Green River Riders

FYI

2011-01-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

The domain name greenriverriders.com is set to expire and I don't feel like paying to keep it due to the state of this blog. If anyone wants to take it over, let me know, otherwise it will expire.

2010-08-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Catch you later Randy! We will miss you!

Sunday Ride?

2010-04-08T21:00:00.001-07:00

Looking for Sunday morning riding buddies, anyone want to join me? I'm up for 20-40 miles with some hills.

New Bike (Happy Lee)!

2010-03-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

WOW!

Astronomically Better.

I rode my new bike for the first time yesterday after getting it fit by Tory at Old Town Cycles in Tacoma. It was fast & smooth up 31st (4 block steep hill by the shop) and fast & smooth on the flats along the waterfront. It is light, responsive and shifts sooo smoothly. It's also a incredibly beautiful machine. I can't wait to ride it on a long ride in the sunshine!

I'm planning on riding this Sat (1:30 tempo riding - start time depends on the weather forcast) and Sunday start at 9:30 AM for 2:30 riding (40ish miles - w/ 15+mph average) - if it is wet I'll be on my Lemond, if it is dry I'll be riding the new bike!!!!

Does anyone want to join me?

Time for H.I.T.

2009-12-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

Since I was out for the last H.I.T. session last year, what are the start times again?

Thanks

Urgent HIT question

2009-11-19T21:40:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I need to know if Thursdays would be do-able for everyone instead of Wednesdays. Please respond either way. While HIT is the priority, I am kinda digging the Salsa lessons I am taking.
Thanks

Looking for a HIT count...

2009-10-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
It's that time of year again. Winter is upon us and that means HIT sessions are about to begin. I'm looking to start in late November on a Wednesday. This will give us the easier of the sessions on Wednesdays and the harder session on Sundays. Let's start with a head count. As always, others are invited as well. there is plenty of room. i hope the same tri-girls will join us again. We need a Meatloaf fan to balance out the Neil Diamond faction. Please put a quick note in the affirmative if you will attend. Those that are not attending and wanting to make a comment, please feel free:)

New rider for the tandem crowd!!

2009-10-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Click the link. On a separate note, I will be going down to the Portland frame/bike builders show either Saturday evening, in the motorhome, or Sunday morning. I should have room, if anyone is interested.

Cycling Rites of Passage

2009-10-15T22:22:00.000-07:00

List from Bicycle Magazine. Some are stupid, but many hit close to home.

http://bicycling.com/blogs/thisjustin/2009/10/12/rites-of-passage/?cm_mmc=BicyclingNL-_-2009_10_16-_-blog-_-thisjustin

Ride Wed Oct 14

2009-10-13T21:04:00.000-07:00

Anyone riding?

I could be able to make a 6:45 start. Certainly lights and posssible rain and wind. I'm looking for miles, not intervals. Anyone interested let me know.

Ride Wednesday - Rain or Shine

2009-09-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Looking to do a ride from the shop on Wednesday after work, rain or shine.

I'm shooting for 6:30, but start time will more likely be 6:45. I'll be on the Lemond, so no super fast pace for me.

If you're interested, respond. If not, I'll do a solo ride from my house.

Test Test....anyone out there

2009-09-25T19:22:00.001-07:00

I'm a little bored. Just curious as to who all is still taking a look at the blog. Sound off if you are out there.

Test ride Sunday

2009-09-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

Hey all, I'm doing my first ride back after the crash of May 17th. Leaving the shop around 10am. Just planning an easy pace for an hour or so. Probably just to Auburn and back. If you are up for an easy ride, feel free to join me.

Black Diamond Development and Green Valley Road

2009-09-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Received this in my inbox tonight from Seattle cyclist Gary Strauss. GRR's, please read and take note. News story in the link above.
--
The Green Valley Road, a bucolic stretch of road from SR 169 to Flaming Geyser State Park to the Auburn-Black Diamond Road is being threatened by a nearby housing development. The Villages, a proposed housing development in Black Diamond, is planning to route the cars and school buses from their 4,800-home and 3-school village to the Green Valley Road, causing traffic congestion, the possible addition of traffic lights (where there currently are none) and decreased safety for cyclists.

Help State Senator Pam Roach and other residents of the Green River Valley in opposing the new road by writing a letter to the City of Black Diamond to them know you oppose the new road from The Villages:

Community Development Department
SEPA Official - Steve Pilcher
P.O. Box 599
Black Diamond, WA 98010

Hurricane Ridge

2009-09-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

For our anniversary, Lee and I decided to climb Hurricane Ridge since the weather was good.

It was Awsome.

If you like riding Sunrise, you'll like Hurricane Ridge. From the Ranger Station, it's just under 18 miles of climbing and 5,000 feet elevation gain. It's all climb. No flats at all. On the downhill, not quite as sharp of turns as Sunrise so no braking, but still plenty twisty enough. Views at the top are great.

Lee had an ice cream cone at the top. Shw would probably not recommend this to anyone.

Next year, it should be on the schedule.

Good day at UBI

2009-08-31T19:14:00.000-07:00

We accomplished a lot today. I got the front triangle completed, the forks aligned and done, and the chain stays are mitered and ready to braze tomorrow morning. Starting to look like a Meagan bike!

It's Friday

2009-08-28T17:52:00.001-07:00

Well, it's Friday at last. This week just flew by for me. Today, I got the head tube/top tube lug brazed on. The rest of the day was spent measuring, cutting, filing and fitting all of the tubing for the front triangle. We were given the opportunity to use the Bridgeport vertical mill to do our cuts for the fitting. I did one that way and chose to do the rest by hand. The bridgeport is nice, accurate and quick, but I had the time, and really wanted to do this by hand. I am a little ahead, so the extra time was ok. They fit really well at the end of class. You can see the mock up/fit up in one of the pictures. By end of Monday class. I will have the triangle brazed and finished. The chain stays are built, but not cut and fit yet. Having a bbq with some of the class here at the rv park on Sunday to celebrate our first week. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Tony

Good Day at school

2009-08-26T18:38:00.001-07:00

So, today we started off drawing out a full scale picture of the bike that we are building. This was done by taking the multitude of measurements of the person for whom the bike will be built. These measurements were done months ago when the school sent out your acceptance letter. You go through a series of formulas and calculations (no calculators here) to come up with the angles, tube sizes and lengths, based on the type of riding and stiffnes wanted. As this is for Meagan, I chose a more relaxed, cushy geometry. Once the drawing was approved, I went on to fork building. Now that I had determined the rake and trail that I needed, all that was needed was to grab some straight fork legs, axle drop outs and a fork crown that I liked. I chose Italian lugs for the entire build, as Meagan likes Italian sodas (remember?) I was the first to bend my fork legs in the jig. I'll bet that I spent 20 minutes looking at each one before I bent it. You bend one by hand, and then try to match it with the second! They came out great. You can see in the pictures the lugs and forks as they will look. I begin the actual build tomorrow. You can click on the pictures for larger versions.See you all soon....

