a fist pump from the field. I got more joy out of seeing Craig do well than I can remember getting from playing. Thanks Buddy!

About the bike, 90+ miles this week with beautiful weather. Saturday was Yamhill, Carlton, Lafayette for 55 miles. I let the terrain handle the intervals as it is constant rollers. The difficulty this time of year is that at 6 AM it is 45 degrees - by 8 AM it is almost 60 with clear skies and sunny. I just love to ride. 700 miles to 5K.

Remembering

On Thursday night, I laid in my bed watching a History Channel compilation of film from 9/11/2001. As I laid there and probably like many others watching the show, I could recall exactly where and what I was doing that day. I was listening to National Public Radio and driving to work. Right before getting out of the car, the announcer says something to the effect that they were getting some interesting reports out of New York about a plane crashing into one of the towers. I can even remember my thought - some commuter had mistakenly crashed. I had no idea it was a large plane. I walked into the lunch room and the TV was on. As I stood there and watched, the second plane flew into the other tower. I felt angry and helpless as the towers came tumbling down.

Then my thoughts went to my mom. Her birthdate was 9/11. Instead of a day of celebration for my mom, it had turned into a day of anger and frustration for the nation.

Thanks to all the military personnel serving worldwide to protect our freedom and way of life. I know that freedom is not free and I salute you.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Rolling

The third major tour is going on right now in Spain with the only American on top after eight stages. Levi is riding in support of Alberto Contador. His strong time trial ride gave him the golden jersey. After a few days out of the lead, he got back in by just riding a strong stage today. Interesting tactics for Team Astana, they sent Contador up the road to blow up the race and let Levi sit back and ride easy. Although the mountains haven't been terrifically steep, Contador has been able to put some time into his rivals but not much. The steeper mountains are coming and Levi will be well rested to help Contador when the road turns up in stages 13 and 14. Excitement!

After riding the Col de Ashland, I can understand what a long, grueling climb can do to a rider's legs. Maybe not so much on the day of the ride but the next few days the fatigue sets in and the riding is harder. I felt the pain early in the week. I got on the bike on Monday for 50. It took the first 25 to get the legs loose. It didn't help that it was cooler weather either but once loose, I could ride fine. Tuesday was a rest day but I could feel my legs as I sat in budget review meetings. Wednesday night I got back on the bike for a short 21+ mile ride and I could feel the strength coming back but it was still there. If I had ridden longer, I feel my legs would have come back. Thursday was the payoff day. I rode to work and hit the hills on the way home. I rode in bigger gears and got up hills faster than before. The climb to the green house and up over Gibb cemetary was done in almost a minute less time. I was blown away as I stood to climb up the final quarter mile to the top of Gibb. I felt good. Granted, I am not a pro nor have the fitness of a pro but I understand a bit better now how a hard day in the saddle affects subsequent performances. Saturday was a calm 45 mile ride to Gaston, down to Yamhill, and back to Newberg over Laughlin road. All told 141+ miles for the week, putting me at 4,160 miles for the year. I can smell 5K. I hope the weather holds for a few more weeks so I can continue to put a dent into the last few hundred miles.

Craig had a game on Saturday. He is starting to get the game. He had a few tackles and a fumble recovery. I enjoyed walking the sideline talking to him about the game. He looked good.