tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192160072024-03-07T01:04:49.238-08:00The Orangecomo AdventuresA Blog to track some of my Cycling AdventuresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-19653860370936208322012-04-04T17:41:00.001-07:002012-04-04T18:37:51.872-07:00Death Valley - March 2012<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangecomo/7037381361/" title=" "><img alt=" by orangecomo" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/7037381361_bed4b429e3.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangecomo/7037381361/"></a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangecomo/">orangecomo</a> on Flickr.</span></div>
So for the first time since Paris Brest Paris 2007 the Orangecomo was packed up for a trip. I signed up for this trip with <a href="http://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/tourdetail.cfm?id=303&t=EV12&p=3">Adventure Cycling</a> about 5 months ago thinking I would cycle through the winter and this would be a breeze. With a frozen shoulder, bad weather a bout of bronchitis, lingering grief and storagelockeritis. I did not get in any long rides before leaving on this trip. Muscle Memory is an awesome thing . . . This was a supported trip but we were discouraged from sagging. <br />
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I met up with the tour in Las Vegas - we vanned it to Parump where I assembled the OC - other then a missing spring from the skewer and somehow not packing my pump it was safe and sound since it had been inspected by TSA (they love to check out those <a href="http://www.sandsmachine.com/">coupled bikes</a>). We stayed overnight in Parump and cycled to death Valley on day two.<br />
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After we arrived at the Texas Spring Campground and set up tents, we headed down to the <a href="http://www.furnacecreekresort.com/">Furnace Creek Ranch</a> and got a quick swim and shower in before dinner which was cooked by my fellow cyclists. Little sleep that night was a wind storm swept through the valley and one of the campers did not have his tent fly pinned down it flapped like an aircraft engine all night.<br />
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In the morning we headed out for a different section of the park much further <strong>UP </strong>the park and at altitude. This was a challenging climb - I found myself counting milepost markers while checking out the scenery until arriving for the turnoff for Mesquite Springs campground. We took solar showers in the restrooms with one poor person getting too much of a view of one of the cyclists (the women set up in the handicapped bathroom) while the guys just had it hanging out there in the middle of the bathroom. Though a bit cold during the night (thanks to wool socks and handwarmers I was comfortable).<br />
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On day four we had more climbing to do out of the campsite and then further up the road to tour <a href="http://www.nps.gov/deva/historyculture/scottys-castle.htm">Scotty's Castle </a>- that place was an oddity in the desert and I was very glad to have the opportunity to see it. Unfortunately doing the tour got us back riding to Furnace Creek (Texas Spring Campground) much later in the day and left us vulnerable to heat and headwinds my non riding ass gave out about 20 miles from the finish after having ridden about 50 miles so I called it a day and took a lift to the campground which allowed me to get back in time for a nice swim at the Furnace Creek Ranch.<br />
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Day 5 was a rest day or optional riding day. I stuck with sight seeing and visited Dante's Viewpoint which gives you a fabulous view down the Valley and many of us did yoga up there with one rider showing us the dead bug or happy baby pose. Some of the riders had their bikes loaded on the van and had a stupendous fast descent - with switchbacks comparable to Alpe D'Huez in France. The rest of the day was spent in the pool and having a beer at the pub. My team was on dinner duty that night we made up some pretty tasty burritos and margarita's with thirst quenching limeade.<br />
