# At Eden's Gate 400k ## July 22, 2023 ![[Screenshot 2024-12-29 at 2.11.29 PM 1.png]] This is my second time riding Eden's Gate 400k. The previous time was in 2018. 2018 was my first ever 400k, and first ever overnight ride. I learned _a lot_ about long randonneuring rides, endurance cycling, and nighttime cycling. The 2023 ride started in the same location, a Starbucks parking lot, with less fanfare and only two riders total. As usual, I arrived about 10 minutes late. I chatted with Michael, the RBA, for about 15 minutes and was off. The temperature in Wilsonville was comfortable, the winds were calm, and the traffic was light. This light traffic made the southbound I-5 crossing manageable. The next 40 miles to Stayton were flat and fast, having a tailwind and comfortably cool temperatures. After Stayton, the temperatures started to rise. With little shade and rolling hills, I decided to make my first stop at the local market in Lacomb. The market is about 50 meters off the route. After topping up my water I was back out heading south towards Sweethome. In Sweethome the roads were slightly busier and the temperatures continued to rise. Heading into the biggest climb on the ride, I found some shade at a small turnout and took a break to eat my pocket burrito. Climbing the big hill was hot, there was little shade and my legs were starting to feel the 100 miles of cycling. The winds had also shifted from my tail to my head. Enjoying the descent and rolling section towards the turn for Walterville I was able to cool off. The turn towards Walterville puts you along the McKenzie River. The shade and cooler temps near the water are temporary but enjoyable. Walterville is a small town that offers a Dollar General for resupply and a bar/tavern for folks with time in the bank. I had made good time, 8h18m for the first 200k but I want to set a PR for a 400k. I resupplied at Dollar General and headed west toward Coburg. The heat was in full effect, I made the decision to fill my three bottles _and_ stuff a 1L bottle down the neck of my jersey. A wise choice, cooling my back off and decreasing the need to stop for more water until Harrisburg. The miles to Harrisburg wind through mostly rural areas, with a touch of civilization as you pass through Coburg. This is also where I picked up a headwind. The weather report showed I would have headwinds from Walterville all the way back to Wilsonville. The report was not wrong. While the headwind wasn't constant its warm embrace challenged me for hours. Harrisburg was my planned dinner stop, arriving 10h47m into the ride, I was on target for dinnertime. There isn't a lot in Harrisburg for fast food, the only option is Subway. I prefer Subway over other fast options because my stomach can tolerate the food, I can fill my bottles, and pack an extra 6" sandwich in my jersey pocket if needed. Leaving Subway and heading back out, these last 100 miles were going to be a test. The headwind had picked up, the heat was still present, and the sunset was only a couple of hours away. Skirting around Corvallis and through downtown Albany I found some windbreaks along the tree-lined river sections. After Albany, the scenery is pretty flat, with the town of Independence to look forward to. Surprisingly, Independence was bustling, a planned Ironman event the following day had the town packed with visitors. A quick water top-up and Pop Tart break at a convenience store and it was time to finish the last leg of this ride. Heading into Salem on a Saturday night, the streets and bars were busy. Correctly navigating out of the state capital, an error I made last time, I was back riding through rural America, only now it was dark. At mile 230 I needed to take a short stretch break. 16h30m in and my legs were finally letting me know they were tired. The fire station between Hopmere and Saint Louis was perfectly placed for a short stretch break. I sailed through the last two hours of riding, the winds had calmed down and traffic was non-existent. The last notable section of this ride is the I-5 crossing back to Wilsonville. This one-mile section of I-5 North is hard. A narrower shoulder than the Southbound section, more debris, and more traffic make for a white-knuckle experience. Completing the I-5 North section dropped me into Wilsonville, and a short ride to the parking lot completing the ride in 18h20m. Setting a new personal record for a 400k, beating my old time for Eden's Gate by over 5 hours. RideWGPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/128862641 Stats for the ride: - Total Time: 18:19:55 - Ride Time: 16:17:17 - Speed: Averaged 15.5 MPH - Normalized Watts: 164W - Fluids: 3+ gallons