Confusing day

The light on Fremont at 85th responds to a sensor. For the past year the sensor has been working quickly and reliably. When I approached the intersection and saw a car and a bike waiting and the light not already changing, I knew something was wrong. I sat and watched the pedestrian crosswalk cycle through- this is how you know the sensor is not triggered. By this time, a trail of cars and bikes wait behind us. I see that the car is in the cross walk, far ahead of the sensor. I see that the bike is near the bike sensor, but not on it. He looks agitated, like he expected to go already. I walk up to him, and tell him to put his bike over the sensor, pointing. He looks at me, confused, but follows. I want to explain to him that the sensor must be triggered in order for the light to change, but the light changes as soon as he puts his bike on the sensor, and I, having grown impatient, ride off instead. I feel bad. Does this guy understand how the sensors work? What a great opportunity to help someone learn, except I let my impatience get the better of me.

Several miles later, a short school bus stopped in the middle of the road. Even though I am in a bike lane, a stopped vehicle is cause for alarm. Should I stop too, or should I go? A stopped school bus usually means we stop too. But, I’d never seen a school bus at this time before. What was it doing? Was it “in operation”? There was a crosswalk ahead of the bus, but I could see no people at it. If the bus was letting people off, I should stop. But, why not use the bus stop? And where would the people be going? There were no schools or retirement or care homes nearby. An older couple was walking on the sidewalk, but they weren’t particularly close to the bus or the crosswalk. Even so, there are tons of “connector” vans around town that pick up elderly and disabled folk. I regularly see at least one of them at the retirement homes I ride by. If the bus was turning, then I should go. The problem with me stopping for a turning vehicle that’s already stopped, is I run the risk of the “Seattle standoff”; I wait for them, they wait for me. No one moves. It had no turn signal on. Perhaps it was letting an oncoming car turn ahead of him? I saw none. Utterly confused as to why the bus stopped in the middle of the street, I decided to proceed.

A few blocks later, the bus passes me and stops in front of a crosswalk. Again, no cars, no people. Not even an intersection or bus stop this time. And, as the bus just passed me, I am sure there is nothing in the road causing the bus to stop. I wonder, do school buses have to stop at every crosswalk like they have to stop at all railroad tracks? I am not sure. If that’s the case, I feel bad for the bus driver, since there are numerous crosswalks on this road that rarely get used. I pass confidently this time. Just as I am passing, the doors open and the driver loudly yells out at me “MHRSHGHROGHTSOFOPPTOOO!” After years of biking, I can say that drivers do not know how poorly sound travels from a car. From the last bit, I decide she was telling me to “STOP TOO!” Which means I made the wrong choice. I feel bad now. I want to be the example; the cyclist who does things the correct way. After I pass, the doors close and the bus proceeds again. It appears she stopped just to yell at me. I need to check a rule book somewhere. It appears that every time a school bus stops I have to stop too (makes sense). It also appears that school buses have to stop at every crosswalk. This is where I am confused. There are crosswalks at nearly every intersection, but I am sure they don’t have to stop at intersections with green lights. If anybody has any answers, please comment below.

Fremont Bridge count: 197

Haven't you always wanted a monkey?

picture from http://seattle.findwell.com/event/holiday-monkey-lights/

For several blocks, 200 LED-lit monkeys dazzle the streets of Greenwood and Phinney neighborhoods. I remember seeing them around Christmas time last year, and didn’t think anything of them this year until the question was asked…”why?” I didn’t really think about it, but nearly every business, and even some apartments windows display these cheerful dancing monkeys. The monkeys wear tutus in front of the dance studio, ride bikes at the bike shop, eat in front of the grocery store, and so on.

It’s really neat. I guess there isn’t a particular reason they are monkeys, just that they are cool. The monkeywood website says that they complement the zoo’s holiday light display. Considering I got to see the Wildlights last night, this is very fitting. Making the monkeys even more fitting, I live in the Greenwood neighborhood and ride with a MonkeyLight on my bike (like, whoa dude. We'll be syncing the lights to Pink Floyd songs next). The monkeys have a secret (or not so secret) goal of driving sales at the small local business that dominate these neighborhoods. For instance, on Wednesday all the businesses with red monkeys in the window have a certain sale. There is even a scavenger hunt.

