Prepping for a Century

It's been four years and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a cyclist.  A competitive one you ask, "no."

However, when I borrowed my first road bike to ride 50 miles up Mt. Spokane, I would forever be addicted.  You see Lance Armstrong was correct when he said "it's not about the bike" - it truly is about the journey.

As a child you learn how to ride a bike, in fact, once you learn how, it's something you never forget.  Training wheels were in order back then but now they have these clips and you clip in.  Terrifying you ask.  YES!  In fact, shortly after the Loreen Miller ride up Mt. Spokane, I purchased my very own Fuji - no, not an apple but it's red and crisp and she's gotten me through some tough falls, long rides and inclement weather.

When I first started out I didn't have clips - your shoe is literally clipped into your pedal.  Some folks ask me why I'd ever want to be attached so closely.  It helps with form, speed and after sitting on the seat for up to 10 hours, you would want them too.

I'll never forget when I first crashed.  A person never does.  It was approaching a city bus in downtown Spokane.  Two young men driving past me yelling obscenities and telling me to get off the road if I recall.  Along came a city bus, the STA, at the time it didn't stand for Spokane Transit Authority.  In my mind, STA was an acronym for Slow, Tease, Attempt.

You see, after my altercation with the two young men, I could hear the bus in the distance, I slowed.  Turned to look, ahhh, the bus was a block away.  Turned back and there it was...that quickly, on my left side.  It teased me.  I held my breath to attempt to unclip to stop for the bus and couldn't do it.  Yes, I fell into a water drain.  Thank goodness it wasn't open.  In any case, I had road rash for weeks.  

Once you fall, you get right back up.  Sure, there may be red substance on your body but it's the thrill of knowing you can ride again that keeps the adrenaline flowing and the blood to dry.

Other quick pointers to remember:

• Always carry snacks.  You should eat every 15 miles. My favorite you ask, almonds.
• My first seat was definitely for a man.  I had sores where you shouldn't have sores.  If you're a woman, invest in a woman specific seat.
• Always carry a one shot (I am not talking about an NRA card.  This is a one shot of juice for your tires - air that is).
• Carry a spare tube.  It helps for times when you blow your tire while riding over long bridges with grades.  This happened to me while crossing the bridge from Washington to Oregon in Longview.  Not too fun.
• Remember, you'll fall so get tough and always wear a helmet even if you're in your neighborhood.  A woman fell into me once while stopped on her bike.  Yes, I fell too.
• Along with that, clothes are key.  Jerseys, toe clip shoes, riding shorts (they'll feel like diapers), it's OK
• And finally, the outhouses (porta potties) are small.  Don't look down or in...ever.

Prepping for a century (or 100 miles - I had to learn that early on) is not like running where you add a mile at a time.  It's realizing that each mile has it's unique beauty, challenge and that you're one pedal closer to the finish.  I've ridden 100 miles, 210 miles and am now looking for a 300 miler.  The more you ride, the more you want to see.  From Seattle to Portland, the CdA trails, neighborhoods and back country, consider trying it.  And believe me, don't use a mountain bike.  They are too heavy and your body won't think kindly of you.

So, get up.  Get out.  Get on and ride. 

Bye for now.  I am meeting my friends for a 25 miler this morning. 

Takin' it on the road - 80s rock style

Friday afternoon, I hopped in my car and got out on the open road.  It was a planned trip, at least in my mind but when I hit the Tri-Cities, I took an exit instead of the road most traveled. I ended up pulling out my GPS, her name is Carmen.  Not to be confused with Carmen San Diego. Carmen is a gem.  She took me to a credit union. Thank goodness, I needed cash and when I looked over the parking lot, there it was, a McDonalds.  A little comfort food - can't go wrong with french fries.

I cruised back on Highway 395.

"We're headed for La Grande, Carmen."  I had never been there before, I don't quite know why.  Every radio station I turned to was 80's butt rock - I'm talking Dokken, Tesla and Quiet Riot.  The locals have one thing in common, cowboy hats and wranglers.

I hit a great basketball game at Eastern Oregon University (I may be bias), my adopted nephew, Anthony Brown, plays for the fighting Mountaineers.  A side note: It was coaches vs. cancer night so their mascot, the mighty Mountaineer had fake boobies and a pink t-shirt.  And, I do have to say, I like their mascot, he could climb with me up a mountain anytime.

