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Cheetah challenged? |
A narrative not by Nelson Vails
Everything started out fine. What a beautiful morning!
I took breakfast on the Boulevard in my centrally placed, nicely appointed boutique hotel.
Well handled by my handlers, I found myself particularly pleased by PDX hospitality.
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Mr. Vails gathered everyone together to apologize for his slow riding, and he admitted he underestimated the skill level of Portland riders. |
Sauntering through the inner city on a Cervelo, I made my way to RCB.
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Hibiscus tea across from Blazer Boys and Girls Club, Vanport Plaza. |
In the parking lot, I noticed the people were polite, and the map mileage dinky.
Autographs and merchandise kept me focused on my navel orange, but rolling out I noticed something was different amongst these Stumptownsters. Maybe it's the micro-brew, but
I mean, everyone knows I have ridden all over the world, but this was the strongest group I had ever ridden with in my life.
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Bergmann looks back. |
There's was the kind of riding done in great races like Milan San Remo, or even the Tour de France.
Half way through the grueling 13 mile ride I began to realize I was starting to crack.
I tried to ride the wheel but the heat was just too great.
I started to panic as I was gasping for air on the high paced barely alpine climbs.
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Climbing is over. Time to go down hill. |
Thankfully, some of the Junior High School girls on Mt. Bikes looked back to see I was shelled, and they called to the others to slow down. Finally, I caught back on. Whew!
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Velo Vitaly supported b.i.k.e Hincapie in
2004 and brought The Cheetah to Broadway Boulevard in 2013! |
PDX cyclists need to go easy on the blood transfusions, or something because even the children are exceptionally strong.
All of the people I met seemed seemed exceptionally well coached.
I look forward to getting back home
and training up
to this inspiring "Stumptown" level
of athleticism.