Brian on the snowy approach.
I have no idea, but it was funny.
I guess Brian isn't having as good a time as I am?
We ended up bagging the attempt and heading home early.
Local bike ride on Monday, but I'm planning to go climbing...damn.
I would really like to try to ride the 7 Hills of Kirkland (full century ride) on my singlespeed BUT it has no cranks!!!
DAMN, that would be such a fantastic challenge!
OK so my first attempt didn't work as well as I wanted...So, I'm gonna regroup and try again...Starting June 1st. Again, 100 days. This, frankly is even HARDER since I now am working. Oh, yea...that's right. I have a job.
I'm pretty much a lover of all wildlife...The super wild and the urban dweller. When we lived in Sammamish, a Flicker used to visit our house all the time (this was LONG before Fish Sauce) He was a loud bird, and I wasn't too upset when he quit visiting @ 6am.
HOWEVER, for the last 3 mornings, I am abrupted blasted out of bed (today it was about 4:50 am) by a neighborhood Stellar's Jay who decides he needs to scream at the top of his fucking bird lungs that he's awake and everybody else should be too....Little bastard. No point in trying to go back to sleep since when I am awake, Fish Sauce is awake too.
So Fab and I rode today...Good to get out on such a spectacular day. We rode the long route, which is about a 2 hour route...Woodinville Duvall Road, Ames, Union, Avondale, 132nd, Woodinville Duvall. Fab tells me this winter we rode it in 2:25. Today we rode in 1:53. Gotta admit, the single speeds (road and mountain) are certainly making a difference in my strength!
Without going into too many details, I decided it was time to work again. It was a good opportunity doing work that I enjoy (process engineering and work group restructuring) for a large IT support group and the most important things are it is for someone I like and trust.
I think it will be good.
So Brian and I drive up to the pass to look at climbing the tooth. Jesus, remember all the snow we had this winter? Uh, that shit is STILL UP THERE. We get there and it's cold and foggy and looks like winter...HELLO, IT'S MAY!
So we came back, and hiked mailbox peak off of exit 32.
Brian's ankle is still a little stiff, so he took longer to get down than I did. It was a nice day and the weather could not have been better.
So recently (ok it was 11 days ago) I decided I really needed a stretch goal towards my fitness. So I decided it was 1 hour of moderately hard exercize for 100 days. No breaks. No walking, no pussie crap. Activities that qualify:
DOES NOT COUNT
How am I doing so far? Eleven days in, and I've got about 17 hours of the above logged, with each and every day, at least 1 hour. I was feeling pretty wiped out a couple of days ago but took a easy ride on Thursday, and a lighter lifting schedule today, and I'm ready to go climbing tomorrow!
I went for an M-Cycle ride today. Weather was amazing....Picture perfect. Big puffy clouds, and blue sky....
Anyway, while waiting at a light, at an intersection near the downtown exhibition center, somebody took my picture.
Bizarre.
So in Washington you have to have your motorcycle endorsement. I don't, so I chose to take a class to get it. Basically it was 1 day (8 hours) of instruction, and about 12+ hours of ride on the range time.
This was a novice (beginners) class, but several people already had motorcycles, and only two of 18 had never been on a motorcycle to any great degree. Needless to say, most everybody did alright.
Yours truly got a 98% on the written exam (I missed one question that was worded funky) and a 99% on the riding range exam (missed the standard braking test by one foot. Needed to brake in 13 feet, I did it in 14. However the hardest part of the test was making a "S" in a painted box. I think of the 11 riders, only 2-3 made out with out going over the lines, or putting their foot down. Somehow I was able to squeek through.
So now I can go to the DMV and get my endorsement so I can ride legally. According to this class, only 15% of Washington riders have their endorsement. Hmmmm. Clearly this whole "endorsement process" is a rubber stamp for someone's benefit.
I think I will take a track riding class down @ SIR. That would help my riding, much more than riding in a painted box in a parking lot!
So my vanson showed up...Shit I totally look like BILLY BAD ASS. Pix later. Feels good to ride in more solid gear...Kinda like riding without a helmet. Just feels funny and exposed.
Do you believe I've had the bike 3 weeks and NEVER gone over 70 mph? Neither do I, but it's true! I've not had it in 6th gear yet.
So I'm thinking I want to go out for dinner, but go somewhere cheap and funky! Where do I end up? Pig Kitchen in Bellevue!!! That place is awesome.
So as I'm finishing up my dinner I notice folks had come from across the street @ the Bistro, and were admiring my bike. As I walk up the said "Oh this is yours..It is a very nice bike." Interestingly enough the woman was very well versed in Ducati. I learned her hubby had a 900.
