Ride Report Rode, ate, and then toured the factory in Portland with Chris King.

Discussion in 'Ride Reports' started by Skid Row, Aug 31, 2014.

  1. Skid Row

    Skid Row Member

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    ***Just added all the remaining pictures for the factory tour and dinner farther down this thread***

    This report is a few weeks late..happened during the end of July... but finally had some time now to post this.

    I have been wanting to ride the Chris King Gourmet Century since reading about it 3 years ago. I finally pulled the trigger this year. I have never been to Portland before so I was looking forward to visiting as well. This is a road ride, but I figure STR members might want to see some pix of the factory and the awesome grub the served for the ride.

    Due to time restraints, this had to be a quick trip without much time to sight see. I ended up flying into Portand Friday afternoon, picked up my bike that I shipped a few days before en route to checking into the hotel. Rode all day Saturday, and then flew back home Sunday just in time to have dinner with the family.

    The ride was 70 miles, 4200 miles of total climbing. I ended up doing 75 miles total because i missed a turn while checking out the scenary, and realized that after a couple miles past the marker.

    This ride is really about eating so a huge breakfast was served, 3 rest breaks ( with the 3rd stop being at Chris King's house ), then a gourmet dinner at the factory. No Goldfish and trailmix at any of the stops. All food were prepared by local bakeries and restaurant chefs with farm fresh local ingredients. Food was amazing !

    Here are some pictures to summarize the ride...


    1.jpg
    Portland !

    1a.jpg
    Proud sign leading into the factory.

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    about 400 riders. parking on the side of the factory. ride sold out in a couple of days from what i was told.

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    Exresso bar at every stop.

    3a.jpg
    Ready to eat... er.. ride.

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    Tent set up for some grubbing.

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    Sample of what was served for Breakfast.

    5a.jpg
    Fueling up before the ride.

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    Hitting the road. All the green helps the miles go quickly.

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    First climb up what they called Newberry about 5 miles in.. heard someone say 18% at certain points.

    8.jpg
    Looking back, people already walking. Funny the climb never look as steep in pictures as in real life
    8a.jpg
    First rest stop about 17 miles in.

    9.jpg
    Obligatory bike photo. Sunflowers a tribute to TDF.

    10.jpg
    Yum. Foccasia bread with bacon, cheese, and Mushrooms.

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    Fresh baked something... had walnuts and figs in it. I loaded up more than I should have with this.

    12.jpg
    Beautiful farm country roads..

    13.jpg

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    Lunch... about 30 miles in. I am still full from the last rest stop.
    Fresh Priscuito with bree. Cabbage slaw... I couldn't finish all of it..

    15.jpg
    miles of rolling hills in the country side.

    16.jpg
    and a section of gravel even.

    More to follow....
     
  2. Skid Row

    Skid Row Member

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    17.jpg
    Rolling hills... starting to taste the lunch for the second time... shouldnt have stuffed myself.

    18.jpg

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    20.jpg
    Beautiful trees and shade.
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    21a.jpg
    This is where I missed my turn.. just checking out the scenery.
    21b.jpg
    22.jpg
    getting close the 3rd rest stop... with some short steep climbs..by this point, I am starting to get tired.. about mile 50ish...

    23.jpg
    Guess who lives at the 3rd rest stop ...

    24.jpg
    the barn where it all started....

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    fresh baked. madalenes, cookies, fruit tarts, i ate most of the plates you see here, that is why the serving tray is not full....
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    Protein station..

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    Expresso served with a smile...

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    Chris King Himself.. he rode with the group.. caught him here sneaking in a bit of Makers Mark into the beverage ! LOL.


    29.jpg
    after the 3rd rest stop, we climbed the hills of GermanTown back to the factory. 2000ft of climbing after 60 miles or so.. i am beat ! I did not train for this ride so my legs are shot by now.... no more energy to take pictures..

    30.jpg
    Finally back at the factory.. for Suds, wine, appetizers, and dinner !!

    Pix of factory tour and dinner to follow.....
     
  3. von

    von Member

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    Awesome! Always wanted to do it but ended up selling my remotely road..cyclocross bike.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  4. stevemacko

    stevemacko Member

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    I would have never finished. The food would have done me in!

    That looks like a fun time... Thanks for sharing.
     
  5. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    Can't remember the last time a Ride Report made me jealous...

    This one DEFINETLY made me... Made me... :(

    (I have plenty of questions. Too depressed. Will ask them tomorrow.)

    thanks for posting!
     
  6. Danimal

    Danimal Gary the Cat

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    Nice ride! Been too long since been out of the city.
    I agree, that much food I'd have been in a calorie induced coma!
    Big props to the espresso bars, Who needs food if there is enough caffeine...:bang:
    Thanks for the RR
     
  7. Skid Row

    Skid Row Member

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    Ha ha..! :beer:

    I've got pix of the factory and dinner I still have to download and will post shortly. The food served was pretty amazing. The CK factory has a gourmet kitchen built into their cafeteria/lounge that would not have looked out of place in one of those fancy LA restaurants.

