Was originally planning to ride back from the Sunday Brunch at the Draye’s via the Burke Gilman but it was suggested by Michael that try the ride back via the East side of Lake Washington via Kirkland and Bellevue then over the 1-90 Bridge. Certainly was a more challenging ride than the flats of the Burke route, with three pretty good hills in there, up over Junita Drive then over Market Hill into Kirkland, a minor hill into and through Bellevue then of course the hill back up into West Seattle from Luna Park. Great ride 29.9 miles on the computer. Almost two hours of wheels turning and an average of just over 15mph with one downhill run topping out at 33mph. Here’s the rough map. I was hoping to get some elevation data off of it but haven’t figured that out yet…
Got out yesterday for a spin around Mercer Island. It was a beautiful day in Seattle and the rain held off just until I got home. Even got a chance to catch the end of the Tour of California. The tunnel leading to I-90 looks like the entrance to a fortress.
I got in 36 miles averaging 15mph. My average cadence was 96 which for a 2:20 ride means the pedals spun over 13,000 times.
20 plus today on the Gilman. Averaged over 17 miles per hour and went from the lower parking lot of Magnuson to Wayne Golf Course in 1 hour and 10 minute. Not a bad ride. Felt good to keep the cadence up for that long.
Will be out of the saddle for a week as Beth and I are off to the Florida Keys for a little sunshine! YEAH! Will try to get some swimming in, maybe a group swim with some manatees!
Went for a quick 45 minute ride at St Edwards Park and Big Finn Hill with Luna. With the snow still falling and a chilly 37d in Kenmore we had a blast in the woods and mud. Not sure what kind of mileage we put in but the mud on Luna and my face says it was a good time!
Luna picked up all that mud on her face because she insisted on running directly behind me through the whole ride. She doesn’t like to lag behind!
Thought a lap in and around Seattle would be fun and a hill or two would be good for the legs. Logged 19.3 miles on a ride that started at the house and pointed down the hill to Beach Drive around To Alki Point down Alki to Spokane St. Continued from there under the West Seattle Bridge to Alaskan Way to cruise the waterfront and with no bridge openings and no trains it was a brisk 15 minutes at most before I pulled off the flats to head up hill. Made my way up to Pike Market and then a short loop around Belltown before heading back towards Westlake and another hill. Pike turned into East Pike then at Broadway I turned around to head down hill… one short stop at the ATT Wireless store to pick up a new toy, an iPhone… that all tucked into my messenger bag I headed back. Down Pike, under the convention center to Pine then 1st Ave and past the stadiums. Pyramid was brewing so the air smelled great (helped keep my mind off the head wind for a moment)! Back on lower Spokane and back home after the grind up Avalon through Luna Park in West Seattle. 15 mile an hour average, 19.3 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes of ride time (lights and att stop not counted).
Well Michael and I completed the first successful group ride of the year, although we couldn’t get the other team members out with us, we did have a great ride. It was a little cold but the sun was out and we put in a pretty good ride. Met up at Gasworks Park, I by car from W Seattle, Michael by bike from Magnolia. I think after a few more rides and a week or two of commuting I should be able to go carbon emission free before the ride.
Ride details: 18 miles round trip from Gasworks to Stan Sayers Park along Lake Washington BLVD. Overall was a nice 1hour 15minutes ride time. Average speed according to my computer 14.9 miles per hour. Not bad for the first spin.
Okay, so training and riding hasn’t gone so well for me over the past month. With riding on hold with the winter storms I was anxious to get back into things once the snow melted. Roads more or less clear, I had it in my head to start things back up after we returned from a short trip to Sitka. Well, a wood cutting incident has put a hold on that, although only a few more days and the stitches come out and I am going to hop back on the saddle for a tester ride around West Seattle.
Like Michael mentioned, motivation is hard. Although we don’t have any excuse, we signed up for this. Unlike for Beth, who’s motivation just has to be there, no choice in the matter, it just has to be…
January’s challenge to the bike, run and walking team, Let’s kick it up a notch! Beth is going to have to so lets get behind her!
So Kevin’s training has started. While Michael and Mary both have many commuting miles already under thier belts, I have some catching up to do! 210 miles so far in the last two months, it is time to ramp it up. The commute from West Seattle to Boeing Field isn’t all that far, about 6.3 miles one-way, although the ride home can be stretched out to 10 miles pretty easy. Trick is this time of year, riding to and from work in the weather…
Goal is going to be at least 3 rides per week with at least one long ride on one of my days off, and maybe as a group. We are all looking forward to starting to ride together now and again. Drafting together will be a skill for us to develop… The Team Bear train will be one to recon with come June 21st!
Beth has been watching how things are going so far and has been touched by all of the kind words and the generousity in her honor so far. Fundraising is going well, we will be looking at potentially increasing Team Bear’s goal as we have found that everyone is very key to the cause. The Lance Armstrong Foundation does a lot of great work, and has worked hard to raise the profile of cancer issues nationwide, including gaining commitments from newly elected members of congress and the Obama administration in funding research and prevention programs nationally.
Thanks again to everyone for supporting us in the 2009 LIVESTRONG Challenge. Stay tuned for more reports.
