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!!

Pumpkin pie and a perfect fall bicycle ride

Donna volunteered to host our ride today. The fall colors in the valley where at their best, it couldn't have been a nicer day. We had a pretty good turn out of riders too. The steep climb up to Donna and Gary's house gave us all a workout. Turning right off of Critchfield road onto 22nd then up Quailridge the grade turns quickly up to a good 10%. It is only a block or so but still a significant challange. We where rewarded for out efforts, however. Pumpkin and apple pie, cider and cookies where available. Most of us had to show our gratitude to our hosts by sampling both pumpkin and apple pie. I hope everyone had a chance to get outside today, it was a beautiful day.

Ride Seattle to Vancouver and Party (RSVP) 2010

Stanley Park, Vancouver BC

We are so glad to be home. Our latest bicycle tour was to the western side of the state. RSVP Ride to Seattle-Vancouver (BC) and Party or I would rather call it RSV and be PREPARED! For those of us on the eastern side of the state this little 180 mi. 2 day treck through the bike paths in Seattle and on to Bellingham and Vancouver BC was scenic and memorable in more ways then one. The 10 page tour route guide was the hint at the complexity of the navigating we experienced. Who knew there where so many bike paths, trails, city bike routes, but be prepared. You can find them everywhere!

A tasty Latte along the way

To those who live in the Seattle area I’m sure the ride wouldn’t have been so overwhelming, I felt like we where taking the Starbucks triple Grande espresso tour! Not for the Easy Does it crew or the Ride a Century every week guy (Corrie). It was a nice surprise to experience nearly perfect weather cool mornings, clear blue skies. We did get our share of head wind near Bellingham, which was not fun but it was nice to be away from the 100 degree days we’ve had here.

The Century a Week guy begins RSVP

You had to be very prepared to manage this ride. If you wanted to even have a hope of getting in, you have to be a member of the Cascade bicycle club which allows you to register at the opening of the registration in January. Then if you know the hotels that the group uses you made reservations in January to get the designated hotels. Corrie did his best in booking overnight accommodations in Bellingham and Vancouver BC, but they where still over a mile from the luggage drop off, so we had to haul ousr back pack on your back while navigating downtown streets, and after riding 100 mi. in the heat. Great fun, I suppose for some… but this was over the top for Corrie and I. NEVER DID A SHOWER FEEL SO GOOD!

Be prepared for the minimal official food and water stops. The riders plan to enjoy the local fair at the various little towns along the way, which is a great way to spend an hour or so at places like Arlington, WA or Lyndon BC.. But, be prepared, the food was wonderful in Bellingham and Vancouver BC. Oh and the best Italian food in the tiny town of Cle Elum. If you ever travel through this little town on the way to Seattle check out Lentines. You’ll be licking the plates clean!

I was worried about the distance of the ride, but I didn’t have much trouble with the ride. I was tired at the end of our long days but mostly exhausted from the logistics of navigating in the traffic in unfamiliar areas. There were plenty of people to follow. But, for this distance (~200mi. be prepared with plenty of Ibuprofen.)

I found this wonderful Quilt store in Arlington, WA

Be prepared for some complicated city driving such as the 4 round abouts we encountered. These weren’t’ too complicated once you realized what was going on but poor Corrie nearly became road kill in one. Besides navigating round-abouts we had two suspension bridges to cross.

Fort Pitt Suspension Bridge

So finally be prepared to bike into Downtown Vancouver into one of Canada’s largest and most diverse cities… traveling through China town and the trendy Gaslight district, navigating a crazy down town with tour buses, ferry terminal traffic and bike lanes everywhere for this very bike savvy local population. IT was Absolutely crazy and exciting, especially if you had no time to even begin to follow your booklet of directions without getting hit by a granny and her walker, a punk rocker with tattoos everywhere , tourists from every country imaginable, and all this at the end of biking 80 miles.

Oh, and be prepared to sit at the border for hours if you happen to be in a bus!! Thank goodness it was a really plush bus, unfortunately neither Corrie or I where prepared for no lunch stops! So, if you’d like to do RSVP in the future I’d say you’ll have a wonderful experience… as long as you’re PREPARED!