Saturday, April 28, 2012

30 Days of Biking: My Favorite Seattle Ride and more on Multimodal transit

Well, here we are on day 28 and I'm happy to say that I haven't missed a day of riding yet!  The blog?  Well, it's been a few days.

Cool bike signage.  We headed across I-90 and picked up the South part of the Lake Washington Loop.
Yesterday I had a lovely ride around the south end of Lake Washington with Sarah.  It's one of my favorites.  I love the views, the lightly trafficked roads on the East side of the lake, the gentle hills, and that you only have to cross the I-90 bridge once.  After you reach Seward Park, it's basically flat until the final climb from lake level to the top of Capitol hill.  But even then, it's the best route up the hill and perfect for running errands on the way home.  

The Lovely in Pink Sarah.
I picked up my daughter after the ride so didn't do the final climb.  My new computer tells me that the mileage was just over 30.

The bike is still in the car awaiting today's delicate transit dance.  Here's the plan:  My husband, daughter and I will all drive to Seattle Center.  Jonathan and Irene only have to stay about an hour, so they will unload my bike, and drive the car home.  After I finish stage managing for day one of the Irish dance competition, I'll ride home.  Now, we could have used the bus to achieve the same result, but Irene talked us into this plan as she has a lot of homework and competes all day tomorrow.

Oh, and anyone who wants to ride the South end of the lake--just let me know!  What's your favorite Seattle Ride??

Stay tuned for my next entry:  care and feeding of your bike mechanic.


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

30 Days of Biking: Where in my ass is handed to me on a 48-mile ride around Lake Washington


Sunday's ride was with a group of about 30.  It was the classic around Lake Washington with some construction detours and extra delicious hills thrown in.  I often ride alone or with just another person, so I sometimes feel a little conflicted about riding in what I call a "club style" group--faster paced, few breaks, no photos (for me at least--one fellow was taking photos and was fast enough to catch up again).  I am a self-contained bicycle tourist.  I ride fully loaded (well, my bike is loaded with tent, sleeping bag and every thing else one needs to camp when touring) to some of the most beautiful places in the country so I can slow down and enjoy the ride.  I don't own a lightweight club bike, but I love my heavier touring machine.

All that is by way of introducing the plain fact that, as the kids say, I had my ass handed to me. 48 miles at my pace is no problem. 48 miles at too-fast-for-me a pace because you don't want to hold anyone up is more of a challenge

One of the reasons I ride with a group is to go places I wouldn't go alone (mainly the north end of the lake through Bellevue and Kirkland), to try new routes, and to meet new people to ride with. The company on this ride was fantastic. I was delighted to see Mary, who I was in a book club with in the 80's, the charming Lily who leads rides that are more my pace (and her equally smart husband David), and Sarah, who I knew because our companies used to work together.

To those of you who have complained that my blog is all Lucia, Lucia, Lucia, introducing the amazing Sarah.  This is not the best picture of her, but you get the idea.
A few years ago I took Sarah on one of her first rides in the area along the flat Centennial trail.  By her account, she could barely go 10 mph.  She still doesn't think of herself as an accomplished cyclist, but I beg to differ--she did an amazing job on the ride!  She just needs a little Dan Harm (and here) attitude adjustment.  And a special shout out to the sweep rider Suzanne, who twice advocated riding the published pace.  That's not easy to do when most people want to go faster.

Toward the end of the ride, a small group of us did slow down. Marizel was terrific and rode with us.  She is one of the kindest cyclists I know. And a mean mountain biker which is how I first met her.  Thanks Marizel, it's always great riding with you!

Let Roll!!
Donna
Seattle, WA


Monday, April 23, 2012

Day 21 of 30 Days of Biking: Life, Death, Tacos, and a Better Brain

In Seattle, we have a habit of putting unusual things under bridges.  After we had dropped off our girls at dance, I met Lucia at The Wall of Death under the University bridge. Apparently, THE Wall of Death is not to be confused with any other Wall of Death, so it makes a good meeting spot.

The red poster is shown at the bottom of this page...

Then, we rode out to the Pedlar's Fair to revel in all things bikey. When we arrived, there were four cargo bikes parked among the bikes--more cargo bikes than I have ever seen in one place in Seattle.  The one below has a little toddler's bike tucked on each side as well as seats for two children.  Later we would pass a caravan of three cargo bikes, all pedaled by women.  It was kind of exciting like when you spot a dolphin or whale out on the water.  

