As it turns out, beer and an oversized pastrami sandwich are the perfect thing to start a ride out with, even when you have to climb several hundred feet to get out of Portland. Nothing keeps you more awake than a couple of relaxing downers. It looks like we might have to pick up some trucker speed on the road, boys.

I started off the week really sick. Jane had gotten it a few days prior, and I picked it up strong around Tuesday night. I went home from work on Wednesday and called in the next day. I never really questioned whether or not I was going to ride though. I had too much money on the line and a couple of friends that needed me out there. It was just a question of exactly how sick I was going to be when it came time to pedal.

Thankfully, I woke up feeling quite a bit better on Friday morning. I had my stuff laid out and got prepped to ride to the King Street train station with Chris. We got on a 7:30am train headed south to Portland to meet up with Joshua Bryant. We were annoyed from the start with a gaggle of older women who were obviously on a fun weekend trip to do some tax free shopping in “Washington’s Mexico” (I stole that phrase from Dylan, I love it so much). They told us that it was nice that we had “knees” in order to do riding like this. They claimed to not actually have any, despite their obvious leg bending abilities. Apparently, you lose them when you reach their age (their words, not mine). Unlucky for us, they managed to snag seats directly in front of us and started shrieking loudly at each other. Lucky for us, they all hit the bar up front for mimosas through the entire ride after we got rolling.

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We are starting to piece together our flèche team for the year. The plan is to travel light, long and fast. Chris and I are joining up with Joshua Bryant in Portland to hook out to the Oregon coast up into Olympia.

Chris made this amazing drawing and I added some fonts and what not. We are thinking it would look pretty kick ass on some jean jackets. I’m not sure how that is going to work exactly…

If you really like it, I’m sure Chris would be willing to tattoo it on you permanently for a small fee.

The Friday of the ride, we are taking the train down with our bikes for a 2pm start with Joshua in Portland. We should have a couple of hours to impress the locals with our charm. I’ve heard they don’t see many bikes down there, so those will be a hit, I’m sure.

Last year I rode with a bunch of flatulent, chatty randonneurs that were sure that breakfast was in “the next town”. It wasn’t. It never was!

I have no idea how this year will shake out, but I guarantee it will be an experience. Expect all of the gruesome details (hopefully no vomit involved) sometime in April. I have a bad history with night starts, so I’m looking to correct that. Still, it wouldn’t be a rando ride if I wasn’t questioning my sanity at least one time along the way.

Special thanks to Jane and Norman for once again helping drive us back home. I’m sure they will have a crazy weekend harassing the local hippies. I expect nothing less.

I know one thing is fact, I will be eating nachos at least once when I hit the finish. Olympia Hot Dog Company, here I come!