1st Day of School

2009-08-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

The day started out with the obligatory introductions of the class and instructors. No, John I didn't tell them I was a proctologist...We started out with safety items, and then went right into silver brazing the water bottle bosses onto scrap tubing. Man, if I didn't have my glasses, I would have been doing it by braille! This is a picture of my FIRST head tube to top tube lug. We hand filed everything for a perfect alignment, prior to fluxing and brazing. No power tools here, they want you to know how to build everything with hand files, jewelers saws and hacksaws. Prett cool!! Then we had to cut them in half to be sure that we had complete penetration for a strong joint. Good group of people, and yes I am the oldest. We have a student from Switzerland, from Canada, New york, Oklahoma and the NW. There are 8 in all, and three of us will be riding to school together each day, as they are staying nearby. We have 3 instructors, so the ratio is great. Time for a cold one, so see you.

Tony

Caption This

2009-08-24T08:43:00.001-07:00

Finished HIT

2009-08-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

As my shoulder continues to heal from surgery, I finished the HIT series the other day. Everything is still just as challenging as ever, even though I have to do seated climbs instead of standing. The screw comes out in early September, then the real PT begins. Hopefully I'll be doing some easy rides in late September/early October. I might also finish up another HIT series just in time to begin the group HITS:)

Update #2

2009-08-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

I made the ride to school this morning. Beautiful morning for a ride. Ashland sits on the top of a hill. My RV camp is in the valley, east of Ashland by about 3 miles. The school sits in the valley west of Ashland by about 3 miles. So, I get hills first thing, but a screaming downhill to school. Coming back to the RV site, the hill is so steep, that my front wheel kept coming up off of the ground. A student at Southern Oregon University (Right in the middle of town) watched me go up the hill, came by and told me to follow him. There is a bike trail through the campus that cuts the hill out! Got to love kids like that...

School starts tomorrow morning, and I will update as I can. This town is the most bike friendly that I have ever encountered. It will be different doing shopping, touring, everything by bike. I like it already. Take care.

Tony

Happy Birthday, you old devil you.

2009-08-20T08:13:00.001-07:00

It's Russ' birthday on Saturday. I'll be doing the grunt-and-groan on Rapsody, so here's an early birthday card for you!

Traffic Alert

2009-08-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI:
The Cedar River Trail will be closed to through traffic until Sept. 11th. The closure will impact a fairly substantial section of trail between Ron Regis Park and Cedar Grove Road. These are approximate locations but the work will be between these two points to repair some damage to the levee along the Cedar River. I commuted home through there last night and noticed the signs so I thought I'd share.

Going back to skool!! UPDATE #1

2009-08-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning I will be heading down to United Bicycle Institute (U.B.I.) for the two week bicycle frame building class. I will make a short detour to Northern California for a reunion of sorts with some old friends. Class then starts on Monday. I will be making a frame and set of forks for a new bike for Meagan. I will keep you updated on this site. I will try to include pictures, if possible. I have been looking forward to this for quite a while. There is a huge waiting list to get in, so I feel really good about this. Click the title for more info on the school.

Tony

You've got to see this!!

2009-08-12T06:28:00.000-07:00

This is really good.

T-1

A Slappy the Squirrell update:

2009-08-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Looks like he has been reincarnated and is happily enjoying his new rol l in life.
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2009/08/furry-disc-wheels.html

Ride Sunday

2009-07-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

Looking for a ride on Sunday. I'm not riding Saturday, so I'll really need to get on the bike. Mileage, speed and route are dependent on whoever decides to ride.

Crows are tougher than they look

2009-07-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

So, I was JRA on the way to work this morning (well actually I was barelling down 8th Ave in Boulevard Park at ~35mph) when a crow and I attempted to occupy the same space at the same time. He flew across my path intending to land in the road, and upon realizing he had misjudged my speed or maybe not seeing/hearing me at all until the last minute, he decided on a touch and go. I definitely hit him with my front wheel, but fortunately for both of us apparently just grazed his tail feathers. I stopped and humped back up the hill a ways, just to make sure he wasn't suffering, but found nothing in the road, not even a tail feather. Good thing 'cause I didn't have a RIP bucket along.

RAPSODY?

2009-07-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone up for this?

Sunday JRA?

2009-07-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

9:30am
C.T.
Route TBD
Pace: 17ish

Ride Sunday?

2009-07-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

Anyone up for Hurricane Ridge on Sunday? Weather looks like it would be a great day for it.

If not, what about other rides, should be pretty clear roads with STP this weekend.

STP carpool?

2009-07-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

Anyone driving to the start (or close to) for STP?

I am looking for a ride to the start of STP (one day), early.

I would be able to offer a ride back to Seattle from Portland on Sunday with wife and kids.

Is anyone commuting to the start and willing to carpool?

Steve

Reversi: picture this

2009-07-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Think Mr. C's "Caption This" then reverse it.

"Because unconditional love doesn't always smell pretty"

looking 4 ride to joe matava

2009-07-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

hello. if anyone is going to the race tomorrow and its not too far out of your way, i was wondering if i might catch a ride. i have made arrangements to get home already. thanks.

A ride from the past

2009-06-30T07:02:00.001-07:00

Sunday
9:30am *UPDATED TIME 9:41am*
C.T.
Alki Coffee Ride or ?
42x16 or similar
17 mph-ish

Post some ride reports please, thank

2009-06-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

As most of you may know, I had shoulder surgery last week so I'll be missing the entire summer riding season. So, as I get fat and out of shape, I'd like to hear your ride reports. Thanks..

still no ride for Herr Gloopt

2009-06-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

I am into PT, but still, no riding. The Doc may say ride your bike, but the evil Physical Terrorist says to not rush back just yet. I have my set list of exercises and am doing them faithfully. Please be patient with the patient.

Augustus, Sr.

Athena, still the G.O.K.A.

2009-06-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

From what I can see on these here internets, it appears that our Ms. Lee has crushed her previous year time in the Victoria Half Ironman.

2008: 6hr 52mins
2009: 6hr 4 mins

Way to go Lee!!!

JRA- Rehab for NBob

2009-06-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

Come one, come all. Relive the distant past as we struggle to average 14mph. I am under Doctors orders to ride, but I have to start out easy. Dale is bringing his fixie, Tony is bringing his new leg, I am bringing my wife and another couple.

This being Fathers Day, it could be crowded. We will judge the wind direction and do a loop around the valley using Frager Rd and the Interurban Bicycle Super Highway. Come out and enjoy a different kind of ride. One we have forgotten all about. A fun ride.

Ride Sunday

2009-06-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

I need to do a ride Sunday AM. The only firm parameter is that I have to be done no later than noon, preferably 11:30.

