at Horning’s Hideout in 2007
(Photos © J. Maus)
Two of the year’s most challenging rides are slated for this weekend: the infamously, absurdly hilly De Ronde van Oeste Portlandia (a.k.a. the Tour of Flanders) on Saturday and the Horning’s Hustle mountain bike circuit race on Sunday.
Many participants will find satisfaction in tackling, and maybe even completing, one of these courses. Others will ride to win.
For those who long for even greater glory, organizers have decided to reward the truly bold individuals who somehow manage to finish both events.
Survival will be its own reward, but a raffle at the end of the Hustle will determine the winner of the Ronde/Hustle Challenge.
To enter the raffle, a Challenger must bring a beer coaster to Horning’s with their De Ronde finish time and place it in a basket at the registration table. (Hint: you can pick up coasters at the De Ronde after party at Roots Organic Brewing at SE 7th and Hawthorne, starting Saturday at 6:00pm.)
At the end of the day on Sunday, a drawing of all coasters submitted by Ronde/Hustle Challenge participants will result in the awarding of a specially made trophy and a Chris King headset.
Thanks for reading.
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oh man…this is gonna hurt…at least the weather looks glorious!
Of course, De Ronde isn’t a race – just a bunch of people showing up for a ride.
Oh man, and I am out of town this weekend (of course that does make a rather convenient excuse to miss the pain). Next year, I swear!
ErikV is right. It’s a group ride for a bunch of ultra hammerheads, not a race. There is no timing or finish order. Don’t do the Ronde unless you are a really strong, competent rider who wants to test your own limits.
That is depressing…my mountain bike is broken. Hopefully, next year. Last year was fun though at Horning’s.
I’m glad this ride sees so many write-ups on here. I haven’t done the Ronde before, but the past articles are what made me want to do it!
39-25…. anybody else? It’s all I have! 🙂
I did it two years ago with 39X25. Had to walk Brynwood and College. But walking was just about as fast as some were riding!
This year: Compact 34X28. Already tested successfully on Brynwood.
I think any reasonably fit and determined rider can do this. Rode the entire route a few times by myself on my folding bike wearing leather oxford shoes. My “training” is that I commute about 100 miles a week. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful gardens and vistas; it’s not a race. Takes me about 6 hours or so to ride it, stops included.
Uphills are on low traffic roads; downhills are fast on arterials. Carry water and food. Only one convenience food store along the way near OHSU (near mile 35). Some parks along the way have water, but there are long dry spells, so bring a couple of water bottles.
Ahh..so tempted to do it on my 39×23 but i think it’s too early in the season for me. See you all on Saturday!
Agree with ErikV- this is NOT a race. That means ride safely… please. Those of you without a lot of group riding experience need to remember not to overlap wheels. Good spacing is important… keep it smooth. You’re not really getting a draft going uphill anyhow.
And play it cool, the route goes through a lot of small neighborhoods, no need to piss off the natives.
Watch out for the brakeless fixed gear riders!
Oh, and don’t forget to come to Roots in the evening to talk smack.
…smack talk about Brad Ross, that is.
If you plan to do the Ronde – Hustle challange, make sure you pick up a beer coaster at the finish from Brad at finish of the Ronde. Write your name on it and drop it off at registration.
Your time form the Ronde is not considered for the prizes in the challange, only your finish at Hornings.
Good fun today at the Ronde. A unique gem for the Portland cycling community.
I must say, however, it’s too bad that the poor cycling skills and questionable traffic behavior of a FEW could put the entire “non-event” in jeopardy.
Really, some of the stuff I saw today by a FEW people was simply dumb-ass, selfish behavior; the typical stuff that gives the rest of us such a lousy reputation.
Pull your head out of that dark place so you can see what you are doing.
There was horrific crash on Vista today. Does anybody have any info on this. a toyota truck turned right in front of a guy and he hit the truck at full speed. the EMT’s were there when I left but the guy was in pretty bad shape. It was not the cyclists fault at all. The car turned right in front of him.