Here is a video of the monkeys being made from http://www.monkeywood.org/:

Today’s ride brought on another ice cream headache, even though I dressed a little too warmly. I thought cheerfully of the monkeys for most of my ride. Downtown there is a stretch of flat road with timed lights where I can keep up with the speed limit. This is important as there are often few enough cars in the lane that I need to keep up. I can only do it because shortly after the road becomes congested with traffic and I can catch my breath. Today an angry driver made an illegal lane change to speed past me. I guess he couldn’t handle the thought of driving behind a bike, even though I was going the same pace as any car. I met up with him again just blocks later when the road congested. I shake my head at this silliness. Why do people feel the need to be so angry. Why do I let this get me angry? Luckily, I will soon forget all about the drivers and remember only the cute monkeys.

Fremont Bridge count: 198

Honking constantly won't make you feel better

About once a month during rush hour downtown, someone driving behind me honks steadily. They don't just honk once, but they tap the horn again and again. Honk....Honk...Honk....Honk. This goes on for several blocks. When they get to a spot where they can pass me, they do so with one long honnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnk all the way until they get in front of me. Traffic only gets lite enough for cars to pass north of Pike, so they could be honking for several blocks. While trying to stay focused on the road, I ponder what's going on in the driver's mind. The first time this happened, I worried they were trying to alert me to something- my bag is open, my keys are dangling, my underwear are on outside of my pants. But no, this is never the case. It could be they hate all cyclists and spend their time honking at every one in their path. That seems unlikely. I conclude they must disagree with the legality of my behavior somehow. Most recently, rain fell with a heaviness unusual to the northwest. It was the sort of rain that completely saturated my pants and shoes before I even got across the street to start my commute. Needless to say, concern for my safety dominated my every decision. I understand that this could conflict with rush hour drivers, who main concern is to get home as quickly as possible. I rode in the center of the second lane out of four. IT couldn't be that I was riding slower than cars drive, because in rush hour I am just behind the car in front of me. Maybe they were angry because I wasn't riding in the lane with the designated "sharrows" on it. Problem is, that is the far left lane, which for 7 blocks is completely backed up with cars wanting to turn left at every block and having to wait for pedestrians to cross. It could be that I wasn't behaving like most cyclists behave downtown. Most cyclists, ride on the line between lanes. I've heard this called "white lining" and "midlining". It is a fast way for cyclists to pass cars. The biggest problem with that behavior is that it isn't safe. No one can predict what others are going to do. I will share a lane with a car, but only if all cars I'd pass are stopped at a red light and my and their next moves are predictable, or my lane becomes a turn-only lane and don't want to turn and can't keep up the pace with the cars in the next lane. Needless to say, while I am getting used to the honking, it is still aggravating to listen to when you are trying to concentrate on being safe.

Fremont Bridge count: 200

People, people everywhere

I saw so many other cyclists out there with me this morning. All it takes is a break in the weather and the numbers triple, quadruple, and then some. It’s still dark, cold, early, and raining. The record-breaking flood-inducing rains finally subsided, but the weather certainly isn’t ideal. I wonder what summer will look like. How congested will the bike lanes be when the weather is good and the sun is out? I didn’t start my rush-hour commute until the tail end of summer this year, so I don’t really know what I am in for. I grew up in a small town and lived in extremely rural areas for many years as an adult. The number of people bustling about in the downtown of a major American city can overwhelm. I tire from the number of people who gasp at my willingness to confront THE WEATHER on my bike. No one seems impressed by their own willingness to confront PEOPLE on the bus. PEOPLE spread disease. PEOPLE cause me great sadness, especially in the city where the full spectrum of human suffering is right out there, visible for us to absorb. Sure, I’d rather ride in good weather. But I’ll take dealing with the weather over people any day!

Familiar faces, familiar places

I am beginning to recognize the regular riders on my new commute. I only recognize the more distinctive riders. There’s “orange rafting bag” that I mentioned earlier. I also see “lady with embroidered jacket and light up traffic vest”. She and I share the same commute for at least 6 miles. I also see “tall sprinting guy with flappy green jacket”, “2 panniers and swift industries saddle bag”, “lady on cruiser who loves purple”, “tiny speed demon in tights” and “sprinting guy all in black”. There are more that I can’t think of right now.

