Harvest Century, Sunday, September 30, 2012

[Brian C]

The last organized century of the season in the greater Portland Metro region goes off from the Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E Main Street, Hillsboro, Oregon on Sunday, September 30th

http://www.harvestcentury.org/index.php

Routes of 100, 75 and 45 miles as well as a 3-mile family route.

The century follows a counter clockwise loop out to Forest Grove, Newberg, Champoeg Park, Canby and then comes back to Hillsboro via Wilsonville, Sherwood and the outskirts of Aloha/Beaverton/Hillsboro. Advertised as just under 4000 feet of climbing its more like 4800 ft as last year I rode with a fellow cyclist who had a Garmin cyclometer that registered total elevation gain. The course is lumpy in many places with numerous ups and downs.

Climbing occurs out by Forest Grove just prior to the first rest stop. Then on to Newberg with more numerous short climbs, rollers, and a few short steep climbs on North Valley Road into Newberg.

There is a lunch stop at an elementary school on North Valley Road prior to entering into Newberg. Sandwiches, and salads are offered, a full lunch as opposed to standard rest stop food. Last year lunch was not available until after 10:00 AM so for early starters like yours truly, we fueled up on cookies, melons and other food rather than wait until 10:00 AM to get sandwiches.

Now head out to Champoeg Park along Hwy 219, which can be busy with traffic crossing over the Wilamette River, for another rest stop at the park, and then on to the Canby Ferry in Canby. Cross over the river on the ferry and climb the hardest climb on the course. 0.5 miles at 16+ %. This guy is steep, and hurts. Have your small gears ready while you are on the ferry.

On to Wilsonville and then through Sherwood along back country roads that have numerous climbs of anywhere from 0.10 to 0.50 miles in length and grades of 4 to 6%. They come one after another.

The final rest stop in Sherwood at a high school now awaits you for more fuel. Once out of the school we take Roy Rodgers road and its 3 medium climbs to SW Scholls Ferry Rd. These roads are busy so be careful. Once off of Scholls Ferry Rd its farm roads that transition into surbuban streets back to the fairgrounds in Hillsboro.

A nice way to end your Event Ride 2012 cycling season.

This ride typically draws up to 600+ cyclists, depending on the weather. Rain seems to be a common theme for this ride as well, so come prepared.

I'll be there for my 7th

[Jackson]

Rain does not look like it is the cards for this one. Should be a beautiful day for a ride.

[Brian C]

Closed out my century season with an incredible Harvest Century. A bright sunny, cloudless day with very nice temps made for a great finish to this season. Compared to last season, and seasons before, where we surfed this ride in waves of rain, this weather was amazing.

Slight variations to the course at the first rest stop and in Sherwood just added to the mileage and kept us out in this beautiful day.

Starting in downtown Hillsboro this year just added to the fun.

As always tons of food at all the rest stops kept us fueled up and crossing the Canby Ferry with about 30 riders and no cars on the ferry was nice. The climb up out of the ferry was not so nice ;(

Until next year when God willing we do it all again, enjoy you winter riding and anything else you do to keep active.