Kathy and I are training for a triathlon that happens the end of July near Cottage Grove. We run, we swim and we cycle but have never married the three. Yesterday we decided to try the course. We looked it up on line and took our bikes to the “Grove” and rode it. We made a few mistakes and instead of riding 25 miles rode 32 miles. It was a beautiful ride and afterwards we ran 6 miles. It was tough getting in the groove after riding a bike but discovered how doable this is. Granted we didn’t swim a mile first but we’ll work our way up.

Along the way we passed some beautiful scenery and ended our day at Belly’s Taqueria in Eugene where we had a great meal. The taco’s are great but a bit small but they are also fairly cheap so order a few. We had some calories to make up so we order a few. We also went to see the movie Salmon Fishing in Yemen and loved it.

We cleaned the moss off our roof in-between all that but how boring is that.

Kathy serves on the board to insure that clients have representation.

When talk of fundraising ideas arose a year or so ago she suggested a bike ride and yesterday it happened.

More than 100 riders turned out for the first ever Pedal For People Metric Century and in the bike riding community that is considered a huge success.

We started at Armitage Park in Eugene rode to Marcola, to Brownsville, to Coburg and back. In all we rode 65 miles. We had OSLP staff at three spots along the way to feed and encourage us. We even had a big party waiting for us when we got back.

OSLP raised a lot of money and, best of all; spread the message and awareness about people with disabilities.

I’m very proud of my wife. She took her hobby and her love for her brother and helped create something tangible, fun and hopefully long lasting.

If you missed this years Pedal For People, you should join us next year.

You should join Kathy and me for a bike ride this weekend. The weather looks like it’s going to be great next weekend and do I have a bike ride for you. The money raised goes to help the agency where my brother-in-law Chip Diehm lives. Pedal For People takes you out in the countryside and after the ride provides you some food, drink and live music. It’s a great way to help out a wonderful cause and have fun at the same time. See you next Saturday.

It was so nice to get my butt back on a bike today. Kathy and I haven’t ridden a long ride in a long time. We don’t like to ride when the weather is crappy and it seems that’s all we’ve had lately is crappy weather. We met a friend Shawn Litson and had a great time. We started at Creswell Coffee Shop, headed south on Sears Road to Cottage Grove, went through downtown CG on Main Street and headed out as main turns into Lorane Highway. We stopped for a power bar in Lorane, passed King Estate Winery, turned right on Hamm Road and that takes you right back to Creswell Coffee where we all three had lunch. It’s a 43 mile ride with two really big hills and it took us just over 2 hours. Kathy and I are warming up for next weekend when we ride the Pedal for People fundraiser for Oregon Supported Living Program.

I’m not sure who the guy with the sombrero is but he showed up at a dinner we were at last night. He’s really obnoxious.

Axe murders need not show up.

Hood River to The Dalles: Cycling from Rick Dancer on Vimeo.

This is one of the greatest, most scenic bike rides you will find. We started at our hotel on the West side of Hood River near the Columbia Gorge Hotel.

When you get to the East side of town, you cross the bridge as if heading back to the highway or if you go left you head to Mount Hood. For this ride just go straight onto the old Columbia Gorge Highway.

After a few miles you will spot a parking lot where you can also begin your journey however you must pay to park there. For the next four to five miles traffic is not allowed on the roadway. It’s such a beautiful mix of slight hills and downhill’s. You can tell by the white wooden post guardrails that you are on the old scenic highway. You will even go into an old tunnel.

You come out at Mosier and then the ride starts to get a bit more difficult. There are big hills and some really fun downhill runs.

Just stay on that road all the way to The Dalles. When you get into The Dalles you take one of the first rights at a big Home Depot Store. At the end of that street take another right, you go up a slight hill for a mile or two and take a right on Seven Mile High Road. There’s a sign there that says 12 miles to Mosier. The next four miles are steep and high and some of the most scenic road you will find in Oregon.

Once you come back down into Mosier, stop at the Ten Speed Restaurant for a sandwich and something to drink. It’s an earthy place, good sandwiches and they have drinks even beer if you’d like.

You climb back up the hill to the scenic highway and head back into Hood River. Total mileage is about 45.

This really is a ride you need to take. If you don’t like the hills, go to the scenic mountain before you get to The Dalles and head back.

Take plenty of water, a snack and if it’s a nice day you can always hike into a small water fall right as you come back into Mosier. It’s a crowded place on a hot day but a nice way to cool off.

We had the best ride today. Kathy and I woke up, decided church would consist of spokes, quiet time, nature and a friend.

We started our ride at our favorite Creswell Coffee shop, Creswell Coffee. We headed east to Sears road (right)and traveled south to Cottage Grove. You pass the Creswell Castle (which I have been inside before but that’s another story). You ride along I-5 and the river until you get to Cottage Grove.

Take a right on Row River Road and then get on Main Street and go right through Cottage Grove. If you want stop by Fleur De Les for some coffee and then on through town. Main becomes Cottage Grove/Lorane Hwy. As you get to Lorane you can stop by the little store for a break/lunch or by King Estate (Nice spot but a huge hill to climb for lunch).

We forgot our directions and had to use my phone to get on track. You turn right on Hamm Road just about 2 miles from King Estate. Follow Hamm Road that turns into Camas Swale Road. That road takes you right through Creswell and back to the Creswell Coffee Shop.

Creswell Coffee Shop is great place for lunch. Great sandwiches and amazing soups.

Total mileage is 42.5. It took us about 2.45 hours to ride it. There are two really long, high hills to climb. One just outside of Cottage Grove on the way to Lorane and one off Hamm Road. To be honest it is one heck of a high road. If you are a beginner you may not want to do Hamm Road. We loved it but it really is a high, steep road.

Oh, take a peanut butter sandwich, lots of liquid and your phone and have fun.

Start in Crabtree.  Go to Hungry Hill Rd Head East. Lft Hwy. 226/Rt. Montgomery Dr/Rt Richardson Gap Rd./Lft. Oupor Dr/Lft. Fish Hatchery Dr./Lft Larwood dr./Lft to Stayton Larwood Dr./Rt Richardson Cap Rd./ Turns into Ridge Dr.(Stay Straight) Rt. Spring Valley Dr/Rt. Valley View Dr./Rt.Kingston Jordan Rd SE (hwy 226) Lft Jordan Rd./ Rt. Camp Morrison Dr./Lft. Hwy 226/Rt.Shimanek Bridge Dr./Lft Richardson Gap Rd./Rt Hwy 226 into Scio/Lft on Main St/Left on Gilkey rd./ Stay on Gilkey and take Lft on Crabtree Drive.

Oh, and have fun.

We parked at the church right in Crabtree.

On the way home stop at Grandpa’s Produce Stand. It’s not fancy, it’s not marketed well, just fresh, local produce.