Happy two-thousand eleven

One more year, to go go go go go go

More and more to do, but cycling keeps my sanity, as well a laughing
Otherwise it just might be too much.

be safe, and sane

Holden

Inter holidays week

Christmas is over, but New Years is upon us. With a four day weekend due to Christmas and having the following Monday compressed day off, I go back for 3 days. Then a 3 day weekend due to New Years Day!
Get to create the next month's PM reports and work on the MDIA round II.
Oh well, it least there's a bike ride involved.

Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

Off for four days to enjoy the holidays, making up Daniel's touring frame, still need pedals, shoes, front derailleur, seat post and saddle, a rear tire, etc. So maybe there'll be a pile of parts under/near the tree for Christmas morning

got a bit of a stuffy nose. And it's good to be home.

First of two Choir Performances went well today!

One of the three tenors in a choir at work. We got a good turnout today, in the atrium and tomorrow we're back at it. Joy to the World!

Run Laptop Check Up Weekly (12/6/2010)

Subject	Run Laptop Check Up Weekly
Date and Location	Monday, December 06, 2010 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Attendees	Hughart, Holden (Portland)
Message

Link to Outlook item

 
 

Notes

Use the shortcut on the desktop marked LaptopCheckInUtility

Allow it to run it's course between 18:00 and 06:00

Tomorrow Off

Helping Helene with her project of selling handmade items next weekend. After replacing the ballast for the fluorescent lights in the study/laundry and getting it fixed, went on to charge the Roomba and got through the Master bedroom. Then set it up for the study, and the battery needed to be recharged, again. Looked for a display of the pins, and made a shelf to lean the display against, as well as mount the styrofoam heads. NO Walk today :( Hopefully tomorrow.

Happy Veterans' Day - worth a holiday

The veteran's have done their job, and will continue to do it to keep us free and independent.

In 756 more workdays, I'll get my own independence from and 1970's database, and urgent deadlines. Now reading the Metal Cowboy by Joe Kurmaskie. Entertaing, and more so if you're a cyclist, as you can understand his perspective. On page 76.

Tomorrow's deadlines are: 1. Review 7 EBERS, create PM Report for October, and whatever else happens.

Still got A JOB to do!!!!!!

many, many, but keeping at it at 08:00pm tonight, waiting on that laptop to recover old email.

In San Diego CA

Day 3 of a work trip to SO California.
It's "rainy" here for the natives, but mild and a few sprinkles for us northwesterners.

Found the Starbucks in the neighboring shopping mall has free internet, and oatmeal breakfasts, and of cource, coffee. It actually is pretty good, and it fits nicely in the per diem allowance.

Off to the pledge of allegiance and rousing testimonial at 08:00

Maybe going to San Diego

That'd be next week, but we'll see. Need to prepare.

Big Week for all things

Last week of four filling in for my boss. This last one, we passed the Joint Commission Survey. On Monday I crossed over the 2,500 mile goal of cycling in 2010.
Now onto a 3 day weekend! The rainy season arrived with an all day of rain and damp cloudy weather. We went up to Vancouver to help out one of Helene's friends sort out her 3 bedroom house that she'll be moving out of into a 1300 ft apartment, downtown. But we had a nice dinner, and a nice chat afterwards.
It's SATURDAY night!

Getting more work at work

4 hats on Monday, 2 on Tuesday, 2 today, and 3 tomorrow. Finally Friday with 0. Taking Daniel down to move into his new apartment in Eugene tomorrow after work, then the next day OFF. We're going to Seattle to take advantage of the opportunity that the Austrian Consulate has hours in Seattle, instead of Los Angeles.
Mom and Dave get back from their big adventure on the NE coast and Canada (east) on Friday, too.

Back from Europe to gray fall day

After dealing with hot humid days for most of the time in Austria, we come back to drizzle cool temperatures. The wedding was wonderful. Swimming in Egal See was nice. A cycling and hiking weekend in Lienz, and a century ride down the R1 radweg to Villach, then to Wurzenpass into Slovenia and over to Italy and back into Austria. The big surprise was that it was all rad weg and bike lanes from Slovenia back to Spittal!
Wurzenpass was a grind, up to 18% for up to 500m. Stopped 5 times to catch breath/slow down heartrate. The traffic was moderate and consistently respectful. Weather was best single day, dry and warm, and no rain.
The next day another walk to Egal See and mushroom hunting for Eierschwammel. Had them sauted over spaghetti the next day. They were good, being more intense than champinons.