Just found out that the owner of this bike is: http://familyride.wordpress.com/  The cargo bikes came as part of a Kidical Mass ride.

Russ at The Path Less Pedaled did a wonderful write up of the fair along with great photos like the overview shot below. 

Photo from The Path Less Traveled.



At the fair, we heard that there was a great taco truck nearby, so headed over to check it out.



It was a truck load of delicious.  I'm not fond of "here's what I had for lunch"photos so I'll make it small just to give you an idea.  If you are not looking for the truck, you will miss it.  It's between the new Stone Way Hardware and immediately south of the Safeway on 15th NW in Ballard (5314 15th Ave NW. )








Finally, I  just finished reading the NYT article "How Exercise Could Lead to a Better Brain".  In a previous post, we saw how cycling could make you happier, now the latest research also suggests that it improves our brains too: 
For more than a decade, neuroscientists and physiologists have been gathering evidence of the beneficial relationship between exercise and brainpower. But the newest findings make it clear that this isn’t just a relationship; it is the relationship. Using sophisticated technologies to examine the workings of individual neurons — and the makeup of brain matter itself — scientists in just the past few months have discovered that exercise appears to build a brain that resists physical shrinkage and enhance cognitive flexibility. Exercise, the latest neuroscience suggests, does more to bolster thinking than thinking does.
Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

PS  Here is what the red poster in the Wall of Death picture is:


Friday, April 20, 2012

30 Days of Biking: Still Going Strong! And What's Art got to do with it?



So far, I am 20 for 20 on days riding for 30 Days of Biking.  I'll admit that there have been days when my resolve weakened, which is why my last post suggested tips for  how to increase the chances that you (meaning I!) will go for a bike ride today.  Because it's cold and raining today, and my ride partner just cancelled, I will re-read it as necessary.  Here is another tip that occurred to me today:

Tip 5: Having a destination can increase motivation.  If I can accomplish something that I need to do anyway, such as go to a meeting or even the art store to pick up a sketch book, it immediate lifts my flagging spirits.  So, while today's ride won't be a long one, I will get something done.  And if I'm having a good time on the bike, I can always choose to go to the University Book Store instead of the close-by store.

Day 19:  Riding to Class at The Pratt Fine Arts Center--Can you help this neighbor resource survive hard financial times?

Yesterday, I rode to Pratt Fine Arts Center for a much anticipated metalworking class.  There is something about superheating metal and pounding on it that I enjoy and I've wanted to take a class there for a long time.  So, I was sad to hear that Pratt is having financial troubles and almost did not hold this round of classes.  Pratt Fine Arts Center is a non-profit arts center in  Seattle's Central District.  In Pratt's 3 building these house facilities for glassblowing, lampworking, glass beadmaking, flameworked glass, metal sculpture, bronze casting, stone carving, jewelry and metalsmithing, woodworking, printmaking, painting and drawing.

So, I know some of my friends are serious art people, so I will provide a few links to events that might be of interest.


Pratt Fine Arts Center's 30th Annual Fine Art Auction: Birthday Bash on May 5, 2012
I hear that the event the night before is really good too, so here are the details:

Pratt Exposed: 2012 Fine Art Auction Exhibition
May 4 from 6-9pm
Bell Harbor Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66

Meet the artists and preview hundreds of artworks donated to Pratt’s 30th Annual Fine Art Auction before they enter private collections. FREE and open to the public.  Hmm, that seems like a good event to ride my bike to too!

Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA






Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tips to Increase the Chances that you will Go for a Bike Ride Today

Even for those of us who love to ride, there are times when we just don't feel like it.  For me, it's my main form of exercise so I try to ride often, if not everyday.  So, I have developed a few tricks to increase the chances that I will actually go for a ride.

The Bike Tree on Vashon Island.  Don't let this happen to your bike!  Photo from: http://tubulocity.com/?p=51

Tip 1:  Commit to Riding.

On the one hand, one of the things that's so helpful about 30 days of Biking is that you commit to ride every day for the month of April. On the other hand, you have to recommit yourself every time you go out the door. The last time Lucia and I rode Chilly Hill, it was a cold, overcast day.  As we waited for the ferry to Bainbridge Island, I asked about how we would meet up with her friends who were also riding. "Oh, they're nearby in a cafe having breakfast, but won't be coming." I said, "You seem pretty certain about that.  How can you be sure?"  Lucia answered, "Well, they met up for breakfast  in a warm cafe and I'm sure they've talked themselves out of it by now given the weather."  I laughed because I've done that before.  

