Flying down Anatone Grade is always fun!

Gary and Russ aren't afraid to try an Easy Does it Ride!

Despite a confusing start place, our Easy Does it Ride had a good turnout. I had put the idea together quickly after deciding to stay home this week instead of riding OBR this week with Corrie. My mom had a bit of a health crisis last week and she’s really needed me. So grandma pulled the long straw and Corrie has Jim McKracken as a tour buddy this year. I'm sure they'll both have great pictures and stories to tell.

I started at McDonalds this morning for a quick coffee and Egg McMuffin with Bonnie, then off to the corps parking lot to see who might show up this morning. Our riders included Donna and Gary, Russ and Lori, our two newest riders Jennifer and Candice, along with Ellen and her friend Sharon and my dear friend Bonnie Konrad. We had quite a crew and no one seemed to mind riding up Anatone Grade this morning. It’s about 4 miles, so relatively short but, as I was telling some of our newer riders this is pretty similar to all the climbs in this area. The Lewiston Hill, Whitebird Grade, even Winchester, all have the same gently 5-7% grade, but Anatone is probably the shortest. The deal about this climb is that the hill never ends, until you get to Anatone, 18 miles from the base. We all managed the climb and even continued a few miles further up. And of course the fun part is flying down the gently sloping switch backs. Weee as this kid sails down! Lets go again! Well, maybe not until after another Egg McMuffin.

Bike to Work Day begins perfectly

A Beautiful Day to bike to SJRMC
(Picture taken last month, but you get the idea)

It couldn't be a nicer May morning. We've had our share of nasty, rainy weather for sure. Today is national bike to work day and come whatever the weather I planned to ride today. Bike commuting is different then your usual bike ride. It takes planning and coordinating. I've noticed the route I usually take to work, via the bike path will be unridable for the rest of the summer at least. So, I can either plan to ride on the highway or adjust my route to using the blue bridge. That will be complicated too. Riding up Prospect would be my preferred route but it's tough to cross Main Street Lewiston at that point, with no crosswalks from the bridge side walk to Prospect. I'm not sure what I'll do at this point, but you can see how planning is important.
What to take with you to work includes; clothing, cleaning up at work, shoes, lunch, etc. This is usually pretty easily taken care of with a bike pannier system. There are many bike bag systems available, and of course a simple back pack works too.

I have converted my old bike to a commuter bike which has simplified my getting ready plan. I don't like to change shoes for work, so on this bike I have regular pedals instead of the more efficient clip on shoes. I've really not seen a problem with regular shoes as my ride is only 5 mi to work. You have to make it work for you. I'm lucky that my schedule is very flexible. Most nurses are doing shift work of some kind, which makes another issue with night riding etc. Well, no one said bike commuting is as simple as just getting on the bike.

Well, my breakfast is gone, I'm properly caffeinated and the sun is shining. Riding my bike this morning will give this Friday a great start. I hope all of you can get on your bike today. It's a simply perfect morning.

My ride was great. I managed the construction on Snake River Ave. by maneuvering into the standard flow of traffic and progressed to Prospect as I usually do. I had extra time in the afternoon so I extended my usual ride home by going out to Clarkston via the Blue Bridge and Evans road to home. I got a few extra miles in and the weather cooperated. If you want to get into shape... Ride to Work, any day.

The Zen of Bloomsday

The ZEN of Bloomsday 

The sun is shining brightly as I mill around the crowd. Tony shows up with his running gear on. No extra jacket or sweat shirt for him. It's chilly to say the least, but in the crowd of 50,000 plus it's not too bad. I've chatted a bit with some of the runners around me. The two guys ahead are brothers. One brother is stationed at Fairchild air-force base, the other flew in from St. Louis to join his brother running today, and downing a few too many cold ones, last night. No bother they state, the hung over feeling should go after 5-6 miles, they grimace. This little clump of people also includes a group of 3 women, all from Canada. They happily describe the fun they've had together this weekend. They all come to Spokane and make an annual weekend shopping trip. Their friendship is marked by this annual run together, including matching shirts for each year they've run.

The annual run on the first Sunday in May, has become an annual celebration that marks the start of spring, in this beautiful city of Spokane. Why would anyone want to run in a crowd of 50-60,000 other people. It all has to do with what I call; The Zen of Bloomsday.

We all understand this as we wait in the crowd. The Zen begins with family and planning. The run itself is 7.2 miles, a 12 K. so most of the runners have to make sure they've at least donned shoes and made some effort at training. Most of the adults anyway. The crowd is always a mix of runners, including children with parents or as the brothers nearby, people young enough to just show up and run. Regardless of the training, this group shows health and joy in spending an hour or two outdoors and active.

The plan also includes gathering family or friends. Tony and I stayed with my younger son Ryan and his wife Kim. We all enjoy the chance to spend time together and Tony and I plot together to see if we can get Ryan to join us next year. The Zen always include bringing others next year. This year (2017) we convinced him to join us!