Let me know if you have interest. Route, effort level and start time are all open to me, I just need to get in the miles. Eating like crap this week, not riding due to work and will be traveling next week. I just need to ride.

Hurrican Ridge Sunday - Changed ride from Shop

2009-06-04T23:04:00.001-07:00

Ok, no one wanted to ride Hurricane ridge. Christian convinced me that it would be better to do on a clear, hot day.

So, Riding from Cycle Therapy at 10:00 AM.
Route is tenatively scheduled for Cougar mountain. About 50 miles. Pace will be brisk, but not blistering.
If you want to ride this route, just show up.

Possible Sunday Ride

2009-06-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

4-corners is putting on our annual race this coming Sunday. No, I will not be racing as I busted up my shoulder in a crash on our team ride last week. Come out and support the race if you can. You can get your ride in and support the race by riding the course in the opposite direction of the race. Hope to see some of you out there.

Caption This

2009-05-26T18:48:00.001-07:00

Pendleton Ride Report, in a picture:

Tuesday/Wednesday

2009-05-23T14:43:00.001-07:00

I will be doing the race at PR on Tuesday. I hope there is a ride out of the shop that day

Wednesday - Hills. Did a great route last Wednesday. May do it again. Rod, what time can you get to the shop...or do you have another hair appointment/softball game/manicure/"work function"?

General - New to group

2009-05-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I want to introduce myself...again. I rode with some of you a few times last summer. Silver and Green Lemond, probably talking too much. I plan to ride with you often this summer.

Mick

New member saying HI

2009-05-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hello Green River Riders,

I had been watching your google blog for a couple of weeks after a friend at work forwarded me the link. I had previously partcipated in Cascade and Native Planet weekend rides but I was having a hard time driving for 30 minutes to go on a ride. It seems that those rides are alwasy geared towards North-end people. I was interested in finding a group that rides in the South end.

I saw the post about the May Day Ride and decided to ride. I ended up riding with another cyclist to the 70 mile turn around (don't remember his name). We started just before 7AM however we didn't see many other riders along the way. At the 70 mile turn around I decided to ride to the top where I found 4 other riders having hot chocolate and soup. There was also a nice warm fire. The ride was beautiful and it seemed that the roads in the south end have less car traffic, as compared to fall city or duvall. I finished up just before 2PM and participated in the complimentary massage and pie. It was a nice day and a nice ride.

This last weekend, I joined Russ, Dan and John on a 50 mile ride. Again, it was nice to ride on roads that I knew. The traffic was light and I was close to home. It was the first time I had ever riden from my house to the start of a ride.

I hope to participate in more of the GRR rides. My goal is to get back into my previous fitness level and ride the STP in one day (again this year), ride the native planet classic, and to ride the high pass challenge later in the year.

Starting on Sept 25th of last year, I was in a body brace for over 3 months after being struck from the side by a car running a red light at 40mph (James and Inter-Urban Trail). After all these years of thinking I was unlucky...it seems that I was saving it up for just the right moment. After flying 50 feet into the air and landing 75 feet from the crosswalk I was able to stand up. Shortly afterward however, I had to lay down. After taking a long trip to Harborview they informed me of a broken L4 vertabrae, broken thumb, cracked ribs, internal bleeding, and multiple impact trauma sites. Enough of that...

I live close to Cycle Therapy (Star Lake area just off of 277th) and I hope to find time to partipate in the group rides, both during the week and on the weekend. Being new to the group, I find it hard to gauge my ability with those of the published rides.

Steve

Tuesday/Wednesday

2009-05-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone up for a couple of rides this week:

Tuesday night ride. Fast paced and flat.

Wednesday - Hills. Slower pace BETWEEN the climbs. quick pace back from the final climb.

HEAVY rain cancels. the temps are increasing so rain should not be much of an issue. Especially with the work we will be putting in.

both rides will leave from the shop about 6:30.

My!! What a sweet rack!

2009-05-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

I installed my rack. Pretty sweet job, if I say so myself. Now, I can come and GRR with you all, sometime.

The trailer hitch came for JC Whitney and the Rack from Cycle Therapy. I had to buy a few tools, but I like doing that anyways.

Thank you Cycle Therapy for the sweet rack!

Saturday Ride, over hill... (and Dale?)

2009-05-13T06:44:00.000-07:00

I'm in the final week of my non-training for Pendleton. I figure that an integral part of that carefully planned training system would be to get on the bike once in the two weeks before a 3 day ride.

I figure if I can clock about 70, I'll be happy. Well, not necessarily happy, but satisfied. Not really satisfied, but when you've had exactly 4 spare hours to ride a bike in 2 weeks, you gotta take what you can get.

8 a.m., shop departure, and either an "over the river..." or out Green Valley, hang a right at the bridge to nowhere, across Enumscratch, Buckley, and a reverse MayDay kinda thing. "Two Points..." would work in a pinch as well. I'm pretty flexible, as long as it doesn't involve an MDS-up-216th kind of adventure.

If I get no response via blog, I'll assume no-takers and just ride from home.

Sumner Loop for Coffee - 8am Sat

2009-05-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Debi and I are meeting at 8am for a Sumner coffee ride
If you want to join us - see you at the shop

RIde to VMAC?

2009-04-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

With the start of the 2009 football season just days away, I was thinking how cool it would be to ride to the VMAC and watch practice.

The next question has to be, will this weekends mini camp be open to the public? Although the weather looks to be iffy, would anybody like to make the trip from Cycle Therapy to the Center?

Non season ticket holders are always welcome.

Thoughts, comments, dreams and derision's should be posted here.

May Day Metric

2009-04-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

I'm contemplating testing my legs on the May Day Metric again this year. Anyone else interested in a ride into the foothills, as long as the weather doesn't look too nasty?

Starts at 6 a.m., but I think we could fudge that time a bit, don't you??

Bike Rack?

2009-04-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

N.B.O.B. Did you purchase a bike rack yet? Yesterday, I was in Joes, as in "Going out of Business" GI Joes. They have a fairly good selection of bike racks on sale. As I was leaving, the security guard told me that the discounts are increasing today (Tuesday), to 30 - 50% off everything in the store.

Ride Sunday

2009-04-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

If the weather cooperates, I'm thinking of a ride Sunday. Something in the 50ish mile range, some hills. Mabe the "We aren't going to Enumclaw Route" or something along those lines.

Start at 9:00 from the shop?
Also open to a better idea.

Let me know if you're interested.

Hills tonight

2009-04-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, there will be a hill ride tonight. route to be determined. Any rain cancels. My legs are pretty shot at the moment so, Big Roddy, this is your chance to get me on the climbs.

Tuesday Ride

2009-04-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

Planning on riding from the shop on Tuesday, leave at 6:30 PM.

Probably mostly in the flats with a hill climb or two at most.

