2009

Every year when the new year rolls around I wonder what the new year will bring. Will I still be employed at the end of the year? Where will my oldest son live? Will my responsibilities at church still be the same? How many miles will I log on my bike? It’s always interesting to think where life will take you. In regards to cycling there are a lot of things that I’m really excited about in 2009. Here’s my list:

STP
This year Jenny, my oldest son, and I are planning on riding the Seattle to Portland ride. I’ve talked about this ride before. Basically, it’s a back to back century on consecutive days in July that takes you from Seattle to Portland. My brother has consented to ride with us as well. I’m also looking to recruit others to ride with us as well because:
A) the more the merrier
B) misery loves company
C) more people to draft off of
D) all of the above

If you’re interested let me know. (Rob and Jolyn – Hint, Hint)

Training for the STP
We will be registering for the STP early this year. Not because I’m overly organized or I like low bib numbers (people actually care about that – go figure) but because the second we register for an event I become obsessed with the need to train for it. This is really the fun part. I’m actually getting excited just thinking about the training rides. I’m looking forward to:
* Watered down Gatorade
* Cookies N Crème or Chocolate Power bars on a deserted road
* Riding by stray construction sites and spotting a much needed porta potty (you’d have to be there)
* Chamois Butter - This would get my vote as the eighth wonder of the world.
* Pre-Ride PB&Js – No matter how old you are these are just magically delicious.
* Getting a world class farmers tan on my arms and a matching tan from my lower ankles to just above my knees.
* Enjoying a draft after doing a good pull
* Post ride recovery drink of chocolate milk. It does a body good.

The Bike Expo
Every March the Cascade Bike Club puts on a huge bike expo in Seattle. It’s a blast to wonder around looking at the latest in bikes and gear and to talk to people about the upcoming organized rides in the area. Most of all I’m looking forward to this event because some of our bike bottles are getting to the point where they need to be retired. This is a sad occasion for me but a necessary one. I really like bike bottles. The other night I looked at the inside of one of our bottles and it had some form of growth in it. I love bike bottles but when it’s time to go it’s time to go. I’ve going to have to vote some of them off of the island. If we have another good year at the expo we could come home with a healthy addition to our strategic bike bottle reserve to more than make up for the retiring bottles.

Volunteering at the Tour de Cure and possibly LiveStrong Challenge
Last year we volunteered at the Seattle Tour de Cure ride and it was a lot of fun. I mean who wouldn’t want to hand out snacks to sweaty riders while sitting under the shade of a canopy. If you don’t ride this is the way to go. We even got to meet Greg LeMond as he rode through our rest stop. He was a pretty nice guy. This year I’d like to volunteer at the Seattle LiveStrong Challenge on Saturday. I’d much rather ride in the ride but since we don’t ride on Sundays volunteering on Saturday for the running race will have to do.

Riding with my buddies
This is what I’m most excited about. It’s riding with my buddies. Namely Jenny, Barry, Christine, Sam and Denise.

Let the good times roll in 2009!!!