The Willamette Valley blessed us all this year with its perfectly mild weather, ample sunshine and low winds. I headed out early Saturday morning, in the company of the century riders even though I had no ambitions to ride 100 miles.
I really enjoyed the rest stop at the refuge. I missed it last year, and really felt like I missed out. This years’ ride jersey highlighted the refuge, so I wanted to make sure to take some time to enjoy it this time around.

Early on, some vandals moved the ride signage so a large group of us, including support vehicles went off track! We pedaled in the wrong direction for several miles before the SAG drivers figured out the error. A lot of riders were frustration and angry. I was pretty happy to be in the company of others. I can’t count how many times I’ve gone off track completely alone!

The worst part of the ride was when I separated from all the century riders to do my 83. That entire stretch until met up with them again was uphill, with a steady, penetrating headwind. That stretch was also pretty desolate, I only saw maybe one other rider for an hour. But then I got to the lunch stop and it was amazing! While I miss the camaraderie of the sandwich team that used to prepare our lunches for so many years in a row, this fancy catered food was a treat! We had Korean style marinated and grilled chicken, jasmine coconut rice salad, and summer veggie pasta salad. It was all incredibly good and I wanted to eat more and more even though my belly said, “NO!”
Some of the Salem drivers shocked me. Some honked and one yelled, very clearly, out the window as he passed, “Get off the road, asshole!” This was while I pedaled on a marked and divided bike lane. I wanted to ask them what decade, what century, they thought they were living in. Bikes are everywhere whether you agree with it or not.

I didn’t see Bryan all day, who was driving SAG support on the family route, which didn’t intersect with mine. I also didn’t run into any Slugfish until the very end. The 2nd day made up for that.

Bryan and his SAG wagon at the distillery

The 2nd day was a much more social ride. I ran into Bryan at every stop. I pedaled with at least one or two Slugfish the entire time. I didn’t feel like riding at all, so I stayed at the rest stops for an inordinately long amount of time. I was so disinterested that after the first rest stop, I was 98% ready to call it quits. For some reason, I kept going and finished the route. The highlight of the 2nd day is always stopping at the distillery. We were treated with coffee-liquor ice cream cups. Yum! Towards the end we were showered with a little drizzle. It was just enough rain to remind us how happy we were that we didn’t have to ride in the rain. I also got stung by a bee on my calf. The rest of the ride was pretty good, and then it was time to take down the tent and be finished with another year.

It was a good year for fundraising. In 2015, thanks to my mom's help, I raised so much money I got in the top 100! I got "yellow" numbers and was highlighted on charts of Top Fundraisers around the camp. I felt really proud of having those yellow numbers, even though it was my mom who did the leg work on this one.

Check out my donor Thank You letter. It really has been an amazing year; an amazing 15 years.