The Grand Fondo Lakeside Bicycles

Yesterday, June 17th marked the successful conclusion  of the 9th Grand Fondo Lakeside Bicycles.  Six intrepid souls departed the shop at 7AM under an unbroken mass of clouds and rode through Estacada, along the Clackamas river to Detroit Lake (99.7 miles and 5000 feet of climbing) .  For those of you unfamiliar with the forest service road between Estacada and Detroit Lake the scenery is matchless, the roads are smooth, and there is virtually no traffic: one of the great bike rides anywhere.   Partly due to rain, which never entirely let up, and partly due to aesthetics (laziness) we chose the more scenic rout around the first climb and proceeded to average a leisurely 15 miles/hour uphill for the next 45 miles.  Our Arrival was met with complete indifference by the denizens of Detroit Lake and some subdued cheering by our ride support team ( a rider who was prevented from participation due to an injury in the groinal area, and an elderly Dachshund named Collin in a 1989 Toyota LandCruiser,).  Celebrations completed we drove home to our eager families and slept until dinner.  If this all sounds less than wonderful, it wasn't.  It was more than wonderful and we will be doing it again next year with a bit more advanced notice and planning.  Anyone who can arrange transportation home from Detroit Lake is welcome to come along.