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Day 6 found my team on breakfast duty so we got a late start after feeding the huddled hungry masses and making sure they had all packed their peanut butter and nuttella sandwiches. The riding was beautiful with a stretch going through the Badwater section of Death Valley but alas after going to 250 feet below sea level we would go to over 3500 feet above sea level. The 3500 foot climb became a bit too much in the heat and one of the other riders and I flagged down the van and got a lift up most of the climb just cutting off about 10 miles out of 75 mile day. Camping was at a small RV park that featured (yes another spring fed pool) so a not so quick swim was engaged in. We dined out tonight in Shoshone NV - it was the day of the half billion dollar lotto and the restaurant was close to being out of food due lotto madness - they had been swamped all day.<br />
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Day 7 found us back on the road to Parump - a very challenging 27 miles (there had been an option of a longer route also but I believe we were all starting to get rubber legged) we were still in a valley so much more climbing today. I suffered from the worst case of hot foot I've ever had on this day (and it hung around for about 4 more days even off the bike - new shoes? new insoles? more peddling so my stroke is again round as a clock not square?) I was glad it was a shorter riding day. We shuttled back to Vegas where I said goodbye to the group and headed to a hotel on the strip to spend some time with a college friend and get some good eating in. (Vegas has lots of the Top Chef restaurants)<br />
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Death Valley was gorgeous and I would love to ride their again in the future. The riding was challenging, traffic was low, the roads were good and best of all it was a great sunny getaway from Seattle in the spring with swimming to be had in a spring fed pool and no light pollution so you could see the Milky Way and all of the dippers.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-70286164871880075092011-03-18T14:56:00.000-07:002011-03-18T15:03:22.940-07:00GRAND FONDO SEATTLEOkay I'm registered and raising money now I just need to start riding my bike to get in shape for it. This year on my 44th Birthday I'll be doing a fundraising ride for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Survivorship Program. We spent alot of time at Seattle Cancer Center Alliance which is part of the Fred Hutch connection. We are so lucky in Seattle to have access to some of the best cancer care in the world. I can't imagine having to add the stress of traveling to the mix of dealing with cancer or not being able to travel and not get the best care available. SCCA was busy with families going through this journey in life called Cancer - some got lucky and made it through but will carry the cancer experience with them always - others not so lucky and now have a big chunk missing out of their lives So motivate me to ride and get back in shape and donate to the cause.<br /><a href="https://ssl.charityweb.net/echelongranfondo/seattle/amyharman.htm">Amy Harman Donation Page.</a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-44391158457309979862011-01-05T17:44:00.000-08:002011-01-05T17:59:28.164-08:00Kayaking in Belize<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0mAYD2kehidLP-K__qfg4tbdLJmaWyCfL0J1tJQUlnMyu-Bh_zHqdAlP950_WC7XpErITbXRX3jitM9SaJytccHiRQoQxukXvxTYcd6oQ9gmkDN4d96ReUwrX_Kjy_UEWRQAqA/s1600/P1000064.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558883717321061538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0mAYD2kehidLP-K__qfg4tbdLJmaWyCfL0J1tJQUlnMyu-Bh_zHqdAlP950_WC7XpErITbXRX3jitM9SaJytccHiRQoQxukXvxTYcd6oQ9gmkDN4d96ReUwrX_Kjy_UEWRQAqA/s320/P1000064.jpg" /></a><br /><div>During the dark times in Seattle - I venture to warmer climates. In December I took my adventurous self to Belize. With no Bob to pack up the Klepper and to really go off the beaten path I had to settle for traveling with a group and I did pretty good. I booked my trip through Island Expeditions. My trip was their Paradise Islands package with the Maya add on. We spent most of our time on Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye. Both I liked but Tobacco Caye with the deck over the beach and the hamock with my name on it was a great place to sip rum punch, read a good book and just escape from work and the stresses of my daily life.