Wasco 75 Recumbent and Tandem Race

[oxysback]

Since DH rides a recumbent trike, he's ridden in the Wasco 75 3 years running. We went this last Saturday and I thought I'd share some pictures. For the most part, we had a great time!

We arrived at The Dalles Friday evening. I had taken my bike along hoping to get a ride in, but we got a late start...and Portland traffic was horrible. So that was the end of that.

The next morning we got to the course early so DH could mingle and check in. I was able to ride, but as soon as we got out of the van I could feel the wind really howling. I decided to do a quick out and back...at least an hour of riding. I knew I would be in trouble on the way back because on the way out I was really booking at 20+ and still feeling the wind at my back. As soon as I turned around it was a battle. I almost got blown off the road a few times, then I got chased by 2 dogs. Not fun when you can only go 10mph with a headwind of about 20mph!! A pox on all irresponsible dog owners!!

Here's a picture of me after I got done with my ride. I was hesitant to look at this because I was afraid of how I'd look...but I was pleasantly surprised. I don't look half as bad as I imagine myself looking on a bike!





There were a bunch of cool looking recumbent bikes. I especially like this one that's a combination hand/foot pedal bike. I don't know how the lady that rides this stays on while pedaling with both hands and feet...but she sure is fast!








I even got to try out a recumbent trike. It was awesome! You kind of had a feeling you needed to be strapped in, though.






After I got done with it, my daughter got in on the action...




Here is DH before the race. Hmmm, maybe I should put him in the "hot men" thread?






Finally, the race started. The tandems started 10 minutes before the recumbents did.




And here are the recumbents.




By the time the race was in full swing, the wind was howling along at 30mph with gusts up to 40!! Needless to say, there were lots of people who didn't finish. I can't imagine doing 75 miles in that kind of wind, that's for sure!

This year the race wasn't as well attended as it has been in the past, but it's a fun time for all that go.

All in all, we had a good time and we met lots of nice people. Frankie the Pug made a few new friends, too!

[TsPoet]

Wow, Ellen, how did I miss you! OK, I admittedly don't notice people so much, but I didn't see your dog - I always see pugs!
I showed up late, got the weather report and decided not to race, so took my dog for short hikes on the other side of the gorge, then showed up to watch the end of the race.
I hope you are going to PIR next weekend!
You'd probably get to try lots of bent bikes and trikes, and your husband can hang out and/or race!
Nice photos.

[oxysback]

Wow, Ellen, how did I miss you! OK, I admittedly don't notice people so much, but I didn't see your dog - I always see pugs!
I showed up late, got the weather report and decided not to race, so took my dog for short hikes on the other side of the gorge, then showed up to watch the end of the race.
I hope you are going to PIR next weekend!
You'd probably get to try lots of bent bikes and trikes, and your husband can hang out and/or race!
Nice photos.

Well, by about the 3rd lap it was so windy that I pulled the van up to the start/finish line so we could sit in it and catch a break from the wind. I think the dog stayed in the van with my daughter until we left!

I didn't think to post about this ahead of time to see if anyone would be there. I would have loved to meet some TE'ers!

I don't know if we're going to PIR. DH has talked about it before, but I haven't heard anything from him about it lately. Are the HPV races on Memorial Day weekend? Or this coming weekend (19-20)?

[MomOnBike]

What? No recumbent tandems?

Thanks for the race report. So how did your DH do? That trike of his is low enough that the wind was probably less (this is relative, remember) of a problem for him than the high racers.

Mom(suddenly wishing she could race)OnBike

[oxysback]

What? No recumbent tandems?

Thanks for the race report. So how did your DH do? That trike of his is low enough that the wind was probably less (this is relative, remember) of a problem for him than the high racers.

Mom(suddenly wishing she could race)OnBike

In the 3 years we've been going we haven't seen any recumbent tandems.

DH came in first in the trike class!! Then again...he was the only trike in his class.

But this year he didn't get laped like in previous years. So even though he was the last one on the course, he feels like this is an improvement over last years race. His total time was 5:01 for 75 miles (keeping in mind the 30mph headwinds over half the course). Not bad at all!

[cosc]

Thanks for the great pics. Looks like you and dh did very well in spite of the wind. I'll have to show my dh, who wants his next bike to be a recumbent.

[DarcyInOregon]

Ellen, your photos are awesome. I am sorry I didn't see them until today. Looks like everyone had a lot of fun despite the Gorge wind.

Darcy

[evangundy]

So I talked to your daughter and said hi to your pug. But I don't remember seeing you. Guess I was busy getting my stuff together. We got there later than I wanted, and didn't have much time to visit. Turns out I left my bike shoes and helmet and glasses and mirror at home, hanging on my commuter bike. I spent too much time looking for someone with spare shoes and helmet. I was so glad to find someone. Actually, one person had spare helmet and Lake sandals (my size too!!) and a different person had spare cleats that matched my pedals (Speedplay Frogs). I was able to race instead of just watch. I ended up third place for the Sportswomen category. Only because two others only did one lap because of the wind. I did both laps. Guess it did help to have a front fairing.

At the OHPV club meeting the Tuesday after Wasco, we even talked about your DH, how proud we were that he had improved enough that he did not get lapped by the leaders, and was able to finish all four laps. A number of the other men (and women) did not complete all their laps, due to the strong winds.

The recumbent races at PIR in Portland, are over Memorial Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday. I hope you both can be there. Even if you don't race, it is a very fun weekend, lots of visiting, test riding of various recumbents, etc. For information, check out http://www.ohpv.org/HPC/index.html

Everyone is welcome, no bikes turned away. And it's free to spectators.
Edna

[oxysback]

So I talked to your daughter and said hi to your pug. But I don't remember seeing you. Guess I was busy getting my stuff together. We got there later than I wanted, and didn't have much time to visit. Turns out I left my bike shoes and helmet and glasses and mirror at home, hanging on my commuter bike. I spent too much time looking for someone with spare shoes and helmet. I was so glad to find someone. Actually, one person had spare helmet and Lake sandals (my size too!!) and a different person had spare cleats that matched my pedals (Speedplay Frogs). I was able to race instead of just watch. I ended up third place for the Sportswomen category. Only because two others only did one lap because of the wind. I did both laps. Guess it did help to have a front fairing.

At the OHPV club meeting the Tuesday after Wasco, we even talked about your DH, how proud we were that he had improved enough that he did not get lapped by the leaders, and was able to finish all four laps. A number of the other men (and women) did not complete all their laps, due to the strong winds.

The recumbent races at PIR in Portland, are over Memorial Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday. I hope you both can be there. Even if you don't race, it is a very fun weekend, lots of visiting, test riding of various recumbents, etc. For information, check out http://www.ohpv.org/HPC/index.html

Everyone is welcome, no bikes turned away. And it's free to spectators.
Edna

Hey! I remember you! No, we didn't talk, but I was talking to one lady that only did one lap and she told me the story of you forgetting your stuff. I think it was the lady that loaned you the helmet? I don't remember her name, but she had dark, short curly hair. Anyway, I'm glad that you got to race and a big WOW for finishing in that awful wind!

Unfortunately, DH and I won't be able to make it to PIR this year. Maybe next year, though!