More later.

Happy Friday, Off until after labor day for a visit to Austria

It's a good feeling! to be off away from the firehose of inquiries and issues. Whee!

July's Commuting Statistics

Twenty seven commute Rides of which 1 was "wet".
It's now 4August10 and at commute #1433

Tomorrow, can sign up for the Commute Challenge run by the BTA.
Next Sunday is the Bridge Pedal

And we all have new cell phone service with T-mobile. Expect an email to our contacts before our departure for Austria on 16Aug10, that's a Monday.

Off tomorrow to take Daniel to open his first apartment

Furniture and Valdez' pick-up truck full of furniture for Daniel's new apartment two short blocks from campus in Eugene. Back to work for a day and a mid-term, too.

And it's cool up here in the northwest!

Getting ready for the STP on Saturday

The first really long ride on the Bike Friday! 204miles I'll be trying to do it in one day. That will leave more time to be able to get the truck to take Daniel and his furniture down to his new Eugene apartment. As I want to get to the start when they first open. I put on lights and putting on a second water bottle holder. Such excitement.

Only four hats today and finallly warm like summer

Great riding weather for no wind jackets or leg warmers. Commute to work #1420 today. Want to get the BF ready, too. Got to take a final in SQL before Friday, too. When will I get some help!

A new month, and longer days, whee

It's already July! Longer warmer days, strawberrys late, the yard's full.

Commute ride data for June was 2 of the 22 commute rides where "wet". Actual precipitation that actually saturates clothing of messes up clear vision through the glasses.

Back from SF and first trip with the BF

It survived fine, and I took two "long" rides in the City by the Bay. The day I arrived discovered that SF has made vast improvements in their cycling infrastructure. Market street from the Embarcadero to Castro is painted with Sharrows and has slow moving auto traffic. I met someone that knew about the zig-zag cource to get to Fell St and the GG park panhandle on an almost flat route. I had to separate from him, as my front fender mounting screw had come loose and the fender was going sideways. Once on Fell, it was just as fast (auto traffic) as it was 30 years ago, but now there's a bike lane on the left edge and in the evening, lots of bikes in it.

Then on to the beach, Cliff House, VA, Palace of Legion of Honor, 25th ave (where I had an apartment), Baker Beach, Golden Gate bridge south tower, and back along the Marina, and Embarcadero to the hotel.

On Wednesday, took the BART to 17th and Mission then headed up Dolores to see the rental near the intersection of 21st and Dolores. Then UP 21st, to get to the Hill St apartment I used to live in. that was a loooong 15+% hill, but I made it to the top without stopping. I did discover that the rear derailleur can't stay in the secong largest cog. From there up to Twin Peaks on a foggy west blast, so no view. Descended along Ashbury, by Haight, to the panhandle again. Then took Arguello north to the Presedio and then across the Golden Gate Bridge and continued on into Sausalito. I had an extra 45 minutes to spare to wait for the ferry ride back to the Ferry Building and was chatted up by a woman that wants to create a leisurely bike club in Boston, MA.

I was a cold ferry ride back with that ocean breeze coming through the golden gate, but nice views of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and downtown SF.

Then rode up to Chipotle on New Montgomery Street about 3 streets from Market for some calories to replace what I'd burnt up.

Then went back and packed it up for the trip home the next day.

Got out to the airport the next day, with barely enough time. Then found out the flight was delayed by two hours, then an hour later, outright cancelled. The five of us bound for Portland and a Medford VA employee then agreed to and rented a van to drive up that night. I drove from Willows to Yreka from 00:00-12:20. Medford about 03:30 and PDX about 08:45. The checked bags had made it (despite my scepticism). BF still in it's suitcase. The carry-on and the BF F'light case both had tags that it they'd been inspected by the TSA contract vendor at SFO. Then got a ride back with a front office employee that lives in Tigard. A Prius, and got home at 10:00 for bou coup comp time!

Back to work tomorrow for commute by bike #1415

Off of to SF for next week

Taking the BF PR on its first plane trip tomorrow. Happy Fathers' Day!

Pocket Rocket at HOME

Picked it up yesterday and rode it home. Today I made sure that everything that I ordered and paid for was here. It is! I'll need to fold it a few times and pack it a few times to get comfortable with the process. A nice ride! Especially without any tools rack, work materials. Off tomorrow for errands and to pick up Daniel.

off to Pioneer Century tomorrow

Home to fix my wife's Mac, and in the rain!

