Tour de Hills

*Whew!* Today i rode a 30 mile course, plus probably about 8 miles to and from a brewpub in NW downtown. Wow, was it hilly! I did great on the first two legs and didn't have to dismount even though i was breathing quite heavily & rapidly a few times. I did pretty well on the last leg, too, only dismounting once for a few steps and then remounting, and then a second time for a few minutes when my legs completely cramped up and gave up on me.

In order to participate for free, i volunteered to help unload and set up stuff early this morning. 'Twas fun and not too hard, and i got to see the innards of an event of this nature and meet some pretty cool volunteersy people. Perhaps i will do something like it again!

There was a stop at each of the other brewpubs which included snacks, free swag, and animal body parts to wear, which i declined to do. My bike is complaining more than it was before and i'll have to have a look at it tomorrow to see if i can make some adjustments.

Some highlights include great views of the river & downtown (as usual) crossing some bridges; a woo-shout of joy crossing a pedestrian and cyclist overcrossing while eyeing a haze shrouded Mt. Hood in the early morning distance; gorgeous forests and a quite heavenly wooded trail swoosh; a pretty and old cemetery; chic, posh homes in the hills--some entirely suspended over the nothing; sweeping, breathtaking views in all directions; a hilltop park near some quite large radio or other sort of science towers; an excellent cruise back into downtown; a better shirt than most; and of course, free brown ale.