I’m going to count tomorrow’s miles over on a June goal, because I can decide when June begins. We’ll just call May 31 erev June or something. 4 years ago

I had an appointment out near Fremont in the late afternoon. I could have driven, I suppose, and would have been stuck in a malodorous stell box, hung up in traffic :-p. Instead, for the first time, I rode out to the Issaquah P/R, caught a 554, rode into downtown, then rode out to Fremont.

Several observations:

1. There’s something extremely hazardous in the roadway on SR 900 on the way to the P/R that I need to bring to the City of Issaquah’s attention.
2. I really enjoyed riding up 3rd Avenue downtown. It’s not just that the rhythm of the street is so familiar, but what I found so amusing is that so many of the smells are familiar.
3. It’s much faster to ride your bike from downtown to Fremont than it is to take the bus.

I have to drive tomorrow, so I’ll make this goal on Friday. 5 years ago

After the big ride yesterday, 75 miles, I am now at 594 miles for May. And there are still a few days left in the month so I am blowing this goal away. I could not have done it without the riding companions who invented me along for some of the longer rides this past week. Thanks to all for letting me ride with you.

I’m marking this goal done. It was well worth it, good exercise and riding with friends. You can’t beat that. 5 years ago

The Seven Hills ride is 7 hills for those who just do the 40 mile loop. The metric century has 11 hills, and the full century has 14, and more than 7000 feet of elevation gain/loss.

Originally, we thought we’d just do the metric century version of the Seven Hills, but then we figured that if we skipped two the steepest hills of the ride, we could pretty much do the century route. After all, the metric century route is only 58 miles, not a true metric century, and we already had completed longer rides this season.

We rode to the ride, completing a portion of the last hill of the ride for those who actually follow the course to get to the start line. The ride organizers said that they wanted all century riders to leave the start by 7:30, and by the time we got to the start, it was 9:15.

[pause for brief rant – why do people generally want to do long bike rides so dang early in the morning? I can see it if there’s limited daylight (there isn’t in May) or it’s extraordinarily hot (it wasn’t). Isn’t it so much more pleasant to sleep in until 7:00 AM before riding all day, compared to having to rise at 5:00? What is up with these people?]

No matter, they cheerfully took our registration for the century, and we took off.

It was sprinkling at bit as we left the start. Market was no problem, and we had no problem coming up Juanita Hill. We then skipped the first tough climb, up Holmes Road, and instead just continued up Juanita Drive instead to the top of Seminary Hill. We had a great run down, but got the chain sort of jammed at a stop light at the bottom and we had to pull over and pull it free. Then we tootled along and then climbed pretty Norway Hill. We had another great drop down, and then climbed up Kingsgate Hill to the first food stop.

After bananas and whatnot, we skipped Winery Hill (another wicked climb), and at this point, since we rode to the ride, our miles more or less now matched the ones on the cue sheet. It was another fun, smooth descent into the Sammamish River Valley.

I probably strained my knee just a hair coming up Education Hill. The descent was very steep, and David did a fine job of bike handling to the bottom of the hill. Then we came up Novelty Hill, and rode along the top of the Redmond ridge. Then we turned up Union Hill Road. I’ve done Union Hill Road easily at least two dozen times, but only from east to west. This was the first time I’ve ever done it west to east. It was pretty interesting how quick the descent was down into the Snoqualmie Valley, as climbing up Union Hill, while not trivial, generally does not feel like it is terribly difficult.

Because of our late start, the food stop in the Sno-Valley was already closed. We took a little country road I’d never been on before, and then David proposed that we stop and take a break, near Carnation Farms, since we didn’t get one at the food stop.

We then came up Stillwater Hill and then rode through Cherry Valley, again the opposite direction of the way we usually ride when we are on our own.

By the time we hit Duvall, it was well after 1:30, and we were ravenous. We rode to Western Mediterranean place and David got the shwarma platter and I got the gyro platter. We cleaned our plates to a state of spotlessness.

After lunch, while feeling somewhat restored, I also think we were less in a mode of pedal to the metal. We came up High Bridge road in a more leisurely fashion, and after about 12 miles from lunch, took a break on Fales Road.

It was then more upsies-downsies, with an emphasis on upsies, until we made it to the top of Maltby Hill. Then it was a fun down down with a few dipsy-doodles, on Paradise Lake Road and Mink Road to Avondale.

At this point, we deviated from the official ride course. Our fatigue was evident in that we had difficulty parking the bike and a few sharp words were exchanged. It was nothing that a few saved chocolate chip cookies from previous rest stops couldn’t restore.

From Avondale, it was a quick run to Marymoor Park, and what is now a part of my PM commute home. David was surprisingly strong, considering that we were now about at mile 90, powering us up Bellevue-Redmond Road, and then, finally, home, and a final mileage of 94 for the day.

