Livestrong - Father's Day 2009

While standing in line at the first rest stop waiting for the normal fluid exchange routine, I struck up a conversation with a young woman. "Nice day for a ride. Heard we've got some hills in front of us..,' that sort of thing. Then, I explained I was riding in honor of my brother-in-law Tony, who passed away last March 15, and whose daughter was having her high-school graduation party today on Father's Day. The young woman then told me that she was riding to honor of her Dad, and choked up.


Lots of those moments today. Riders who were cancer survivors, (“Ten Years, Given No Chance!”), riders honoring their moms, dads, brothers, sisters, friends, husbands, wives, partners…..

Yes, it was a great ride on a tough course, well described here by Lisa and the mysterious RiderX. Yes, it was a typical Seattle June day, with clouds, a shower or two, and more headwinds than tailwinds. Yes, the course was well-marked and the rest stops staffed with friendly and helpful volunteers.

But the event started the day before at the packet pickup, where you had to be impressed with the Livestrong organization, all the volunteers in yellow, and those who kept coming in and filling out the cards ‘In Honor Of….’ and ‘In Memory Of…’

Because I had joined Team Fatty to add the totals of those who donated in support of Tony to a larger group, I was invited to the Fundraising Appreciation Dinner, where I caught up with friends Claudia and Shaun, plus met the Petersons and Fat Cyclists, all of whom shared the motto, Win Susan! The guest of honor was Lance’s oncologist, Craig Nichols, who took questions from the MC, Betty Otter-Nickerson of the LAF.

The highlight of the evening was when Steven Peterson led Team Fatty to the podium to be honored for most fundraising dollars, most fundraising members, and highest individual donor. We watch the video from Fatty Himself, Elden Nelson, who is not Stanley Tucci, and then heard from Steve’s brother, Scott, cancer survivor. Inspiring, and what a way to get you focused for the main event the next morning.

Congratulations, Team Fatty! from Fat Cyclist on Vimeo.

Started from home early (5:45) to get to Seattle Center in time for the line up and the 7:00 a.m. start. Dan the Man Wilson blew the start horn and we were off, down 2nd, no wait, 5th Avenue (slightly off track, but what a way to start), through downtown and onto the I-90 onramp to head east in the Express Lanes through the tunnel, across the Lake and then for the circumnavigation of Mercer Island. From there, it was Bellevue, then points east, including past Squak Mountain, to Issaquah, and up the infamous Montreaux Hill. Halfway up the monster, I stopped for water and to suck in some badly-needed oxygen. The Sag Wagon stopped and asked how I was doing, probably to see if I needed help. I told them, “This is why they call this a challenge!” Up to the top, to by met by Beelzebub, and then downhill to Newcastle and around the south end of the lake.

At the end there’s a relatively easy way to get back downtown, through the I-90 bike tunnel, but why do the easy thing when this is a challenge, not just a pleasure ride. Up and over the ridge to Yesler we rode slowly as the thighs burned. The Bleriot, with its granny gears and big rear cassette performed like a champ throughout.


Finally, got back to Seattle Center, and was met by Cynthia and Max, as wonderful a father’s day present as any Dad ever received. I had a hamburger, Cynthia drove home, and I napped, with my best dog by my side.

Thanks to all who supported me, and donated in honor of Tony and others. And, thanks to the Livestrong Challenge folks for organizing such an amazing event!

North Lake Loop

First 70 degree day in months and a great time to head out on the North Lake Loop to clear the cobwebs and get ready for another quarter at the Learning Factory. Ongoing construction at Log Boom Park and along the BGT in Kenmore was mildly inconvenient, but kept a good pace and cruised down into Juanita Bay, where the cormorants were keeping watch on the old pilings.

And, in the beaver pond on the other side, I saw this heron concentrating on some brunch.