</div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs-xiPG63TAPapa3-ui6F8bDPm5D2qX4YGtkcTW76R7wwBXZzN75LAhQlk5JmU8AnEhuoJo9jNeBCyD8WD8jaMKxaE5CvnKeaHAe1VMVVMWJgv1_bR2RwAH7hLuEPFiBIko_47A/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558886179966477826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs-xiPG63TAPapa3-ui6F8bDPm5D2qX4YGtkcTW76R7wwBXZzN75LAhQlk5JmU8AnEhuoJo9jNeBCyD8WD8jaMKxaE5CvnKeaHAe1VMVVMWJgv1_bR2RwAH7hLuEPFiBIko_47A/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangecomo/5297898135/" title="Tobacco Caye Cabins by orangecomo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5297898135_9cce61b729.jpg" width="500" height="371" alt="Tobacco Caye Cabins" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-72013010152149968872010-11-30T16:30:00.001-08:002010-11-30T16:30:59.773-08:00Retro-Rama Show<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frauenfelder/295545074/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/114/295545074_31a1af52bd_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frauenfelder/295545074/">Retro-Rama Show</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/frauenfelder/">Frauenfelder</a></span></div>Was looking for information on some of the art I own and found this picture of Bob with one of the pieces. - Miss you Boo.<br clear="all" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-21071618681122052092010-11-30T14:11:00.000-08:002010-11-30T14:15:42.132-08:00Motivating to get Back on the BikeI have beautiful bicycles and haven't been riding any of them - and have been lacking motivation to get back out there. I've lost some fitness, gained a few lb's, and its Winter now in Seattle which also brings the motivation level down but then I come across a quote like this. <br /><br />"Talking about bicycles," said my friend, "I have been through the four ages. I can remember a time in early childhood when a bicycle meant nothing to me: it was just part of the huge meaningless background of grown-up gadgets against which life went on. Then came a time when to have a bicycle, and to have learned to ride it, and to be at last spinning along on one's own, early in the morning, under trees, in and out of the shadows, was like entering Paradise. That apparently effortless and frictionless gliding--more like swimming than any other motion, but really most like the discovery of a fifth element--that seemed to have solved the secret of life. Now one would begin to be happy. But, of course, I soon reached the third period. Pedalling to and fro from school (it was one of those journeys that feel up-hill both ways) in all weathers, soon revealed the prose of cycling. The bicycle, itself, became to me what his oar is to a galley slave."<br /><br />"But what was the fourth age?" I asked.<br /><br />"I am in it now, or rather I am frequently in it. I have had to go back to cycling lately now that there's no car. And the jobs I use it for are often dull enough. But again and again the mere fact of riding brings back a delicious whiff of memory. I recover the feelings of the second age. What's more, I see how true they were--how philosophical, even. For it really is a remarkably pleasant motion. To be sure, it is not a recipe for happiness as I then thought. In that sense the second age was a mirage. But a mirage of something."<br /><br />"How do you mean?", said I.<br /><br />"I mean this. Whether there is, or whether there is not, in this world or in any other, the kind of happiness which one's first experiences of cycling seemed to promise, still, on any view, it is something to have had the idea of it. The value of the thing promised remains even if that particular promise was false--even if all possible promises of it are false." <br /><br /> --C.S. Lewis, Present Concerns. "Talking About Bicycles."<br /><br />Hopefully the New Year will bring me back to Stage 2 and the fever will return- It's hard to think I have lost that love also - I think it is only dorment.