I’ve now had my shower, and the joy of descending the stairs after a long ride. I don’t regret taking on the century route – and I don’t regret skipping Seminary and Winery Hills! I now feel very confident about taking on the Flying Wheels Century in June, and I think that this ride, and FWC will get us in proper shape for our BC tour in July. 5 years ago

I just bought a house, so weekends have been filled with packing, signing away all my money, etc. And I was sick, and, and, and, I’m sure there are 100’s of excuses. I’ve been riding periodically but not as often or as long as I’d like to be.

Tomorrow I have the day off to pack, but I’m secretly going to take a bike ride….shhhh 5 years ago

Sprinkly weather for riding to work and back, and it’s dropped back into the 50s. 5 years ago

About 2/3s of the way through May, we have a few days where it gets hot and sunny, and you dwell in the place of illusion that summer is nearly here. Today was such a day.

I wore a tank with my jersey, and it was just as well – I wasn’t cold at all this morning when we left. I’m not used to riding with David on our singles. We’re out of practice with drafting each other, and I found having to concentrate on his wheel annoying.

We went out Issaquah-Hobart, and then turned on to Cedar Grove. I had never been out Cedar Grove before, ever, and was surprised to find it so eminently rideable, with no big climbs, wide shoulder, and low traffic. We then got on the Cedar River Trail, and rode out to Maple Valley. At this point, we bid each other farewell, and I did some thrashing around trying to find the way people described to get to Wax Road. I finally gave up, and continued down the (at that point, unpaved) trail, taking the right fork.

I was riding along, concerned about the lack of connection of the trail to much of anything, and I caught up to a middle-aged couple on some mountain bikes. I asked them for directions to Tahoma High School.

“Where are you coming from that you’re here trying to get to Tahoma High School?”

“Bellevue”

There was a brief pause as that information was digested. I was then directed to an informal dirt trail that led off into a neighborhood. If I rode out of the neighborhood,I’d be on Wax Road, and then I could ride straight out to the high school.

After I was done at the caucus, I decided to take Wax Road all the way back to the center of Maple Valley. From there, though, I didn’t know what to do, so I rode a mile or so on Highway 169 (ick). Then I saw the Testy Chef, and I knew of a little dirt path that led from there to the Cedar River trail. I took this, but unfortunately did a low-speed tumble at the bottom, scraping my knee.

Then it was just pretty much just a reverse course of the ride in, just much hotter. It was in the upper 80s, the hottest day of the year so far, and perhaps even a record-setter. I drained both water bottles along the way, so I stopped in at Spiritridge Park about 5 miles from home. I stuck my head under the drinking fountain, soaked my kerchief in the cold water and put it on, filled and emptied two water bottles on my head, and then filled and emptied a water bottle in my body, and then refilled both bottles again. 5 years ago

With the milage from the Ride for Missing and Exploited Children yesterday, I am at 393 miles for the month. With almost two weeks left in the month, I should reach the 500 mile goal. But who knows, I could get hit by a bus and then miss this goal.

The Ride for Missing and Exploited Children was a huge success. The day turned out great. If you’d like more info on the ride, check out http://www.rideformissingchildren.org/rochester/ 5 years ago

Today was bicycle to work and school day. We had about 40 kids bike to school at my annual BTS booth at my daughter’s school.

After doing that, I rode in today much of the way with my neighbor, Scott, who decided to take the lake road – a longer way – to work this morning. This was the first time in a long time that I had the chance to stop by a BTW day booth on the way to work – usually, by the time I’m done with BTS, all the stations have been closed up before I’ve ridden by. 5 years ago

I must:

1. Ride 44 miles to the Democratic 8th Congressional District Convention and back
2. Do the metric century of the 7 Hills of Kirkland
3. Do 200 miles in commuting before the month is over. 5 years ago

Went up 212nd to work today; I came back through neighborhoods and back down 212.

1. Going through neighborhoods is not worth it – it’s slightly longer, and it doesn’t cut out that much traffic
2. Going down 212th is slightly steeper than 43rd – the difference between an 10% and 11% grade.
3. I was astounded to be passed my some guy in a Silverado as I was coming down the hill. There’s no shoulder, and I’m coming down at a good clip, and you better believe I’m going to take the lane. But at the big switchback (signed at 15 mph – I was probably going at least 20), he decided that he would pass. Feh. 5 years ago

Not a lot of miles – too much cold rain. We came home. 5 years ago

For the way home on Wednesday, I came up on the I-90 trail between WLSP and Eastgate, which took a lot longer than I remember.