The next day, I hit the local Starbucks ($2.45 for my soy steamer) and proceeded up the Blue Mountain range to Walla Walla.  The town they loved so much they named it twice.  Before I share that trip with you, I stopped at the Wild Horse Resort and Casino.  Mom, I promise I didn't gamble but I did use the facilities and watched the woman behind the counter selling plastic roses for Valentine's Day.  Believe it or not, they were almost sold out!

I made my way through Milton-Freewater.  A town with so many statues of frogs, I dreamt about Kermit that night (not Ms. Piggy...just Kermit).


I made it to the banana belt of Washington and the rolling fields of wine country...Walla Walla, it was a balmy 65 degrees.  There is a bit of controversy going on there...is a purple Octopus art or a sign?  I think it's only a sign if it was born in the astrological world of Sagittarius.  I'll go on record, even though I'm an outsider...this animal is a piece of art.  Take a peek:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012976429_apwagiantpurpleoctopus.html

I enjoyed the wine tasting and thanks to my friends who gave me several to visit but how can one get through 100 wineries in one Saturday?  You start with one and then come back for more.  Walla Walla knows how to create addict tourists.

I had lunch at Olive's, I promise I didn't drop anything in their kitchen from the cat walk above but it was quite fun to plot in my mind.

And, so, the tour begins, by the way, "it's hip to spit." 

Seven Hills was the first on the walkabout

Tero Estates

Flying Trout Wines

Don Carlo Vineyard and Locati Cellars

Rotie

Damnation - which isn't really the name (it's Da Ma) but these gals were fun.  I had to buy the Cowgirl Cab!  It was an excuse to get a red wine bag for another bottle I bought right before that visit.

Sapolil (with a little music from Portland, Oregon - Raleigh Tussing & The Diminished 7)

Vintage Cellars 

Oh, and believe it or not in between all of that I watched a roller derby - the Lilac City girls were there from Spokane (YES - a roller derby like the 70s) and a Whitman College basketball game.  Side note #2: The students have school spirit, they chant, "Missionaries, Missionaries, we're on top!"

After all that, I had a suite reserved at the Marcus Whitman.  Ready for some Zzzzz.

Next morning, I walked to the local Starbucks, $2.99 for my iced soy and I'm on my way.

Of course, I hit the one light in Dayton and had to stop for a tractor...no kidding.

And my friends, there's nothing like eastern Oregon and eastern Washington.

Starbucks Soy Steamers - deal? no deal?

Most of you know by now, I am vegan.  Vegan is defined as:  the practice of eliminating the use by human beings of non-human animal products. AKA - no dairy!

I love a jaunt to the local coffee bar.  I love the atmosphere.  I love the camaraderie. In fact, I've chosen a drink that pretty much feels my inner spirit of a coffee drinker...a soy steamer.  You heard it correctly, steamed soy milk.  Yes, it's quite simple, steamed soy.

If I was to go into the grocery store and buy a half gallon, it would be $2.37.  Yes, you heard me correctly, $2.37 for a half gallon but on my many travels particularly from Portland, Oregon to Spokane, Washington - many times between 2007 and 2009, I've ordered these scrumptious drinks and have been appalled and somewhat amazed at the price difference I've been quoted at the counters of Starbucks by the Barista's for a grande and sometimes a tall soy steamer.

Most of the time, when I pull up to the drive thru, like the other day at a Post Falls, Idaho Starbucks, the person on the other end says, "huh, what, can you repeat that?!"  Granted, it's not a coffee or a half frap, minus whip with a shot of decaf double and a sprinkle of chocolate but heck it's a soy steamer.  Again, fairly simple.  When I drove up to the cashier, I couldn't believe my receipt, $4.37.  WOW.  Those Idaho folks, they know how to maintain their dairy farms.

The Barista always says, "so, you'd like a soy latte?" "No." I'd say, "I would like a soy steamer."  Sometimes, when I'm feeling frisky, I order a soy steamer with a shot of sugar free cinnamon dolce.  That really get's them.  Most of the time I hear, "so, you'd like a soy with a double pump of a cinnamon dolce latte."  Again, I repeat, "no."

So, I decided to test the water of our local Starbucks to see what they charge for a tall soy steamer.  I think you'll find it comical and somewhat sad.  BTW, I have the receipts.

Portland Starbucks - $2.45

Hillsboro Starbucks - $3.15

The Dalles Starbucks - $2.75

Kennewick Starbucks - $3.15

Ritzville Starbucks - $.75 (YES, .75 cents)

Spokane Starbucks - $2.45 but it can range in this city from $1.50 to $3.50

Liberty Lake Starbucks - $2.45

Post Falls Starbucks - $4.37