Tip 2:  Just go, don't let your mind get in your way. 

There are always plenty of reasons not to ride.  Here are a few of my favorites:  
  • I have to look presentable for a meeting 
  • It's too cold or too wet
  • I'm tired
  • I have too much to carry
  • It's too far
  • I don't know where to ride  
Your mind will come up with a few of its own if these don't do the trick.  While at first glance, this may seem the same as tip one, to me it's quite different.  After you have committed to ride is when the rebellious, comfort-seeking mind can kick in.  Just ignore it and go.

I think this concept crystallized for me during a conversation with my cousin's son Jake Sakson, who is an amazing professional telemark skier and kayaker (among other things such as being in an actual Star Trek episode).  From the videos I've seen, he is often going over 50-foot jumps as a skier or waterfalls as a kyaker.  As I was driving him to the airport, I asked him for any advice he had for me about my first double century on a bike.  He thought for a moment, and said "Commit to it. Once you've committed to it, don't question it, do it." 

Tip 3:  Make it easy

If you have an understanding spouse like mine (and the room), keep your bike on the main floor of the house or where ever it is easy to just grab it and go.  My helmet, lock, and jacket are ll right there.  This is important because sometimes, the hardest part of a ride is getting out the door.  I can't think of a ride where later I regretted getting out on the road.

Tip 4: When riding with other people, agree to the details in advance.

In fact, I'd better go call Lucia--we are riding to the Pedlar's fare on Sat. and need a plan.

Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

Late addition:  Click here for Tip 5!

Day 17 of 30 Days of Biking: Riding to school with Irene

This morning my daughter and I were out the door at 7:10 am to ride to her school.  I was along as moral support and additional cargo space.  It's amazing how heavy students' backpacks have become, plus she needed a laptop at school today. It had also been awhile since she had ridden the route. I woke up early and did not want to get out of bed.  But we had committed to this ride the night before, so we were off in the the beautiful morning light.

On the way back up Capitol Hill, the steep way back up Capitol Hill, I thought to myself, "I'm not sure what I'm going to take a picture of for my blog."  After the hardest hill, I stopped for a  moment to let traffic clear, but mainly to catch my breath.  Then I laughed at myself, because there is always something beautiful this time of year when you are going slowly enough to see it!

At the top of Interlaken Park.





Finally, I love seeing the conservatory as it signals the end of all hills for the day. Here was the view at the end of my ride.

Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

Monday, April 16, 2012

Day 16 of 30 Days of Biking: Outrageous Spring (may require protective eyewear!)

Today is the first day that the sun set after 8pm so I knew that I would end my ride just before sunset.  Here are the stats:


Sunrise / Set
6:17 AM
8:01 PM


I love these long days of light.  The colors right now really are outrageous.  Here is the rhododendron that you may need sunglasses for:


And here is a shot of the cherry trees to help your retinas recover.


Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Day 14 of 30 days of Biking: Riding Seattle's Beautiful Shores, clouded only by the "missing link"

What a day in Seattle!  Lucia seems to be on-board with the 30 days of biking plan as we headed out for another ride today.  We pretty much stayed along bodies of water today:  Lake Washington, the Ship Canal, and out to Puget Sound.  Shilshole was beautiful and there was a sailboat race going on.

 We watched for a while to try to figure out how it worked, but the cannon fire and air horns seemed random to us.


Yes, here is the gratitous bike in the foreground shot.  This is my 20 year old Cannondale touring bike with heavy jacket stuffed in the bag on the back rack.

On the way back, we pedaled along the Ship Canal, a man-made waterway that links Lake Washington to Puget Sound.

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the U of W.





All in all, an idyllic day for riding.  Except when riding the streets called the Burke Gilman Trail's "missing link".  It is downright dangerous in spots and I admit that I let anger at the business owners who have held up this much needed part of the bike trail fog my thoughts. This 1.5 mile segment of the trail has been fully funded and designed.  The Ballard business owners have held it up in court since 2003.  For trail supporters, the one productive thing we can do right now is to support the Cascade Bicycle Club's legal efforts by contributing to the Burke Gilman legal defense fund. And enjoy the day and the beautiful trails we have.

Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Day 13 of 30 Days of Biking: Oh the places you can go on a bike!

The day started with a ride to the University of Washington for a most-of-the-day meeting with the visiting committee of the College of Engineering.  It ended about five stories down in a hole for a tour of the unfinished University and Capitol Hill stations and tunnels of the Light Rail system.  Mike, the project manager for the University side of the tunnel, gave an excellent tour.  His family has been in the mining business for generations and he is doing the modern version of it--with twin tunnel boring machines (TBM),  the tips of which look like this:

The tip of the TBM seen from the Capitol Hill Station.  The tunnel is in the background.  The rest of the boring machine is still in the tunnel.
Here is a closer view of the boring tip, along with project manager Mike.
To get a good look at the machines, we did a lot of climbing ladders and ducking under things.


Once inside the machine, there is room to move around. The total length of the TBM is about 330 feet, about the length of a football field.

Traylor, the company who build the University side of the tunnels, finished four months early.  Here is what the roughed-in tunnel looks like.


As the TBM advances, they construct the cement tunnel lining behind it like a jigsaw puzzle.  They then use the lip of the liner to push against to advance the TBM.

Tunnel lining.

After tour, we climbed back out of the hole.


Mike says that people don't think about tunnels much.  I think that that is true. I know that I'll think of Mike, the miners, and the machines that built them each time I go through a tunnel.

Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

P.S. When I returned to my bike, here is what had happened.



Thursday, April 12, 2012

Day 12 of 30 days of biking: Riding with Lucia and dodging the storm


My good friend Lucia is back in town so we had a chance to ride together today.  It started out as a beautiful spring day with sunshine and calm winds.

Lucia is a great cyclist with amazing form on hills.  We first rode together in the 1980's on my first Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. in the days when you got to take the ferry back from Victoria on the final day.  (Now the the ride is called RSVP and you take the  bus back.)

It was great to catch up and see the beautiful Spring sights.
Lake Washington today at the beginning of our ride.


As we made the turn for home, the wind picked up.  When I finally looked back after riding about 20 minutes, this is what the sky looked like:
This is NOT a B&W photo.

I guess that's why they say about Washington, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes!"  I beat the rain home even with a stop at Pratt Fine Arts Center to pick up their new catalog.  Metal working anyone?  Welding?

Finally, I ran into Dr. Laura Kastner as I made the final turn for home.  I got to hear all about her exciting new project which I can't tell you about as it's not sold yet.  Don't worry--it will as soon as it's on the market!  Stayed tuned.

Let's Roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Day 9 of 30 Days of Biking: Room to Read meeting by bicycle


Erin Ganju, Irene, and Vivek Venugopal

Sometimes I am a little hesitant to ride to business meetings by bike.  But the weather was grand and we knew we had time to cool off after our ride and before our meeting, so I pulled out the mountain bike.

Today my daughter Irene joined me on my ride to meet the folks from Room to Read.  We were invited to meet with Erin Ganju (co-founder & CEO) and the ever delightful Vivek Venugopal.  Last year as an eighth grader, Irene raised enough money to build a library in Nepal and to sponsor two years of girls' education.  She has always loved books and libraries so this was a natural fit for her when she realized that there are children in the world without access to either.  Irene ran book drives and then held a huge booksale--we are so grateful for all the help and contributions of the many people it took to make her project happen.  We both enjoyed meeting Erin and seeing Vivek again.

I love Room to Read for two reasons:  they believe that "world change starts with educated children" and they are one of the few non-profits that really understands that "non profit" is not a business model, but rather a tax status.  They have the Charity Navigator coveted 4-star rating to prove it.  They believe in getting things done: like building libraries and training staff to run them so they are sustainable, and like aiming to educate 10 million children by 2015.  I also like their collaborative approach of working with local communities to make sure what they do is both needed and wanted.  If you would like to know more about Room to Read, click here.

On the way home, Irene kept suggesting I ride faster--she is a very strong cyclist and thinks that I ride too slowly.  Ah youth.  And those dancer legs of hers!  Yet, she doesn't like to ride much further than, say,  our local library.