I don’t see them all every day, but it is impressive the regularity that I see so many. Of course, I wouldn’t recognize any of them at all if they changed outfits or bikes. I assume to them I am “orange handlebars and monkey light.” It makes me wonder how many of the same cars we see every day, driving around. It’s harder for cars to look distinctive, so I may very well see the same 50 cars every day and not know it. One advantage to recognition I have on a bike, however, is that cyclists go a variety of different speeds. The guy going 10 miles an hour will be passed by everyone going 20 miles an hour even if their start times vary by minutes every day. Also, traffic lights are great equalizers. Fast people and slow people and people who left the same location minutes apart all bunch up at the same traffic light. It is on a stretch of 3 heavily congested traffic lights that I see most of the people I recognize. In a car, you may drive the same route at the same time as someone else, but if they are 5 cars ahead of you may never see them. These are the things I think about in those moments of boredom waiting for lights to change.

Rain, Rain

This picture captures the experience of everyone bike commuting in Seattle today. That is all.

Riding bikes in the rain like everyone should

Cascade Bicycle Club Made a riding in the rain specific playlist for all us crazy cyclists. Check it out! 

I won! I won!

The other night I attended Cascade Bicycle Club's Ride in the Rain Finale celebration. I sat with some work buddies and one of them won an individual membership to Cascade Bike Club. They were really hoping that they would win the family membership so their whole family could be members. I am glad they told me about the raffle, so I ran up to the ticket takers and entered my name into the final drawing. They called my name (even pronouncing it correctly! That's a big deal!). I ran up to the stage to collect my award, take a bow (on the stage no one was looking at), shake hands with the important people (handing out chips) and pose for the photographers (who were taking selfies).

I won a family membership! I offered to switch with my friends- I am happy to be a member, but there is no one else in my household who'd benefit from a membership. It turned out so perfectly! Thank you, Cascade!

A bad day for encounters with trucks

A small Toyota pickup pulled out in front of me without using a turn signal or even lights (this was in the dark of morning). It pulled out from its street-side parking spot into the road, crossing my path on the bike lane. I don't think the driver ever saw me. It was a perfect opportunity to use my horn, but when the horn lever competes for my hand with the brake lever, the brake always wins. My brakes squelched in the rain, braking just in time for me to feel safe. I hoped the driver would eventually see me, but I think he had other things on his mind. His turn signal going the other way lit up as soon as he got in the road (still no lights) and he drove like that at least a half mile before turning. Later a large white truck waiting to turn right from a smaller cross-street pulled out in front of me. I saw the driver looking in my direction, so I braked with the hope they would eventually see me. I practically came to a stop by the time the driver noticed me. This happened when the truck bed crossed the bike lane and the cab was well into the road. They stopped anyway. I veered out into the road to pass. As I passed, I stuck my arm out with the "stop" hand sign. I do this to remind drivers when I have the right of way. It is something I do with some regularity at 2-way stops. I have no idea if the drivers realize I have the right of way, or if they just think I am being an ass.

When not riding the bike to work

Occasionally I don’t ride my bike in to work. Sometimes I ride the bus. The bus I ride services a long stretch of hardened Seattle, including many stops for shelters, pawn shops, the needle exchange, the free clinic, Department of Health and Human Services, and more. Usually as many people have to stand as get to sit, all hours of the day. And given by the number of services along my route, It’s safe to say many people on my route are not having a good day. It seems most people aren’t having a good day in general, but I think the case is especially so on the bus.

Decreases in empathy, compassion, and respect in our country are a talking point of most everyone I talk to over age 35. I see data supporting these assumptions in positive psychology research, generational studies, studies looking the sociology of social media, texting behaviors, palliative and eldercare, and the like. As I rode the bus, I considered how the bus appears to be a sanctuary for these values. Everyone unanimously gives up seating for elders, the disabled and mothers. Even the loudest of mouths sensor their words when a young child is nearby. When someone misbehaves, the bus riders around them try to soften the situation. People crowd and cut and rush when trying to enter the bus, but once they are on, doors are held open, and accommodations are made. I wonder, what is it about the bus that makes this captive audience of stressed out, rushed, and generally grumpy people treat each other with kindness? How can we extend the way we treat each other on the bus to other situations? Don’t get me wrong, I see plenty of people on the bus deliberately elbow others, pick fights, eat cartons of smelly onions, urinate, or take up extra seats with luggage while 30 others have to stand, but they are easily the minority.

