oops CBC

Earlier this week, Cascade Bicycle Club tried a new online registration system for their rides.

They probably planned it out well, I know they made announcements well in advance about trying out a new online system and also had people do test runs (I participated in that effort) to "beta test" the new system.

But still problems happened. The Executive Director, Chuck Ayers, posted this statement about the situation.

Of course, the past few months have been tough for CBC, which has been hammered by ill will after the CBC Board fired Mr. Ayers, who has many supporters amongst the ranks.

I'm not leaping into the politics of it all, but I hope they got the kinks out of the registration process so I can sign up for some rides this year.

last "nyte ryderz" ride for 2010

A few weeks ago, I took an evening ride with the notorious "Nyte Ryderz" of Renton. (See page 10).

Photo I snapped of myself...


I rode my "new" project bike that night... my Raleigh Super Course Mark II "rain bike". First time riding it outdoors was that night.


Cold, but not wet that evening. Looking forward to more rides in 2011. Due to snowy weather in December, a busy holiday schedule, and a recent minor medical issue, I might not make it out again until January.

Keep the rubber side down, folks! Happy riding!

the next big challenge

I was considering the High Pass Challenge (HPC) but after having (unrelated to cycling) a knee issue in one leg and a lower leg muscle issue in the other, I am passing on it for this year - I don't even know if they are sold out of registrations for the 600 cyclists this year or not.

I'm still going to try and ride these events with a friend this summer:
Cascade Spawning Cycle (CSC) - Sept 19th
Kitsap Color Classic - Sept. 26th

Then, I think it's back again to cold weather riding and commute-type trips, though with my work and home so close now, I may have to extend my riding quite a bit to get in the miles I'd like to. Of course, I'll throw in plenty of hills along the way too.

more STP pics

Taking a break at about mile 30 on day #1 about 1'30" into it.

Here's the REI food stop in Kent.


Nate looking pretty energetic and happy (multiple caffeinated gel packs, no doubt).




What a ham!


Away we go!

STP is coming up FAST!!! AAAAAGGGHH!

Less than 2 weeks until the big ride!

We'll do it. It should be fine.

Just so many details to arrange still.

[Breathe, Nate. Breathe.]

So happy to have some experienced blokes on the journey with me.

about 6 weeks until the STP ride!

I gotta focus and get some more hours and miles in the saddle!

200+ miles in two days??? We can do it!

And then at the end of July, I'm in the track class at Marymoor.

I'm happy to see summer almost here. :)

If you are seeking a Seattle area event, this Saturday, June 12th, there's there Flying Wheels in Redmond, WA.



Like hills? There's the High Pass Challenge in September.

this sounds like a cool ride, after the STP

I suppose after I tackle the STP, I might consider a 104 miler to be "easy". LOL.

Check out the STMB (Sound to Mountains Bikefest) 2010.

Described by the Levee Breaking web site as:
...104 mile road ride begins @ Magnuson Park in Seattle, with up to 1,000 participants riding from Seattle to North Bend over the course of the day. The beautiful, occasionally hilly route takes riders North to Snohomish before winding through the Snoqualmie River Valley to end at the base of Mt Si in North Bend, WA.

And even better...
Riders hop off of their bikes surrounded by mountains, fields of blueberries, concert stages, food, beverages & brews, bike art, NW bike makers and community bicycle proponents. Registered riders will recieve 3 day passes into the festival.

I hope I could find someone to join me.

Note: The Levee Breaking is "a support-the-arts project based in Seattle" which produces projects "that strengthen and unify music, performing, art and film making communities."

Chilly Hilly photos

Links to photos galleries online I found of the weekend ride from various sources...

From the Kitsap Sun newspaper

Picasa user "skeptic53"

flickr user papahazama

flickr user wildcelticrose

flikr user Michael Snyder

I'll add more links as I find them.

A story in the Seattle Times published in advance of the event.

I survived my first Chilly Hilly!!! (and first group fun ride!!!)

33 miles, 2 hours and 30 minutes, over 3,000 kCals burnt.

My friend, Rob, uploaded ride data from his Garmin here.