Anne Marie McSweeney

(Anne Marie in Blue)

Lost a friend today.
Anne Marie McSweeney was a very active cyclist with a zest for life.
In April I was her roommate at PAC TOUR Desert Camp and was looking forward to many more adventures with her.

Sometimes you just connect with people - I knew Anne Marie through my cycling club for several years and saw her go through some tough times including a very bad break up. I also suffered a very bad breakup and she was there for me - knowing what I was going through.

Anne Marie was just now starting a new relationship with another friend of of mine and the hopes all of us had for that relationship were so bright. They both deserved the Happiness that was going to come their way and now it won't.

I'm going to miss her and will think of her often.
Something quirky about Anne Marie - she had full on conversations in her sleep that you were able to follow if you listened. I listened and laughed about this goofy habit.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and boyfriend. We will all miss you.



Anne Marie McSweeney

Born Sept 23, 1961

Anne Marie died in an auto accident in Klamath Falls, Oregon on June 24,
2006.

Anne Marie was the daughter of Ed and Violet McSweeney of Newhall. She is
survived by her parents, her 4 brothers, her 2 nieces and 3 nephews. Anne
Marie lived in Bend, Oregon, where she had moved after a long career at
Microsoft.

Anne Marie was an avid cyclist and community volunteer. She was passionate
about touching the lives of those near to her. She will be remembered for
her selfless commitment to her family and friends. She will be dearly
missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Anne Marie's honor to

Memorial and Honor Program

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105
www.stjude.org

A rosary (beginning at 10:00 am) and funeral mass (beginning at 10:30 am) in
celebration of Anne Marie's life will be held on Friday, June 30 at

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
23233 Lyons Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91321

After the funeral mass, graveyard services will be held at the San Fernando
Mission Cemetery.
11160 Stranwood Avenue
Mission Hills, CA
(818) 361-7387

There will be a reception from 2:00 to 4:00 at the McSweeney Family home at
Newhall, CA 91321

Eastern Washington Tour - Winthrop to Chelan

After surviving yesterdays climb fest today's ride was much more sane. But I choose to kick it up a notch. I got a late start due to the long line at the espresso stand. The woman in front of me bought 6 espresso's for everyone back at the house. So I tucked my bottle of sports drink in my jersey pocket and put the espresso in the bottle cage. After getting caffinated I caught up with the group. I couldn't seem to get happy with any group I was riding with and wanted to go just a bit faster so moved from one group to another. I spent about 20 minutes trying to bridge to the ride leaders tandem but couldn't close the gap since the territory was either flat or down hill.

Eastern Washington Tour - Grand Coulee to Winthrop

After a nice overnight in Grand Coulee, todays ride took us to Winthrop. Winthrop is a very cute tourist town in the Cascade Mountains. The ride took us over Disautel Pass ( Elevation: 3252ft) and Loop Loop Pass (Elevation: 4020 Ft) we covered close to 100 miles so I made it an even 100. Tonight we found some awesome BBQ to eat at Heenan's Burnt Finger next to the Cascade Inn where were staying. The restaurant had a great deck with a view of the Methow river, Red Tailed Hawks raising their young and even had a singing cowboy.

Eastern Washington Tour - Chelan to Grand Coulee

Yesterday my friend Ruth and I drove over to Chelan to join an organized 3-day bicycle tour. I made a quick stop before leaving to get a stem change on my Airbourne. I recently had the stem changed on my Co-Motion and found that I really liked it. Alas turns out I was in a hurry and did not tighten down the bike enough. About 30 miles from our destination we heard a loud thwack on the roof of the car. A quick look up confirmed our fears the bike was now horizontal on the car instead of vertical. Luckily it was still on the car and we were able to pull over and right it. I breathed a loud sigh of relief. When we reached Chelan - the bike no go. When it had tipped over the rear wheel had taken the worst of the tork and was now hideously out of tru. I made a quick phone call to Pedal/Paddle and they were closing for the day. The owner took pity on me and agreed to open the shop early for me. I met him there at 8:00 am - and was out of the shop by 8:30 am - he was able to get the rear wheel back in tru but a new rim should be put on the bike.
I was sagged up to the first water stop in Pateros so I would not be the lantern rouge all day. From Pateros we rode to Grand Coulee. Beautiful riding through cherry orchards
We spent the night at the Columbia River Inn. This hotel was great - when I arrived at the Inn I was drenched from riding the last several miles in a rain storm. I quickly changed and found myself in the Hot Tub being rained up having a Pabst Blue Ribbon. Not a bad way to end a day of bicycle touring.

Focus on the Tandem

The Tandem showed up in the apartment on February 14, 2005 - yep that's right my sweetie got us a bicycle built for two on Valentines Day. Also a very cute book called Once Upon a Tandem completed the gift. The tandem had been spotted on Craig's list back in November of 2004 unknown to me it had been purchased and stashed to be brought out at a later date. Last year we had the bike out on the road one time and we discovered that the handlebars are too low for the Captain (aka T-Rex) so it needed the stem changed out before we got it back out there. Yes I know its now June of 2006 but last year was hectic and the start of this years cycling season found us riding our singles on a few brevets and a fleche. The tandem also had been stashed in a friend's garage so was out of sight out of mind. Next month is the Northwest Tandem Rally in Corvallis Oregon so it's time to work on the bike and get her on the road. We retrieved the tandem from the garage on Sunday only to discover that our friends garage was no the best place to stash the bike - the captains pedals are green with a science experiment and both leather brooks saddles have mold under them. We installed the new stem, wider handlebars, new rim strips and new tires on Sunday. We still need to replace the cables, housing, install new stoker bars, new stoker stem, and new fenders and wrap the handlebars. The bike is now locked up tight in the bicycle storage room at the condo - among the neglected campus bikes and old folk cruisers. I once had parts taken off a bicycle when I stored it in there instead of in the condo so I'm a bit leery of leaving it in there but schlepping a long bike up and down the stairs is not fun and frankly I don't think there is room in there.

About the bike:
1984 Silver Santana Sovereign
Strong light cranks with 1/2 Step gearing
27" 6 speed Phil Wood 48 Spoke Wheels
Suntour Shifters and Derailleur
Nitto Dirt Drop Stem Nitto Dirt Drop Captain Handlebars
Brooks Saddles - Captain Hunter Green Professional - Stoker Sprung B17