Redmond Cycling Club Blog

Soggy Soggy

As I promised, I geared up and drove down to Olympia Saturday morning to do the Millersylvania ride. When I reached Tacoma the rain started coming down in torrents. I was having trouble staying awake, and it was raining cats and dogs, so I pulled off at an exit to take a nap, figuring that this one wasn’t going to happen. After a refreshing 40 minute nap, my cell phone rang. It was Sylvia. She asked me where I was, and I replied sleeping at Fort Lewis. Turns out no one wanted to do 85 miles in this slop and they were thinking of breakfast. I suggested she call me back when they decided, and went back to sleep. Forty minutes later we communicated again, and I got directions to the New Moon cafe in Olympia. So I joined them for a nice breakfast, which was attended by most of the RCC High Command. Boothby was noticeably absent, and I concluded that he was probably off riding in the downpour.

Herky Jerky

Well, this was the most disjointed ride I think I’ve ever been on. My apologies to everyone. I arrived at Red Hook to find a few Rabbits and no Laughers. That changed pretty quickly as they poured in moments later. We ended up with about 20 or so riders. The usual suspects appeared, including the Return of the Littlest Goose. The route was a pretty ambitious one, devised by David, with lots of climbing. I had mentally made numerous changes to eliminate gratuitous suffering. It turns out I made a whole lot more later on.

Meanwhile, David the Deranged (I’m still not sure that this guy is actually David, but the Rabbits keep sniffing his butt and proclaiming him genuine) organized a Brisk group. Prior to the ride, the Chick asked if this was a trick. Of course it was. Reports from the front indicate that no Briskness took place. I offered the stronger looking Laughers the opportunity to ride with the Brisk group but got no takers. After explaining to people that the Baroreceptor Rebellion of last week was likely to recur, we set off on River Road. We followed the planned route until the time came to ascend the hill behind the Seattle Times. I didn’t like the look of that and headed up 35th instead. Along the way Danny flatted and told us to go on, which we did. I regrouped people at the top of that climb and stopped. At that point I realized that I needed to be laying on the ground, right away. So I did so. Someone took my pulse and said, “weak and thready, rapid, shocky”. Yep the Baroreceptors were up to their old tricks. While this was going on Agent Louise presented herself and showed a swollen gland, asking for permission to retire on medical reasons. This was granted. Meanwhile, my team of medical advisors was recommending a similar retirement. Being a Gosling Leader, I of course ignored their entreaties. Good sense does not run in Men.

Once we saddled up again, we headed off up the Interurban route. I kept it easy and it was quite nice. Not fast enough for some people, but good nonetheless. On Jewel road Kristie experienced a flat/cut sidewall. We stopped while she pumped up. It was clear a new tire was in order. We crossed Rt 9 and went down to Broadway, then up to the park in Maltby. Here Kristie changed her tire, with much discussion. I decided that going over to Duvall and flaming out was not a good idea, and so adjusted the route enough to give everyone plenty of climbing and still stay close.

We meandered over to Paradise Lake road and were just starting down when we heard “Flat!” again. Steve had flatted a sew-up. I figured this wouldn’t take long, and so sent half the group on and went back to check on Steve. That looked like all was well so I took off on Paradise Lake road. The weather had somehow gotten really nice by now, and it was a lovely jaunt. I waited with the others for a good while until the rump group appeared. Apparently there was trouble with the valve.

We set off on Woodinville Duvall for Old Woodinville Duvall and 232nd. Dan and Pam, sweeping (thank you!) and Kristie turned off on Mink as Pam’s ankle was bothering her. Meanwhile, we ambled up Old Woodinville-Duvall in bright sunlight at a very pleasant pace. Over the top and off on 232nd, where we regrouped. Steve R said he had a new way up Trilogy that bypassed the 10% grade, and I said, lead me to it, which he did. Turns out you turn right instead of left at the intersection, then go left on Sunbreak Way, gradually uphill. Follow that until the road turns left to become NE 126th; from there, right on 232nd and follow it around as it curves past the golf course and joins up at the round-about at the top. Gradual climb, no cars, peaceful, What’s not to like? Kudos to Steve for finding it. The Laughers all pronounced it great.

A brief stop at the Starbucks, where we had a Dottie and Orin sighting, then off down Novelty Hill. Steve turned off to head home. We turned in at 206th and bumped our way down the bridal path, and I counted beaks. No Princess. And a footman was missing. I called the Princess and left a message. We waited for a bit and then left, figuring Mark, the footman, could lead her back to the fold. As an aside, he had spotted a small, rusty crescent wrench on the side of the road, and they stopped to claim it, which is why they missed the turn. I didn’t figure I needed a corner person on a downhill. We headed out and took the back road between Novelty and Union Hill roads, where Lynn peeled off for home, then looped under the highway and picked up the trail by Redmond Town Center. After that it was just slog into the wind to the barn.