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Day 8 of 30 Days of Biking:  You never know who you are going see

After the family left, I decided to avoid the instinct to take a nap and go visit a friend in the hospital who had recently had heart surgery.  Along the way to Swedish Cherry Hill, I noticed these gentlemen and kept on riding.  At the next interaction, I realized I needed to go back for a photo.  Taking pictures for a blog is not a habit that has come easily for me.  I'm glad I did, because I got to study these fellows.


And what do you think the first fellow below is thinking?


I continued on to the hospital for a visit before the return ride home.  I had planned to drop off some chocolate eggs to the patient's wife, but she had left for the day.  I hope I'm not in trouble for the contraband.


Saturday, April 7, 2012

Day 7: Does 30 days of cycling decrease or increase your happiness?

I was reading an interesting article in Pyschology Today about how to make your own luck, when I came across this:
Recent studies by Lyubomirsky have shown that deliberately doing different things every day boosts contentedness in the short term and the long term.
Also, seizing random circumstances—like talking with the stranger in the checkout line, picking up and reading an abandoned magazine, or ducking into a store that caught your eye—adds novelty to our lives, which in turn can actually cause the growth of new brain matter and push back the cognitive decline of aging.   
--From Make Your Own Luck: Five principles for making the most of life's twists and turns.  By Rebecca Webber
I think that biking is uniquely suited to "random circumstances" as people seem more open to you,  ducking into stores or museums is so much easier, and you get to go all sorts of new places via different routes. So, for me, yes, doing the same activity each day (biking)  has definitely made me happier.  Who knew that it would help grow new brain matter too?

Today I did something quite different.  I went to see a bike race.  
Volunteer Park Criterium Pro mens Cat 1 & 2
My friend Dan Harm was racing so it was fun to watch him go round and round.  

I got to hang out with lots of fun biking people and Dan's family and fans.  It looks like it was much harder work for Dan.

He came by afterwards to say "hi".

I promised his family lots of pictures, so here you go! A really fun way to spend an hour.

Days 5 and 6: 30 Days of Biking

Well, despite my cold, I have managed a short ride each day.  Last night Jonathan and I met friends for dinner to celebrate his college roomates' birthday.  We had dinner at La Bête which I really enjoyed.  I will say that it looks like they need a bike rack!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Day 4 of 30 Days of Biking: Mountain biking and What’s with the Pink?






Today I rode my mountain bike; she is a joy to ride and doesn’t get out as much as I’d like.  I ride mostly in the city, in part because it does seem a little silly to drive to a trail head and in part because riding trails can a bit harder on the knee which I injured mountain biking.  Still, there is nothing like riding in the woods where there are no cars and the trail twists and turns, and there are roots and rocks and slugs.  Well, there really isn’t anything like riding in the woods. 

So today I rode my mountain bike around town—and believe me—some of our roads are much better on a full-suspension bike.   I wanted to take a picture of some of the potholes on my street, which could double as a small garden and the spots where the original brick layer is showing.  They were all filled with water from yesterday’s rain here is a picture of what I sometimes think would be fun to do to the deepest ones:

The Pothole Gardening of Steve Wheen.
  
You may have noticed that my bike is pink.  And, I named this blog “stop with the pink” so I thought I would explain.  Basically, I don’t much care for pink except for on the beautiful flowering trees around town right now.  Also, I do not understand why manufacturers seem to think that if they make thing (such as bicycles) pink, then women will want them.  So, stop with the pink.

When I was shopping for my mountain bike, I had the choice of paying a lot of extra money to get the beautiful white one or getting used to a color I’ve never liked.  So that’s why my beautiful mountain bike is not only pink, but has pink linkages.  It’s taken a few years, but I don’t really see the color any more.  And, I thought it might be less likely to be stolen because who could take a pink mountain bike seriously?  Color aside, she rides like a dream. 


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Day 3 of 30 Days of Biking: Multimodal ride or Why you need an ORCA card


Good News:  only one bike on the rack.  Room for two more.



Well, it looks like I'm in for the long form of this cold.  I did ride today though, in the rain and cold.  First, I took a short spin to meet up with my favorite professional cyclist and coach Dan Harm.

He was headed off to Cycle U to teach an indoor power-based class that I was not up to taking,  so we rode together until our paths split.  I love trying new routes and Dan had a great one in store.  (We scooted along the freeway frontage road then picked up the short little path along Melrose before picking up Roanoke for you locals).