    I think I actually weighed more after the ride than before the ride began !
     
  8. A D NOH

    A D NOH Custom Newbie Title

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    Wow! That's awesome!

    How much was the ride?

    That looks like something I would definitely love to do.

    I love your grin on the fueling up before the ride photo, haha.

    How is the pace and the athleticism of the riders? (I did notice some people were walking but you did mention 18% grades.)
     
  9. Skid Row

    Skid Row Member

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    The entry fee for the CK ride was aprox $175. I don't remember exact amount. Its a little more than some of the other century rides, but in my opinion, you get so much more. Just the amount of food alone was belly busting !

    The riders were pretty varied in skill and fitness level. Ranging from elite riders to urban style riders riding their steel urban bikes. It was very much a social ride so the vibe wasn't a hammerfest at all. The Newberry climb at the beginning of the ride wasn't un-ridable. It was challenging for sure, but it didnt go on and on like some climbs can be. I didn't need to stop and I am not very good at climbing.

    I would definately recommend you checking it out. It was a very memorable event !
     
  10. Fearless Fly

    Fearless Fly anachronistic and impulsi

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    Just got done with my ride and my King Headset still creaks. I really don't know why people buy this junk and why I made the mistake to buy another King headset. Putting a cane creek 40 on my new fork.
     
  11. kcm

    kcm New Member

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    Hey Skid row thanks for the RR. Pictures are awesome. expresso, good food and riding your bike through countryside.... wow. .. Jealous KC!!!
     
  12. Skid Row

    Skid Row Member

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    You should plan on riding this next year. We can get a group to head up as a road trip !
     
  13. Skid Row

    Skid Row Member

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    Here are the rest of the pictures..

    We were able to get a tour of the CK factory as well as the Cielo factory. Pretty cool to be able to walk around and see all the machines and mills that make the frame and parts.

    31.jpg
    Nice Cielo bikes built up as part of the entry way display.

    31a.jpg

    32.jpg
    Raw frames being finished and painted.

    33.jpg
    all frames are made and painted in house right in Portland.

    34.jpg
    Selfie...

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    Raw stock ready to be turned into various parts and frames.

    35a.jpg

    36.jpg

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    38.jpg
    I couldn't believe this pile of rejected parts.. these ultimately get turned to salt and pepper shakers for sale.
    39.jpg
    the factory floor is a lot larger than I expected.

    40.jpg
    CK is very environmentally aware. Rows of these containers are used to drain the machining oil to get recycled.

    41.jpg
    42.jpg
    axles for the new enduro standard... QR7600 lol..
    43.jpg
    44.jpg
    these are polishing machines. the brown dust is actually crushed walnut shells, which i had no idea that was what they use to polish the parts.
    45.jpg
    before and after the tumble with crushed walnut shells.
    46.jpg
    47.jpg
    Anodizing machine. CK does the anodization in house for standard colors. custom colors are done elsewhere.
    48.jpg
     
  14. Skid Row

    Skid Row Member

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    More pix...

    49.jpg
    All finished parts are locked up !

    50.jpg
    Dinner is served ! This is the employee cafeteria, where a gourmet kitchen resides. After a good amount of riding, food, and beer..... MORE FOOD AND BEER !! :beer:
    51.jpg
    52.jpg

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    first course - roasted squash, farro, and cucumber salad. ( I have no idea what farro is )

    54.jpg
    Second Course - Octopus salad, romaine leaves, salsa verde

    55.jpg
    Third Course - Baised Short Ribs, Creamed corn, and summer squash.

    56.jpg
    Dessert - Grilled summer berry trifle, pastry cream, and sponge cake.

    57.jpg
    Chris King, His wife, and Yours Truly.

    Well that's it. Hope you enjoyed the pictures and write up.

    Cheers !
     
  15. OTHRIDER

    OTHRIDER Active Member

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    I really enjoy everything Portland has to offer. Thanks for finding me a new jewel to explore. Paging Dino - road trip.

    edit - there's one in Sonoma too but no factory tour
     
  16. molarm

    molarm Member

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    Awesome trip! We all appreciate the full documentation of the facilities as well as the ride and food. Well done!
    Mike
     
  17. stevemacko

    stevemacko Member

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    I've been back to this thread at least 10 times just to look at the pictures. This looks like a blast.
     
  18. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

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    As much as I dislike road riding I could get into this. Thanks for sharing, Jason!!
     
  19. bconneraz

    bconneraz Member

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    Thanks for sharing- fantastic pictures!
     
  20. kcm

    kcm New Member

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    I'm down for next year! Pictures are great. So is this a bicycle ride or a gourmet, factory tour? thanks again for the RR!!
     

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