First of the year...

44 miles around Boeing Field, with stops to see the Dreamliner, the Merry Go-Round at Westlake Center, and Pioneer Square for a Zeitgeist break.

Off to a good start toward a goal of 3,000 miles, and without either the STP or the RSVP.

November Loop

Rain, wind, and hail in the convergence zone on Friday, plus similar weather on Sunday meant I needed to grab my ride on Saturday a.m. if a ride was going to be grabbed at all this weekend. Pedaled 30 miles on a clockwise loop down to Leschi, through the I-90 tunnel, Pioneer Square and the Stadiums, for another break at Zeitgeist. I've actually stopped there enough to fill the coffee card!

The I-90 tunnel seemed unusually yellow and bright this a.m., uncrowded without the weekday commuters and weekend recreation cyclists. I noticed how much more pleasant the trails seem now that the weather has driven many of the riders inside, out of the wet, cold and dark.



Unusual placement for a Greenway Trail sign, but it looks like the Mountains-to-Sound trail ends along the first base side of Safeco Field, along Edgar Martinez Drive.



No hassle crossing at the Locks, and then snapped this photo of the Fremont and Aurora Bridges along the BGT, noting that the leaves are almost gone from the alder trees. We're about 5 weeks from the Winter Solstice, and I'm looking forward already to sunnier, warmer days.

Dancin' in the Street

On the 32 mile (and 1883 ft. elevation gain!) loop to Pioneer Square and back, I stopped for sustenance at Zeitgeist. While drinking my coffee, I got caught as the crowd started moonwalking (or at least attempting to walk backwards) down Jackson Street. Hilarity ensued. Then around the parking lot to hear the crowd yell for a Sounders goal. Elevator up to Weller, then heard the drums and encountered some kids doing the Lion Dance in front of a restaurant. This was part of an effort by CISC Seattle to bring awareness to the community about the 2010 Census, so all would be willing to be counted. I helped out by taking this photo, donating a dollar, and getting some metal chopsticks with US Census embossed on the handle!

January Ride Report

Time for the January ride report. Finished the first month of the year with a total of 187 miles, many of which were from the last two days. As the weather warms and we get more sunlight, I need to pile on the mileage to be ready for the cycling season. So far, so good with the Livestrong fundraising, with almost $1,200 raised, the latest flurry the result of Susan's emails to Tony's friends in LA. Now that I've made the pledge, it's time to make sure that I'm in shape for the ride.


Saturday turned out to be a harbinger of spring, warm, sunny, not windy, boats on the sound with spinnakers in the south breeze. Highlights included crossing the locks while the Coastal Navigator was entering, crossing the salt water barrier.



Coffee at Zeitgeist was marked my indecision over treats and espresso (Do I regret my decision now, or later was the question posed to the barista.) and then Chinese New Year as the Dragon blessed the headquarters of some fraternal organization with the booms of firecrackers.

Other noteworthy events from January include getting in touch with Speedo and Greg from NHHS after almost 40 years. Both seem well, and it was great to reconnect through the magic of the internet.

Sad to learn of the closing of the Iron Horse Trail tunnels, including the Snoqualmie Tunnel, for repairs. One of my best rides of the summer was the warm September day that I passed up the Headwaters Century to climb to the pass. Maybe the funds for the upgrades will be included in one of the versions of the stimulus packages to help the economy. For the matter, maybe the Civilian Conservation Corps will be revived, and needed investment in national parks, forests, trails and campsites will be made, creating jobs, making the outdoors more accessible and easy to enjoy, providing healthy opportunities, and making this a better world for all!

From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

The view from Magnolia Bluff on this warm November morning was spectacular, with the ferry entering the fog and Rainier in the background. It felt good to get back on the bike, although I'm sluggish after a layoff. Then, drifted down to Pioneer Square for an espresso at Zeitgeist, where the Seahawks Faithful were getting warmed up to face another loss.

Here's the continuum from the sublime to the ridiculous captured in one shot through the glass. The cafe denizens bent over their laptops did their best to ignore the guy with his face painted and his embarrassing costume. Why do adults dress up like this when they go to a football game?

No STP - Hilly, Not Chilly

No STP for me this year. Last week's SF trip and the resulting catch-up at the Learning Factory, plus booking the Brown Dog at the Spa made that out of the question.

Instead, I got my STP fix by volunteering at the Packet Pickup at REI yesterday, after Bob made a few minor adjustments to the New Ride.

This morning, I took off for Bainbridge Island to ride an Unchilly Hilly, the same route from February but under considerably brighter skies and with much warmer temps. Spectacular scenery made me once again appreciate all that this area has to offer, especially on one of those crystal-clear North Wind summer days.

Upon the return and a refueling at Zeitgeist in Pioneer Square, I strolled through the Fire Festival, then out to the Locks and back home via BGT. 86 glorious degrees at U-Village at 530 p.m. 60.3 miles. New ride is great. Time to sell the Lemond?

Work-in-process

BGT to Magnolia Loop to Pike Place Market. Stopped at EBB and caught a glimpse of the Bleriot. Bob's still waiting on parts, like the Nitto stem and handlebars, but it's going to be cool. Figured out the pedal thing while there, and will swap out the clicking Shimano 4- year-old POS models for the Speedplay Froggs.

A stop at Zeitgeist in Pioneer Square to refuel, and then back to VR. 31.6 miles, and it's good to be back on the bike.

Now that summer is officially here, and Spring Quarter is over at SSIT, more rides are in order.

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. 

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.