[OrRando] A sunny 300

[Bert Lutz]

With an ominous forecast, 58 riders clicked in and began the ORR 300K route
from the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove yesterday at 6am.  After an initial
gloom, the day became truly spectacular with temps and sunshine forcing
clothes changes in Netarts and earlier.  Even the control workers in Netarts
found the weather almost uncomfortably warm.  By dusk, the weather cooled
but the day remained mostly clear with an occasion shower to remind us that
we do live in the NW after all.

 

The ride provided perks and challenges for all.  Beautify scenery, just
enough climbing to make the descents fun and fast, smooth flats for
tailwind-assisted, high-speed valley runs.  Susan's' modifications to her
original design removed the unpleasant bits from last year's route and
provided the riders with an opportunity to answer that ever popular
question, "What is the name of the defunct general store in Ballston."  For
those of you who rode, go ahead, impress your friends with you new found
knowledge.  For those of you who missed the ride, that info will have to
wait until next year.

 

Big thanks to the volunteers who made things work yesterday.  RB Buschman
and Marcello Napolitano staffed the rider check-in.  Marcello fulfilled a
lifelong fantasy of being a traffic cop as he directed riders to the first
left turn of the day.  RB stopped the energetic riders at the base of the
Timber climb at the first control.  Rickey Smith provided and dispensed
calories at the Netarts control, drove the entire course and joined us at
the finish control.  Susan France provided a great route and ever present
help at the start and finish.

 

Some stats.  58 riders started on Saturday.  63 finished including 5
pre-riders and 1 DNQ who finished outside the time limit.  11 women and 52
men.  There was a even distribution of finish times ranging from 11 hours to
20 hours.  3 tandems and 4 recumbents.  Climbing of 7000 to 8600 ft
reported.  Countless smiles.

 

Congratulations to all.

 

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