Review & Day 7

Since I failed to put any photos here yesterday, I do so today (another person in the group was kind enough to send them).  I mentioned that yesterday was a Mt. St. Helens Day which is here

 See the wheel there as a proof that this is not a stock photo.  Nor is this one of the terrifying bridge into Cascade Locks



For non-cycling readers of this communication (I flatter myself that there are one or two, certainly not more) who wonder about what we eat on these sorts of trips I offer the following:
     In addition to regular meals with such things as oatmeal for breakfast and sa lmon for dinner we have a variety of rest/sag/water stops to refuel along the way.  What is consumed at these stops varies but a couple of bite size Snickers, a couple of cookies, and a chunk of beef jerky accompanied by a glass of V8 juice and one of Coke is a good start.  Then, on the way out a handful of Jelly Bellies and 3 or 4 Tums all washed down with about a pint of Gatorade and a pint of water and one is ready for anything (likely including a visit to a gastroenterologist).  After all, on just the riding portion of the trip I go through between 4000 and 7,000 calories per day, which along with those just keeping me alive, need to be replaced somehow.

Day 7.

Two days ago was Mt. Rainier Day, yesterday was Mt. St. Helen's day and today was Mt. Hood day.  The mountain in the distance is where were going

And here is where we arrived, the famous, historical monument Timberline Lodge at the highest accessible point on the mountain, where we spent the night

It is an interesting and beautiful place where I could go skiing tomorrow morning at 7 AM if only I knew how.  The ride here was supposed to be some absurd length but fortunately road construction and snow blockages reduced the ride to a little less than 100 miles.  Much of that distance was climbing beginning with a leg breakaing 2 miles long 10% ascent at MILE 3!!!!!  It concluded with a steep six mile climb to the lodge and most of the rest of the ride was climbing of some sort.  Being a lousy climber made this less than pleasant but it could have been worse, we could have ridden the original route (NO WAY).  But I made it.

 Tomorrow we head down the mountain for a relatively short (about 90 miles) to a place the name of which I have now forgotten.  Still it should be a relatively relaxing day.