Thursday Ride Report with pictures

Today was a nice 30 miler. I gotta be honest with you, after the freezing cold and hunter disrupted Sauvie Island ride I wasn't feeling the bike rides. I was spending more time trying to figure out the weather, dodge the weather, and predict the weather than I was riding. I was looking for an elusive nice day with some sun and above freezing temps and I just wasn't getting one.

Until today! I decided to try another ride across the river into Washington. One of my first training rides was over there, but not the one I wanted to do today and I hadn't been back across the water since.

The route was so-so but the ride was great. The sun was out, the temps were the nicest yet and I was able to feel my toes the whole time.

I left the house and headed up Willamette, then cut across the peninsula for the dreaded I5 bride. That bridge is a beast. It isn't even fun to cross in a car. And the designers decided the walkway/bikeway needed only be about 9 inches wide. Not the best, but it didn't last too long. Once across I turned down into Vancouver and headed...west? The road was wide with no cars and a big shoulder. Though not the most scenic, I was happy for the quiet and the sun. The ride ended at Vancouver Lake where I turned around and headed back.

All told, a nice day. I'm super excited to be riding after a little slump, and I'm beyond excited for tomorrow's 60-70 miler with Glenn. Word is this route is gonna be epic. You'll know when I do!

And hey, if you've donated to my ride (www.firstgiving.com/joshhooten) thank you sooooo much. We're halfway there! You all are the best and make this all so much easier for me to take on.

-Josh