Tour of Two Parks

This is one of my favorite Freeland rides. Tour of Two Parks. Here's how it looks on Stava.


The first park is the Freeland park. I spent plenty of time here bushing my children on the swings and lounging on the beach in the sunshine.










The second is Double Bluff. A very popular beach and off leash area for dog walkers. 

Three Rides

I've done three rides sense my late post. We are having some beautiful spring time weather the last few days and I'm taking advantage of it.  Here are the rides.




This ride took me out Saratoga Road from Langley to Lone Lake Road. Great views looking north up through Saratoga Passage.

 One hill of note on this ride.


Only averages 3% grade, non the less, it is still challenging. It one of those hills where you find a nice gear and keep your R's up. By the end of the climb you welcome the down hill section just before Putney Woods.

The next ride was a short ride into Langley. It was all I felt as if I could do after the weekend.



Today I did this ride.


I'm finding that I prefer to ride into Langley on Wilkinson Road rather than Langley Road. Less traffic and nicer views. Hill of note on this ride is Campbell Road.


I personal rate this hill the toughest hill climb on the south end. I've meet folks who have come to Whidbey just to train on this hill for their up come rides and races. If you like to climb Whidbey Island has a hill climb for you.

Tour of Two Towns Clinton-Langley w/ Max Return

Two rides in two days. Again I'm feeling lucky to have the opportunity to ride two consecutive days with the way the weather has been this spring. The weather man is talking about this April being one of the wettest in a long time. Here's the ride for today.


The hill climb of note on this ride is the



Don't let the 8% average grade fool you. This hill is has steep as 12% in places. The lead up to this hill from highway 525 to the bottom of the Mur de Bob is an undulating road with two small hill climbs with has much has 13% grade. These hills tend to soft the legs up just before the Mur de Bob. If you like to climb and suffer I highly recommend the Mur de Bob.

Max-Langley-Willie w/Cultus Bay Return

Got a ride in today. The sun was shining nicely but still a little chilly out there.

Super Fast !!

Worked out on the rollers the last couple of days. I'm feeling stronger and faster but I'm not on these guys level. I can't decide weather this is for real or is the play back sped up?

Hazards: Saratoga Road from Strawbridge to DeBruyn Ave

This stretch of road just outside of Langley is very hazardous. Pot holes and cracked pavement along the way. Going into Langley is particularly bad because you'll be going down hill into town. Coming upon this unsafe area unaware, and with speed could prove to be perilous.

Here's a sample of what it is like all along the way. I'm hoping the road crews are plan on resurfacing this road soon. In the mean time be careful out there.

Fausto Coppi

I recently used this picture of Fausto Coppi, on the right, as my cover photo on my facebook page Racer's Edge Boards and Bikes.  Fausto Coppi is considered to be one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Won the Tour de France twice, the Giro d'Italia five times. He was world champion, won Paris-Roubaix as well as La Flèche Wallonne.

I've compiled some links for those interested in Coppi's life and career.

Fausto Coppi-Wikipedia

Fausto Coppi: the triumphs and the tragedies

Fausto Coppi Photo Gallery

  Fausto Coppi

Tour De France 1953

Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali 

Brooks Hill

I was lucky again today to get a ride in between rain storms. First time climbing Sills Rd. and Brooks Hill this year. I was happy with how well I did on these hills. I will admit I have always had trouble on the bottom part of Brooks Hill. It’s not that steep but for some reason I struggle with it. I seem to do better and I am certainly more comfortable when I get about half way up where it starts getting steeper. I’m not sure why maybe it’s where I get into a good rhythm. Here’s what the route looks like.

Recovery Work Out on the Rollers

Nice weather three days in a row is too much to ask for this time of year. Sense I'm a fair weather rider I did a recovery work out on the rollers. I'm just not enthusiastic about riding in the rain with the wet pavement any more. I'm able to ride in the rain if I get caught in the rain, but I'm not going to look out the window, see that it is raining and say "Oh boy it raining. I'm going for a ride!" My legs welcomed the reprieve from the road. Staying warm and dry was especially pleasant. 

I created a new Facebook page to day Racers Edge Boards and Bikes. So like me on Facebook please!

I have no picture for todays post so I have inserted this picture of Laurent Fignon looking back at Greig LeMond. I love this picture. I can only imagine what they were saying to each other. 

The wind was blowing but the sun was shining.

The wind was blowing but the sun was shining. I feel lucky to get a ride in two days in a row this time of year. It was a welcome surprise when it cleared up this afternoon. Here's the ride for today.




One hill climb of note on this loop.


Here I am sporting my new Castelli perfetto gillet. I wish I would have bought one of this sooner. Its light weight, comfortable and keeps me warm without having to add a lot of layers.

First Ride of 2018

The First Ride!!!


The first ride of 2018 was lovely. It was great to be moving along checking out the scenery and breathing the fresh air. After being on the rollers all winter I was anxiously waiting for the day I could get back out on the road. The first ride makes you realize all the work you put in on the rollers and in the gym paid off.


I worked out at Family Care Fitness Center in Clinton from October to February. Building strength with some weight training. You know the formula, Strength - Stamina - Speed. I also did some rowing for the first time. I enjoyed rowing it was a great cardiovascular exercise and good for the abs.
Family Care Fitness Center is a great place. Inexpensive, helpful employees and friendly courteous people to work out with.