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-30470683196354747052010-08-11T13:56:00.000-07:002010-08-11T14:12:23.132-07:00Learning a new Lingo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fYNRFJndKts7E8qF19W05xHcOocxCbS-tSDsK5JAIA-ZJN9x74_u5AKKMgKUJUs8_CyHf3xWl4XRUenAFSiti3EmZF5grL1SLSrWdrEC_GUAGaN1IVHHuVG-SZUu6zSCXGjQ1g/s1600/kayak+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fYNRFJndKts7E8qF19W05xHcOocxCbS-tSDsK5JAIA-ZJN9x74_u5AKKMgKUJUs8_CyHf3xWl4XRUenAFSiti3EmZF5grL1SLSrWdrEC_GUAGaN1IVHHuVG-SZUu6zSCXGjQ1g/s320/kayak+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504263015397491394" /></a><br />Everytime you take on a new sport there is a new lingo to learn. Bob and I had spent a few vacations paddling - 11 days on Glacier Bay for our honeymoon and 8 nights in Baja for his 50th birthday just a few months before his cancer diagnosis. So the new year found me recovering from losing him and yet seeking to stay connected and honor him in some way. I also did one thing they say not to do when you loose a loved one and that is to make a major move. Well its not like I moved out of state or even across county lines - just 100 blocks north to a different condo development and now have a few ammenities I was lacking before. Best of all fresh walls to make fresh memories and not see him at his worst and have some breathing space.<br />Okay back to the new Lingo - our kayaking had been done in our big A$$ Klepper folding double which is an awesome boat but meant I would always have to find someone to paddle with and would be folding and unfolding it a lot which is a project in itself. I found a new home for Bob's single which is also a big A$$ boat (Bob was a big guy) and is now being used by my friend Mike who has the stature to paddle it. <br /><br />I set off to find myself a boat - <br />a few requirements, weight - 50 lbs or under <br />cost - couldn't break the bank <br />Stability - I'm mostly a beginner but wanted a boat that could grow with me<br /><br />Okay now I'm feeling like I should have been blogging all along about this process of boat shopping etc. Went to boat demo days at REI and Kayak Accademy, ruled out thermoformed boats due to weight and ruled out a new fiberglass / Kevlar / carbon boat due to cost. I did look at Craigs list but wasn't finding what I was looking for. <br /><br /><br />I bought a composite plastic boat from a company in BC Canada through REI - The boat is fairly light seems a good fit. I have now been on several overnight trips with it and am pretty happy with my choice, I feel safe in it and have no lack of space for camping gear etc in it and it moves along at a fairly steady pace though due to my lack of experience it is hard to keep up with folks in zippier racier boats that have more experience but I'm not out there to win races.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-48158583210943692142010-05-12T13:05:00.000-07:002010-05-12T13:49:39.614-07:00Out of and Into the Boat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfsss5phsZLn5lSyiEK9Y5k25t5FNrJbDBUjOpquIIeH6KkDgkXgKThGnRu76yTGoxn_mcRSQWxHyAXn6Wr3VGocyND5MQQ9pwO2n-78RvqdoG5GLNfvto5QGFv0RY6RkKJRAwQ/s1600/misc.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470479783774901554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfsss5phsZLn5lSyiEK9Y5k25t5FNrJbDBUjOpquIIeH6KkDgkXgKThGnRu76yTGoxn_mcRSQWxHyAXn6Wr3VGocyND5MQQ9pwO2n-78RvqdoG5GLNfvto5QGFv0RY6RkKJRAwQ/s320/misc.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A friend of mine ran a short session to make sure we were safe to go out on the big water with him in a few weeks.<br /><br />Yes - I have done numerous kayaking trips but most were with Bob in the Klepper which basically unless you were hit with a rogue wave you couldn't tip over<br /><br />He required us to rent dry suits - so we would be comfortable in Lake Washington if it took awhile to get back into the boat. Dry Suits are pretty cool contraptions which basically allow you to push the season on water sports and if some thing did happen should save you from hypothermia. Dry suits are not cheap so unless I start doing a lot of crossings I'll be in my spray jacket, farmer jane wetsuit and pfd while out kayaking.<br /><br />He explained to the group the process of the boat rentry on shore and we all practiced tucking a foot into the boat so it wouldn't float away, and blowing up the paddle float. One by one we went out on the water with Saul or with Roy.<br /><br />After you capsize your kayak you need to un do your spray skirt, surface and flip your boat over. After your boat is upright - attach your paddle float to your paddle (a paddle leash is a good idea) and blow it up. Then you run the end of the paddle without the float through the bungee cords on the stern of the boat. This creates an outrigger stabalizing the boat and also gives you something to crawl up on. You climb up facing the back of the boat and slide your feet into the hatch and then roll back into position and sit down. After that you breath a sigh of relief and pump the water out of your boat.