Team Bear » Commuter Log

Commuting and Training

Michael — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:50:34 +0000

I think I have the best commute in Seattle and I can prove it:

When was the last time you saw a seal on your way to work? Here’s a closer look:

I’ve been trying to ride hard on the way to and from work since commuting is the bulk of my riding between working on the house to get ready for the new addition and visiting some friends in San Diego. Max on the other hand has been hard at work:

… at least he has a helmet on.

Back In The Saddle

Michael — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:47:55 +0000

I’ve returned from vacation to find the weather in Seattle better for riding a bike than when I left. It’s good to be back and I was excited to hop on my bike for some commuting under the sun.

Right now Team Bear is #4 in fundraising for the Seattle LIVESTRONG challenge. Special mention is deserved for Paul and Kevin who have both surpassed the 4-figure mark. The fundraise-o-meter to the right shows us close to our goal, but nothing says we stop when we get there!

flat + broken pump = bus

Michael — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:53:29 +0000

Two flat tires in as many days. Nothing takes the fun out of a bike commute like having to ride the bus. I even had to patron the local drug store to acquire the correct change and some Skittles. Now I can taste the rainbow the whole way home.

I’ve ridden my bike every day except Saturdays for a few weeks so this is something of a setback.

Wind out of the north… head wind most of the way home

Kevin — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:33:32 +0000

Today’s commute home was a good one. I love riding on Sundays as it is relatively quiet, certainly a lot fewer trucks on lower Spokane St! Made it a long ride home, 13.1 miles, and went around the point along Alki and then south again to meet up with Erskine for the climb up to the house. I have to work on some climbing strength as that was a slog! Maybe I can convince Michael and Mary to head out with me sometime and we can do a nice long climb, say up into the mountains one sunny day… What do you say you two?

Doing some quick figuring from my averages now, distances 10 miles or more, my 15 mph average will make the 70 miler almost 5 hours… That has to come down!

I recently sent out a second message to our supporters and have heard back from a few already with enthusiastic cheers for our effort and lots of love sent towards Beth. It feels great to be rallying around her like this, and I know for myself the riding is giving me a little more energy in life lately too!

Pass on the word to your friends and family too! Team Bear thanks you in advance for your help and support.

Until next time! Kevin

Commuter Log #3

Michael — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:56:52 +0000

The morning commute was chilly today, but it looks like it’s going to be a snowy ride home. Since I’m too lazy to swap my pedals from road bike to mountain bike I’ll be braving today’s snow a little less than prepared.

Commuter Log #2

Michael — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:24:57 +0000

I’ve managed to ride my bike once this week, which would be fine if it was Tuesday… but it’s not. For some reason time has been hard to come by but this morning’s paper made me think about riding and trying to be safe when commuting. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the cyclist killed in Ballard. Story is here.

Commuter log #1

Michael — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:45:57 +0000

Sometimes it’s hard to motivate in the morning to ride in to work. Melanthia gave me cold weather gear for xmas this year which pretty much killed my last excuse for driving. It was bitter cold this morning but armed with the right clothes it’s not too bad. I’m glad I rode in since nothing clears the head like being on the bike and after signing up for the LIVESTRONG challenge I feel a little extra kick every time I saddle up.