Got the news that the Bike Friday will be shipped tomorrow, so expect it Tues-Wed-Thur of next week, depending on Coventry's workload.

Memorial Day Weekend

On the fourth day of the holiday for remembering fallen military and their sacrifices. As I had the Monday off, the observed holiday day gets pushed to the day afterward.

We're awaiting another rain storm tonight, but right now it's actually quite pleasant. I've yet to hear about my Bike Friday delivery, as it was scheduled to be shipped on Friday.

Helene's off to work and yoga, so what will we have for dinner?

Serving Multnomah County again

Jury Duty tomorrow, oh boy.

Ride # 1,402 today, wet on the way home with 53 degrees. Off to find my summons and a return bus fare.

Original plans to have that new bicycle on Friday, but I haven't heard about any updates, yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. And I'm looking forward to an upcoming, count them 4 day weekend.

Cool weekend day in a 3 day weekend

Saturday, early afternoon. Daniel came up for the weekend, and then went camping with some high school friends after turning in an assignment for one of his classes.

Helene's working on a second baby blanket for the Blanks, also trying to use up the excess materials that Nancy had provided for the first one. The 220V lamp on the Pfaff works like a charm, and she wants to get more when we're back over there.

I took a day 5 (of 5) of an Access(r) class, and learned some nice tricks to work with that application. So that was Day 1 of the 3 day weekend. I also took the online lesson 2 of a beginning SQL non-credit class from PCC, and got 100% on the second lesson quiz.

Anxiously awaiting the Bike Friday. Dave sounds like he'd like to head up to Johnston Ridge sometime. The road looks like it's probably clear.
The Oregon Coast 600km with a Motel 6 stop in Pacific City is currently in progress, as is the Tour of California TT, and the Giro di Italia. Cycling season has begun!

Warm Sunday

Helene at a Spring Liederkreis concert downtown. I'm on-call and vacuuming the living room with our new Roomba 550.
Checking out OR Randonneur rides for the rest of the good weather. I do want to test out my nettle on the new Bike Friday Pocket Rocket expected to arrive in less than 3 weeks.
And we get to see our son next weekend, and I'll be off being on-call come Thursday, he'd like us to come down and pick him up.

It's Wednesday, already! Commute Ride #1,395

Warm enough to go without a wind jacket in either direction, the first time this year. Came home without tights, either :) Then off to shopping at Costco, WinCo, and Freddy's. Then to work to drop off some clothes, and pick up the things I'd left behind.

FileMan ahead for tomorrow for the Safety Committee. Looking forward to the high of 76 degrees!!

Wednes (hump) day tomorrow

We had a cold front come through, so we broke our record for the lowest high temperature. I also had to resort to my long fingered gloves, and wear the long underwear to stay warm on the commute #1391.
Getting ready to go to visit Daniel in Eugene for his 19th birthday, and continue on to Sacramento to catch up with friends.

It's FRIDAY and tomorrow is May Day

Two day down, One retirement, zero replacements.
But on the bright side, I'll probably need to use my lights to make it the start of the RACC at 06:30 tomorrow morning at Clark County College in Vancouver WA. When I rode out there before I figured 1:15-1:20 for the one way trip. Then the start of the Ride Around Clark County Century ride. If, I finish by 3PM, I can stop for a coffee in downtown Vancouver and then ride back and shower to get home in pristine condition.
I'll try and not forget either water nor nutrition, this time.
I am missing out on the Eden's Gate 400km brevet from Wilsonville, but I figured that anything more than 300km on the aluminum frame is asking for a sore body.

Off to Costco and dinner out with the wife!

De Ronde de Oeste Portlandia Route

Another day at Work too long

Get to be "in charge" for the next 6 days and finish a number of projects, reports, timecards, FileMan queries, and so on....

Wet ride home tonight, a bit of a rainbow, though :)
go CAFFEINE !!

Ride to Work #1386

Back home. Getting ready to order a new bicycle, a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket with a front disk brake, flat bars and ergo bar ends, a compact crank, and a Capreo 9 gear cluster. That will be my reward for 11 months in charge of 14 with no change in salary and just about 300 hrs of uncompensated time away from here.

Been reading the Portland Bike Plan for 2030. A bit on the dry side, but has some good information and reasoning for expanding the cycling infrastructure here.

