Wow, it's already March 2012

And exciting, at that.  With last weekend being four days long, and bach(elor)ing it.  I fulfilled my desire to try cycling from home to Eugene, and back.  Combine a crash pad with a visit with my son.  As is typical of long bike rides, I always seem to learn several things.  I can still put up with the long rides, and my nutrition was only a problem when I ate too much.  With a headwind on Friday going down, it took about 2 more hours than the return trip, which mercifully, the south wind was still pretty strong until the early afternoon.  the bar end extensions worked pretty well for allowing me to tuck a bit into the headwind, and keep up about a 12 mph pace. (more like 16 mph coming back).

Serves me right for not adequately planning or scouting out the segment around Salem, as I looked at a particularly narrow/busy section of Commercial Ave, and opted for the WV bike route signed route.  That didn't get me back on a more friendly section of Commercial, but did give me about an extra 10 miles, following the Willamette River, as opposed to going over the hill it flows around.  I did get to see the bird sanctuary.   Had a late afternoon lunch at Pops Branding Iron in Albany, and it was a much more pleasant affair than the first (and last) time I'd been there.  this time, I did order the chili, and it stayed down quite well and wasn't too filling.  On the way back, I tried to repeat that success, by stopping at La Hacienda Real in Keizer, but the closest thing to a chili, was a tomato based meat stew.  It turned I would have been just fine with the side dishes of rice, and refried beans, and tortillas.  But I couldn't take it with me, unless I ate it all.  I felt full for a good 1.5hrs afterwards, but everything stayed where it is supposed to.

the second crossing of Boones bridge into Wilsonville, was knarly, as they're blocking part of the shoulder with safety gates, and reflective barrels to add a lane to the exit.  I know I was visible, but it's still unnerving to have cars go by, so fast, and so close.  A different time of day, would make all the difference, say early morning.  More later.