<br /><br /><br /><br />When I returned the drysuit on Sunday I rented a boat and went out to the Arboreteum for a few hours. Sunday was one of those days which are why I chose to live in Seattle.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsO3ylcjp90fmXtUwbUUax-HpGKzY89eVvy6SY1A4qmmFhzY8yHdoLbuXoG0TlbfFyiszgWu0epI9cZsLVWWPQ9Xmj6-XACgTWXP3h_nHohvw0XgA6ECv23dtbrAf8bhbHH-lFA/s1600/misc+002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470487061514133570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsO3ylcjp90fmXtUwbUUax-HpGKzY89eVvy6SY1A4qmmFhzY8yHdoLbuXoG0TlbfFyiszgWu0epI9cZsLVWWPQ9Xmj6-XACgTWXP3h_nHohvw0XgA6ECv23dtbrAf8bhbHH-lFA/s320/misc+002.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5it6eVlTyoQzF8rWd9Z-Osq0aDZOqoU2beRP6VFeCIhdm4hvyR9y5xyjZj3RquGWJ4i8rVR1wsIHsFnxBhNCY_oa1T5c1vlREdIPRJuPjw6b2HnaGHRXGWmqsLRa0ZwiMgK8ZQ/s1600/misc+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5it6eVlTyoQzF8rWd9Z-Osq0aDZOqoU2beRP6VFeCIhdm4hvyR9y5xyjZj3RquGWJ4i8rVR1wsIHsFnxBhNCY_oa1T5c1vlREdIPRJuPjw6b2HnaGHRXGWmqsLRa0ZwiMgK8ZQ/s320/misc+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470488402142593394" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-70131522070802160792010-03-29T15:00:00.000-07:002010-03-29T15:34:42.782-07:00Meet Up to Move Forward<a href="http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/a/d/event_13991181.jpeg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 241px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/a/d/event_13991181.jpeg" /></a> I know Lance Armstrong says to Livestrong and encourages everyone to get out and stay in shape but when you are the primary care-giver it isn't easy to leave when all you want to do is spend every minute with that person that they have left. I would take a break every day to take a short walk read the paper and have a coffee just to get away. Friends sometimes would come by and stay with Bob so I could have a break or they would take me out to lunch. I lost Bob back in November and have been trying to get back to my / our pre cancer life. So I find myself this spring out of shape, not really feeling like getting back on the bike though in the past the <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=qNylUN8PM8wC&dq=need+for+the+bike&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=jiaxS-PMOYPYtgPl263kDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=&f=false">Need for the Bike</a> has gotten me through rough times it's hard to go riding without my compadre. I joined <a href="http://meetup.com/">Meetup</a> to make sure I get out and keep busy. I spent a nice weekend away with the meet up folks and met a few folks also in transitional points in their lives. I did take our Klepper Kayak with me and assembled it and paddled it with other folks - just 2 years ago we were paddling the boat in Baja Mexico for Bob's 50th Birthday and it hadn't been out since. So good to get back in the water even if I don't find myself back on the bike yet - I'm moving forward making some new friends and keeping busy. I would recommend Meet up as a great way to get back out there and move forward with your life.<br /><div><a href="http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/a/d/global_13991181.jpeg"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-20656652264119365492010-02-04T13:46:00.000-08:002010-02-04T14:18:57.546-08:00Missing Bob and Moving Forward<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF659iIgiufD24MvUiXg1d5J0hEa-87Nq_EVCLJ4M6RduQrmu0xNhZb9AhSJ6ZhYMV0mJ_AZL9TA1vsnfZ_RAHxFEF8U87b5LNLyw4x-N1q8c2oNz9dRVdQkQjgozCwb7lV4e9pQ/s1600-h/safe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434515796452671410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF659iIgiufD24MvUiXg1d5J0hEa-87Nq_EVCLJ4M6RduQrmu0xNhZb9AhSJ6ZhYMV0mJ_AZL9TA1vsnfZ_RAHxFEF8U87b5LNLyw4x-N1q8c2oNz9dRVdQkQjgozCwb7lV4e9pQ/s320/safe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A full size safe - one of the many surprises Bob left behind.