Stopped at the Mercer Island Lid for a snack and watched a bit of Little League baseball. The Mercer Island select team was in the field, with the Seattle Select Team at bat. I watched them load the bases and then the MI pitcher walked three batters in a row. This kid had a good curve and fastball but couldn't get it over the plate, as he started to fall apart. Pitching without confidence and trying to pinpoint the ball is one of the toughest things that these young players can do. It's truly a spot where failure breeds more failure as things spiral out of control. We've all been there, and it was difficult to watch, so on to the I-90 bridge and then up the Leschi side toward home.

On the Seattle side I had three separate run-ins with potential wrecks due to idiot drivers attempting to turn in front of me while talking on their cell phones. As Click and Clack advise, "Hang Up and Drive!"

37 miles, 438 YTD, and let's hope that we've turned the corner on the weather so I can rack up more miles.

February, so far....

Wanted to get a long ride in over the weekend, before traveling for several weeks in a row to points south and east. Started in the sunshine up the BGT to Kenmore, over the top of the lake and down the eastside toward Juanita, where these snow geese were resting on a log boom. After a Ladro stop, continued through Bellevue, across I-90 to Mercer Island, and took a left at the Mercer Island JCC to do the MI Loop. When I made the turn from E. Mercer Way to W. Mercer Way, the cold north wind hit my face and my lack of training became apparent. It was a schlep the rest of the way home. 47 miles, chilled, tired, tight hamstrings. Being sick with cold/flu for about a week and still taking the antibiotics, just not ready for it, but am ready for some warm weather.

I should get that in San Diego next weekend, and maybe even in San Juan in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, more trips to the gym, more stretching, and maybe even some regular sleep will have to suffice.



When I first started out up the BGT, I noticed this plaque by the poisoned trees that I wrote about last August. Now there's a permanent market, courtesy of Seattle Parks and Recreation, to acknowledge the crime.

Been listening to a lot of Theme Time Radio, hosted by Bob Dylan. Great mix of tunes, plus Bob's banter, emails and phone calls. "Here's an email from Johnny Depp in Paris, France. Johnny wants to know, who is the father of modern communism?" Hijinks ensue. I think that Jim D would have enjoyed the show. He was writing a book on Dylan when he passed away two years ago, and no doubt would have collected them all.

Loss

Loss seems to be the topic for the evening. This installment is a small one, espresso. I've often stopped at Uptown Espresso by the OSP on my rides. A doppio, and a stop in the restroom, not in that order, filled the bill to get me home.

So, when we visited about a week ago, after Dim Sum with the Pie before she embarked for Omaha. I parked, we meandered through the sculptures, walked along Myrtle Edwards, and then needed to offload fluids. Took the family to Uptown, but no longer do they let customers use the rest room. Pleading didn't help. "There's one a block away at the Park." So, here I was, out about $12 plus the feeling that I had led the family the astray. A loss. Won't be back soon.

And, last weekend, after circumnavigating Mercer Island, headed downtown for lunch and then espresso at Zeitgeist. Pulled the $2 out of the wallet for tiny cup, and the barista said, $2.10.

"Your prices went up."

"So has everything else."

Arrrgggggghhhhh

Cascade Training Series 2008 - Part 1

Did the Mercer Island Loop today as part of the CTS 2008.    More participants than last year, many familiar faces, and was better conditioned as well.   We got snow on Friday, and a bit Saturday night as well, so the headwind and the temps had a certain bite to them as we headed down the BGT and Leschi toward the I-90 bridge.

At the rest stop at the ballfields, looking east Tiger Mountain and the Newport Hills were covered with snow!

Circumnavigated MI, returned via the bridge, and the broke off from the crowd to head to Uwajimaya for a big bowl of Won Ton Soup from Noodle Zen, an espresso at Zeitgeist, and then looked in at Safeco Field to watch a bit of Texas Ranger BP.    Up Alaska Way, under the viaduct, passed the OSP, and then out to the Locks before heading home on the BGT.  50 miles today, and about 390 year to date.   Those miles should be piling up now with the weekly rides, and as we finally get some real spring.