I was impressed and honored by the team’s generosity. As coach always says: “It’s just one of the ways the hounds give back to the community.”

I went out on my ride today thinking and dedicating my wheel turns to a particular group, my friends from the various Harmony Hill retreats that Beth and I attended over the years. Specifically, I cranked out a couple hills and worked through a little pain thinking about two friends in New York. Beth and I met Lisa and Jennifer at the last retreat that Beth and I attended together. Lisa is an amazing survivor of a number of different cancers and is currently facing yet another battle. A new diagnosis of colon cancer will have Lisa tackling another round of hospital visits and decisions to make. She is supported by one very smart and loving partner Jennifer. The both have tackled any challenge put in front of them with everything they can throw at it and I draw from that inspirational attitude. I also want to send any healing power and strength that I can to them and all of my other friends from the ‘Hill’. You are all a part of my every day life and inspiration. Thank you for the wisdom and spirit in life that you have shared. Thank very much to Harmony Hill too and the staff for connecting us all.

So as the weekend approaches I have at least two more rides to put in on the bike. Team Bear has done a great job this year. We will have over 24 members by Sunday, at as of this morning we passed our goal of raising $10,000 as a team! Thank you to all who have supported Team Bear! Hope to see you Sunday if you can make it down to Seattle Center!

Memorial day is a big ride day on the east side of the lake since it marks the annual 7 Hills of Kirkland. I rode the metric century Monday to continue training up to 100 miles on June 20th. The ride starts and ends at Kirkland’s Marina Park and it was a bitter day to be out on the bike.

I started the morning at 5 am when the alarm prodded me out of bed to go eat some breakfast, pull on some spandex and gather my cycling gear. It was raining when I woke up but for some reason I didn’t just go back to bed, instead I grabbed my rain jacket. When I got to the park to register I spent about 10 minutes deciding what to wear – I had 4 different glove options, long and short sleeves, jacket or not. I went with a short sleeve jersey and my rain shell but I put the arm warmers in my pocket just in case. The rain kept the registration line short – there wasn’t one.

The route is actually quite hard and includes around 4,657 feet of climbing in just short of 60 miles. For reference on the 20th we’ll be climbing 3,930 in 100 miles so the 7 Hills is quite hilly. Oh and by the way the 7 is only for the 38 mile route. There are 11 significant hills in the metric century. I completed the ride averaging 15 mph with a max of 41 and an average cadence of 88 rpm. That means it was pretty hilly since I normally average around 95 rpm. Apart from a flat tire at mile 33 it was a clean ride and my body performed well enough to make me feel better about attempting 100 miles.

My ride was cut short by a fall headed up the hill from Golden Gardens. I’m not sure if you’ve spent much time in the middle of the road tangled up in a bike but it’s an embarrassing experience. All I walked away with was a soar, scratched up leg and a bent rear derailleur hanger, which meant the bike had to go to the shop.

I don’t have stats for the ride other than a map so here it is:

View Missing Link in a larger map

What to like: holds air.

What not to like: not necessarily always good at the pro listed above.

Comments: I don’t like flat tires. If we stopped selling booze in glass bottles I think 1/2 of my flats could be avoided.

For every $5 you get one chance, so give more and often and better your chances! The show is on June 20th right after the Seattle LiveSTRONG Challenge ride. LiveSTRONG and the Lance Armstrong Foundation will host you and your guest at the show. Get ready to have a rippin’ good time!

I’ve got more work to do before I’ll be ready for 100 miles but this is a good start

View Track 10 in a larger map

View Morning Ride. in a larger map

I haven’t quite kept up with Kevin’s bike-every-day goal but I did at least play softball and do weight training on the days I didn’t ride.

Goal 2 – ride at least three 50 plus mile rides… not yet but the month is young.

Goal 3 – One ride that approaches 100 miles.

Today’s ride with Pete:

As close as I have been to 20 miles in a while. I am going to have to kick training into gear or I am going to be hurtin’ on June 19th! Working on the house all day doesn’t leave me with a ton of energy at the end of the day so the morning rides are better. Might have to consider getting up at 5 every now and then and put in more time. Anyone want to join me?