Last Minute Ride

I got off work today at 1:00 PM and went to the grocery store. I was out of milk, eggs, sugar, and coffee creamer. I got home at 1:50 and unloaded everything from my car. Yea yea I got extra stuff. Who ever comes home with just the items on their list? Not me! To continue, I checked the mail and looked out the window. I saw big gray clouds sailing by but I also saw patches of blue sky and sunshine. The weather report this morning said sun breaks throughout the day and maybe a spritz in isolated areas. I decided to go for a ride and I'm glad I did. I had a super ride. My legs felt strong and even with the strong headwind I was flying! Today's route was uphill, about a constant 3-5 percent grade. There were some flat spots and a couple easy downhills too but mainly uphill for 31 miles. I finished in 2 hours and 2 minutes with an average speed of 15.2 mph. Not bad. I ran into a friend, Rachel and we stopped and chatted briefly before continuing on our way. She's training for a big ride just like me. And it did not rain on me! Not even a spritz!

I need to find a long steep hill to ride on. I need to begin hill training twice a week for my June 20th ride up and down the north cascade highway! I think I know just the hill and route! Stay tuned! :-D

Sunday Afternoon Ride

Joe, Jackie, and I went for a wonderful ride this afternoon. It was a bit chilly and we had a headwind but we all agreed it still was a great ride. It felt wonderful to be outside and on our bikes. There were huge big clouds that were constantly trying to block out the sun but every now and then the sun escaped them and shone through. And when it did we could feel the difference. It was a leisurely ride with our total average speed being 14.9 mph. Tomorrow I plan to get a longer ride in as soon as I get off from work at 1:00. Our spring has been unseasonably cool. But as long as it's not raining and the sun makes an appearance I don't mind the coolness. :-D

Sun, Mountain, and Bike

Another beautiful, warm, sunny day here in the pacific northwest which meant another wonderful bike ride for me this afternoon. I forgot my digital camera but I did have my cell phone. These pictures were shot with my cell's camera. As you can see it truly was a beautiful afternoon.

Mount Rainier in the distance from the town of Orting.
And that's my bike on the grass in the foreground.

Another shot of Mount Rainier.

A new born calf.

Carbon River

Daffodil Fields and Mount Rainier in Sumner.

Leisurely Ride

After riding the Daffodil Classic's hilly course yesterday Joe and I and our daughter too went on a very leisurely ride after work. We started riding at 5:00 PM and got a wonderful 15 miles in before returning home for a late dinner. We just spun and cruised along enjoying the weather and views. And views there were. Of course there was Mt. Rainier standing beautifully snow white against the bluest sky. We also rode by the Carbon River and saw people getting their feet wet. The sun was getting low and it was sparkling off the water like diamonds and streaming through the trees along the route. Days like this refresh the soul!

Daffodil Classic

Today Joe and I rode in the 34th annual Daffodil Classic. It was a beautiful day and a great ride. We had a blast! :)

Registration line this morning at the Orting Middle School.

Riders ready to start riding.

Joe and me before the ride.

Mount Rainier in the background with lenticular cloud formations.

Joe waiting patiently for me while I take pictures of the bridge.

This is the new bridge just completed that will connect the Orting Trail to Buckley, Wilkeson, and Mount Rainier eventually. Right now the Orting Trail ends at South Prairie.

Saturday Ride

Joe and I had a great ride today. We rode 33 miles with headwinds the entire time. We did not want to over do it because tomorrow we will be riding the 40 mile hilly course of the Daffodil Classic.

Great ride, nice weather, just a wonderful time out on my bike this afternoon.

Beautiful Afternoon For a Ride!

Today I got off work at 1:00 PM. It has been raining for almost 2 weeks straight (off and on) and yesterday we even had snow! Disgusting! Geeish! But today, oh my, what a difference! It was beautiful! Big huge white clouds cruising by and the sun was shining brightly. The air was chilly, reaching a high of only 52 degrees but once I began pedaling I warmed up nicely.

So I leave work at 1:00 and head home to grab my bike. The only negative things on today's ride was the headwind, which I had the entire ride, and a flat tire. A little over 10 miles into my ride I pick up someone's heal cap along with two long nails in my front tire. I pull over and remove the cap and nail and sure enough I can hear the air escaping. I pull off my front wheel and remove the tube. I get out my spare and place it inside the tire. I get the tire back on the rim and then I get out my hand pump. The hand pump was useless to me so I pulled out my CO2 cartridge and instant tire inflation! A girl's best friend when she has to inflate a bicycle tire! I'm so happy Joe bought me the CO2 cartridge tool. I love it!

I pack all my tools and garbage up and continue on my ride. I saw a field of cows with their new born calves, I went over a bridge with rushing spring water swirling by. I saw hawks and eagles and a lot of other cyclists this afternoon. What a great ride I had today, except for the headwind and flat it was pretty near perfect. I wish I could ride tomorrow and on Friday too but I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 and a baby shower on Friday at 4:00. I guess my next ride will be on the weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday look fabulous darling! :-)

Wonderful Ride After Work

It was a gorgeous day! 71 degrees and sunny! Joe got home at 4:40 PM and we were out the door by 5:00 PM! Jackie joined us and the three of us got a nice 30 mile ride in! The evening sun at 6:30 was casting long shadows and the Carbon River sparkled like a million diamonds were dancing on it's surface. So many other people were also out enjoying this wonderful spring day. Wow two rides in two days! I hope the streak continues tomorrow! :)

First April Ride

This afternoon Joe and I went for a ride. The weather was just perfect. Sunny, warm, and very spring like. Trees blooming everywhere. People out running, cycling, rollerblading, walking their dogs, just everyone it seemed was outside.

I returned from a week long visit to see my parents yesterday and I haven't been on my bike since March 21st. Between the weather and no time I just couldn't get out. But today more than made up for it. I'm happy again! :)

The nice weather is supposed to continue through the first half of the week. So tomorrow, when Joe gets home from work, we are going out at 5:30 PM for a ride. I can't wait!