A little ahead of last year. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #raam2016

So far 2016 has been a good year for riding. It has been nice to get lots of miles in even though the weather has been a challenge some days. The last 3 weeks have been 1228 miles which means next week will be a big rest week. It turns out that I have to travel so I will have a couple days off of the bike and my legs will probably appreciate it.

Big morning on the Island. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #raam2016

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90 miles today out on Sauvie Island makes up for 50+ miles in the rain yesterday. It was nice to get out and just spin on the flat roads for a few hours. I have been climbing quite a bit lately, so it was nice to ride a little faster (avg. 19.5 today). Probably back to the rain tomorrow.

I may have got a sunburn today. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #raam2016

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57 miles in 57 degree weather is hard to beat. Some good climbing in today out in the West Hills. After 821 miles in the last two weeks, I am trying to get one more week of 400+ miles in before a recovery week. I hope to keep my climbing to around 20,000 ft per "high mileage week" in order to tackle the climbs on RAAM.

My legs are 102 mile tired. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #raam2016

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I was glad to get in 102 miles today, but my legs are tired. The day began with hooking up with Athletes Lounge group ride for a few miles then it was off to the Gorge for some solo miles up to the Vista House. I was going to get a few more climbs in, but my legs had different ideas, still have had a good week on the hills. I need to keep climbing to get ready for RAAM.

Just another day on the bike. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #raam2016

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Today was a nice recovery day after a long climbing 80 mile ride yesterday. My legs feel pretty good and I am recovering quickly these days. I was suppose to do all 5 climbs but Germantown Rd was closed so I had to settle for just 4 good climbs and setting a PR on Newberry Rd (last climb of the 4). Hopefully all of the hard work will pay off in June for RAAM.

Rainy ride through the countryside. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #raam2016

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A wet 52 miles this morning, but the winds were light and the temps in the mid 40s. Yesterday was a short hill workout, so today was just about getting some easy miles in. Thanks to a friend of mine who reps for Craft, I have a bunch of new gear to get me through the rest of the winter in. This time of year there seems to be wet clothes hanging everywhere in the house.

Dirty Thirty lived up to its name today. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #raam2016

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Rule #9//

If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.

Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face. This is a rider who loves the work.

156 days and counting. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners #RAAM2016

We are starting to get things in order for 2016 RAAM. Team Velorunners is an 8 person team competing this year. We have 7 team members right now and have 1 other person who is still on the fence about joining. We hope to have at least 5 crew members getting us across the country. A lot can happen during a week of riding 24 hours straight, but I think with the team we have assembled that we can put in a good performance. The planning for this race is probably a bigger obstacle than the actual race itself.

A whole lotta mud up on Leif. #teamnuun #teamvelorunners

I always enjoy getting up to Forest Park and riding on the trails. Doing the full length of Leif Erikson twice (44 miles) is a good workout especially when there is lots of mud to ride through. Now time for a shower.

Not a bad view on the ride this morning. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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Well that finishes up a nice recovery break. It is nice that 253 miles is a recovery week, but what a difference some down time can make. Tomorrow it is back to work and time to start getting some climbing in. Only 158 days until RAAM.

Great day out on the roads. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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Near perfect weather for January in Portland today. Nice easy spin out on the Springwater Trail and the legs are feeling great. Amazing how a few easy days can make the body feel so fresh. 

Feeling recovered. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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Easy spins this week have felt good. The body is recovering well and I hope it means I can be stronger when training gets back going.

Easy hour of garage bliss. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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Another easy hour on the trainer since the roads are still a little icy. Hopefully by tomorrow or the next day I will be able to get back outside for a few miles. It is nice to have this break and the weather be crappy at the same time. Usually when I want some downtime it's really nice out and I feel like I am cheating myself by not getting out there and hammering.

Recovery time has begun. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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After spending quite a few hours in the saddle lately, my body is ready for a little rest. This week will be easy and since the freezing rain has arrived, it would be hard to get many miles in outside right now.

My view today. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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Didn't expect to get up this morning and see snow, so it was time for a few "garage" miles. This is my 25th consecutive week over 300+ miles / 8770.2 miles / 350.8 mi average / with only 6 days off. With RAAM only 24 weeks away, this gives me a great base. Now time to take a little break and rest up and hopefully it will warm up.

That was a cold 75 miles. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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Started out today and the wind chill was about 15 degrees and for Portland that is chilly. I rode and met the Athletes Lounge group where we did a loop around Sauvie Island then I looped around once by myself. Heading home I snapped this photo on highway 30 of ice covering the hillside. 

RAAM 2016 - Team Velorunners will be ready in June. #teamnuun #stayhydrated #teamvelorunners

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In 24 weeks we start a 3,000 mile journey from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD. It should be a fantastic time that hopefully will only take us about 6 days of riding. We have lots of planning that has to be done in the meantime and lots of training that needs to be accomplished also. Many things can happen in 3,000 miles but I know this group can handle anything that is put up against them. We just have to remember Rule #5 and keep the rubber side down.