Then, yesterday AM, I went to work via 212. This actually was quite nice. I didn’t like being on ELSP longer, but the ascent of the hill was quite pretty, winding through the forest, and I only got passed three times. Once up onto the plateau, I took what was a much of a main drag as there is, and ended up at the Pine Lake park and ride. I believe there’s a way through neighborhoods that might be slightly shorter.

I came back home along WSLP. With a great deal of luck, I managed to rendezvous with my husband just at the I-90 trail head near the volunteer fire station. We rode along WLSP, then ascended SE 26th, I think it is. This wasn’t as steep as 56th which I did with Carson, but was steeper than any road I’ve used so far to come up the east plateau. And the shoulders on WSLP northbound are, at best, variable. With going through Eastgate being so much longer, I am not sure what my best option is: 13 miles around the top, 13 miles via Eastgate, 11 using WSLP and 26th, or 10 toughing it out entirely on WLSP and coming up Northup to home. 5 years ago

Much easier climb this morning up 43rd – man, now I know Jim “Piston Calves” Carson’s secret – it’s a matter of coming up the Sammamish Plateau daily.

On the way home, tried out 212nd and Thompson Road for the first time, and went around the top of Lake Sammamish instead, stopping at REI for their sale – $69 for Ultrasensors. Plus, I bought a case of vanilla Clif shots and three spare tubes – one for my bike, one for David’s, and one for the tandem. 5 years ago

In this first week of May I have got 140 miles in. That is pretty good considering in April I was not even close to this in the first week. I’m well on track to get 500 miles in May. 5 years ago

Did a laid-back RAMIOM with Justin today (he went all-out yesterday so wanted to relax). We took 1:20 instead of the usual 1:05 or so. 5 years ago

Venessa and I rode 40 mi around Skagit Valley yesterday, visiting the tulip fields, Mt. Vernon, Fir Island, Rexville, etc. It was one of my all-time favorite rides, I wish we could have made it a longer ride but we had afternoon plans. 5 years ago

First bike commute to the new job – 21 miles round trip, using the route that is the shortest and has the least steep hills – and the gnarliest traffic.

It was about 7 miles and 30 minutes to get to Issaquah – and the remaining 3.5 miles took another 30 minutes, climbing up to near the top of the plateau to my office. The return down the hill and back to Issaquah was 15 minutes, then 40 home. I was pleasantly surprised at how light traffic for both rides was – it really is a reverse commute. Even so, with marginal or no shoulders, and high traffic speeds, the way I went is not a route for the dark part of the year. 5 years ago

Started off the month with a metric century – the longest ride of the season so far. I rode with Jim Carson from Redmond through Woodinville, then continued north to Snohomish, over to Monroe, back near Duvall, and back to Redmond. 5 years ago

yes that’s a 2 as in 2 miles so far this month :)

I wasn’t planning on riding, but I ran a little errand today during lunch break. 5 years ago

It’s the last day of April and i got 407 miles in on the bike. So half of this goal is complete. Luckily, last week had great weather so I was able to ride just about every day. The 48 mile ride on Saturday really put me over the top.
For May, I just need 16 days of 25 mile rides. May 16 being the Ride for Missing and Exploited Children, will give me 100 just for that day. I am looking forward to this ride. It has always been a fun day. And getting to take the day off to ride your bike with 200 others, and have a police escort; what could be better. 5 years ago

Rather than re-open the completed goal, ride 500 miles in May, I figured that it made more sense to adopt this one.

I’ll probably continue to record April’s rides over in in Ride 400 miles in April, but when I actually complete that goal :-) I’ll record May’s miles here. 5 years ago

This past weekend was great for biking. The weather finally turned for the better so there was no excuse not to ride. With the ride late today, I am now up to 278.96 miles. So now I only need 5 rides of 25 miles to hit the April goal. With 10 days left in the month, I should make it. Hopefully the days will stay somewhat warm. 5 years ago

At half way through the month I am now up to 161 miles. Still a little short to make the 400 mile goal, but with the good weather over the next couple days and a big ride this weekend, the 400 miles is not out of reach. And there is still a day off to be had if necessary for a nice long ride. Heck, I might do that anyway. 5 years ago

It’s 8 days into the month and I only have 61.5 miles traveled. To hit 400 in April, I should be closer to 100. The weather has been lousy and we were out of town over the weekend. So, in the next days, I’ll have to take some longer rides. This should be doable with nothing going on the next few weekends. And if I get way behind, maybe a day off from work to take a nice long ride will help. That’s a good plan. 5 years ago

With century rides coming up in May and June, I need to get on my bike and get some miles in so I do not die on these rides. I have never ridden this far in the past, but I can try. Only thing I need is the weather to warm up a bit. 5 years ago