On shorter bike rides, I mentally pass the time between great inspirations by thinking “Boy, is it nice out today” (observational), “I wonder if I can catch/keep up with that hottie for a whole mile” (challenging/fantasy) and “I’m at the half-way point of a 30-mile ride. One more mile and I’ll be at 8/15ths!” (computationally […]
One Mile at a Time, One Scene at a Time Read More »
I worked on a customer proposal all weekend — even Columbus Day holiday — and needed a physical and mental break. We have a high pressure system moving through this week. (High pressure == good weather) It doesn’t make up for an icky September, but it is opportunity enough to spend all day biking I
Three trails loop (2,253.7) Read More »
Sunday had glorious weather for the annual Kitsap Color Classic (map, cue), the “Oh my, the cycling season’s over already?” ride. The ride has three loops, Hansville (red, 25 miles), Poulsbo (yellow, 36 miles), and Indianola (green, 14 miles). I did the Hansville and Indianola loops plus a few side roads, making this a 43
Kitsap Color Classic 2004 Read More »
The route description for Sunday’s populaire posed a simple question, written by a master of understatement: Really, how bad can a ride of 110 km with just 7 little hills really be? In fact, the climbs make up only about 8 miles/13 km of this 110 km ride – the rest is flat or gently
Mountain Populaire – DNF Read More »
Smile or grimace? Why the hell am I doing this? I kept asking myself this question throughout most of the first day of Rain-Soaked Venture Pedaling R.S.V.P.. (For a more optimistic take, view Claire Petersky’s summary.) Day 1: 106.9 miles Seattle to Bellingham Day 2a: 21.8 miles (Bellingham to the border) Day 2b: 56.9 miles
(Continued from Part 1, (Map, annotated altitude Profile, Preride Guide) Twelve Monkeys beware! The early morning ride through the university district wasn’t as harrowing as I’ve come to expect. It would have been shorter, too, except when I crossed the Eastgate bridge, my mirror fell off. The distraction was enough that I missed a left
Seattle to Portland (STP) – Part II Read More »
I finished the two-day version of STP (Map, annotated altitude Profile, Preride Guide) and lived to tell about it. Woot! Saturday Left Seattle at 4:05 a.m. Arrived in Castle Rock, WA, at 4:30 p.m. 139.8 miles, 2,559′ ascent Average speed 13.0 mph. Sunday Left Castle Rock at 5:15 a.m. Arrived in Portland, OR, at 10:47
Seattle to Portland (STP) – part I Read More »
Summary Left Seattle July 17 6AM Arrived Winlock July 17 4PM Left Winlock July 18 6:15 AM Arrived Portland, OR July 18 2PM Mileage: 205 On-bike average speed first half: 17.7mph On-bike average speed second half: 15.7mph Stops: Kent, Spanaway, Yelm, Tenino, Centralia, Winlock, Vader, Lexington, Longview, St. Helens (OR), Portland City limits. Detailed route
2004 STP Trip Report Read More »