Bob Marley Birthday Ride

44 flat Kent Valley miles on a rare 55 degree February day from Renton to Sumner and back.  This was another Cascade Bike Club ride organized by Jenny and Julie, who organized the Seattle loop ride a couple of weeks before.  About 20 riders rode the route, down the West Valley Highway, same route for the first leg of the STP.   Much to my surprise and delight, the Cave Man Kitchen was open, and the smoker on as we pedaled past about 11 a.m.   After the ride, I returned and obtained necessary provisions for the Super Bowl meal

The return route included the Interurban Trail, back up the Valley, underneath power lines and with an absence of hills, plus a view of Emerald Downs, the backs of office parks and the rest of the development of what,  maybe 75 years ago, was farm and wetland.

Still, good to explore routes where I hadn't been before and the Cascade rides provide good company and friendly conversation to keep me coming back.

Ride Around Seattle with Cascade Bike Club

40 miles on an unusually warm and dry January Sunday morning with the Cascade Bike Club.    The loop included an extension over the Jose Rizal Bridge and down Beacon Avenue South past the Jefferson golf course, somewhere I had not ridden!   Fun to ride with Julie, Leo, Eric and about 20 others.   I missed the beginning at Gas Works, but caught up with the group in Discovery Park.  As their route did not include the scenic overlook at the Magnolia Bluff, I split off and then stopped at Zeitgeist for some sustenance.  While sipping coffee, I watched Leo lead the peloton up Jackson, causing a hurry-up and catch-up, accomplished in plenty of time.   Good to ride in a group again, and hope to do more.

Bike Snob in Seattle

Bike Snob NYC visited the Bike Expo last weekend, and lived to tell about it.

BSNYC's descriptions are on target, especially his observations about riding in the rain. After freezing my toukas on Chilly Hilly, I drove to the Expo. After meandering for about two hours, gloating at the classic bikes, visiting with the classic Leo, getting my fill of Cascade Bike Club drama of the election of the New Board, and picking up a disappointing collection of SWAG, enough was enough and I left.

WTS #2

50 Miles around Camano Island today, all the while wondering when the rain was going to start. The course was advertised as hilly with rollers, and lived up to the billing. We had gone to the Crest the previous night to see Never Let Me Go (great movie, disturbing!), so with the late night and early start, I wasn't in the greatest shape for the ride. And, I'll admit to the classic mistake of waiting until hunger set in to eat, so was gassed in the 2nd half of the ride. Forgot my cue sheets as well, but the ride leaders (Ralph and Carol Nussbaum) had plenty of extras to share. They do a great job with these rides.

Still, the ride was dry, although the headwind at the end was tough, as was the road crud on the side on Hwy 532, but I arrived back at the start before the rain started, which it did as I finished my sandwich and headed for the car.

136 miles YTD, accomplished in the first two weeks of 2011.

Winter Training Series #1

Rode 40 miles with the Seattle Randonneurs in their Winter Training Series, co-sponsored by Cascade Bike Club, on a chilly and damp morning. The
loop started at Sammamish Valley Cycles in Redmond, went south on E. Lake Sammamish Pkwy, up to the Plateau, and then out to Carnation. The meteorologists threatened snow showers throughout the day, but all we got was a bit of drizzle during the descent into the Snoqualmie Valley. We returned past the historic Carnation Farm, via Union Hill Road. Many of the Randonneurs were on their first rides of the year after an extended lay off. But, that didn't stop them from leaving me behind and causing me to miss the promised cider and cookies at the finish, probably due to my normal strategy of stopping to take pictures, a tune-up at SBux, and various lolly-gagging on the hills.

Good ride, good group to ride with, lots of classic cycles (including plenty of Rivendells!) and friendly folks.

Early Autumn Rides

Two September weekends and two rides to remember. Last weekend, rode across I-90 and then out to Issaquah, using much of the same route that I rode on Livestrong last June. After a great and quiet ride through farmland on May Valley Road, I crossed a newly-constructed bridge and then turned north on Issaquah-Hobart into Issaquah, where Suburbia begins. Found the Starbucks at one of the universe of Strip Malls, refueled, then over Newport Hills, around Factoria and down to Coal Creek Parkway. Is there any easier way to find the I-90 trail from the Eastside south of the freeway? Maybe, but I've yet to find it. Entire route was about 60 miles on an 80 degree day, and well worth repeating.

The second ride should be labeled the Salmon Ride. While not riding the Cascade Spawning Cycle, there sure was enough overlap, as I rode much of the course in reverse. Coming up the Duwamish Trail, I watched one get landed in a boat adrift on the Duwamish. I watched two pulled in at the Duwamish Fishing Pier. Stopping at the Cascade Bike Club's spot at Myrtle Edwards Park, I ate a Ballard Brothers Blackened Salmon Burger, and then headed out the Locks to watch salmon heading up the fish ladder on their way home. Another 45 mile ride, and also worthy of a repeat.

STP - 2009

No, I'm not riding the STP this year, for the 2nd year in a row. Instead, I volunteered for Cascade Bike Club, handing out packets, bib numbers and those funny paper jackets at REI on Friday and then at the starting line, starting at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday. Got to see most of the 10,000 riders cross the line to head down to Portland for 204 miles. They picked a good weekend for the event, with 80+ degree weather and a tailwind.

Great people to work with, and riders were a fun, excited and interesting lot, most adrenaline-pumped and ready-to-go, a few intimidated, and a couple a little surly after not getting the right size paper jacket. Can't please everyone.

The SeaTimes had a writer on the ride, and he posted here. One noteworthy post includes a description of the revenues and profits from the event.