<br /><br />I miss my honey, I miss his company and his wit. This was so not the plan but the plans got changed and I'm on my own again. No longer have the go to guy - no longer able to plan trips without booking the single supplement or sharing with friends, no longer able to enter married on forms there is no blank for widowed just a blank for single. I want to interrupt people when they are talking about feeling lucky about not being out there trying to find that go to person that person with whom you share your life and tell them to feel blessed and not to take a day for granted because it can all turn around on your in a heartbeat. At least cancer gives you a little bit of time to put your ducks in a row, to adjust to the idea of the person not being around but you also get caught up in being the caretaker and having to go to all the appointments and seeing the person that you loved go through a horrible transformation from someone so big and strong to someone unable to even walk around the apartment on their own and it happens right before your eyes. One of the hardest things to deal with was the uncertainty of the future with a stage 4 diagnoses you know what the future holds which means you can't make the changes in your life that you had expected to make. The offer on the house was pulled and the money needed to be reserved just in case not enough money was coming in, or insurance didn't cover enough. Trips that we normally would have done could not be done because he wasn't and wouldn't be up to them anymore. We did have a nice trip for my parents anniversary before he started chemo but he reserved his energy and was not his usual self. But I was so glad to have memories of that trip and one last kayaking experience with my honey on the bio luminescent bay in Peurto Rico.<br />So I have started to go through his stuff and what stuff he had and now I have - he continues to make me laugh and make me happy with memories and the surprises that I find. Several of his bikes have moved on to new homes his co-motion has already traveled to <a href="http://www.knoxgardner.com/?p=2569">Israel</a> and his Jack Taylor is back in the hands of a brit and will be in the <a href="http://www.cascade.org/EandR/expo/features10.cfm#exhibits">Jack Taylor show </a>at Seattle Bike Expo.<br />Next Saturday February 13 I'm holding a celebration of his life and showing his collected works at the ART NOT TERMINAL GALLERY.<br /><br />And me - I'm moving forward with some of the plans we had before the cancer struck - a new place to live with a garage to store the toys not the mid century modern place we were going to buy but a new place with a bit more room to call my own. A few trips on the agenda, a trip to Texas for my niece's wedding and maybe a cycling trip to Wisconsin over what would have been our 5th wedding anniversary.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-71413087477343797422009-11-20T16:27:00.000-08:002009-11-20T16:31:54.370-08:00Robert Louis Magyar<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/4120816706_1347c0aec8.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/4120816706_1347c0aec8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><br /><br />Robert Louis Magyar<br />March 31, 1958 – Nov. 17, 2009<br /><br /><br />To the living, I am gone<br />To the sorrowful, I will never return<br />To the angry, I was cheated<br />But to the happy, I am at peace<br />And to the faithful, I have never left<br />I cannot speak, but I can listen<br />I cannot be seen, but I can be heard<br />So as you stand upon the shore<br />Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me<br />As you look in awe at a mighty forest<br />And its grand majesty, remember me<br />Remember me in your hearts,<br />In your thoughts, and the memories of the<br />Times we loved, the times we cried, the<br />Battle we fought and the times we laughed<br />For if you always think of me, I will<br />Have never gone. </div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-21602335868727949742009-09-21T16:32:00.001-07:002009-09-21T16:32:47.969-07:00Pendleton<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangecomo/3941615711/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3941615711_f008f0fd30_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangecomo/3941615711/">Sept 2009 047</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/orangecomo/">orangecomo</a></span></div>The newest addition to the OC family <br />Pendleton was found in a couch at the dump - fostered for a few weeks with Abby at our vets office. I had let the vet know that our old kitty needed a new friend and also did not want to be kitty less as the oc Polenta is now 15 and has failing kidneys.