Last Week

Mile 10 - Southern end of Lake Washington

 Mile 20 - Near Kubota Garden

Mile 30 - International District

Mile 40- Gasworks Park

Mile 50 - Lake Forest Park

Mile 60 - Home

Cascade Training Series

My two biking buddies and I are using the Cascade Training Series to prepare for the RAGBRAI. So far, I've been on three of its rides.  The first was a 26-miler, and the most recent a 43-miler. We ride all over Puget Sound, mostly on roads where I've never been, and we learn to cycle as a group.  All you have to do to go on these rides is to join the Cascade Bicycle Club.  The Cascade Bicycle Club promotes biking in the Seattle area, provides biking classes, sells helmets at $10 each, and has free daily rides (year-round!).   To check out the Training Series schedule, visit

http://www.biketoworkday.com/EandR/Ride_CTS_schedule.cfm

We'll be going through Quimby, Iowa, on the first day of RAGBRAI.  According to the Cherokee Area Development website, Quimby was originally named Wendell, but the locals thought that the name sounded too Republican, so they came up with Quimby instead.  And Quimby has a quilt shop--I might just have to stop by!

A Blustery, Beautiful Day

 My partner (with his new bike), a friend, and I headed out yesterday to try to go 50 miles, to Marymoor and back, plus a little bit extra on the Burke Gilman to reach the 50-mile goal.   We wanted to keep up a fairly good speed (for us), but the headwinds were throwing themselves at our bikes.  Will Iowa have that much of a headwind?

But it was an enjoyable ride, nevertheless.  Our friend's rear tube blew within about a mile from our starting point, and he capably and quickly fixed it.  His rear tire itself was bad, so we rode on gently, and in Kenmore found Bothell Ski and Bike, which replaced his tire (also capably and quickly), so we were on our way. 

Not too much to report, other than the beauty of Lake Washington on our right and on our left, a great blue heron rookery, and about a mile farther, some eagles soaring and swooping (probably having just eaten some great blue heron eggs or babies).

On to Redmond we went, where we tried Hancock's Bakery--the roll-ups and fruit tarts are yummy.  After our mechanical problems earlier in the day, we actually arrived at the bakery late enough that some of their goodies were sold out, so we'll have to go back earlier, next time.

Then we rode onto the 520 Trail (so that I would know where it is) and towards Marymoor (so that I would know exactly where it is--last week when I tried to get to the park itself, I got lost).  Turned around and headed home.  And you'd think that since there were lots of headwinds on the way out, there would've been tailwinds on the way back.  No such luck.  There were showers interspersed with sunshine, but no tailwinds to ease our journey.

Ride total--39 miles.

Looking forward to the Iowa ride!  And, speaking of Iowa, did  you know that Kingsley, Iowa's motto is
"Some bigger....none better"?  Sounds like a good place!