A Little Sun and the Big Falls

Yesterday started out a little dicey, weather reports hinted at rain, and the morning clouds seemed to confirm that suggestion -- they were menacing and dark. However, I was antsy to get a good, long ride in, and I had cleared the time with the boss, so I geared up and hit the trail. I decided not to wear rain gear -- that shit sucks, and if it's not pouring down rain then I am not convinced I need it. Anyway, I had a couple good layers on as the late-winter chill was still in the air, and I am still on the Surly, which I will probably still ride for another month or two.

I opted to head for Multnomah Falls, first, because the ride there is awesome, a bit of climbing, a bit of descending, nice roads, not too many cars, etc, but also because Mandy and Miles were going to be out there hiking, and it's always fun to see the family out and about.

About twenty minutes into the ride, the sun peeked out from behind the gray, and proceeded to rip huge holes in the cloud cover until what had seemed like a precarious day at best, had morphed into another bright and beautiful preview of spring. This is the time of year where I loves me some global warming. The ride out to the Vista House is pretty much my bread and butter ride through the winter -- it's a good 3 hour out-and-back ride. The Springwater trail is nice and flat, although the surface is a little rough in spots, a 20-22MPH pace is easily achieved. The climbing starts just after the Sandy River and goes for about 7 miles after which a quick drop finds you at the Vista House. Another 10 miles and you're at the falls.