Sunday afternoon, view from Myrtle Edwards Park. One of the behemoth cruise ships headed north to Alaska.

The weather turned back to what passes for normal around here on Sunday, with the old-fashioned Great Northwest marine air-conditioning kicking in Saturday night, with Sunday filled with a southwest wind, rain, thunderstorms for those 2 day riders. I circumnavigated Boeing field, about 30 miles, and beat the downpour home by about a half hour. In retrospect, had I ridden STP, I would have been one of the poor souls who rolled into Holladay Plaza soaked to the bone.

Bike Expo and More

Finally retrieved the Bleriot from EBB after its annual check up and a reconfiguration. I dumped the STI shifters as they had problems going to the big cog at times, and substituted some good old-fashioned bar end jobs, which work just fine, although this user still is clunky with them.

Visited the CBC annual Bike Expo, gathered way too much swag and fliers for rides and adventures, ate my first festival food of the new year, then headed out onto the BGT into a headwind, rain and 40 degree temps. Made it to Interbay and as a came around the corner under the Ballard Bridge, the south wind picked up, the cold hard rain came in sideways, and I decided to beat it back home, via Stone Way, Peet's Coffee at Green Lake, and then Ravenna Blvd.

24 miles, but good to be back in the saddle after three weeks and several out-of-town trips. Even though I've been consistent on the gym bike, there's no substitute for saddle time. And, I'm going to need lots of saddle time to get ready for Livestrong.

RSVP Recap

So, I made it. We made it. It was HOT, especially Day #2 as the sun and the heat bounced off the pavement.

But, the RSVP is a special ride, and worth a definite repeat. My pix are here, Lynne's pix are here (including one of yours truly and the New Ride), Shaun's comments are here...

Day #1 started at about 6:15, down the hill after breakfast and last minute futzing about to Magnuson Park. Put the bag in the truck and then north on the BGT. Zoka hosted a coffee and Clif Bar stop just after Log Boom Park, a spot hitter for me and where I caught up with CLevi and Shaun, riding partners who pulled me along for a couple of days.

Rest stop in Snohomish after climbing a Woodinville hill, and then onto the Centennial Trail up to Lake Stevens. We had a comfortable pace, and while the weather was warm, all seemed fine. Then, a few hills showed up, partners went on ahead, passed through Arlington, stopping for a snack and a fluid exchange, and then north to Mount Vernon. Noon, sun directly overhead, and hills on the Lake Cavanaugh road, and the melting, the need to hydrate, and the headache began. By the time I got to Mount Vernon, I needed Tylenol, water, more snacks, double-tall iced latte, thank you, and a rest. Still, about 2 hours and Chuckanut Drive to go....

Then, a wrong turn, lots of confusing Dan Henry's out there, and I spent a good 45 minutes and at least ten miles riding through Skagit River Delta farm land, raspberries, blackberries, cows, etc, trying to get back to the route. Made it to Edison, and then back to Bow Hill Road and a mini-stop, where the WWU Cycling Club rep laughed at me and told me that I had not been alone. Somewhat relieved, time to start up Chuckanut, great views, big hills, but shade and shadows to cool the schlep a bit, pink lemonade at the top of the last climb, and finally to B'ham, the dorms, no pool (wait until next year), a shower, dinner at the Boundary Bay Brewery, and then bed.

Day 2 was easier. All-you-can eat breakfast (and I did) at Viking Commons and then on the road to Lynden, quick stop at Dutch Mother's, and north to the border. We paralleled Canada for about a mile, all separating the two countries was a ditch the width of a fat guy's standing broad jump, but still crossed at the Aldergrove border crossing. Many foto ops, and then north to face The Wall, (not so bad, just steep hill), and then to the Albion ferry to go across the Fraser River. The wait was in the sun, but we ran into Rachel and Marty while queuing up. The sun was directly overhead, and the heat was intensifying.

After the ferry, I slowed to adjust a shoe cleat that had loosened and lost the posse for good. Just as well, as they were burning up the road. With the heat, slow and steady, with plenty of rest stops worked for me.

Finally into the Van BC eastern suburbs, Barnet Highway and then bike paths (actually sharrows) into the city proper. A view of BC Place, dropped into Chinatown, through Gastown on Water Street, and then up to the Coast Plaza on Denham. The family meeting me at the finish line was a wonderful surprise!

Chilly Hilly 2008 Report!

As is traditional, Chilly Hilly 2008 was held on the last Sunday in February, rain or shine. This year, no rain, but the weather at the outset was definitely on the chilly side under grey skies. I caught the 7:55 a.m. ferry, along with about 1000 of my closest cycling friends!

We filled the ferry, and this year, the snack bar was open with hot coffee and Alki Bakery muffins!

Leaving the ferry dock in Winslow, you face a slight uphill, take a right, and you're off on the 31+ mile counter-clockwise course around the island. Two foods stops are on the route, one at Battle Point Park, and my favorite at the American Legion post on the island, where we are treated to hot cider and lots of homemade cookies from the local Girl Scouts, in exchange for a donation.

As we turned the corner and headed back to the ferry from the south part of Bainbridge, the sun came out and we headed into a dry, cold north wind. Nice, with great views of Seattle.

The bikes filled the ferry, and there's plenty of time to inspect other's equipment. I must have seen one Trek for every other type of bike.

More of my photos are here.

Cascade Bike Club is to be commended for another well-organized and monitored event. There are interesting comments to read on their message boards, including the pirate feud with the Point 83 crowd, plus links to many other photos on Flickr.

50+ miles, door to door. We'll put this one on the calendar again for next year!