Monday, November 25, 2013

November Rides

I posted four rides this month.  The first one was on November 2nd which I had to cancel because of a severe wind storm.  The second was on November 9th, A Steady Lark to Madison Park".  Here are some pictures from that ride.  We had a great afternoon on our bikes!





My third ride was a very wet and soggy ride but fun never the less.  I had six people sign up but half way through two had to drop out because of frozen feet!  Besides the rain and wind the temperature was quite chilly and these two riders came without booties to keep their feet warm.  Here is a picture of the four remaining riders and me at Panera Bread in Kent.  We enjoyed coffee, soup, sandwiches, and pastries before continuing on.  Even with the constant down pour we had a great time!  All riders who came were happy I did not cancel the ride.  As one rider said, "If you don't ride in the rain, you'll rarely ride in Washington"!

My last ride in November was my favorite.  It was a sunny gorgeous day.  Blue sky but frigid temperatures.  The start of the ride was a frost biting 29 degrees but by the end of the ride it was a balmy 43 degrees.  The sun made it feel balmy and the hills of Vashon helped keep us nice and warm.  Four people signed up but only two were able to make the ride.  The three of us had the best ride and a great time riding and chatting and enjoying the views that Vashon had to offer.  One rider complimented me by saying it was her favorite ride she's attended this fall!  She's glad I posted it and looks forward to more adventure rides like the one we had that day.  We took the 10:05 AM ferry from Point Defiance to Vashon Island and began our afternoon adventure.  We stopped by the tree that swallowed the bike, which was followed by a stop at Cafe Luna to warm ourselves before we continued our roller coaster ride around the island.  November was a month of extreme weather and riding conditions.  The month began with a severe storm of high winds and rain, followed by rain and more rain, but by the end of the month the sun finally came out but with freezing temperatures.  I wonder what the month of December will bring with it?













Friday, November 08, 2013

Rides from February through October

Just a few pictures of rides I've done these past months . . . 


February







March




 April
 May

 August
September
 October



Thursday, July 18, 2013

Ride Leader

On May 13th I attended CBC's Ride Leader Certification class.  It was the first step towards becoming a ride leader for Cascade Bike Club.  The next criteria was leading two rides with a ride mentor.  My first mentored ride was on May 18th with Page.  We rode her Fall City Carnation route.  My second mentored ride was with Marizel on May 23rd.  Her ride was the South Lake Washington route.  With all criteria met I am now a ride leader for my club.  I've only lead three rides since becoming a ride leader because my daughter was in the hospital for over a month.  Now that she is home and healing I hope to lead more rides in the future.  

Thursday, April 11, 2013

I'm Back!

After a year off my bike I am back.  I started riding again in February and my hope is to be back in shape by the time summer arrives!  I even signed up to become a ride leader.  I figure if I lead rides I will ride more often!  

My sister wants to start cycling too.  When I visit her in Aspen this summer I'm going to help her look for a bike.  I believe this will be a good year.  Another good thing is my daughter is on her way to health.  She has been very sick this past year (one of the reasons besides my back that I was off my bike).  She is scheduled for surgery in June and will be coming off all the nasty medicines she has been on this past year.  So good things are coming!  I believe this in my heart!