Montreux! Cascade Group Ride, April 18, 2023

 On an unseasonably cold and windy Tuesday morning, 3 riders joined me in a short Free Group Ride ride from Redmond to climb Montreux hill by Issaquah. While we had a stiff headwind heading out south from 60 Acres Park, we were delightfully surprised by being sheltered from the wind as we rode on W Lake Sammamish Parkway as the hillside appeared to have protected us from the worst of the wind.  Montreux itself was as challenging for me as I remembered it could be. However, there is a top and we finally reached it for our coffee stop on Lakemont; and, we carefully selected our timing to be inside when a fierce rain squall rolled through the area!  Returning via Bellevue, we had a delightful tailwind. We stopped on the Redmond Connector Trail to check on the eagles - and one was in the nest (we could just see the white of its head)! In the photo, the nest is pretty much directly above Karil in the distance. A solid ride today although the conditions felt more appropriate for mid February rather than mid April! 

 

Rainy Sunday Again! Just a short trainer ride indoors. April 16, 2023

 Another yucky rainy Sunday. I hated to cancel our weekly ride but the other Moderate paced Ride Leaders all agreed we should cancel as I did too. The Steady paced group Ride Leader wanted to try his ride - only 4 other riders showed up and they did a very rain shortened ride. There will be better days to ride.

Lacking a bit of motivation, I only cranked out a little over a half hour of work but that should set me up to be well rested for Tuesday’s planned ride up Montreux in Issaquah….at least I hope it does!  Still we had fun day with The Bride so all was not lost!

Cascade Group Ride, April 14, 2023

 Christine has re-started the weekly Friday group ride, FRUMPS (Friday Rides for Unemployed Merry Pedalers), which went into abeyance somewhere in the pandemic.  Today was the first ride of the new version of the old series.  It was also a route I wanted to jump onto since it used some streets on which I wasn't familiar and could use for future group rides heading north from Woodinville. 

We caught a sunny day and, despite my concerns, I wasn't actually overdressed despite the solar heating. Since I usually can't ride on Friday mornings due to a standing Bridge Game commitment, this was a bit of a treat for me as my partner for the regular Friday game wasn't able to play today.  It turns out I will have a few extra Fridays coming up for rides as he will be gone a fair bit on travel.  Lucky me - more rides and I don't have to travel!!

Our route headed north and Christine asked me to lead the group up the first (and really only) hill which seemed to go on forever.  It was good that the hill was at the start although several of the usual riders can crush me on the hills.....but they were nice to me today!  My ego says: "Thank you!"

Coffee/Snack stop at Mill Creek Shopping Center which makes a pretty cycling stop at least during the week.  It might get crazy on weekends.

 

At the start:

 

Bikes scattered around the tables at the coffee stop:

The group getting ready to head back:

Route du jour:

Cascade Group Ride, 2023 April 12

 I joined a mid-week Cascade group ride to help support a mentoring ride for a new Ride Leader candidate.  She did great and I presume she will be approved shortly!  Yay!

We did a short loop around Lk Sammamish on this very sunny but still a bit windy and chilly day....and I was generally good and stayed with the group although it was tempting on this sunny day to let loose and take a flier on the long stretches of road!  But we didn't go rogue today!

Coffee/snacks stop at PCC in Issaquah - great selection of goodies!!

Parking the bikes!

Over my right shoulder is an eagle's nest - you can just see the white head of what I think is the female. I think because this is the third time I have seen someone in the nest this last week. Perhaps she may be sitting on some new eggs!?!

A little closer shot of the nest with the white head just sticking up if you look very closely.

Route du jour

Scout Ride, April 11, 2023

 Took a chance on the weather forecast and we rode in cold and windy conditions but without a single raindrop!!  Surprising to all of us!

5 of us pre-rode the route scheduled for Sunday April 16 as I wanted to confirm some details and also familiarize another Ride Leader on the route info.

Mostly uneventful riding although the big surprise was seeing a herd of elk outside of the Carnation Farms by Carnation, WA!  It was like being back in Yellowstone National Park!!

 

 

 

And yes we also had blue sky and sun....at least for a while! 

 

Easter Day Intervals, April 9, 2023

 Very rainy day - canceled scheduled rides as all affected ride leaders agreed! 

Just more zone 4 intervals done while watching an old Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves movie, "Speed" - actually pretty fun adventure flick with Jeff Bridges and Dennis Hopper!

 

And just to put Easter in a dog's context.....

Cascade Group Ride, April 4, 2023

 

Our ride was up north by Snohomish and Everett - areas I want to learn better.  This was a weekly TREATS ride so way more social than performance oriented! 

 

However, we woke up to ice/hail on our back deck.....this is April.....we need some warmth!

 

 However, it was a sunny day and slowly warmed to be only cold....and not freezing!

Wally led us a true Steady paced ride - very nice countryside and I liked how he navigated through Everett to get to Legion Park.   All in all, a fun ride with a great bakery stop in Snohomish at the end!