Friday afternoon I began to think the title of this entry would be "The Epic Ride." Friday was such a trying day. I sat in the doctor's office for 2 hours watching 2 techs and a PA scratch their heads over how to draw my blood for work. The scene ended with me getting up and saying, "This is ridiculous. Stick a needle in my arm. Fill up the vials. How hard can it be? I'm going elsewhere!" And so I did. Then I spent over 4 hours sitting in Salem traffic trying to get to my Grandmother's 80th birthday party. Salem tried to deal with a suicidal man threatening to jump over the Marion street bridge. The bridge had to be closed and it happens to be the only artery to get in to town. 

I got into Seaquest State Park at 11:30 PM. I had to pull open the closed park gates and pup up a tent I have never seen before in complete darkness. Then I tried to fall asleep to the sounds of several drunken neighbor boys discoursing the faults of all their girlfriends by a glaring bonfire. I knew it would be an epic ride. But, the Tour De Blast - Bicycle Ride turned out to be fabulous! The morning began with me waking up to a bright, sunny blue sky. The weather predicted rain, and I carefully laid out head-to-toe waterproof gear in a way that I could put it on quickly without anything getting wet in the process. I pulled out of the park to see streams of bike-topped cars on the highway. Even though my arm tinged with pain, I began to feel excited! Supper happy fellows expertly directed the parking and landed me a spot right next to the walk way. Another woman cyclist parked next to me who, like myself, was riding solo. The ride started out cool and bright and most people were riding very slow. I wondered if they knew something I didn't. On the count of my arm, I took the ride very slow and spent a long time at each stop stretching and just being in different positions. I did need to stop a few times to rest on the hills, and did get to a point where I wondered what I was going and when the hills were going to end. But, I made it to the end-the farthest portion of Mt. St. Helen's that was accessible by road. Although the inclines were gradual and not too steep for slow pedaling, I zoomed on the way down, reaching cautious speeds of 40 mph. One thing I really need to comment on are the unusual snacks served at the rest areas. They were fantastic! -baked red potatoes with Lawry's Salt -Subway sandwiches, veggie, ham, and turkey -best oranges I ever ate -local-made brownies, chocolate-chip bars, lemon bars, strawberry bars, espresso and mocha bars -regular dilution Gatorade The after party was great fun as well. I met many people riding solo, and felt warmed by that. The patsa feed was okay under normal conditions, great after a long ride. Even though I finished late, the showers were warm and wonderful. I chatted with the ladies and we compared bike-short tan lines. I won, having ridden 2 months in Sunny Denver. Afterwards I got a brief massage from a local therapist who I decided was brilliant at her trade! A sports photgrapher made prints of every rider (there had to be over 1200) and posted them for sale, supporting a child cycling charity. I bought one. All in all it was a fantastic, challanging ride! start 7:00AM, elapsed time appox. 9 hours 82 miles, av approx. 12 mph HR av 151 riding, 138 overall, high 178 ascent 6,240 vertical feet low point 500', high points 4,200'