Gary Odenthal's Team In Training Page
Riding to Save Lives Again!
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
I am once again training for a 100 mile bike ride as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. My experience with Team in Training in 2005 was one of the most positive things I've ever done. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, including myself. We need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission.
Feb. 4, 2007: We've now had our first two rides. Although they weren't overly strenous, its been darn chilly (33 degrees) and yesterday started to rain a bit. Still great to get out with a group of 25 dedicated to raising funds for this worthy cause.
Feb. 17: At the coast this weekend but still rode with the team in spirit. Woke up to sunshine and thought I'd better get on a bike. Rode quite a few miles along 101 around Nehalem Bay which was beautitul. The fog filled in over time but I got back to the house before the rain set in.
Feb. 24: Wow, what a ride today. 30 miles of beautiful rolling hills and farmland. Only problem is it was raining non-stop with heavy winds (someone thought they felt sleet). Everything on me was completely soaked by the time I got back. Completed week five of training and feeling great. The fact that there were almost 20 of us out there in such bad weather shows how dedicated this group really is. Go Team!
March 3: We've really started climbing hills now. Saturday was cloudy and some cold fog in spots but no rain which was great. The whole team did 35 miles starting down the hill from our house, climbing up to Skyline Blvd. at the top of the hills, going down the other side into Washington County, climbing back up to Skyline and down the other side to the Columbia River. If that sounds like a lot of climbing, it is. But its great training for all of the hills we'll see around Tahoe.
March 10: What a great ride today, all 34 miles. Starting in Oregon City, we rode out along the Clackamas River and up some hills through farmland. The weather was fairly warm despite high clouds and for those of us finishing early not a drop of rain. The views of Mt. Hood were fantastic and Mary, our honored teammate, brought delicious decorated cookies. I was even chased by a billy goat but he couldn't keep up with me.
March 17: Another fantastic ride...from Troutdale to Multnomah Falls. The sun was shining (mostly) and the occasional patches of fog kept us all from getting too hot. It was a lot of climbing up to the Women's Forum and Vista House and that means there was also a lot of really fun downhill. The view of the gorge from the top is fantastic which if you've ever seen you will certainly agree. A great 40-miler despite Nate's flat (rear tire of course). The team is doing great.
March 24: Well its taken me awhile to write up the last few. For all of you who were thinking this all sounds too pleasant and easy, we had a whopper of a ride today. We started in La Center, about 20 miles north of Portland. So much for good weather...this ride was rain, rain, rain. It poured down for 37 of the approximately 45 miles we rode. I don't mind the rain so much but when you're racing down a hill at 30 mph it can really sting your face. And there were lots of hills, despite our mentor's claims to the contrary. Everyone muddled through...Go Team!
March 31: My last ride before vacation. It rained a bit but nothing too heavy. The ride was from Hillsboro around the beautiful countryside. Some rolling hills and flats, but there were a couple of major steep hills that were quite a challenge. If you ever want to test your legs, try riding up either Blooming Fern Hill Rd. or Clapshaw Hill Rd. Not so long but boy are they steep.
April 29: I just got back from a fantastic month in Morocco and couldn't wait to get on a bike again. (I watched a cyclist pass by us as he was going over the Middle Atlas Mountains and found a bit of envy creeping in.) This weeks TNT ride was to join the Monster Cookie Ride. Only 62 miles from Salem to Champoeg Park and back, mostly flat, how hard could that be? I wasn't thinking about being dehydrated from the flights as well as just plain a bit out of shape...boy was I sore at the end. I'm sure next week will be easier :)
May 5: What a difference a week makes. I was back on my bike every day riding to work. Saturday's ride was a 65 mile beauty. Started in Hillsboro (why at the McDonald's I don't know) and rode almost directly to Bald Peak. After a long steady climb there was a thriller of a downhill...much of it at 18% grade. Also rode around Hagg Lake which is about 11 miles and 11 hills. The second have of the ride was mostly flat countryside. It was a little chilly - we were expecting sun - but no rain so that's always good. People are definitely feeling more confident about doing 100 miles around Lake Tahoe in a month. As for fund raising, I've reached my goal (not all through the web so not all shows here). I can't thank you all enough!
May 12: What a great ride. The weather held and no rain, no real wind, cool not cold. 77 miles, most of it through beautiful rolling hills in Washington and Yamhill counties. A couple of rough climbs (the road to Anne Amie winery is about 20% grade) but everyone who tried made it up. Finished with another trip around Hagg Lake. Tired at the end but no pain on Sunday. Must be actually getting in better shape. Looking forward to Tahoe.
