Mom turned 93 years old this week. That in itself is astounding, but when we asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she answered, “I want to go on a 30-mile tandem bike ride!”
Mom has been riding on the back of a tandem bike off and on since she was 85. Back then, an acquaintance in Ashland approached her and invited her to ride on a tandem. I think he thought she was at least 10-20 years younger than she is. Although it had been decades since she rode a bike, she said, “why not?”
Since then, they have gone on a tandem bike ride once or twice year, including completing three Providence Bridge Pedals, where she was undoubtedly the oldest participant.
I planned to ride my recumbent bicycle, but mom’s biking partner offered to secure a second tandem bike for my wife and me, provided she was interested. She was. This would be the first experience riding a tandem bike for either of us.
I decided to order a custom t-shirt for mom and a custom safety vest for myself:
This 30-mile ride was longer than most of the rides mom has completed. The Petal Pedal starts and ends at the Oregon Garden in Silverton, OR. The weather forecast was far from favorable: there was a 30-50% chance of rain, and temperatures were predicted to be around 52 degrees, F (11 degrees, C).
Nevertheless, we were committed and determined. Plus, having grown up on the Oregon Coast, we weren’t going to let the rain stop us (although we were all hoping for better conditions).
Our friend adjusted our seats, double-checked our tires, and then we were ready to go. At this point, it was cool, and the rain was only a very light sprinkling.
We started off on our two tandem bikes. I was very awkward and uncomfortable at first. I was riding in front, and starts and stops on the tandem were very scary. After a few tries, though, my wife and I developed a rhythm and communication that was satisfactory.
The 30-mile course was the shortest of several available courses (the others were 50, 70, and 100 miles). Our course was supposed to be pretty flat for all except a small fall and rise at the very beginning and end of the ride. I was grateful. None of us was in good physical shape, so we were expecting a very leisurely pace and ride.
We navigated downtown Silverton which was hair-raising. Stopping and starting a tandem bicycle was new to me, and it requires skill and coordination. Fortunately, we were able to coast through some intersections without having to stop and restart.
An 81 y.o. acquaintance of our friend followed behind us. Peter was riding solo and had a good rear-view mirror. He would call out to warn if there was traffic approaching from behind. We were grateful for his support.
The first 10 miles were pretty miserable. We experienced a near-constant head wind with rain. And the supposedly flat course included rises and falls which, combined with the wind (and my lack of fitness) really demanded perseverance and grit.
We found our rhythm riding past fields of blueberries, raspberries, and hazelnuts. Some of the blueberry bushes sagged under the weight of heavy yields. Not yet ripe, I imagined how happy and greedy the birds would become in just a few weeks.
We reached the first aid station.
Water, snacks, and shelter from the falling rain beckoned. We stopped and rested under the shelter. I was a little dismayed to find we had only completed 10 miles (I thought we’d made the half-way point). We were already pretty wet and actually got colder standing under the shelter. We headed out for the second leg of the ride.
This leg started out much better than the former. The wind was at our back, and the rain was light and stopped completely at moments. It felt like we were riding faster and making much better progress using less effort.
But then suddenly, our pedals skipped and started spinning freely. The chain connecting the front pedals to the rear had jumped off gear. We stopped, and Peter helped me get the chain righted, and we were again underway.
We made it to the second aid station, located at the Labish Center Road fire station.
In addition to water, coffee, and snacks, strawberry rhubarb, apple, and cherry pie added to the lure of shelter from the rain.
And then the rain really started to fall.
We were at mile 17.5, still 12.5 miles left to go. We watched the heavy rain, waiting for it to let up. It didn’t. We were all really cold and completely soaked through. We discussed briefly maybe taking a shortcut on our way back.
The two young ladies manning the aid station said that more and more people were aborting the ride, and several volunteers with trucks were picking people and their bikes to transport them back to the warmth and comfort of the great hall at the Oregon Garden.
Mom really wanted to continue, but we could see she was at least as cold and wet as we were. We decided to accept the offer of a lift. Not everyone could fit in the truck, so I chose to wait behind and be picked up later.
It was good we decided to stop!
Not 5 minutes after the rest of my party had left, a race organizer in a large panel truck stopped by to announce that the ride was being shut down. They were going to drive the course, pick up the remaining riders and bikes, and shut down and pack up the aid stations.
Shortly thereafter, my wife arrived to take me back. Sitting on a warm, dry, cushioned seat inside a very warm and dry car was a welcome relief!
Back at the hall, excellent warm food was served, and a great trio, The Catnip Brothers, played tasteful Gypsy Jazz.
Since it was mom’s birthday, my wife had prepared a cake. Mom requested a lemon meringue cake, and we had carefully transported it with us.
I requested the musicians play Happy Birthday. We unveiled it and all the riders in the hall sang Happy Birthday to mom.
We made it home, achy muscles and joints crying out for the relief of a hot shower or bath.
All in all, it was a memorable ride. And as in the previous Providence Bridge Pedals, I have no doubt mom was the oldest participant.
Blatant Calm 