I'm Baaaaaack

2009-04-19T10:04:00.000-07:00

Just finished a ride out to Sumner coffee shop and back. After four and a hall months, it sure felt good. The new leg felt great, and my thighs don't. It will take a while to get up to speed, but once again, it's good to be me!! See you all on the road.

What hitch rack should I buy?

2009-04-14T20:52:00.001-07:00

Diana's forerunner has a large receiver hitch and I was going to get a smaller one for my new car. Are there such things as adapters that will let me use a smaller hitch rack on her SUV? Should I buy a matching size receiver hitch for my car?
Does any one just love or hate their rack?

As soon as I can figure out how to get my bike to and fro, I am back with you grr'ers.

4/15 hill/s

2009-04-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

Looks like the weather will be okay for a hill or two on Wednesday evening.
Lea Hill taking a right at the light. wind our way up to GRCC (hopefully not too many students at that time of night). back down Lea the normal way. we can then travel over to the Lakeland climb then head home. Route could change based on how much light we have available to us.
leave the shop about 6:15 - 6:30

Wednesday Hills

2009-04-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I know it's late notice, but I'm going to do a hill type ride out of the shop this evening. I'm looking to make this a weekly ride as we will build up "hill strength" throughout the Spring/Summer.

Tonight's route:
Eastside climbs - Lea Hill and Lakeland Hills. We will start out with two climbs tonight so the
ride will not be too terribly long. The pace between climbs is conversational to moderate.
We will slowly build up the climbing as we move along.

Looking to start about 6:15 - 6:30 ish.

Heavy rain cancels.

Caption This

2009-04-05T17:24:00.001-07:00

Sunday Ride - 9:30

2009-04-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Now that HIT is over - it is time for me to get some fresh air on my bike
Please join me (and some tri friends) for a 30ish mile ride - tentative route Kent to Flaming Geyser and back (mostly flat - but we can add some hills for fun depending on how we feel)

Let's meet at Cycle Therapy in Kent to start the ride - 9:30
http://www.cycletherapybikeshop.com/
703 Central Ave S
Kent, WA 98032

I'm bringing my running shoes for a short run after the ride (you all are welcome to join me on the run too!)
Hope to see you there

HIT POTLUCK, COME ONE COME ALL!

2009-03-31T09:18:00.000-07:00

Who: All Green River Riders and family/friends welcome!
Date: 4-11-09
Time: 5:00 PM
Place: Josie and Sean's House
Bring: Your favorite beverage and a dish to share
RSVP: Via the Blog, and post what you plan to bring so as to avoid embarrassing duplications
Call or e-mail and I will send a map and directions

HIT over!!!!

2009-03-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

Today marked the last day of HIT for 2008/2009. Congrats to all who participated. After some recovery time, I know you will feel the benefits of the sessions. I hope more can join us in about 37 weeks for the 2009/2010 version. Holy cow, didn't we just go through the Y2K bug thing? wow, time flies when you are having fun.

I know there is a plan for a little get together, can someone please post the details? thanks.

HIT/Start of season celebration

2009-03-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

As the days grow longer and the indoor toture sessions come closer to an end, it is time to think about a social gathering. While this is the annual HIT pot-luck, it is, by no means, limited to those who did HIT this winter. This is not only a chance to celebrate the HIT accomplishment, but a chance for everyone to get together in anticipation of the upcoming warm weather cycling season. HIT participants are highly encouraged to attend. Even those folks who dropped in for a guest ride or two...yes, even NBOB, who kinda but not really courageously attempted the HIT on his own, are invited to participate. We need to work out a date and a venue (alas, my place is not quite ready for a large gathering). What say the GRRs?

NO MAS!

2009-03-13T04:38:00.001-07:00

( I couldn't get the upsidedown ! thingy to work, damn)

Understanding that HIT is what it is, that the equipment should fit, that standing is a ajor part of the program, I am done.

The concessions that I had to make to attempt this wild thing made the whole experience unhappy. I was growing more and more discontent with the Life-suckle that it is not emotionally healthy to continue. Couple that with some physical therapy I am currently doing, it is just too much. After wrestling with the decision, I am here to retire.

And that's the way it is, March 15, 2009 Good bye and good night.

ILT question

2009-03-04T20:16:00.001-08:00

Do you get off of the bike in between legs to rest 1 minute and move the bucket to the other side, or do you just stop long enough to move the bucket?

I have had to adjust the program to fit the machine a little, but I feel like I am getting a quality work out, even if it is not the same. My heart rate is up, I am sweating like a dog, and right now I am drained. You physically cannot stand up on the lifecycle. The geometry is not set up for it. So I move the seat up as high as I can and sit on the button. Then I put it on the hardest setting for the given time. It hurts and burns but I am able to finish it. Today I had visions of Tour D' Blast, again. This is making me stronger.

Please feel free to back a bus over the top of me. That's among the things I love about you.

Little Italy Closure

2009-03-02T15:53:00.001-08:00

That's right, our old friend...
Little Italy, aka:
Phil Hill,
the climb sublime,
the Grade in the Shade,
that radiant gradient,
the Slope that makes you cope,
the rise that works your thighs,
the Incline that leaves me Supine,
the pitch that makes me complain...
is soon to re-open, after damage sustained in the January 7 rains.

I gave the county a little nudge today in email, and they responded that repairs on Little Italy began last week. They hope to be done "before the week of March 9, weather permitting". Given the forecast for rain this week, I'd guess if we pad the date by 7 days, that might be a good guesstimate.

H.I.T. Wednesday?

2009-03-01T19:58:00.001-08:00

2009-03-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

MDS-

Did you say there was a special H.I.T. session this Wednesday??

RA

One HIT wunder

2009-02-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

With apologies to the purists in the group, I Hit today. The good news is, it is possible for me to do this. The bad news seems to be that it is possible for me to do this.

After a quick phone call to MSD to clarify ILT I was OFF! I ran to the stationary bike. (YUP< stationary bike), adjusted the seat, played with the resistance thingy and started the spinning stuff. Up every minute until 110, blah blah blah. No problem

ILT clearly means Injury later tonight. I have no tops, drops, tops. The first strike against. However, I persevered and found a level that would work. Question, Do you do all three minutes at once for each side, or do you have some kind of alternating rhythm? Clearly, later tonight, I will be suffering a cramp, jump out of bed, step on the dog fall down and go boom. Injury Later Tonight, ILT. Got it.

Standing seems to be the biggest challenge. Since I cannot put the level on 50, the machine kinda sorta caves in under the might NBob's mighty bulk. I have to hang way over the front and the gym owner came around to see if I was having a seizure of some kind. I was finally at the end of the first minute and I started seeing Lee and Crippler telling me I was done. Well, not this time boys and girls, I had no broken spokes so up that mountain I climbed. The puny little straps across my shoes were working their way up my shin, and my mouth was hanging open and my heart was at its 4 month max. Sorry, I sat for a minute. I let you all down. I actually sat a couple of times. This stuff sucks, and I can't wait to do it again on Friday.

