Magnolia Loop

25 miles in about 2 hours, including hydration stops and gear tinkering, not bad for a finals week spin and clear-out-the-cobwebs jaunt. Saw this fine looking motor-sailer on the Ship Canal.

Three classes in the books, and one to go, then on to the completion of the BBD&A activities, do the taxes and then get ready for spring.

Also had some high-tech medical exam stuff going on this week, with a CAT scan (my first!) to see if any more action is warranted with what's been going on in my nose.

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.

Do You Believe in Miracles?

The Dutch do it again!

Other famous Dutch baseball players.....

Johnny Vander Meer

Honus Wagner

Bert Blyleven

Darren Daulton

Dutch Schultz

Ronald "Dutch" Reagan

Okay, Dutch Schultz probably went to a baseball game once or twice, and Dutch Reagan was known to be a baseball announcer.

World Baseball Classic

Attended Game 1 of the 2009 World Baseball Classic at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan Puerto Rico.

More enthusiasm in the stands at Hiram Bithorn Stadium for one game between Netherlands and Dominican Republic than in 81 games played at Safeco Field. DR flags everywhere. Bands on the dugout between innings. Beer girls and pina coladas. Sunshine bright and hot.

Pedro Martinez pitched 3 scoreless innings. Biggest cheers for David "Big Papi" Ortiz, and most jerseys in the stands. Miguel Tejada homers. Jose Guillen. Julian Tavarez. Miguel Olivo. Moises Alou. Felipe Alou, manager.

And, DR lost to Netherlands, 3-2!

Junior is back.....

Junior is back in Seattle, or will be this spring, barring injury.

Art Thiel weighed in on the harmonic convergence between the wavering of his signing and the public pronouncements of A-Rod.

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.

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!