Then it was off to Wallingford in the rain and wind.  The legs felt great but the lungs begged to differ so I went multimodal on the way home--which is to say I took the bus part way up Capitol Hill.
A lost or tired cyclist's best friend.

I started carrying my ORCA transit card after my good riding buddy Lucia and I got rather lost as the sun way setting.  Now I know that no matter what, I can find my way home by waving this magic card on the toll reader.  I don't think that the bike rack has ever been full when I've needed it.  If you haven't loaded your bike on a rack before, it's a good idea to watch the video.  Today the rack's arm was stuck so the driver had to help.  Some cyclists can't imagine taking the bus, but I love it.  Because I live up a big hill, I find that having the option sometimes will get me out on the bike because I know I can always take the bus the final mile up the hill.  If you are interested, here's how to get your own ORCA card for free even!

Finally, I was excited to read that Seattle is going to have it's own bike-themed arts and craft show.  I've always been a little jealous of Portland's BikeCraft show right before the holidays.  Now Seattle has one too! Seattle Pedaler's Fair: Washington Made Goods & art "for the bicycle and its rider.  April 21-22 in Ballard! I'll be there!



Let's Roll!!
Donna
Seattle, WA


Monday, April 2, 2012

Day 2 of 30 Days of Biking: Sunset Ride, Sort of


"Sunset" at Volunteer Park.

I am still quite under the weather so despite the amazingly beautiful day in Seattle (sunny, 62 degrees with a light wind) I decided to save my ride until sunset.  Unlike Teela Brown in Larry Niven's Ringworld, however, I was not breed for luck.  The cloud bank obscured the sun quite early this evening.  I love the sunset ritual that takes up in Volunteer Park across from the Asian Art Museum at the "Doughnut" sculpture so I was glad to pay a visit.  The picnickers were just finishing up and groups of runners and others were standing around enjoying each other's company.  As the sun begins to set, the people quiet and the air seems to feel heavier.  The bird song seems to intensify and then the sun is below the horizon.  Sounds pretty lucky to me.

You may have seen the NY Times article about the new Yale study that tried to determine if there are specific factors that influence soreness and numbness for female bicycle riders. This part caught my eye:
The researchers found that the lower the handlebars in relation to the saddle, the more a woman has to lean forward, forcing her to put a greater percentage of her body weight on the perineum. This problem is particularly likely to occur when a rider leans forward, flattens her back and puts her hands on the “drop bars” of a road or track bicycle for a more aerodynamic position.
Ever since the very clever Kym Belden first fit my bike, I've had my handlebars quite high for touring.  This has worked wonders, particularly on longer rides.  It also helps with hand numbness as well. 


My T700 by cannonade in front of Black Sun by Isamu Noguchi across from  the Seattle Asian Art Museum.


Let's roll!
Donna
Seattle, WA

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Day 1: "30 DAYS OF BIKING HAS ONE RULE ...

...Bike somewhere every day for 30 days—around the block, 20 miles to work, whatever suits you—then share your adventures online." From http://30daysofbiking.com/


I first learned about 30 days of biking from Kent'sBike blog after reading his wonderful blog posts from last year.  I knew I would enjoy the riding--I'm not too sure about the blogging part--I kind of feel like a Kindergartener with a fat crayon.    

Kent added a new twist this year to his 30 days posts--each day he would blog about a letter in the alphabet.  Today's letter is A which got me thinking about my "A" for the day:  Age and cycling.  I'm happy to ride with any one of any age but have often wondered where are all the woman my age?  I know you are out there...


In fact, any tour you do with WomanTours is likely to have a great group of woman often over 50.  I recently had the pleasure of riding with Woman Tour's founder Gloria Smith who started WomanTours almost 20 years ago because she wanted to find other women over 50 to ride with.  



                          Gloria Smith (L) with Donna in matching jerseys.  Still riding strong into her 70's.

So, if there are woman with a few miles on them living in Seattle--let's ride together in the next 29 days!


Finally, about today's ride:  I came home from the desert with a cold, so decided to just run errands for today's ride.  My bike computer cable snapped during transit so I don't have exact mileage.  It was amazing how quickly one can get things done on the bike:   post office, used book store, bank, library.  The sun is shining now, but I did get a bit wet.  Here's the reading on our informal rain gauge from the last day or two--we emptied it afterwards:


                                                That's about 2-1/4 inches
It's going to be wet this week--Let's Roll anyway!
Donna
Seattle, WA