Today on my ride in, the bus suddenly stopped at a jerk at an intersection. I couldn’t see what happened, but presumably a pedestrian jumped out against the light or something like that. The bus stopped so hard and fast that the wheels squelched and people fell out of their seats. Pretty much everyone seated toppled out (over half the seats on my bus face the sides of the bus, so there is nothing to stop someone from falling forward except another person).  People in the isles toppled on top of each other. I was one of the lucky few who happened to be standing behind a pole. My arms happened to be looped around the pole so when the bus stopped, I merely spun around, but didn’t fall. Several grasped on to me, however, instinctively grabbing whatever was around them that was upright. In the aftermath, several people groaned and hollered “OUCH!” which caused a chorus of, “Are you ok?” comments. The people around me apologized for grabbing onto me. There is a taboo against touching strangers, but I responded that I was glad to be a grabbing post since my positons was one of the few stable ones on the bus. 

Ride the Rain Challenge update

For the month of November, I am participating in the Ride the Rain Challenge. Historically, most rain falls in November in Seattle, and Seattle is known worldwide as a rainy city (even though you see far higher precipitation levels in cities in Florida and others, but I digress). It only makes sense that Cascade Bicycle Club sponsor a bike commute challenge during this rainy season. It does seem the average participant in this smaller challenge is more hardcore than the nationally celebrated May Bike Month. Bike month focuses on attracting new cyclists. While the Ride the Rain Challenge wants that, too, I am guessing most of these participants are seasoned riders. Still, by comparison, I am a super-commuter. I don’t feel like I am a “hardcore” cyclist, which makes me feel even more proud of my stats thus far.

Only 8 lives left

I pedaled breathlessly up the steep Fremont hill in the dark and din of rush hour. Before I could think or react, a scruffy Siamese cat dashed in front of my wheel at full speed. I turned my head in shock, taking a beat to register what was going on. It ran across the lane next to me. It crossed the center line. I saw the oncoming jeep. The jeep wasn't speeding, but going too fast for breaking to make any difference. I watched the cat bolt toward inevitable collision with the jeep's tire. I'm guessing the jeep saw the cat, but it was one of those moments where nothing could be done. An involuntary gasp pushed its way out of my lungs at full volume. Time stood still. In that moment that lasted forever, I had time to consider, "I am going to watch a cat get smashed. This is terrible, but I can't look away. I can't look away. What was that noise? Oh my god I just screamed a little, wait what's that other noise?" At that moment, the cat stopped still in its tracks, likely with whiskers brushing rubber, paused for a split second, then bolted in reverse back towards me. I will never know if I actually heard it's little claws scraping against the pavement, or if that other noise was just the grating guttural scrape of my own fevered gasps.

Requesting traffic signal maintenance from Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)

I wanted to send a request last month, the first time the issue occurred. Then it went away, and I forgot all about it. Then it came back, and I considered making a request, an then I got distracted. I couldn't take it any more after today, so I submitted the following request to SDOT this morning from the SDOT link: https://seattle-csrprodcwi.motorolasolutions.com/Home.mvc/Index

"The traffic signal at N46th ST & Fremont AVE North is intermittently skipping traffic turns. For the past several years, the signal at this intersection always followed the same pattern: green light for westbound, then green light for eastbound, then green light for north/south bound (except when the lights respond to sensors during weekends). However, the signaling has intermittently, and increasingly changed to: green light for eastbound, green light for westbound, then green eastbound, green westbound, then green light for north/south bound. I have also experienced 3 cycles for east/west traffic before one for north/south: (green light for eastbound, green light for westbound, then green light for eastbound, green light for westbound, green light for eastbound, green light for westbound, then green light for north/south bound). The traffic signals used these new unbalanced patterns today, 11/17, 11/12 (or close to that day, can't remember for sure), and for 4 days in a row the last week of October. During rush hour this creates a backup over 4 blocks in the north/south directions (past the zoo to the north and past Uneeda Burger to the south) as well as pedestrian congestion at the cross walks. Cars several blocks down honk when they realized they haven't moved in several minutes. This change also endangers cars, pedestrians and cyclists who anticipate circular light patterns and start moving when the cross traffic light turns red. If this is a permanent change, please post signage or other communication so travelers can predict and understand the change. If this is a malfunction, please address as the incidences seem to be increasing."