She asked if I would start it up and I happily responded. As I hit the throttle, she let out this gasping screetch, like she's just shot her wad. Wow...
Then, as I ride around the block and back over to 8th street, I notice while @ the light, a guy totally staring at the bike....I finally look over and he says..."Nice bike." I give him a wave, and off I go.
Went to look at boots and gloves @ Eastside Motorsports. Got a decent deal on both and didn't even need to ask for it. Young guy helped me....Nice. Saved me a little more than our damned 8.9% tax rate. Shit everytime I buy something more than a hundred bucks, I get pissed, since almost 10 more goes to the state. Bastards.
So I bought Sidi boots (what else?) and Held gloves.
I seem to have done a US/Italy thing, lately.
I think it's kinda fitting of the nuevo retro thing. Best of breed, but classic.
As we get near Easter, it is easy to remind myself my "born again" status. My 3 year anniversary is June 10th. Wow, how blessed am I? If I think about it, I will cry.
Today, I took the beast for a little cruise....Wow...What a smile I had on my face! Been a while and I had complete forgotten how damned fun a motorcycle is. Excellent.
Folks milling around at about 8am.
Early morning climbers....There were some ladies with cameras taking photos. As one of the climbers peeled off the rock (it happens) she let out this squeal, not knowing he was top roped and totally safe....She was kinda big, and I thought she was gonna have a heart attack right there. :)
This is Mark, a EXUM mountain guide climbing the 5.12 something or other.
As Mark finishes the route, he does a pendulum swing over to the crack on his right, and feeds an additional rope through the anchors so we can climb the crack.
In the meantime, random people are hanging out, either waiting to climb or watching the masters.
This is Chris Linder (pro) climbing a nice little 5.10 route as a warm up. Chris is 23 and has been climbing since he was three years old. His dad was a climber, so that is where he learned.
This is Chris on the next route over a 5.12 or 5.13.
Chris again. When he's lowered to the bottom he says, in a dude type fashion. "Wow...I first climbed that route like 11 years ago. Wild." I'm thinking, Jesus H Christ...You were like 12 years old. For the record, I could sooner flap my arms and fly up that route than climb it. 
I try my own little magic....and have some success, but can't make the moves to top out.
By the look on my face here, I'm working hard.
Back on the ground.
I do the "shot" with Linder and I.
Later we get together for session two. Steve House is kind enough to belay for me, and I pick my way up an easy route. Brian, who blew his ankle @ Marymoor, is hanging out, watching the action. We have some epic climbs planned this summer....so his ankle better heal quick!
****
Later that evening, we're treated to a slideshow/video by Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden. Tommy climbed two routes on El Cap in one 24 hour period. As I recall, it was 60+ pitches. Those of you who don't know, a pitch is a segment of climbing where you typically swap leads, limited by your rope length, usually 50-60 meters or 150-180 feet. That much climbing is unheard of. That much climbing where portions are 5.13 are unthinkable. Most folks take days to get to the top of El Cap. Even if you CAN go in a day, running down to the bottom to then climb up ANOTHER route, and do that all night?
****
On a different note, I sought out Yvon Chouinard to tell him I loved his company and loved what he's done for the climbing community....With a big smile he graciously thanked me. I didn't want to bother the guy, so I quickly faded back into the banquet crowd.
So the American Alpine Club had it's annual meeting in Bend. Brian and I decide to kill two birds with one stone....Go down to this meeting (since it is driving distance) and look at the Ducati that was previously listed on ebay.
The AAC put on a pretty good weekend. Friday night was a slide show and presentation by Steve House and Vince Anderson on their recent (last year) climb up Nanga Parbat face in Nepal
Epic is so overused in today's climbing world...Hell I use it when I hike Tiger Mountain in my teva sandles...However these guys did this amazing route, in 6 days.
So I thought that I killed the motorcycle thing....it came back....can't shake it.....must have motorcycle....
This is a pic of Phil's motorcycle, the same model I desire....The Ducati 1000 Sport Classic, Paul Smart Limited Edition. I think I'm closer to getting one, I may have to Bend OR break....More details later.
Added to the collection:
Leathers - http://www.vansonleathers.com/images/new_products/CSR2.jpg
Brain Cover - http://www.araiamericas.com/helmet_details.asp?model=PROFILE
Booties - http://www.sidi.it/eng/motorcycle/art_d.asp?ATp_ID=M01&Art_ID=MVVERTIGOTE
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