A few more reflections on not riding the STP are in order. I was wistful about missing the ride, until I thought about the crowds and yahoos, the ugly rest stops, the heat and the conditions, US 30 into Portland, blah, blah, blah.
Packet pickup duty at REI was different this year, with a new cast of characters at Cascade, younger, seemingly less connection to the volunteers, no jackets to give out, and the new Cascade brass present but not taking the time to say hello to those of us giving our time to help....
Lots of complaints from the Bike Tawkers about number of riders, personal support vehicles, lack of common sense, lack of ride refs to address the yahoo factor, hot weather, rain coming into Portland, etc....
Kevin summed up his frustrations here...
Still, there is this video of crossing the Lewis and Clark bridge over the Columbia into Oregon to consider.
We'll put a big WE'LL SEE on next year. RSVP yes, STP, well, maybe,....
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Something to think about from Iron Rider
The Iron Rider talks about what goes through his head on those long distance rides.
http://eprider.blogspot.com/p/something-to-think-about.html
Lots of things go through our heads. Claire wrote about some of them. Bicycling can be lonely or a time for contemplation, sometime an opportunity for ruminating, and best of all, and especially when climbing or descending, a time to wash that all away and focus on the bike and the road.
1,342 miles YTD. After the month long layoff and the bonk on CTS #9, I've readjusted, rebuilt the mileage base with CTS #10 (196th and Black Diamond), #11 (Kent-Enumclaw route) and #12, and am feeling pretty good about where I'm at with the bike, my legs and ability to ride the longer distances. The Ride Leader experience has been both fun and satisfying, as well as frustrating and work, like being in the classroom is work. Last week on the Flaming Geyser Century out-and-back route, with the rain squalls, wind, and cranky riders, the satisfaction waned. Riding in front, watching the route, keeping to the pace, and keeping on eye on the other riders, being a model and example, answering questions from the newbies, building their confidence, coaching and mentoring, all that can be gratifying, but can also detract from the benefit of washing out the mind and getting to the cycling zen that is one of the reasons I keep coming back to the bike. After the series ends, I'll need to reflect on what worked and what didn't. For one thing, I know that the bike worked!
Tomorrow is the last one in the series, a Lake Washington loop, and then STP for those 10,000 who choose to do so. Not me this year, and that's just fine. I'm planning on the CTS Rides Again first ride, and we'll put a big 'we'll see' on the rest of them.
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