Bike Events, Washington
amandaeve
Ride the Hurricane

Olympic National Park, Washington

A Summary
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Bikepacking the Pacific Coast

My solo bike trip down the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California

Bikepacking the Pacific Coast
National Park
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Redwood National and State Parks

2022, Redwood National and State Parks, CA

National Park
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Yosemite National Park

2022, Yosemite National Park, CA

National Park
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Kings Canyon National Park

2022, Kings Canyon National Park, CA

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Dayum! Grand Coulee Dam

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Keeping safe from COVID-19. Avoiding the Seattle rain that won’t stop. Feeling moved by the signs of social unrest with every escape from the home. I felt the need for some variety, something to make significant the day-in and day-out I’ve gotten used to. So, out we adventured to the lovely town of Wilbur, Washington.

Wilber, about 6 hours away from Seattle, enticed me to two reasons. One, the area, being east of the Cascade range, promised sunshine and warm weather. Two, this area, with lots of open space and a small population, had far fewer confirmed cases of COVID-19 than the rest of the state.

Wilbur delivered. I rode out to Grand Coulee dam, and had a wonderful time. The quiet roads were traveled by few, and most who passes were pleasant and mindful of my presence. I got to enjoy an amazing descent. There was a bit of a cross-wind, enough that it pushed me on the descent. to get the most out of my downward momentum, I tucked into my handlebars as tight as I could and coasted. The road kept descending. I felt so safe on such a calm, straight road and I let the bike go as fast as it wanted to. I coasted so long that my heart rate dropped to my resting rate. I coasted so long that my arms and legs got stiff from being tucked in for so long…three times! I think this was the longest free coasting downhill ride I’ve enjoyed since Tour de Blast.

It was not so much fun going back up. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Wilbur to Grand Coulee Dam Out and Back

The next day I rode a short way out, just 15 miles to keep the muscles fresh and the mind awake. It’s not exciting enough to recount here, but it was fast. I rode 16.4mph, which is the fasted average I maintained thus far on my new bike. It felt good to know the new bike and I could succeed at these speeds.

The third and last day I rode to Sherman, a ghost town. Once a thriving mill town, all that remains now is an old church and a cemetary. The town is literally dead. I also passed by another cemetery and some farm art. Most important of all, however, is that the ride finished with a perfect iced latte at the local coffee shop in Wilbur that planned it’s grand opening right as the town locked down for COVID.

Wilbur to Sherman Out and Back

Photo Highlights of the Whole Trip

Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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Seattle Art Museum

Seattle Art Museum

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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park
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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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With the Fremont Troll

With the Fremont Troll

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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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Portland

Portland

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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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portraits_4.jpg
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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

Zwift

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Zwift is an online game that uses your indoor bike trainer to control your character. You ride farther, harder and faster for in-game rewards. I don’t tend to play online games, so I don’t know the terminology, so I might not be saying everything quite right. You can unlock new and different frames, wheels, kits, gloves, helmets, and accessories. You can also unlock game modifiers like extra bursts of speed, drafting, and other perks. If you ride in a particular event, you can unlock special gear unique to that ride. The all-black kit my avatar is wearing in the picture above is from one of those rides. It was for a 3-day hill climbing tour. I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for the tour. It ended up being too hard and I didn’t ride again for a long time after. It was too hard, but I started and I had to finish. Only finishers get the jersey!

Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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on the Interurban in Shoreline

on the Interurban in Shoreline

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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

pRIDE ON!

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Today I participated in the Zwift PRIDE RIDE, which they are hosting several times a week all month long. Today was my day to do it. My heart is warm. My pockets are full of hands; yes, hands in my pants. You have to play the game to get it. But it’s every bit as much fun as it sounds. Normally, you can click on another user to give them a “ride on!” a collectable thumbs-up that packs in your jersey pockets. FOr the Pride Ride, we have rainbow colored Pride on! thumbs instead. It made the ride more fun.

“THe Purple Armada”is a trans-centric cycling team and this particular ride was hosted by a pro cyclist. It really got me into the groove.

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Strava Summary

Workouts with Garmin

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I made my very own workout routine using a medicine ball and then loaded it into Garmin connect. I press start of my watch and it tells me what to do when and counts the reps. Counting the reps is only as good as the hand wearing my watch moves, but all in all it’s a pretty good way to exersize.

I don’t do this workout as often as I’d like. But I did it today, and I’m feeling proud. Every moment matters.

I’m 20 years old

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The Garmin Fenix series watches make a calculated estimate of VO2 max based on recorded physiological data over time. People tell me it’s pretty accurate. I remain skeptical, but only because it thinks I’m better than I think I am. Still, a VO2max of 48, or even anywhere in the 40s for that matter is as about as good as a non-competitive woman in her 40’s can get. I’m going to bask in the feeling of achievement this analysis that Garmin gave me.

Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

My New Bike Hates the Rain

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I saw this meme on the internet- and WOW! It speaks to my new bike, Blue Lightning so much! My White Bicycle, well, she didn’t mind the rain at all. My commuter has mechanical disc brakes that squeak. They squeak loudly, and they squeak all the time, rain or shine. But my new bike is in a class alone. The brakes work wonderfully. They work better than any other brakes I’ve ever used. But they scream in the rain. Thee brakes down squeak. They full on sceam. They scream as loud as they can.

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Going to the Bike Shop in COVID-era

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My bike is but a few months old, and it needed to get some adjustments. I’m not used to using a double chainring and needed some help getting my derailer set right for the perfect amount of trim. I wasn’t sure how much life my stock chain had in it (turns out to be a lot!) and one of my discs had some rub.

I procrastinated for weeks, but finally got out to the bike store. The store moved to separate entrances; sales and service. While several people didn’t read the signage, it was clear and well done. It worked for the most part. Each customer had to wait in line outside until space opened up inside. Each staff person had a marked “zone” to stand in, and they kept a 1:1 ratio for staff and customers. Each staff person had to be their own cashier and checked out thier customer only. Sanitizing stations cornered the zones. They did a great job.

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Sunday series: Portraits of Blue Lighting

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Looking at the Olympics from Marshall Park

Looking at the Olympics from Marshall Park

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She is exceptionally photogenic. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to photograph her everywhere I go. She makes the world around me more beautiful.

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Justice for Floyd

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It's a small act of programming, but thank you for being on the side of humanity, Strava. Nicely done!

They decided to turn the routes black in the activity feed only:

Athletes for Equality Support for equality, and especially justice for George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, is at an all-time high in the Strava feed. We’re proud to see athletes standing up for what’s right. Starting this weekend, use these hashtags in your activity and we’ll add a special polyline to your workout to be sure it stands out in the feed: #equality #justice #justiceforfloyd #breonnataylor #irunwithmaud and more. Everyone in the Strava community – and beyond – deserves justice and equality. We’re more than happy to amplify the voices of those who are calling for it.

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