Seattle Snohomish Monroe Woodinville Seattle

We went on a really long ride today. We were really happy to have it be mostly dry even though it was supposed to rain most of the day. We headed up to Snohomish and tried to watch the time trial but they seemed to be already done. So we doubled back and then stopped in at the Snohomish bakery. Mick and Martha were there so we enjoyed some tasty treats with them. It's fun to see other riders when you stop along the way.

Then we went out to Monroe and back up Welsh hill. Benjamin, our new rider rode up the hill in his big ring. Except he didn't want to. He broke a cable and was forced to push a big gear. I think he will be feeling that later!

I felt much better than yesterday and this time didn't need a ride home despite riding somewhere between 80-90 miles. It helps to have breakfast!

I recorded the part of the ride after Snohomish. Just as I was heading up the last hill it started to rain. Glad to have missed it!

Snohomish to Seattle

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Sprints and Valleys

Annette and Leina - the new kits look great!

It was so sunny on today's ride! We were getting hot and taking off layers. It was cold at the start though - 32 degrees at my house when I got up. We met at the Starbucks in Kenmore and then headed out through Woodinville to the Snoqualmie Valley. We found a flat road and did some sprinting drills. It was good practice and I think we got the newer riders a good idea of what a sprint feels like at speed.

The hard part was getting back home. I joked with Annette that we should take the flat route home. Of course I knew that to get out of the valley would not be flat. I was doing OK but then we took a short cut and hit some more hills and I realized that I didn't eat enough after the sprints. I burned calories at a much higher rate and wasn't keeping up I also didn't have time for breakfast which didn't help. I "rode" to the ride so I had an extra 10 miles on everyone too. The last hill up Woodinville-Duval road seemed to take forever. When my teammate Heidi offered me a ride home in the car I gladly accepted. I still got in 60 miles!

Ames Lake Union Hill

http://www.bikely.com/

Team Party at the Garage

We handed out our new kits for the season at our team party at the Garage. It was fun and we had a really good turnout. I'm excited for the season to start.

We had pizza, drinks, and pool! Annette was very excited after she made this shot.

Jennifer, Annette, and Ron

Sharon and her boyfriend Steve.

These are the gals who raced cross last fall, Jodi, Michelle, Sharon, and Catherine. I think they will be out for some road racing too and maybe some track if I can convince them.

Last Sunday TT prep

Last Sunday I did my first indoor TT. I am a bit down on where on should be for power but I figure it takes a bit for the muscle memory to kick in. I averaged about 200 watts. I hope to get in at least on more TT before the Icebreaker TT next Sunday. It felt good to crank out the interval though.

New Kit Preview

We got a preview of our new team kit yesterday. We will all get our new kits this Wednesday but for now Catherine had the only new kit since she organized the order. The kit is designed by our new sponsor Blue Rooster. We are so excited to sport the new colors. I think they look great. The blue is a very bright bright shade and I think it will still be easy to see. We need to get the matching helmets now. I should have more pictures of the new kit soon! I can't wait to get mine.

We had a nice ride out to the Cedar River via May Valley. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Cedar-River-Loop

We rode the route the opposite direction than we usually do so we came back along the Cedar River. The river was really pretty. It looked like there might be glacial melt in it because it was a really bright blue. It sparkled in the bright sunshine. It felt good to be outside again - I'm mostly over the cold I got a few weeks ago.

Kevin Black Memorial Ride

My teammates and I went together to the memorial for Kevin Black. I was amazed at the number and diversity of cyclists and surprised to see so many kids. The event was really well organized with a lead car, follow car, and corner marshals to keep the road open for us. It was a nice day too but a little cold when it clouded over. I think it meant a lot to his family to see us all there supporting them.

Afterwards we road up the newly reconstructed golden gardens hill. I felt pretty stiff. I haven't been riding because a cough is keeping me from getting enough rest.

Here is the link with some video of the big group:

http://www.myballard.com/2009/02/08/bicyclists-ride-in-blacks-memory/

Sad News

I was very sorry to hear about the cyclist killed in Ballard this week. I did not know him but he was a member of the racing community. We all feel the loss.

I go by a spot on my commute where a cyclist was killed a few years ago and there is still a memorial for him. I wish him peace when I go by and ride just a little more cautiously.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008713450_bikevigil06m.html

The South End and Mercer

There was some ice on the road on our Saturday ride. I didn't see it but one of the other teams had a crash on a road that we were on. We found out at the coffee shop so decided to stay out of the hills. We did the south end of the lake and Mercer Island. We had some good rotating paceline practice on the island. We had a random guy ask to ride in the group so that gave us practice handling a new person who didn't quite get the drill at the start. I took a picture at the break but I think the lens was covered with dew because it didn't come out very clear.

I took a day off on Sunday to get over a cough. I missed riding with the girls though!