Hard Day In The Saddle

MONDAY

Monday’s tend to be tough with loads of climbing and this year was more of the same. First an early departure needs to be arranged. That entails begging Cascade the night before to allow everyone to leave at 06:00. After enough money has changed hands that is allowed. Today Highway 20 was on the menu. Six hours of climbing to the top but at least it was cool. Once we reached the summit the action started.

A beat up VW van pulls up and Ed jumps out. At least we hoped it was Ed. Now wearing a tie-dyed kit and looking a bit worse for wear at least he made is safely out of the commune. Turns out it was a nudist commune and they took his kit, bleached it white and then tie-dyed it.

Ed led us on the charge downhill and soon a threesome formed at the front. Ed, Terri and Betsy took turns in a paceline and were soon up to 50mph. Even when resting on the top tube Ed was having trouble keeping up with Terri and Betsy with those small 650 wheels really had to work. The rest of us took our time, enjoying the breeze since it had become very hot.

At the bottom of the pass we made a turn and had about 20 miles to go. What we encountered was a ride out of hell. Super hot, headwind and uphill. Coupled with being tired from climbing all morning it became an afternoon nobody will forget. After a few miles Janet and Matt Miller who were riding a tandem had a flat rear tire. A tree provided some shade although the farmer who owned it wanted to be paid. Money changed hands and before long the tube was repaired and we were on our way.

How hot was it? The road was melting and if that doesn’t give you a sense of the heat, Werner quit looking for trees to pee on. After what seemed to be hours we were in camp. Still blazing hot but at least there was water.

The “Dave’s” needed to cool off. Steam had been coming out of all four ears. Betsy and Terri blowing them away on a descent. NO WAY! But it happened. While they were learning how to be part of a civilized community the rest of us started setting up our tents. Well, everyone but Ed. His gear was nowhere to be found so he asked Peter Verbrugge, the event coordinator, where his gear was. Ed was informed that since he did not load it on the truck in the morning (remember he was at the nudist commune) it was Cascade policy to sell it to the highest bidder and put the money in the general fund. “Cascade can never pass up an opportunity to generate revenue” Ed was told. Not only that, Ed was no longer welcome to sleep in camp.

Now Ed only had what he was wearing, no place to sleep and the event coordinator was mad at him. Not good but…..

What came rolling into town but the Cobra Lounge. Ed had a tab there and they were willing to let him sleep behind the bar. Suddenly life was looking better. The Cobra would follow the ride and at least it was hot enough that Ed could wash in the river and get both his body and kit clean.

Tomorrow will be a rest day, probably a good thing.