Thursday, June 2, 2011

Oregon Coast 600k: Rolling Like a River to the Sea, PBP Qualifier #3



I rode out with the rest of the gang for the start of the Oregon Coast 600k Brevet, and we crossed rivers like the one above, racing it to the seacoast.


Check out the little red one!




Eventually, we made it to the shore. I hadn't seen the Oregon coast in years; it didn't disappoint.



Seastacks and salt air tempted lingering, but alas I was Paris bound this trip. Oregon coast lingering must come another day.





Bill Alsup, veteran randonneur, and I rode many a mile together, but most were decidedly not as portrayed above. First, we mainly rode together at night. Second, it was mostly either raining or downright raining hard. Or foggy. Or all of the above when we were tired.

Bill's smile, however, as pictured above was never far away.

This was my second successful 600k, and it was tough. An hour's sleep only, and I got into this rhythm of getting into the controles near the limit, then eating and resting and lingering too long causing me to get to the next controle near the limit, etc. I have to say that the tension that's built by never having the cushion you'd like is itself wearing. Not advisable.

I ended up riding in to the finish with Will Goss, another vet, and it was great riding with both Bill and Will. Really a very friendly crowd of randonneurs those two days.

Many, many thanks to Susan Otcenas and Susan France. A well-organized and beautiful route!


Keep it coastly,

CurioRando