5 weekends, 4 rides, 3 events, 2 funerals and a wedding

Today marks Columbus Day.  I know this because I am fortunate enough to have today off.  I work in the financial industry and no, I'm not a high priced exec on Wall Street.

I had a post already to go yesterday and after an hour of writing, it was no where to be found.  Very similar to Christopher Columbus.  I was surprised when I clicked to Google this morning and they didn't have a picture of the man who looks like a woman or any of the apparati he may have used to navigate his expedition. 

According to Wikipedia:  he was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the Western Hemisphere. Those voyages, and his efforts to establish permanent settlements in the island of Hispaniola, initiated the process of Spanish colonization, which foreshadowed the general European colonization of the "New World."  

So, today, Columbus Day, is officially a day when the people of the USA are invited to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. Most celebrations are concentrated around the Italian-American community.  In Hawaii, Columbus Day is also known as Landing Day or Discoverers' Day. 

The last five weekends I have traveled on the road and was unable to blog.  I know some of you missed me, and I am sure many of you didn't but I thought it might be fun to share where I've been and the journey I took to get there. Let's call it, "My little Columbus Journey."

The last few weekends mark the end to summer and the start of the Fall season.  Why not start it out with a trip to Seattle?

• University of Washington vs. Eastern Eagles.  We showed up in full force that day in Seattle. Not only was it sunny, some say, the bluest skies are found in Seattle, but we fought hard and were just three points shy of coming out of Husky Stadium with a "W."   Go eagles!  I had some time to take in a few sites and cycled along the waterfront and the piers.

• Next up, another weekend on the coast to attend a funeral of a colleague from work and Lake Limerick to visit family.  My mom was a real trooper on this trip as I drug her to the North Bend Outlet Mall.  Thanks mom for going on another road trip with me (weeks prior we went to Tekoa, Washington for my 94 year old great aunt Fern's funeral.  A little known fact...my aunt is the reigning watermelon seed spitting champion (not in the Guinness Book of Records mind you but Tekoa). 

• A bachelorette party in Anaconda, Montana for my friend, Michelle, was on the docket for the following weekend.  Let's just say, "what happens in Anaconda, Montana stays in Anaconda, Montana.  One hint, it involved the electric slide."

• A quick visit six days later to Yakima, Washington for a bike ride and a winery visit to Windy Slopes.  Nice people there at Windy Slopes.  Mike and his wife, Liz, have created a well-liked and respected winery.  Mike brings more than 35 years of farming experience to the vineyard, along with a hard-earned reputation for producing fruit of the very highest standard. As the winemaker, Liz has worked hard to produce the best quality wine, which has been represented by the awards she has earned on her 2004 Syrah, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and her Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend, Exclamation Point! 

•  The summer wouldn't be complete without attending the actual wedding of my friend Michelle.  Michelle and Scott Morley were married on October 1 in a beautiful church, St. Timothy's, in Georgetown Lake, Montana.  The groomsmen wore kilts.  They told us they weren't baring it all however only one of them showed us his bloomers.  The bridesmaids (of which I was one), donned in crimson (in honor of the University of Montana Grizzlies - Michelle's alma mater).  It was tough to wear Griz colors but the dress was so darn beautiful, I was honored to do it.

And, so my adventures continue.  I am packing to leave for Washington DC tomorrow.  I won't be sailing the oceans blue like Christopher Columbus did but will be flying the friendly skies.

Take in the aromas of the season.  Enjoy the colors, the crisp nights and the beauty of your journey.

Wheelchair bound, anyone?

My mom and I traveled to Seattle this weekend.  We headed over for a quick trip; hit a funeral, visited relatives, saw an old college roommate and shopped the premium outlet mall in North Bend.  

My mom is 71 years old.  Her mind is keen and she is spry however she needs a hip replacement...about 10 years past due.  

I realize I am not the parent in this relationship but as her one and only limited edition (only child), I think it would be wise if she'd hang up the cane and either get a motorized scooter or invest in the 21st century tools available for ailing knees, hips and other body parts where they stiffen up and stop working after 4 pm.

I admire her tenacity and her ability to care for the elderly.  She volunteers four times a week for a senior care center and believe it or not, some of them can run, she, on the other hand cannot.  It happened several years ago.  I've asked her if she had polio as a child or if she was born with one short leg but she can't recall.  Did you fall?  Did you go to the doctor?  PS, she hasn't had a physical in 40 years.

On this very sunny day in North Bend, a community nestled under Mt. Si, mom and I were on a mission to shop.  I told her we'd check out a wheelchair.  "Really, I've never been in a wheelchair," she said.  "Well, you've never seen me power shop through a mall before either."  My mom eats really slow (great for digestion - not so great as a slow walker).  

I placed her in the wheelchair and we were off.  First stop, a nice undergarment shop.  The door (not wide enough for a wheelchair), needed to be open on both sides.  One of the nice attendants noticed we were having a bit of trouble and jumped to our rescue.  

This happened over and over again.

The aisles were narrow.  We were unable to navigate most stores. 

The parents with strollers.  Same thing.

Just a bit of advice store owners...we purchase items.  We stimulate the economy.

Why don't you accommodate for special needs?

All of us will have aging parents.  

Ask the question.  

"Mom, will you please get a hip replacement?"  I want you to walk on your own.  I don't want to place you in a stroller.  Your too old for that.

I will step down off my parent soapbox and say, "mom, I had fun."

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.