McMinnville Ride

Our group has shrunk to four due to others having to drop out for a variety of reasons. We are sorry they won't be with us but wish them well on their other adventures.   Dana, Gale, Lisa and Nancy FINALLY all got together and rode together for the first time last week, on June 4.  We met in McMinnville where we were treated to wonderful treats by Dana & Fran's (Dana's mom) friend Steve.  Dana led our ride over "hill and dell" out Peavine Rd., then over a big hill to Gopher Valley Rd. with the ulterior motive of getting us to the Sheridan Dairy Queen on Hwy. 18.  We, of course, had to eat (with all of the cycling we are doing we tend to be constantly hungry!), then headed back to Steve's house.  We rode 30.5 miles, and were greeted with cobbler and ice cream!  The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed the ride!

Training Rides

Some of us have had the opportunity during the past couple of weeks to do some training rides together.  Last Thursday, April 15, Dana, Gale and Nancy met in Sheridan, Oregon and rode almost to the end of Rock Creek Road; there was 3 miles of nonstop fairly steep incline.  We then rode about halfway back down then took Buck Hollow Road (another hill) over to SW Willamina Road, which we rode for awhile in the direction of the Coast Range.  We backtracked, rode a bit further on SW Willamina Rd., then backtracked again and rode back over Buck Hollow Road to Rock Creek Rd, and back to our cars.  This was a ride of about 30 miles, with LOTS of climbing - a good training ride!  It was also a beautiful day - we rode in shorts and took off our jackets!

Yesterday, April 21, Dana, Lucinda and Nancy met at Champoeg State Park.  Lucinda took us on a route through St. Louis and St. Paul, then back to Champoeg where Nancy and Dana were able to take some extra time to ride around the park.  It was the perfect time of year for this ride as everything was in bloom.  This is really a beautiful ride with few hills and little traffic.  We rode 40.8 miles.