VanderTri.com

Ok so my vacation isn't what most people would think of when they think taking time off from work.  For the past 10 years I've been spending a week in the Columbia River Gorge (just east of Hood River, Oregon).  It started off as guys week windsurfing, golf, drinking and adventures.  As the years have gone by the dynamic of the week has changed but the focus of the week hasn't, windsurf as much as possible. 

We've moved the week around over the years from June to August and August is always a risky month for wind since it can get hot and heat kills the wind.  Most of the winds are generated by the cool coastal air rushing up the Columbia River Gorge towards the heat of eastern Washington and Oregon (you think of the NW as all gree and trees, visit the eastern parts of these states and you'll get an amazing suprise). 

The week started off well enough with moderate tempeatures in the mid 80's and the wind was kicking up.  Nothing epic but windy enough to spend some time blasting up and down and across the river. The first few days were spent riding and running in the morning and windsurfing in the afternoon. 

As the week wore on into Tuesday things got hot both on the coast and really hot out east.  Tempeatures crept up into the triple digits topping out at 107 degrees yesterday with not a wisp of wind.  My week transitioned from that of windurfing getaway to Kona camp.  My focus this week was the bike with a few runs thrown in for good measure but mostly it was about the bike. 

It ended up being a good week with some great rides and exploring some new ride routes some of which I really loved and others I could skip in the future. As I end the week I definitely feel strong on the bike.  I was spinning the hills and had tons of power late in the rides so I think all the sweating will pay off in October.  Here's the fun facts from the week.

- 420 miles (5 rides in 7 days)
- Average Speed 18.8 mph
- 25,000 feet of ascending
- High temp for a ride 107 degrees (low temp was 68 degrees at 6am)
- 4 flats
- 800 oz of hydration (water, G2O, Coke, Red Bull).
- Ran over 1 chipmunk (he seemed to be fine)
- Got chased by 4 dogs and a flock of wild turkeys
- Had a run in with two vultures and saw 3 packs of coyotes
- New nickname at the AM/PM in The Dalles, Oregon – “Crazy Biker Guy”

In addition to the riding there was lots of napping and late night watching the Olympics (oh...and lots of eating). 

Here are some pictures from the Gorge.

View from the deck of the rental house.  One of only a handful of waterfront homes.

Laydown jibe 360.

View west at the sunset over the gorge walls.

One of my favorite roads in the Gorge.  Hwy 35.

This picture was taken last year but is shows what a windy day in the gorge looks like.  That mist is called liquid smoke, when the wind is so strong it literally picks water at the top of the waves and swells and just turning it to mist.  Gusts were around 60 mph.

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