Miss you all. I did not puke, yet. Please blog preferred HIT play list for Itunes.

Nbob

GRR SKI DAY

2009-02-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

Date: March 21st.
Location: Crystal Mt.
Time: 9-4

I realize that unless we plan for a spring skiing day, this outing is going to overlap with HIT training Suck it up. I also realize that this is a Saturday, a day usually reserved for team rides. Choose one or perhaps ride to Enumclaw EARLY and we can pick you up on the way; that way you can do both!

The detour around the 169 bridge isn't bad, only adds about 10 minutes to the drive from my house.

Depending on who is all going, car pool(s) and other details can be worked out as we go. Count me in please.

Ode to My Mom (AKA Big Roddy and The Engineer Ski with Two 16 Year Olds)

2009-02-16T22:02:00.000-08:00

First, let me tell you about my mother. She is a kind hearted Irish Catholic New Englander who was blessed (cursed?) with four sons, of which yours truly is the youngest. As will be with four sons, we have made Mom the butt of many jokes over the years, but there is never any doubt about our fierce loyalty to her and the fact that we are all "Momma's boys" in the best sense of the definition. True to our upbringing, while we don't call or keep up with each other enough, the sons always find time to check in with Mom.

Now I'm nearing an important birthday milestone and recent events have caused me to think about the trials and tribulations my Mom must have had in raising four sons. Particularly four teenage sons. My dad, the famous "Big Lar", was always involved, and I certainly don't want to discount his importance in our upbringing as he performed spectacularly in his own right, but let's be honest, he has an X chromosome and was by definition the fifth son in Mom's world. I think we can all agree upon that. In my memory, raising us was no big deal. Sure, all sons had their quirks, but in general we were good boys who made the grades, didn't get into trouble with the police, and went onto fine colleges (well three of us did going to Florida, one disgraced the family by going to Duke). How hard could it have been to raise us?

This question leads me into the tale of "Big Roddy and The Engineer Ski with Two 16 Year Olds".

I have had a friendship with a good kid that I'll call "Bob" for about four years now. Suffice it to say, Bob desired an adult male role model and he ended up stuck with me. Over the past few years, I've taken Bob up to the mountains and he has learned to snowboard. Kudos to him. He won't be in the X games any time soon, but I can take him almost anywhere on the hill and he'll manage to get down in one piece.

So, about two weeks ago The Engineer said. "Hey Big Roddy, let's go skiing on President's Day." Grand idea. I'll invite Bob and good times will be had by all.

Sunday, February 15 - T-minus one day - Bob's Mom calls to confirm that all is well with the ski plan. I say sure, I'll pick Bob up at 6:15. No problem she replies, Bob and Steve will be ready.

Steve?

Apparently Bob invited his friend Steve to go with us. Bob did not let me know that he had invited Steve to go with us. Bob's Mom was not happy to learn this. Trouble ensued. Bob got a tongue lashing, Big Roddy felt bad, and in the end, Big Roddy said Steve was more than welcome knowing that this way The Engineer and Big Roddy could hit the hard stuff while Bob and Steve clowned around on the easier stuff. Genius.

My only catch was that Steve had to be sure to have cash for his lift ticket and be ready at 6:15. No problem was the report back. Life is good.

I pick up Bob and Steve at 6:15. Amazingly they are ready. How hard could it have been for my dear old Mom?

By the time we get all gear loaded it's 6:30. Perfect. We'll be at the Engineer's a little before 7:00, right on time. First signs of trouble show up about five miles after leaving Bob's. The conversation went something like

Steve - "Do you have the money?"
Bob - "stunned silence"

I took this to mean that they left the money at Bob's. I was right. No big deal, I can cover Steve for the day, but it did mean that I had ample ammunition to flip them shit all day. Life is Good.

On the way to The Engineer's, Bob remarks that he never gets up this early, nor do his friends. I smuggly reply that it's good for him, as if I actually like getting up this early myself. I do notice that he is texting though. This is a problem for me. Generational issues. I hate texting. It's a phone. If you have something to say, call them. If not, put the damn thing away. I digress. I ask him if all his friends are never awake at this hour, then who is he texting since the only friend of his awake is Steve, sitting in the back seat. You guessed it, he is texting Steve, in the back seat from his position in the front seat. Serenity now.

We get to the Engineer's and load up with no issues and we're on our way. It's about an hour and a half to the slopes which leaves The Engineer and I ample opportunity to razz Bob and Steve about leaving the money behind.

We arrive at the mountain. Weather looks good. Clear skies, mid twenties. We decided to pack lunches for the day. We would check the Engineer's backpack along with shoes, sandwiches and chips. The Engineer and I had to lug skis and boots while the sixteen year olds only had snow boards, so we decided they need to haul the chips. As we were getting ready, they were told "your only job is to take the chips up to the lodge". They said "ok, we got it." The Engineer and I reiterated, " Don't forget the chips". They said "We got it." They had a look on their faces that said they got it. It was a mission. Bring the chips. We won't fail.

We got to the lodge. We check in the bags. I ask them for the chips.

Bob - "Steve, do you have the chips?"
Steve - "stunned silence"

They forgot the chips.

There are now two ways of looking at this.
1. You're kidding? They forgot the money. Then, after verbal haranguing about the money and two verbal reminders about the chips, they forget the chips. Serenity now.
2. More verbal ammunition for the day.

After briefly wallowing in option 1, The Engineer and I chose to focus on option 2. It was a long chair ride up for both of them.

At this point I should mention that we have wasted at least 45 minutes waiting on the two 16 year olds. They seem to be stuck in neutral at all times. Here we are on a fabulous mountain, and they express a great desire to get going, but every time you turn your back they seem to stop. And pull out a cell phone. And text. Probably to each other. I forget how many times I told them to get moving. Also, Steve's gloves weren't up to snuff, so I lent him my old pair. This is important later on. Remember.

The chair went up a ways, a long ways. You see, I hadn't been skiing with Steve before and didn't know how good he was. They both assured me that Steve was every bit as good as Bob. As I mentioned previously, Bob could get down pretty much anything. So we went to the top of the mountain. No problem. Except the top of the mountain was not clear like the base. With nearly no trees, we found ourselves in a white out condition. Not too worry, they could slide slip down no problem.

Well, Steve was not quite as good as Bob. He had two falls in the first 400 feet that made me wince and laugh at the same time if you know what I mean. I stopped laughing when Bob said his ankle hurt. Hurt, burning, and not getting better. I had a broken ankle a few years back, and frankly what he was describing sounded like my broken ankle. Plus, the look on his face indicated a high level of pain. I was worried. Steve manages to work his way down with about 15 falls. He troopers on.