After Cinco de Mayo, get to celebrate Daniel's 19th birthday, with him!

Then down to Sacramento for the long weekend.

Back from a walk in SW HIlls

7.5 miles calculated from Google maps. The beta version of walking routes misses the trail segments of SW Northwood between SW Westwood and SW Hessler as well as the trail segment of SW 18th Dr. That means I had to add up three different routes.

The weather improved over the day, though there's quite a blast from the West. We got protection from the wind after getting across SW Capitol Hwy in Hillsdale. Then Cheltenham, Terwilliger, Westwood, Menefee, Westwood, Northwood, Hessler, Mitchell, Fairmount, and then I lose track of street names above Fairmount.

Eric stopped and resisted going into work for the first weekend in 3 months. We came down 18th all the way the BH and stopped to pick up videos at Impulse and stopped for an afternoon fix and refreshment at Baker & Spice, before returning home.

Helene's pace is picking UP. On the flat, I really have to pick up my normal pace to keep up. She slows down on the uphill, not for lack of energy, but that her back bothers her. About the time I feel my HR kicking up a notch, is when she feels the need to ease up. But she's on the mend. Much better than even last fall :)

And tomorrow's forecast for even better weather, toward 70degrees!

3 Capes 300km Brevet Completed yesterday

I did it again: Better time, better average speed, and the first two 100km were both under 5 hrs each. The first 4:20 and the next one 4:55. The last one did me in, though. After dark fell, it got me more confused (maybe a calorie deficit, too). I was convinced we'd missed a turn, and we went back only to find that that way was dirt. The cue sheet didn't mention a road name change. I'm guessing that that cost half an hour. Did get in at 11:25. That's long after my 10:00 desired end, but stuff does happen.
Got more pictures, lingered at rests less, we had a tailwind most of the day. Only approaching Timber Rd in the Gales Creek Rd and then along the Little Nestucket over Sourgrass summit and into Grand Ronde.
I was looking forward to a repeat Mocha at the coffee shop next to the bar on Bridge St. The bar was pretty busy, but the Coffee shop had changed hands, and were closed on weekends.

Finished watching Inglorius Basterds

OK movie, but a bit predictable overall, but there were some surprizes along the way.
Getting ready for the 3 Capes 300km on Saturday. Daniel's planning to come up for this weekend as well. We'll be with Mom and Dave's family for an Easter brunch.

Ronde de Oeste Portlandia middle section

Saturday had a dry warm afternoon, so I couldn't resist taking advantage of it. So down to PSU and then to the intersection of SW 12th and SW Montgomery. Up the bridge over I405 on 12th and then a right turn up SW College. I didn't have all the directions, and followed the legal route and ended up at an intersection with SW14th, and a nice small park. Went back and went up the one-way street going down. About (what seems to be) a 1/4 mile of UP UP UP, minimum 15% and much at 20% (per my handlebar inclinometer) I was in my lowest gear, and I even had to stand up for a ways, and I still couldn't make it the whole way. Stopped about 2/3 up, at a driveway/deck, to catch my breath. After a few minutes, I was ready, and then had to concider how to get back on the bike. Too steep to roll down, clip in, and turn around. I was even slipping on the pavement as I walked the bike onto the parking deck of a homeowner. That deck gave me enough turns of the cranks to get clipped in and I made it with little to spare. What came after that was a continuouos climb, but at only 5 to 10% grade, but it was managable.
The reward came on the descent on Upper Drive, with a spectacular view of the NW Portland, Downtown, Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, and Ranier off the left side of St. Helens.

Only one other really steep section, at the approach to Fairmount, along the walking trial #6. About a 30ft 20% grade. This came at about mile 13 of my 1.5hr ride. Glad to be on the relative flat of Fairmount. I saw that I was getting late to see Daniel before he got back from his friend at Reed and his 6:30pm babysitting job. So I came down Mitchell and Westwood onto Sunset and through the Wilson HS parking lots.

www.bikely.com says it was 15 miles and 3,110 feet of gain. I have a reason to take tomorrow off to take Daniel to Eugene.

To Eugene and back this afternoon

Daniel wanted to come home for non-dorm food and conversation. His past visits using Grayhound bus lines made for much longer than expected trips for the 100 mile freeway connection.

Holden

Ride to Work #1343

New to blogging, so forgive any misunderstandings.

thanks