After work reward

It was so hard going to work this morning. The sun was out and shining brightly. The sky was the most brilliant blue. A perfect cycling day was forming but alas, I had to go to work. The hours at work just dragged. I would look out a window and think how much fun it would be to be on my bike enjoying this day. Finally 2:30 arrived. Quickly I shut down my computer, turned off my lights, locked my door and ran out the door. I drove home, dressed into my cycling clothes, opened the garage door and got my bike off it's rack. I checked my tire pressure, put lube on my chain, clipped in and off I went. I had a great ride. Wow, two rides in two days! I don't think three days in a row is going to mesh out. The weather man says rain tomorrow. Leave it to him to ruin a good thing! But to make up for it, he predicts a great weekend!

What a Day!

It was a typical spring day. It began with clouds, mist, and the temperature a tad bit chilly. But as the day went on the weather improved . . . and changed continually throughout the day. When I first woke I looked out the window and thought to myself what an ugly day to ride. So I hung around the house, went to the store, came back, when my husband and daughter got up we went out for coffee, came back, hubby had work he had to do, daughter had things to do so I went on the computer for a bit. As I was typing something to my friend I looked out the window and noticed breaks in the clouds. Blue sky showing through and the sun appearing. I decided right then to ride the Daffodil Classic straight from my house!

It was 1:30 when I left my driveway. I picked up the upper loop of the Daffodil Classic about a half a mile from my home and headed down into Orting, about 12 miles away. I arrived in Orting, which is the start of the ride, and was amazed at all the cyclists in town. And the weather just kept getting better and better. The sign in was closed. Oh well, I guess I would just ride and enjoy the day. Most people were finishing up and here I was just starting. But the weather at 1:30 was a lot more pleasant than it was at 7:30.

Enthusiastically, I continued on. I left Orting and headed towards South Prairie and then up the STEEP climb into Buckley. At mile 25 I was famished. Only bringing water I decided to stop at Wally's Drive In and ordered a hamburger and ice tea. That burger was delicious! It was the best burger I have ever had! Refreshed and feeling much better I got back on my bike and pedaled through beautiful farm country. Passing pastures full of cows grazing contentedly and meadow larks flying and singing cheerfully. Finally, I was at the edge of Bonney Lake and soon would be near my neighborhood. I did a little loop around a peninsula and watched quads racing in the muddy bottom of Lake Tapps. In another month it will be full of water again for the summer season. Finally, I was home. I'm glad I decided to go out and ride. It was one of best rides I have had this year. I slept soundly last night. I'm looking forward to more rides just like the one I just had. I rank this ride A++++

Wet, Windy, and Cold

On Saturday my daughter and I drove up to La Conner, WA to ride in the 26th annual Tulip Pedal. I did this ride in 2004 on a beautiful sunny, warm, mild spring day. This year was the exact opposite. It was cold, wet, and windy. Because of the weather we decided to ride the 20 mile route instead of the 40. I got sprayed by a semi and was covered with water and road silt. But the tulips were beautiful and once we started pedaling we began to warm up. I must admit it wasn't the most fun ride I had but we did have a good time. Hopefully next year it will be nice just like the ride I did in 2004.

Weekend Outlook

It's Wednesday morning and I just finished watching the morning weather forecast for the rest of this week and it doesn't look good. But I've learned a long time ago that the weather here in the Seattle area can change on a dime. I've seen predictions of raining all day turn into a day of sun breaks and vice a versa. So I am keeping a positive outlook for Saturday because it is the annual Tulip Pedal up in La Conner. I have done this ride only once in 2004 and that year the weather was absolutely gorgeous! Sunny and warm with clear blue skies and the colors of the tulips were stunningly brilliant! Proof . . . here's a picture . . .

I just hope it will be nice again this year. In 2004 only my hubby and I did the ride. This year it will be my hubby, our daughter, and me!

They offer two routes. A 20 mile and a 40 mile. In 2004 Joe and I did the 40 mile loop and it was beautiful. However, with so little riding this winter and spring I'm thinking the 40 may be too much?! I believe I can ride it but I'm not sure about hubby and daughter.

I guess we'll just have to see how this weekend meshes out. So stay tuned . . .

Nine Days Without a Ride

After work on Friday, March 30th Joe and I flew to Pittsburgh for my Dad's 90th birthday party. It was great seeing Dad and Mom and all my sisters, brother, cousins, and family and friends. My Dad looks so good! The things he has lived through! The stories he tells! At 90 he is still so full of life. He is active and his mind is still as sharp as a tack. I only wish I will be just as good when and if I should ever reach 90. My sisters fed me so much food. I think I gained 10 pounds! I got to eat all my favorite foods but could not find a good cup of coffee! I've become a coffee addict since moving here and Starbuck's sumatra is my favorite. But I some how managed. Finally on Wednesday, we flew back to Seattle. I had one day of rest (if you call doing laundry all day long rest) before driving over to Cheney and Eastern Washington University to visit my son. Joe and I spent all day Friday and Saturday with him. We saw the movie "Grindhouse" went out to lunch and dinner, walked through a park and went shopping in the malls. This morning a little after 8 AM Joe and I drove back home. And tomorrow I go back to work. So I went nine days without riding either of my bikes. Sigh . . . but for my Dad and my son that's ok. But now I'm back and the weather is getting nicer and nicer. Summer will be here and when school is out for summer break I am going to get up early every single weekday and get on my bike and ride. Oh I can't wait!

I can barely keep my eyes open. I am so tired but I just had to write something here before I crash. And crash I mostly certainly will do. I have never felt so tired. I'm probably babbling but that's ok. I will read this tomorrow and laugh. I had a great nine days, I'm looking forward to a great spring and summer. Here's to all the tomorrows!

Good night!