Other than that, this morning's ride treated me well. The trees are bare now, and the roads are clogged with fallen leaves. I think this may be the last of them this year. I also enjoyed the unusual smell of woodstove burning in the brisk morning air. I thought about how, when I ride to work just an hour later, my nose is bombarded by the distinct smell of frying bacon at the Red Mill Burger curve. However, at 7am, there is no smell along that curve at all.

Upside down and outside right

Not even the minor annoyance of wearing my ear-warmer headband upside down could sway this amazing morning ride. The tapered fleece band created a brim of sorts that sunk over my eyebrows when upside down. My lazy morning stupor didn't care to set it right.

The cloudless sky predicted a sunny day. The downright cold air meant I wouldn't get too hot once I entered the heated canopy of downtown. I must not have been the only one who thought it was a good day for riding, I was number 236 at the bridge counter.

I counted 5 blocks of traffic stopped at Mercer (busy road) that extended into a construction area. Construction sites make a habit of closing off bike lanes so cyclists have to merge with traffic. Ahead of me, 2 cyclists rode past the stopped cars by sharing the single lane with them. One car sat out of alignment from the others, hugging the construction cones. His position made it difficult for the cyclists to pass, and when they did, he hammered on his horn. I sat behind, parked in line like a car. There are many cases where cyclists dangerously ride the lines, but this is not one of them. With traffic clearly stopped, cyclists can pass safely. It's one of the times a cyclist has an advantage of a vehicle, when in nearly all other cases a vehicle is faster. I continue to be baffled by people who spread anger onto others just for anger's sake. As a community and a society, we would all benefit from consistent and ongoing transportation training. Perhaps the driver wouldn't have felt angry if all parties agreed on the rules. In the meantime, honking a horn won't change a cyclist's behavior, risks endangering them by the sheer shock of loud noise, and spreads the feeling of anger to all who hear it. This will be something I write a lot about as this blog develops.

amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyzing!

As I pedaled past a bus stop I heard a kid yell, "Your wheels are amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyzing!" It wasn't until the elongated second syllable that I registered he was talking to me. I have a Monkey Light on my front wheel. It is a string of blinking LED's along a spoke that I can set to display a variety of images as the wheel turns. Right now it's set to a flaming comet. I think it looks kind of like a hot teardrop, however. I waved back at the kid and smiled. I am always so happy to be a part of positive interactions between strangers. I didn't see any other cyclists until 5 miles into my commute. That's when "orange rafting bag" (I gave names to all the regulars I'm beginning to recognize on my route, but that's for another post) said to me, "We must be crazy to be riding in this weather!" He must have been right, because I was only number 131 to cross the bridge counter. The weather service warned of gale force winds again. At one point a truck paralleled me going the same speed, making me anxious. I slowed down so we weren't going the same speed, and he swerved into the bike line forcing me to brake. He quickly swerved out, then kindly put on his blinker before swerving back into the lane and turning. I am not sure if he was focused on finding his way and it happened to work to my benefit, or if he saw me and decided to signal. Either way, I was glad for his swerving out so I didn't have to make a full stop. Downtown, a lane-parked chauffeur tried to inch forward when he saw me stropped behind him. He stopped to pick up his riders, and apologized to me and suggested I pass him. I shook my head, not wanting to "ride the white line" as so many speed-hungry cyclists do. Never in 3 years have I encountered such a kind professional driver downtown. I hope to secure the multiple kindnesses of today in my memory banks for later when things do not go so well.

The past came so fast

Today the crisp, dry air brought a cold we've yet to see this fall. The song of ice scrapers hastily run across windshields filled my ears as I rolled through residential streets. I struggled to stay focused through the sleepiness of Monday morning. I observed the mural on the Mason's building on Greenwood. I always took it as an artist's collage of sorts, but today I realized it must be a geographically accurate view of the Seattle Cityscape, shortly after the space needle was built. Trees and greenery filled the areas around the needles and the few skyscrapers of downtown before opening up to the mountains and sunrise behind. This must have been what Seattle actually looked like 50 years ago. The mural looked great. Was it a new mural of an old scene, or had the mural just been well-maintained all these years?

