Ride of the week 8/13 - 8/19 2018

Smoke Week 2018!!!

The ride of the week is Sunday's ride.

I started this ride at the boat lunch parking lot at Robinson's Beach in Freeland. Went to the end of Wahl Road, then down to Double Bluff Park and down and back on Shore Ave.
I was thrilled to ride on the new tarmac on Millman Road before crossing the hi way and going into Freeland. I then headed for Honeymoon Bay along Holmes Harbor passing Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and turning on to Honey Moon Bay Road.  Up past the golf course, down to Honey Moon Lake then back up to Classic Road. On to Resort Road and the queen climb of the ride Mur de Meerkerk. This is one of the toughest climbs on the south end.




The finale was the descent along the hi way turning on to Mutiny Bay Road and back to the parking lot.

Daily entry 8/19/18

I wanted to get another decent ride in before the smoke returned.  As it was, there was some smoke in the air. I could really feel it in the eyes and the lungs were a little raspy at the end of the ride.

I made another trip to the end of Wahl Rd. and went to the end of Shore Ave.  I don't normal ride on Shore Ave. Then rode on the newly paved Millman Road.  Hooray for new tarmac. I also made a trip out to Honey Moon Bay.  Then back to the Robinson Beach boat launch parking lot.

Daily entry 8/17/18

Went for a short one today.  I'm still filling a little fatigued from the work week.

Daily entry 8/16/18

No ride today.

I had no clean shorts or jerseys. I woke up late from my post work nap and had another hard day in the crawl space. This resulted in low energy and a lack of motivation. Listen to your body when its asking for a break.

Daily entry 8/15/18

Its still smokey.  I'm getting tired of the smoke.

Today I felt as if I hadn't recovered from yesterday's ride; and, I spent most of the day in a crawl space. Fatigued and sore I wanted to ride on a route that I know well, so as not to have to think about where I was going. Although I was beat I want to do 25+ miles.

Here's today's ride.

Daily entry 8/14/18

Another smoke filled sky for today's ride. It sounds as if the smoke will be with us for awhile.  I haven't felt any effects from the smoke other than dry mouth and a little bit of eye irritation. Still not the most favorable conditions for cycling.

As if the smoke was not enough I was stung by an insect on my ride. I caught a glimpse of it as it went under my chin and hit my chest. It was hot today so my jersey's zipper was open and of course it went right in. In a few moments it began to sting me. I pinched it with my thumb and index finger through the jersey. I then found a safe place to stop and removed it. The sting is still red and sore. 

I want to alert Whidbey cyclist that the Island County Road Dept. is doing a lot of road resurfacing on the south end. Watch for the loose gravel. I ran into some on Wilkinson Rd. today. There will be more before the summer is over.

Here is today's ride.

I did my traditional Tour of Two Towns Langley - Clinton until I reached Clinton. Instead of turning on to Dear Lake Rd. by the post office I continued down the hill to Humphrey Rd. and added the Orr Rd. and Heggenes Rd. climbs.

If you are cycling and see another cyclist give them a wave or at lest a head nod. We're all in this together.

Daily entry 8/13/18

I was told its good for your brain and helps you stay motivated to do different routes when you ride. Today I added a loop to a route that I do often.

The smoke is upon us.

Ride of the Week 8/6 - 8/12 2018

The Tour of Three Towns Clinton-Langley-Freeland is the ride of the week for a few reasons. Its a long ride for me with plenty of climbing and one that I have been thinking of doing for quite some time. More than this, the ride was done in the heat of the summer. Last year at this time I did a 38 mile ride in the heat and later passed out from dehydration. Since that time I have been nervous of riding in the heat especially one of any length. This ride shows that I've learned from my mistake. I now know how and how important it is to prepare for and recover from a long ride in the heat.

This weeks honorable mention is a ride my wife and I did together on the Sammanish River Trail. These casual rides are fun and relaxing. They remind my that bike riding isn't all about mileage and feet climbed. Cycling can also provide a means to spend quality time with love ones in a beautiful environment.

Daily entry 8/12/18

No bike ride today. I was too burnt out from the long anniversary weekend. We came home unloaded the car and took a nap. After the nap we just laid around and relaxed. Resting is part of training you know. 

Daily entry 8/11/18

We left Bothel for Anacortes hoping to get another bike ride in this weekend. Unfortunately the weather turned on us and we not able, rather unwilling to ride in the rain. Later in the evening when the rain subsided we walked almost six miles checking out the shops, restaurants and taverns of Anacortes. 

The view from the hotel. 

Daily entry 8/10/18

My wife and I enjoyed two nites stay at McMenamins Anderson School for our anniversary.  Its a lovely place in Bothel Washington. It has large luxurious rooms with very comfortable beds. They had free live music in the court yard both nights. Of course the biggest draw for us is the pool. Its warm, roomy and a great place to relax after a day in the saddle.

We started the day off with a good breakfast at  very reasonable prices at Steve's Cafe in down town Bothel. After breakfast we went for a bike ride. The Sammanish River Trail is a few bocks away from the hotel. The trail meanders along the river providing beautiful scenery. King county does a wonderful job of maintaining this trail. 

As you can see from the photograph we had an excellent day to ride. 

The Stava post for this tide.

Daily entry 8/9/18

Today I am celebrating my 32nd wedding anniversary.

Daily Entry 8/8/18

Today I braved the heat and rode a ride I've wanted to do for a long time.


I felt good most of the way around this loop. I was careful to stay hydrated and nibbled my Cliff bar occasionally to keep my energy up.

Two Water Bottle Weather