We now get to the part of the story where everyone should say, "Thank God Big Roddy has no kids". Because at this point The Engineer and I decide they can make it back to the lodge while we get some skiing in. Responsible? Probably not, but it seemed like the right call at the time. I mean we hadn't even gotten a run in yet. Truly, how many of you would not have made the same choice? So, Bob and Steve head down to the lodge while The Engineer and I plot out our next runs. We did say we'd come down at 11:00 to see how they were doing.

Before you go all crazy on me, let me tell you I did feel guilty, at least a little. The Engineer also felt a twinge of guilt. Lift tickets are $65 bucks though. What difference is a few more runs going to make? Also, they're sixteen. This is a learning opportunity. How to deal with a sports injury. Every guy needs to learn this one, right? We did offer that when they get to the lodge they should inspect for swelling. If swollen. Stay in the lodge till we show up at 11:00. If not, they can go out and snowboard if the ankle feels ok. Solomon has nothing on The Engineer and I.

The Engineer and I take a few more runs, then head to the lodge. They aren't there. We check ski patrol. They aren't there. Ski patrol guy starts to grill us along the vein of "What were you two thinking?" We kind of just walked away from the grilling. What does ski patrol know?

We decide that we'll get in a couple of runs, then go down the hill we left them on to make sure they weren't sitting there stuck in painful agony. About this time we remember we have a cell phone and God knows they have one. We call. Things are great with them. Ankle is fine, they're back out on the hill, don't want to come in. So there. The Engineer and I know what we're doing.

The rest of the ski day is quite uneventful. We meet at the lodge at 3:30. Everyone seems to have had a great time and is finished for the day. So, let's go home. Bob and Steve choose to go to the restroom before the drive home, and head off. About two minutes later I tell the Engineer that a bathroom break is not a bad idea before the drive and I head off on my own. When I get to the restroom, I find Steve and Bob STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE BATHROOM TEXTING!!!! They have not even gone in yet. GRRRRR!!!!! I say something like "What the hell are you guys doing? Take a piss and let's go!" Again, let's be thankful I don't have kids.

We walk back to the car. At this mountain, it's about a half mile walk down hill to the car. We are almost loaded up when Steve mentions that he lost one of my borrowed gloves somewhere between the lodge and the car. Serenity now.

The gloves are old, but they are a key piece of my wardrobe. You see, they are my dog walking gloves. I often walk my dog late at night in near freezing temperatures and these gloves are perfect. I don't want to use my good ski gloves to scoop poop. So, do I send him back to look or do I right off the glove and go. I send him back. Most of the reason for sending him back was a "you got to be kidding me" feeling. They forgot the money. They forgot the chips. They text a guy sitting two feet away. They break an ankle but are skiing half an hour later. They are texting outside the men's room. You drop a borrowed glove on the walk back to the car. Yep, go back and find it.

Of course, they don't find it. My dog is pissed.

That was our ski day with two sixteen year olds which brings me back to my wonderful mother. My memory is not as sharp as it should be. I have old friends tell me hilarious stories of which I was a key fixture, yet I do not quite remember them. I see pictures of people I was friends with in high school and remember the faces, remember good times, but struggle to fill in some of the details. So, I am beginning to question the rosy memories of mine and my brothers teen years. After a day on the slopes with two teens, where it seemed to be business as usual for them, I am wondering whether my memory is clouded. Did my dear Mom put up with actions such as these every single day? I'm beginning to think she did. And for that, I'll put in a vote to make my mother a saint for raising four teenage boys.

Marco!

2009-02-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

Lee finished her marathon in Texas today!

She was very tired and comented that Austin had hills. Other than that I didn't get a lot of details.

Kudos to her. I'm very proud of my honey.

when are you riding on a weekend? OUTSIDE?

2009-02-14T06:44:00.000-08:00

An old biker, on a summer ride in the country, walks into a tavern and sees a sign hanging over the bar, which reads:

CHEESEBURGER: $2.50
HAMBURGER: $2.25
CHICKEN SANDWICH: $3.50
HAND JOB: $500.00

Checking his wallet for the necessary payment, he walks up to the bar and beckons to the exceptionally attractive female bartender serving drinks to a meager looking group of farmers. 'Yes?' she inquires with a knowing smile, 'can I help you?' 'I was wondering,' whispers the old biker, 'are you the young lady who gives the hand-jobs?
''Yes", she smiles and purrs, "I sure am". The old biker replies, 'Well wash your hands real good cause I want a cheeseburger."

Check This Out!

2009-02-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

This guy has a very awesome idea for a little extra insurance for those times you are feeling a bit squeezed while out on the road.

Bobke - Close to Sell Out

2009-02-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

Note on the Cascade website indicates that tickets for Bob Roll are getting close to sold out. If you haven't bought yours yet, get them soon.

Superbowl

2009-02-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

OK, I will admit that I was really not that excited about watching it. It was a good game though, exciting and there were some really good plays. Now, for the most important part, my favorites for best ads:
Tied for first place, the guy needing the new job sitting under the southern exposure of the moose, and the 2 space bro's in the lunar rover that get their wheels and tires jacked. Third place goes to the Pedigree ad with the wild pets. The one second Miller ad was pretty clever too.

One alarming side note, it seems that BCSR has been drinking the wrong kind of Diet Pepsi for some time now. That makes me wonder if perhaps he will start shunning Clif bars in favor of Luna bars or add some pastel color splash accents to his cycling attire or equipment.

I did nod off I will admit but I feel that I earned that. I think Rod will attest to that. See you Wed.

Can't wait for training camp in RENTON this year!
Oh, and GO CANUCKS!

HIT notes?

2009-01-30T14:50:00.000-08:00

Will somebody in the know, please email me the notes for the HIT sessions? I may have found a way to do them on my own. luvchikn@gmail.com

thank you!

Monday Night Skiing - Feburary 9, 2009

2009-01-30T11:44:00.000-08:00

Is anyone up for night skiing at Summit West? Let me know by Friday 2/6 & I'll order up tickets.

The Boeing Management Association has for the 21st year reserved The Summit West ski area at The Summit at Snoqualmie for a night on the slopes for Boeing employees, family and friends. Come on up and bring the family and friends! It's a great opportunity for families to ski together and to also get reduced rentals and lessons! The rental office and ticket windows open at 4:00pm and the chairlifts begin operating at 4:00pm. The chairlifts close at 10:00pm. Note: as this event is closed to the general public, season passes will not be honored.

Amount Description

$10.00 Chair lift ticket only ($13 on night of event)
$27.00 Ski or Snowboard (w/Boots) Rental
$28.00 Ski Lesson Only (Intermediate ski lesson) 1 hour in group
$40.00 Ski Beginner Special - Lift ticket, Skis & Boots, Lesson
$40.00 Snowboard Beginner Special - Lift Ticket, Board & Boots, Lesson
$0.00 Child Lift Ticket - Free - Children 6 and Under
$28.00 Ride Lesson Only (Intermediate snowboard lesson) 1 hour in group

Marco!