A gas can lay in the bike lane. The sight overwhelmed me with gratitude; gratitude that it wasn't obscured by darkness or leaves and I didn't run into it. Typing about it now, I am regretful I didn't take the 5 seconds to pick it up and toss it somewhere less obstructive.

Photo courtesy of @City_Arts's Tweet: https://twitter.com/City_Arts/status/512703110007889920?s=09 

Today, in Seattle, there is a gale warning in effect

 ....that's what the weather forecast has been saying for days. The wind must have started just before my commute because debree hadn't covered the roads yet. But the wind came in full force. The wind terrified me, to be frank. It didn't continue into the evening, however, and I am relieved that I decided to ride home. Had I not ridden home, the terror of the ride into work may have stayed with me all weekend, causing me to dread the commute Monday. Luckily, the ride home revitalized me in ways only a wet, speedy work out can do.

Red, red rise

I left for work 20 minutes later than usual. I spent my "in case of flat tire buffer" preparing lunch. Like usual, the risks I take don't go unrewarded. I left late enough to watch the beautiful red sunrise (yay!) and ride in daylight (yay!). Sadly, my favorite Louis Vuitton window display changed. The window faces me at an intersection where I reliably hit a red light. They regularly have creative window displays, but the most recent display had product I actually liked for the first time (perhaps their advertising is working on me? Or maybe it was just a great item?) Bridge bike count: 252

Biking up the ramp

Last night I biked up the parking garage ramp at work. This is a milestone of sorts. That ramp is a hated thing. The narrow, short ramp quickly travels 2 floors in a 360+ degree loop. The curve is sharper than the turning radius on the Ford company van. I drive the ramp as slowly as I can, wheels squeaking the whole way, blindly hoping that no oncoming vehicles come my way. It is a ramp I would never take with a manual transmission. In the company van, the driver's seat sits so high that I cannot see the sidewalk until I am on it (the first place the ramp levels out). This isn't a problem on a lower car, and I have come to expect the glare of pedestrians shocked that I proceed into the sidewalk while they are crossing. I wish they knew I couldn't see. There is the loud "caution vehicle exiting" announcement, but still I understandably shock them. When I worked my later shift, I could exit the building via the front doors. Now that I leave while the building is still open to the public, the ramp is my only polite option. I usually walk up it. Other commuters cycle up it without much concern. I have visions of a co-worker in a company van blindly smashing into me. One commuter fell cycling down the ramp. He blacked out with amnesia, and his head felt the impact for a couple of weeks. I am so careful and tentative, but last night I had a brief window with no traffic so I bombed up the ramp to see if I could get the whole way up without crossing the invisible center line. I did it all the way until the very end, where I was able to see if anybody would be coming my way. It worked out well. I'll probably ride up it again, when there is another window of no traffic.

