Another Delay

I returned from the Rocky Mountain 1200 yesterday and had good intentions of posting the ride report with pictures over the weekend as I'd pretty much completed the write-up on my palm pilot and only needed to transfer it over to the computer. Unfortunately Randonneuring Adventures call and the Randonnerd if off to do the PA1000K starting tomorrow at 4:00AM. Got all of the laundry done from the RM and have packed the clean items back into the bike bags, the bike is now in the back of the car and I've done my pre-ride carbo loading (spaetzle last night/a pound of bucatini tonight. Now for a couple of beers to relax and get 5 hours of zzz's before I leave for the ride. Hopefully all of the rides can be posted when I return on Monday.

Inactivity - Out on a Ride

In addition to my computer suffering from heat overload, I've been negligent at posting as I catch up from the Cascade and prepare for the Rocky Mountain. I've been able to keep fit by continuing to ride into work these last two weeks and just use the train for the bike/train/bike commute home....only needed to buy a book of 10 tickets for the two weeks I've been back. Leaving the house at 4:30AM and returning at 7:00PM doesn't leave a lot of time to get on the computer and I'll also be out of touch starting today as I fly to Vancouver and make my way to Kamloops to ride the Rocky Mountain 1200K July 23rd to 27th. Doing the last minute packing and miscellaneous preparations like tightening the chain ring bolts, getting several extra seat binder bolts, cleaning the chain BEFORE I pack it into the bike bok, and making sure I didn't leave anything out, such as the headset bearings - I need to remove my fork each time to fit the frame in the bike box. It's a little hassle but not as much as what I needed to go through to ensure my Trico case made it to my final destination, and the airline "only" charges me $25 for the extra suitcase vs. $100+ to take the bike box and then they offer no assurance that the bike will even be on my flight.

Eventually I'll figure out how to post from my cell phone but for now I probably won't have an update until I return from the RM1200. I'm also attempting to figure out how to best include photos from the trip.

Cascade 1200

My most recent bike tour was the Cascade 1200 held June 28th through July 1st. My trip report reads pretty much like the one that I wrote for the ride in 2006...just as hot and just as difficult but the organizers changed the route somewhat and although the previous ride up the Yakima River valley was great, the ride up the route to Chinook Pass was great in that it went up hill gradually from Natches to the turnaround control so that the return trip was all down hill. Also, the use of the Natches High School as the first overnight saved the long gratuitous climb up to the top of the ridge. I'll be editing this as I figure out how to do a cut and paste. Anyway, the SIR is a GREAT club and they put on a showpiece 1200K. Thanks everyone from Mark, to Mark, to Don, to Mark to Bill, to ... .

While the conditions were quite warm for the ride, by Wednesday, it became overcast and temperatures returned to normal for Seattle and upon my return to the airport Wednesday evening to pick up my bike boxes at the airport hotel and pack for my return trip home thunderstorms returned and on Thursday it was in the 60's and raining. After recovering over the long holiday weekend I returned to my fixie and my daily 52 mile commute into work. I felt great on Monday, was a little tired on Tuesday and by Wednesday my legs were so beat that I was sitting heavy on the saddle and found that I was experiencing some discomfort, so on Thursday and Friday I "cheated" and rode the folding fixie (a Montague Bi-Fold converted to 700c with a 42-45 X 17-21 "geezer gearing" - more on this later) the 9 miles to the local train station where I fold the bike, get on the train for an hour commute and get off and unfold the fixie to ride the remaing 6 miles into work. After 2 days of this rest my knees and legs feel great again - I think I'll go for a ride over the weekend. There is a 600K that starts at 10:00PM on Friday but I think I'll pass. I need to get some things done on my RV (Randonnerding Vehicle) to prepare for my next 1200K in a couple of weeks - more on this later.)

For Randonnerds Everywhere

I've been a randonnerd all my life but haven't taken the time to post all of the ride reports and my musings. Seeing how easy it is to set up this blog, I'll begin to post some of my thoughts on a more regular basis. Initially these will be "real time" with a lot of catch-up. I wish I had the time to set up a real website and post all of my files but for now you'll have to settle for this.

Yes I am a randonnerd, and fortunately my wife accepts it. Actually she knew what she was getting into when she married me so I guess she has finally made peace with the fact that I am not willing to change and that allowing me some freedom is good for my physical and mental mental well being.

While I am a randonnerd, I am NOT a computer nerd or engineer nerd or any other type of nerd so what you see on this site is what is. I'll "calls 'em as I see 'em" but since it is from my limited perspective as a randonnerd, I may be off base and would appreciate others' input to steer me in the right direction.