We arrived at the Hook as Rabbits were arriving; it was a big mish mash. Dan, Pam, and Kristie had already secured a table, so we joined them and had a pretty big crowd, including bleacher seating. Many lies were told, especially about Louise and David, who were not there.

Overall, very nice weather, somewhat compensating for the slop of the day before. 47 miles ridden at a moderate pace (really!).  Next week, antihypertensive pills after the ride and we’ll see if that improves things, although I seemed to get better as the day went on. Adaptation, maybe.

Bill

Baroreceptor Rebellion!

Well, we then set off up Hollywood Hill to start our adventure. My doctor had recently (Thursday) doubled the dose of my ACE inhibitor, so I was a little worried about how this ride was going to go. Hollywood went fine, and we all felt a little overdressed. We dropped down to Avondale and went out Mink and Woodinville Duvall where it started to rain. Dan elected to bail once the rain started, so we lost him. We pedaled up West Snoqualmie in a light rain, enjoying the lovely spring weather. I should add that there was an incipient rebellion by the Laughers once it started to rain, but I mollified them by telling them we would skip Wagner if it kept raining. Soon enough we were at the Starbucks, where we found Dottie and Orin. They soon left to explore and I sat down to rest. I’d gotten some much needed help pulling from Agent Louise, as I was feeling none too good.

After our break, we headed to Snohomish by the old road. Louise and I traded pace and we kept a nice paceline all the way. I was beginning to feel pretty odd by now, odder than usual, at any rate, and asked for a stop in Snohomish. While I was waiting with my head between my knees, waves of Wascally Wabbits went past us, in ones and twos with no discernible organization. PPG and the Princess headed off early, then the rest of us left. I decided that taking it easy was the right choice, and so ambled up Broadway. When it rains, it pours, and I flatted over the top going in to Cathcart. I fixed the flat but felt pretty bad, and was a little (make that a lot) lightheaded. So I sent the rest on while I laid down. Eventually, all of the receptors got their act together and I was able to pedal slowly up the hill with the Chick, who stayed behind to adjust meds.

We stumbled into Red Hook in time for some beer and good conversation. NB- they’ve raised the price of beer; adjust your contributions accordingly. A good ride, the weather, not bad, and a nice stay together group.

I noticed that the Not-David showed up again, impersonating David. The Laughers were not fooled, but the Rabbits all went over and sniffed him and thought that it was the same guy. Who knew?

On the way out to the cars I remarked —-anecdote redacted—–

So, see you next Sunday, and here’s hoping that those baroreceptors will be better behaved. Oh, and the new COGS jersey worked out fine, as it got pretty darned cold out there.

Bill

Dancing on Ice

Yes folks, the Dancing on Ice stars appeared at Red Hook this morning to debate riding. I had come from the south, where West Lake Samm was a sheet of ice on the bike lanes, and anything above lake level was icy. Krazy Kole pedaled down from the north, and said it wasn’t too icy. All around us the hills were alive with the sight of snow, so enthusiasm was not high. I arrived early, found only David there, then got a call from the Czech Chick, saying she hadn’t set her clocks forward. I told her to wait at home, because riding was not high on the list today. Eventually we had PPG, the Princess, Michael from New Hampshire, The Guy with the Accent, Dotnook, and Agent Louise. The last three appeared in street clothes. I appeared in my brand new COGS jersey, which Agent Louise assured me would update my style sense, and intimated other, more tangible benefits would soon follow. None of these have yet materialized, so I’d advise you guys to get it in writing.

So we went to Tulley’s, and settled in for an hour of spirited discussion (actually ringing condemnation) of the XXXX training the ride leaders had endured the day before. Then we started to discuss motorcycle cornering, four wheel drifts, flogging 911s at the race track, that sort of thing. Meanwhile Dottie, Erika, Louise, and Pete (who was late, as usual) were gossiping about something.

After an hour of lounging, the Rabbits leaped up and decided to ride. Since I have been sick the last few days, I opted to go shopping. Agent Louise showed me her back wheel, which was behaving badly. I looked it over and diagnosed a bad bearing. She headed for Samm Valley Cyclery. PPG and the Princess actually went riding, somewhere. I dropped by Sammamish to slip the mechanic $5 to tighten up Agent Louise’s brakes and bearings to wear her out, but he had already finished- opportunity lost!

So that’s how it was. I’m now going to curl up in bed and try and get well.

Remember next week we ride Roller Coaster on Saturday. Details to follow.

Bill