Seattle to Portland (STP) 2005

My STP adventure began Thursday evening when I dropped my bike and luggage off at the Amtrak station. Afterwards I biked over to the Hollywood Theatre to watch first ever MS 150-sponsored movie night. A group of MS 150 Coordinators showed up, promoting the ride and handing out buttons. We watched “Breaking Away” from 1979. It was a subtle and wonderful film. Before the movie the lead coordinator talked and showed us a film from last years ride that brought me to tears! I boarded the TriMet bus bright and early Friday morning and then transferred onto the train. I had a pleasant ride up to Tacoma, with nice overcast views of the area. Many passengers were also going to the STP. They were easy to spot, with their bike jackets and jerseys, ride day tee shirts, and helmets. I felt so incognito, with only my conservative bike fleece to give me away. The rain fell heavily when I got off the bus in Tacoma. A headache started to brew from not drinking enough water. The water I brought to drink had floatie chunks and I dared not to drink it. My aunt Geri picked me up and we drove to her family’s huge house in Puyallup. I rested my headache away at their house while they ran errands. For dinner, the 4 of them treated me at a cute Italian restaurant owed by the family of one of my cousin Emerald’s friends. The food tasted divine and the service was fabulous! I choose my meal based on the waiter’s recommendation. I ate chicken piccata with artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, and an Italian sauce over fettuccini. It hit the spot, but put me directly to sleep. I slept all evening, making myself the unexciting guest. Geri woke up at 4:30 Saturday morning to drive to the start line in Seattle. With all the traffic, I still didn’t get to the start until 6:00. When I tried to air up my tires, the gauge got stuck on my valve and I ended up blowing the tire trying to get it off! It was my first flat with this new bike, but luckily the event did not set the tone for the ride! I met up with Jo and Brian’s friends, Kenny and Michelle, before the ride. We started the ride off with another Denver couple and a friend of theirs from Seattle. It took me a while to get used to the bike traffic, and even longer to realize the group never really would spread out. It is hard to perceive 8000 people on bikes going the same place at the same time. I was pleased to find every rider to be courteous and alert on the ride. Although I expected the STP to be swamped with ‘hot-shot’ riders, it really was a ride just like all the others. There were babies pulled by trailers, tots on tag-a-longs, racing bikes, fat tire mountain bikes, families, tandems, triple tandems, quads, recumbents, tandem recumbents, home-made bikes, tricycles, big wheels, and a unicycle. Yes, someone rode 204 miles on a unicycle! I saw older folks, dressed up folks, chubby folks, and bikes so old I marveled at their functionality! The first day went pretty smoothly. The food was okay. Free handouts consisted mostly of fruit, Cliff Bars, and Ultima Drink. I am not a big Cliff Bar fan and I found the Cotton Candy-tasting Ultima drink repulsive. Luckily I did not need too much sustenance and I was able to buy Gatorade to drown out the Ultima taste. I rode a mph faster than I expected! I didn’t get really tired until mile 75. We rode from Seattle to Renton, then Kent, Auburn, Algona, Pacific City, Sumner, Puyallup, Spanaway, Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, Bucoda, and finally to Centralia. I slept overnight in Centralia. The place was allright, but I was not impressed with the organization. I got the feeling that there were too many people to make the facilities feel special. Several eating places had long waits or simply ran out of food. There were about 1/3 as many massage therapists as there could have been. Still, it was a beautiful night and I felt great! I woke up Sunday morning earlier than I wanted to. The sounds of riders getting ready penetrated my earplugs. I slept terribly. The night consisted mainly of frequent uncomfortable wakings and horrid nightmares. My butt complained agonizingly, but somehow I managed to get back on the bike. The first 10 miles I began to wonder how I would ever finish amongst all the soreness and fatigue. But, by mile 130, I knew I could do it! Sunday brought a light rain for several hours. I cut up a plastic divider sheet and strapped it to my handlebars with twisty ties to hold the ride map. It kept the map dry for the most part. One rest stop was hosted by high school FBLA members, to which I hollered out, “Hey, I used to be in FBLA!” They didn’t seem impressed. At the St. Helens rest stop I really caught my second wind. That one was hosted by band members and boasted popcorn. I blasted through the last 30 or so miles, passing rider after rider as I tireless pushed on. My driving force, knowing the faster I rode the sooner I’d get off the bike, kept me going. On the second day we rode through Chehalis, Napavine, Winlock, Vadar, Castle Rock, Lexington, Kelso, Rainier Oregon, Lindburg, St. Helens, Scapoose and then Portland, at last! I met up with Kenny and Michelle just before the finish and we wheeled into Portland together in a huge group of finishers. The after party yielded lots and lots of freebies, some yaki soba noodles and all things bike. I am now planning my riding goals for next year! Zoe, exhausted from Teething-baby sleeplessness, picked me up at the party and my night ended in delight. I did it, I rode not only farther than ever before, but faster than I ever thought possible. On top of that, my body felt fine! There is an amount of saddle-bottom soreness, but my muscles feel fine, even without a massage! I am now taking requests for people who want to ride with me next year!

DAY 1: start: approx. 7:15AM, 6.41 hrs. ride time, 10hrs. elapsed time distance: 100.2, av 15 mph DAY 2: start: approx. 6:45AM, 7.22 hrs ride time, 9hrs. elapsed time distance: 103.8, av 14 mph