2009-01-25T18:24:00.001-08:00

NEW TERRITORY

Today I completed 20.03 miles running over and around some big ass hills (near Port Ludlow)
My previous long run was 18 miles (of which the last two miles were a death march - making a running motion but not really going anywhere fast).

I'll take a tough bike ride over running most days - but I'm committed to 26.2 on 2/15 so today I ran (a long way) and didn't hate it. Last couple of miles were not fast - but they were not a death march!

Good friends and plenty of previous consistent training helped.

I may be a runner - I certainly have ugly enough feet

Leroy Hill - WTF???

2009-01-25T13:25:00.001-08:00

Okay, so a highly paid NFL start is arrested for possession of marijuana. This is not all that surprising or unusual. Extremely stupid given that he will be a free agent soon, but not surprising.

What I can't figure out is the car he was in. He passed out behind the wheel of a 1975 BUICK ELECTRA!!! Are you kiding me? Where's the Hummer? Where's the Cadillac SUV? This is going to cost him a lot of street cred. The marijuana is forgiveable, but not the choice of car.

A little Gator Love

2009-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

Click on the title to see a great video. The only thing that would make it better is if it was set to Neil Diamond music.

You have to watch to the end to see the Tebow Chomp that drew an unsportsmanlike penalty. Awesome.

MDS - Pay special attention to the shots against Georgia.

Go Gators!!!!

Monday Night Thoughts!!!

2009-01-19T19:47:00.000-08:00

As I sit here waiting for some foo...er...some lucky person to purchase my fine Television/boat anchor, I thought I might post something fresh. Now just because something is fresh, doesn't mean it's good. But here goes:

-HIT: As we head into week 4, I must say I'm impressed with the "Newbies"; Sarah, Deb and
Melinda have already shown great improvement over the first 6 sessions. There have been
no exploding patelas to date. Lee is impresses all as she trains for her marathon AND does
HIT. She is going to drop a bit on the respect scale as she is going to skip the HIT session to
do a 20 mile training run. Whatever Lee, you could do HIT then start your run in the
afternoon. If it wasn't for you toenail falling off, I'm sure you would do both. Maybe we could
all bring our bikes out and ride along with you. we could bring cowbells, dude.

-HIT MUSIC: With a large group, you can imagine it would be tough to please everyone with
the mix of music. Even with the vast amount of titles and artists I have, it can be difficult,
even when I take Christian's tastes out of the equation. I think I'm getting close, though.
The dance music was a hit with a third of the group the other day. I'm thinking one dance CD
will stay. Dale, while grunge is an okay genre, I think we discovered it does not work well
with hit...or at least the songs that got played. I'm liking the traditional Neil Diamond Spins
at the end. I mean, who hasn't experienced the spins and Neil Diamond?

-HOCKEY IN KENT: I went to my brother's house on Sunday. My Sister-in-Law just had her
fourth child, Lucas. My brother and his friends were on a "fishing" trip to Moses Lake.
So picture my sister in law, Chari, tending to a newborn and three other kids. She jokingly
said, "I wouldn't mind if you took Dylan and Walker for the day". It took me about 2 seconds
to figure out that this was no joke:) I happily took the two nephs for a day long adventure that
included video games, pig/penquin wars and linen closet organizing. Guess which activity
Uncle John got to do:) I ended up taking them to the hockey game. We sat four rows up near
the glass. We got there during warmups. not a lot of action going on. The nephews sat
unimpressed. The game started. As hockey games/matches are want to do, the action went
back and forth for a bit. Tri-Cities scored 3 goals in the first 10 minutes. Needless to say, there
was not a lot of energy in the building. Then the puck was right in front of us. A Tri-Cities
player started to advance the puck. A T-Bird player was just getting up to ramming speed..
and then it happened...

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy states that ones perceptions about a certain particulate matter can suddenly and explosively change in an instant. Take the Boredinians of Gastro Colony
Six of the meso alpha system. For Eons, they looked upon their neighbors, the Garglepegs, as little more than fleatoddlers. Then, in the blink of an eye, after "The Great Awakening", the Garglepegs became one of the best known appetizers this side of Maximus Prime.

..and then it happened, my nephew's perception of hockey changed the instant the vicious
body check took place. The hit along, with the sound of the players slamming the boards,
was enough to make my nephews look wide eyed in amazement and shout such things as.
OH MY GAWD!!! HOLY COW!!!... I can't believe they just ran into each other!! DO IT AGAIN
Dylan asked me "Uncle John, do they sometimes get bloody noses?" I go.."sometimes".
The hitting really got good in the third period as the T-Birds came back to win.

Eye Candy for XY's-NOT bicycle related

2009-01-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

Being as I am tired of looking at Lancealot running like he belongs in some twisted Bay Watch episode, and frankly I could really give a flying you know what about, I am posting this to take up space so when you go the the blog, you can look at something different for a change. No, its not bicycle related but in does have more class and speed than the one nut wonder could ever dream of having-although he could probably afford to buy one. At 217mph (listed top speed) and no windscreen, odds are pretty high that you will have a bad (or perhaps no) hair day. Be sure to bring your Nike hat along.

And now he is gone....
I didn't pull it. Perhaps "this post deleted by author".
NBOB strikes again?

RSVP alternative

2009-01-12T06:12:00.000-08:00

I found this link, and thought that it might make a nice alternative to RSVP for next year. They have thoughtfully set it up so that it coincides with the finale of the fireworks display in Vancouver. I will monitor the blogsite to see how it turns out.

T-1

Happy Birthday Dale!

2009-01-11T21:44:00.001-08:00

RSVP - Almost Sold Out

2009-01-05T20:34:00.000-08:00

If anyone is interested in RSVP, they should sign up quick. Message posted on the Cascade Board today indicates less than 200 left and an expected sell out sometime on Jan 6.

I'm not going to sign up due to an expected schedule conflict.

Bob Roll at Bike Expo

2009-01-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

Just ordered tickets for Lee and I. There is an age requirement so Fred is not able to attend. Not sure if they will sell out or not so wanted to get on it early. A group of us saw him last time he was at Expo and it was very fun.

Tickets are $18. If you do will call, there is no additional shipping.

HIT 1A

2008-12-31T15:10:00.001-08:00

But first, a moment of silence for those no longer with us...

Enjoy your ILT's on New Year's Eve.

Happy New Year, GRR's!

Monday S.L.A.P. / Set up / 6:30 pm

2008-12-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

Sunday December 28th. Time is growing short. the first HIT session will be upon us before you know it. There will be two more set up/slap sessions prior to HIT. I recommend everyone setting up prior to Wednesday to make sure you have everything you need to complete the workout. We will be starting at 6pm on Wednesday. You will not have a lot of time to set up that day as I won't get there til about 5:45. As you know, we need to start at the scheduled time. I will have another slap/set up on Monday at 6:30. if you'd like to set up on Tuesday, you can, just let me know. I can't wait to get these sessions going. See y'all soon.

