Monday, August 18, 2014

Summer 200Km Results

Philippe Andre
Donald Brightbill
Norm Carr
Asta Chastain
Douglas Hiebert
Kathy Mullet
Ron Mullet
Susan Otcenas
Theo Roffe
Del Scharffenberg
Gary Smith

all completed the DRR Summer 200 Km brevet. Well done and thanks to all riders for making it a successful event.

It was a beautiful, if a little warm, day of new (to many) roads and wonderfully quiet central Oregon scenery, thanks to a well-thought out route that carefully avoided the traffic of 97 and 197, visited plenty of interesting sites and sights along the way, and provided just the right amount of elevation challenge for a late-season brevet.

Many thanks to Susan for all her hard work researching and documenting the route, for delivering an impeccably put together brevet, and for generally being a dream organizer. Special thanks to Cathy and Marcie for volunteering to provide shade and fluids and snacks to hot and thirsty riders at out-of-the-way but well-chosen and very welcome locations.

~~~~~~~~~

That was the last DRR ACP brevet of 2014. It's been a fun year on the bike so far and it's been lovely to welcome so many riders who have travelled to our events. We hope everyone has enjoyed our season as much as we have and to see you again for some of our rides next year. Bring your friends! All always welcome.

Meanwhile, be well, happy cycling, and watch this site for announcements of any group permanents and suchlike that might happen during the fall and winter, and news of our plans for 2015.

- Norm

Monday, August 4, 2014

DRR Summer 200K - A River Runs Through It. 8/16/2014

Organizer: Susan Otcenas

Ride date: Saturday 16th of August 2014

Sunrise: 06:07
Sunset: 20:11

Sign in from: 06:30
Start at: 07:00
Finish by: 20:30

Fee: $10 (cash only, at the ride start)

Start/Finish location: Riverfront Parking Lot at Brewery Overpass Rd (Interstate 84 Exit 85) The Dalles, Oregon  (Use CAR parking lot on RIGHT, not boat parking lot on left.)

Lights and reflective gear required as per RUSA rules.

Route cue sheet is here

Map / GPS download



SIGN UP to ride HERE

or you can see who else is riding


Due to the likelihood of high heat, the distance between controls, and the exposure to sun (ie. lack of shade) on many of the roads we will be traversing,  we are requiring all riders to carry three water bottles.  We are hoping to have a manned water stop on the longest stretch of road between services, but please do not count on it.

Join us as we explore roads that are not often explored on brevets.   The ride starts and finishes at the Riverfront Parking Lot in The Dalles.   Bathrooms are available at the start.

Our ride first heards north over the Columbia River and visits the Maryhill Stonehenge Memorial for an information control.  Look to the southwest for great views of Mt. Hood!



Back over the bridge at Biggs Junction at mile 25 you will find your LAST opportunity for water until Mile 46.  Riders are STRONGLY encouraged to fill all three water bottles at this location, as there is a lot of climbing in those intervening 21 miles.  On a hot day, you will go through that water quickly.

The climb up Fulton Canyon Road is long, but well graded.  And nearly devoid of cars!  Along the way you'll be treated to fantastic scenery.

Climbing Fulton Canyon Rd.

The old church at Locust Grove

Junction of Fulton Canyon & Van Gilder
The next control is in Moro.   Those with lots of time in the bank may opt for the Cafe.   Those with less time may opt for the convenience store, with a pit stop in the public restrooms in the park across the Street.

Moro.
Grass Valley is just 10 miles down the road.  Although not a control, riders are encouraged to top up their water bottles, as the next opportunity is not until Tygh Valley, which is another 30+ miles and at least one good climb away.

After some amazing views of the Mt. Hood and Mt Jefferson, the roads drops down an incredibly twisty, seriously fun canyon road, through Buck Hollow and down to the Deschutes River at Sherar's Bridge.

Mt Hood

The Deschutes River near Sherar's Bridge
After a short flat out-n-back to an info control, a climb out of the canyon will take riders to the next control at Tygh Valley.   Once again, please fill all three of your bottles, as the climb up Tygh Ridge is long.  Most riders will do this climb in mid-afternoon when the temps will reach their highest.   If you are lucky. you will see elk on the slopes to your right as you climb.

Once you summit Tygh Ridge at mile 97, pat yourself on the back.   You've done nearly all of the climbing there is to be done!   Most of the rest of the ride is downhill, with just 600 feet left to do over the remaining 29 miles.

A rippin' descent on Dufur Gap Rd will take you to an info control (keep an eye on your odometer and don't miss it!) and then on into Dufur.   Kramer's Market will be a welcome refuge on a hot day with lots of tasty options for food and drink.

Ask not what Dufur can do fer you.  Ask what you can do fer Dufur.
Finally, 20 miles of (mostly) downhill backroads will take you back to The Dalles, where you will be welcomed at the park by a smiling, happy volunteer.

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th!

(BTW, need a place to stay on Friday and/or Saturday night?  Cousins is always a great option,with a convenient Denny's a short walk away for an early a.m. breakfast.)

++++

Again, due to the likelihood of high heat, the distance between controls, and the exposure to sun (ie. lack of shade) on many of the roads we will be traversing,  we are requiring all riders to carry three water bottles.  We are hoping to have a manned water stop on the longest stretch of road between services, but please do not count on it.