As we begin the run we weave along the route. The tour weaves around the streets of Spokane, up and down the notorious climbs. Up the short slope beside the cemetery, followed by the mile long trek up Doomsday hill and thankfully the water stop at the crest. To be properly into the Zen of Bloomsday, you must high-five the vulture hovering at the top of the climb.

Bands are stationed almost every half mile along the route. Every type of band is present from the Om pa German group, to sightings of Elvis, Trekkie's and neighborhood kids beating on laundry tubs, in cadence, as the group surges past. Babies in arms, elderly grandmas cheering with little doggies on their laps, parties of friends with Mimosa's in hand, even the priest saying Mass comes out to give blessings as the runners pass by the Cathedral.

We where happy to finish and gather the long awaited tee shirt. Of course this is the prize and believe me that is the Zen in hand. Do we run for just the tee shirt? Hardly, but it does say a hearty yes to the joy of life and the beginning of spring, finally.

A joyous finish in the park

Picking an Ugly Shirt is hard this early!

Jean Campbell, our winner for the Ugly Shirt Ride 2011!

Colleen found this shirt in Pakistan!! For real!!

Donna, pretty in pink

Gary in his Old Guy Cycling Team shirt

Heather in her cool Aztec shirt

Linda in her very cool Cat in the Hat shirt

We had a good turn out for the Ugly shirt ride today. The challenge of finding a suitable "Ugly Shirt" brought out several Easy Does it regular riders; Heather, Ellen, Colleen, Donna with Gary in his old guy shirt, Corrie... dressed as just his usual self, along with a few new riders; Linda T and Jean and Ken Campbell with daughter Jody and baby Georgianna in the burley. Ken said they've been riding for years including I Made the Grade a few times.

Jean and Ken Cambell with daughter Jody and baby Georgianna
in the Burley

We had a bit of a route adjustment as we tried to avoid the MS walkers on the path, but we managed to make our way through the crowd without incident. We even managed to pick up another rider, Jan on the way.

The chilly but sunny day had everyone in a cheerful talkative group as we rode toward the 10 mile bridge past Asotin. No flats or problems along the way, a great Easy Does it Ride and we finished it off with a lunch at Taco Time. As far as Ugly shirts go, I have to say it was hard to choose, but if I was going to pick, I guess Jeans blue/purple tye dye shirt was a winner... so Jean promised me we'd work on a Moscow Co-Op cinnamon roll ride sometime, I'll have to present her with her prize then, unless we see her sooner. What fun to ride with such a nice group on a perfectly beautiful spring morning.

Corrie dressed as... Corrie

Come join us this Sat at 10

A cupcake for Easy Does it Riders? Could be... if I get my act together.

You have to start sometime. It's cold and windy at times, and your tires probably need to be pumped up, but it's time!

It's April and the flowers are blooming. Hopefully we'll have good weather. We could go up river past Asotin for an hour or so. If any of you want to ride at a faster pace that's fine. The pace is published to be a pace for a beginner. I just try to stay with the slower pace or what ever the group is at.

An ugly shirt ride is about "not looking cool" I have a favorite jersey that makes me look like Charlie Brown.. you'll have to watch this site for a picture. I feel like a perfectly respectable "dork" in it. I think I might make some of Camille's awesome chocolate cupcakes.. so if folks are coming for food... here's your chance to join the Easy Does it Crew.

Runners and Cyclists join up for New Year's

Welcome 2011

New Years eve is generally not a biker friendly day. The weather this year was typical; cold! icy and just plain gray, even Corrie was spending the day in the recliner watching basketball.

We invited the Seaport Striders to our usual New Years eve dinner and movie event. The turnout was great. Corrie and I, Lance and Janet, Debbie and Scott, George and Barbara Topping and even Dave an Lee Anne Tibbles came down from snowy Moscow. There where another 15 or so Striders who joined us, many of who have joined our biking events in the past.

We had a nice dinner at the Landing Strip Lounge, located in the Lewiston airport.
After dinner several of us headed to the theater. Corrie and I and several others went to True Grit. The theater was packed, Corrie and I couldn't even find seats together. The movie was great. This re make is a true western and the Coen brothers give it a unique perspective. To top off, this traditional bike club event, the Riddle's made an audio appearance via a cell phone call from their new condo in McCall.

We saw many of the same crew today at the Strider's "Hangover" run. This is an annual event that the Striders have put on for several years. The event is open to both runners and walkers. The runners meet at the Confluence and head out for a very informal run. The majority go for a 4 mile out and back on the bike path and a few hardier souls make it a 9 mile loop around the bridges from the memorial bridge to Red Wolf and back to the confluence. Lance MC's this event in his usual cheerful way. No sign of a hang-over in this group.

It makes sense for our two community groups to meet up regularly. We can all benefit from cross training. Most of us have switched back and forth from the running and biking events over the years and it's nice to meet new friends. Meeting new and old friends is a great way to start the New Year off. Before you know it it will be biking weather, but for today enjoy a good book or watching a good basketball game. Happy New Year to all!!