Season's Greetings!

2008-12-24T13:12:00.000-08:00

Everyone is downsizing this year, even Santa with his reindeer.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For you commuters

2008-12-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

I thought that some of you hard core commuters, and also the rest of us, might be interested in this. Although it is not a law in Washington, the message on the jersey might just keep one of us safer!

enjoy the holidays.

Ooops

2008-12-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

Big Roddy discovers too late that the Sears HIT program is not quite what they portrayed it to be.

NBOB - Where Art Thou?

2008-12-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

NBOB -
I heard you got into yet another crash downtown (how many have you been in), that you have inquired about studded tires (with your crash record, not recommended) and that you are apparently the only one who worked on pill hill this week.

Please, give all of us an update.

Yes, just got done shopping

2008-12-20T00:47:00.000-08:00

So I'm at Panera having some soup and reading the paper. I see an ad for Toys R Us. Great deals on a lot of items. The thing that got my attention was "open Friday til 1am"...As a veteran mallrat, when I actually want to buy something, it's best to do it at odd hours. I'm here to tell you that shopping for toys after midnight, is, in fact, odd hours. I was able to complete my shopping for the nephews all in one fell swoop. My niece is proving a bit more challenging to shop for than I would first have thought. I got her a doll - bet you can't guess which doll. I'll have to do some more shopping for her and some other folks. Anyway, I'm sure Big Roddy is bummed he missed out on this shopping opportunity.

Saturday Night Snow Tour

2008-12-19T06:14:00.000-08:00

View the winter wonderland of the Soos Creek Trail. Ride through forests of snow covered trees and open meadows. If its clear, we will be under a nice crescent moon. If not, it'll be snowing and even more awesome! Leaving my house around 6.

Yes, I did ride today. See reply from last night on why things got postponed. I'll post more on that later. Here are some pix.....

No Thursday Night Ride

2008-12-18T17:01:00.001-08:00

Everyone stay home, and strip-and-lube your drive chain. Your bike will thank you for it.

A Snow Day

2008-12-18T09:32:00.002-08:00

Snow build up after a trek home
After the ride up the hill...
106 Carbide Steel Studs. Yes, Josie, I said Studs.
Taken at work after my ride in from Downtown.

Some of you may be wondering if I rode in today. The answer would be YES. I can't speak for Sean or Bob, both dedicated commuters like myself and owners of the finest studded winter bicycle tires on the planet, but yes, I'm on the bike!

4am-wake up to snow falling. Turn on news to see what kind of doom and gloom they are spewing.
4:30am-get dressed and load up the pannier.
5am-at the bus stop, waiting, waiting, waiting.....several minutes pass. Hmmm, if I head down to the corner so I can see down the street, and yes, here comes the 159.
5:45am-creeping along Kent Kangley, now all the way down to 116th! (Total distance covered, about 6 miles)
6:15am-pull into the Kent/Des Moines P&R. Roads seem to be OK. We are usually in Seattle by now.
6:20am-I5 NB and brake lights as far as the eye can see. Switch DMP over to FM for traffic info. Bad move-carnage and mayhem. Change back to latest pod cast of "More Hip Than Hippie".
8:10am-bus pulls off FW to first stop. I'm out the door. Left side of bike (side that faces front while on bike rack) is W H I T E and I have to brush about a half inch of snow off bike seat.
8:40am-arrive at work via B.G. Trail. The bike part of the way in was actually very fun. It was a blast cruising by the cars. I saw a few other bikes on my way that were obviously not equipped with proper tires as they struggled mightily trying to stay upright much less move forward. Saw several other tire tracks, most MTB.

I have to say that riding in the snow is VERY fun. Its a ride, you are outside, OK, its not the same as a great summer day, but it is fun in it's own rite. My full endorsement goes to the Nokian Hakkapellita studded tires. They rock.
And yes as a matter of fact, those are Christmas lights.

FF to 2pm.
So, self, lets ditch work early to avoid a repeat of the commuting FUBAR from this morning. Self, good idea! Lets catch the first Sounder south-should be no traffic problems to deal with that way. OK. Leave work at 2:50pm. That leaves a solid half hour to get to King Street Station. Should be no prob.
3:30pm. Five minutes to spare; great. Head down to platform. Self: is this the train home after a Seahawks game? Train cars are packed-standing room only. So, there I stand with bike, waiting, waiting, again.........
3:45pm Next Sounder pulls in and doors open. Good, heated waiting area for next departure time @ 4:20pm. What's on the DMP? Hmmm, some Rush sound good about now.....
4:20pm Train leaves. Suddenly PA crackles: automated message says-"Attention ladies and Gentlemen" (self: BOHICA) "All passengers riding Sounder must wear shirts and shoes at all times; Thank you for riding the Sounder" That is no joke! Good thing they dug that one out in time.
Self: hmmm, that sucks, I was just getting ready to strip down to my tighty whities....Its hot in here.
4:25pm Train slows to a crawl, then stops. Self: Wonder if they have to chain up?
4:45pm PA crackles-"Attention ladies and gentlemen, we have a signal malfunction and we have to wait for 2 trains to pass us before we can continue. Should be about 10 minutes."
5:10pm train starts to move, again.
5:17pm arrive at Tukwilla Station. Now, I've seen people load into the cars in all sorts of weather but today was a record. Everyone was off the platform and into the train car in about 5 seconds. They were muttering something about being cold.
5:25pm Arrive Kent Station. Mimics something from a Stephen King movie. All but abandoned. Usually, this time of the night things are busy with people catching connecting buses or friends or family pick ups. NOTHING.
That's fine, I'd planned on riding home anyway. Streets are sheets of ice. Sidewalk offers packed snow which affords most excellent traction for the Nokians. Sidewalk it is. All the way home. I was a bit cold until the climb up Canyon. Had to watch BTU output vs ability to shed heat. Got a nice pace dialed in and kept body temp very comfy. Besides, anything much above 13mph would have been a bit dicey-the cars had still managed to spew road slush onto the sidewalk and it was freezing into large boulder like chunks. I can hear you saying "13mph!? that's a slug pace!" Normally, yes. Keep in mind there was never pavement available-always on something water based and below 32 degrees and often finding snow that was as deep as the tire/rim. In those conditions, 13 or so is just dandy. Besides, riding in snow and ice like that is a bit more of a work out than dry pavement. It was a pretty fun ride even if it was on the sidewalk. The traffic volume was pretty low and there were times when all I could hear was the crunching of the snow under the tires. Very cool. It was still snowing lightly on the way home and the trees were fully covered with snow. It was awesome! Saturday night calls for a ride up the Soos Creek Trail for sure.