3K

Topped the 3,000 mile mark for the year yesterday with a loop downtown, Myrtle Edwards Park to the Locks, and then back home via BGT. Tres mil doce. 3012.

This is the view across the Sound at about 2999 miles. Turned the 3K as I departed from Myrtle Edwards and turned up Interbay toward the Locks. To get some perspective, it is about 2850 miles from Seattle to NYC, and about 3070 miles from Seattle to Boston!

New gear for Xmas worked well. Sugoi booties to keep the toes warm and dry, and new Cannondale gloves for the fingers as well.

Looking at the weather report, I may get one more ride in before New Year's, as cold rain and wind is in the forecast for the weekend.

Tough news this week. Tony has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer most frequently associated with asbestos poisoning. He's returning home today, and we'll see how the situation progresses. Tough stuff for him, his beautiful family, and all of the rest of us.

Scatching the itch

Here's the weather for today:

















Yuk. It's wet, cold, windy, and dark. The days don't get much shorter than this one. Glad that I got in another ride on Monday. Looped down through Myrtle Edwards Park, past the OSP, stopped in Pioneer Square at Zeitgeist Coffee for a quick espresso before climbing the hill, going through the Tunnel, and then returning via Leschi and the Arboretum.

Stopped at Montlake Bicycle Shop, ostensibly to look at a Cannondale commuter. While it's still an idea, what caught my eye was a 2007 Bianchi Volpe that was retrofitted as a commuter, with bullet shifters mounted on a standard upright handlebar. Right size, and everything! I test rode it, and while the ride was smooth, and it was interesting to ride upright after so long on a road bike, I was able to come to some conclusions, at least for now. And, the ride back home on the Lemond provided the contrast and frame of reference for that decision.

First, the Lemond does not need to be replaced. It's light, handles well, fits me just fine. Good to go for at least the 2008 season. For now, no need for a commuter. If I want a beater, I'll get one for $150 from Recycled Cycles, who have an ample supply. Those can be loaded with fenders and racks and would suit the purpose well.

If I'm going to get a new ride, I'm going to buy exactly what I want, which means the steel-frame Davidson with the custom-sized frame from EBB. That means I can specify the size, components, features and even the color. I'd rather save the $$$ for that purchase when the time comes, perhaps as a double-nickel birthday present for myself.

Consider the itch to be scratched!

50 miles to go to clear the 3K mark for the year. Let's hope it dries out enough in the next two weeks.

Cupholders and Safety

Courtesy of Kent's Bike Blog....

Malcolm Gladwell wrote about SUVs and safety for the New Yorker.

Big difference between perceived safety and the real thing....

December ride

35 miles today, down on Leschi, I-90 bike tunnel, stadiums, up the waterfront, around Magnolia, across the Locks and then up to North Ballard, Green Lake and home. Typical December weather, showers, wet pavement and with a 25+ kt wind from the south that blew me around on the Magnolia Bluff, a little hairy with the downhill run and the breeze causing that front wheel to move on its own accord!

2935 miles to date this year, with a goal of 3000 by December 31 well in sight. 2 or 3 more rides in the next two weeks should do it.

Patriot

It's an ad, but it's inspirational.