<br clear="all" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-29400794433700503852009-06-23T15:23:00.000-07:002009-06-23T15:29:02.081-07:00Cover Girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOVR2VV9CxLokX2YHS9sfi7t7px_Ew6XcQSC3zbfRTmc-flY85hyWTuSdMcQcUWPwys7O7ACrja3nN6gewmlFsDlNVoxYcF_z3gZK10HS_4faEL9Q7j49teLCupOPDyMyiRybCw/s1600-h/bicycling.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350652885354386626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOVR2VV9CxLokX2YHS9sfi7t7px_Ew6XcQSC3zbfRTmc-flY85hyWTuSdMcQcUWPwys7O7ACrja3nN6gewmlFsDlNVoxYcF_z3gZK10HS_4faEL9Q7j49teLCupOPDyMyiRybCw/s320/bicycling.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hey There -<br />I'm a Star :-)<br />Well in my own mind anyhow.<br />At the Livestrong Challenge Nissan had a set up so you could get your picture on the cover of Bicycling Magazine. Note I'm sporting my Team Fatty Jersey.<br /><br />Team Fatty - <a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/">Fat Cyclist</a> was the largest fundraiser at the event we raised over $140,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. <br /><br />I really enjoyed the event and tis a good reason for riding and raising some money.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-52684708272394372972009-03-10T13:04:00.000-07:002009-03-10T13:14:48.057-07:00Live Strong Seattle 2009So this year Live Strong comes to Seattle - I'm registered to ride with Team Fat Cyclist. Team Fat Cyclist is the brain child of Elden Nelson who is dealing with his wife Susan's valiant fight with Cancer by blogging and raising money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Elden's blog can be found at <a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/">Fat Cyclist</a> I loved his recent entries about becoming a supporting member of Team Chipolte and how for $1,000.00 you get all the Chipolte burritos you could eat in a year. There are also Fat Cyclist Jerseys available at <a href="http://www.twinsix.com/">Twinsix</a>. Please help me with my mission as a member of Team Fatty and donate to the cause. Click on my Live Strong banner to get to my donation page.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-8149399813209872672008-07-11T12:07:00.001-07:002008-07-11T12:14:29.237-07:00How many jerseys are enough jerseys?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVJ2_4TdmEqoMCwPKiaT2ShNISNPadrR4YrF7fL1revpmd0jx85TexDbk1bjzHtaSVe-vicoeeyvdJQXMIbyn6ryDtLYRCLltnri7VSaNG9GzSCGsnzsaWbyT-r5WfFr6W2fJGA/s1600-h/funkier_Pectoral_Abdominal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221835798890321218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVJ2_4TdmEqoMCwPKiaT2ShNISNPadrR4YrF7fL1revpmd0jx85TexDbk1bjzHtaSVe-vicoeeyvdJQXMIbyn6ryDtLYRCLltnri7VSaNG9GzSCGsnzsaWbyT-r5WfFr6W2fJGA/s320/funkier_Pectoral_Abdominal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ok so its like that old Saturday Night Live Episode - How much water do you put in a Nuclear Reactor?<br /><br />We are prepping to move so in going through the closet I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the jersey count and I've even given a few away. It's fun to take extra jerseys on tour and give them away to tour participants from other area's one of my Zoka Coffee jerseys is now being sported in the UK. Anyhow I've been trying to be good and not add to the move chaos by being a good american consumer. But today I found new cool jerseys on-line that I had never ever seen before. I think this one might have to be added to the collection at some point. I'd like some feedback on Funkier sportsware if you have any of it - do you like it? Funkier is an Isreal company - here a <a href="http://shop.harim.co.il/default.php?cPath=53_104&sort=2a&filter_id=138">page</a> with many of their jerseys on it.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-90803415814145481112008-07-10T16:54:00.000-07:002008-07-10T17:04:28.275-07:00A Bicycle Bag made for Vino<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmR2C5lNmk-YKXRpYX_Xlh74-WhpIQjNSqZif3EAXOQCcphr440-6bkvEtTFIgKzUL1ZhujrTU0hqQl5DOkOSmIIaQ5ow70LtDCtdK8Bs_1H35yqXM50wieTIYRBzp6djsDo7yQQ/s1600-h/wine_rt_bottles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221539672967041954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmR2C5lNmk-YKXRpYX_Xlh74-WhpIQjNSqZif3EAXOQCcphr440-6bkvEtTFIgKzUL1ZhujrTU0hqQl5DOkOSmIIaQ5ow70LtDCtdK8Bs_1H35yqXM50wieTIYRBzp6djsDo7yQQ/s320/wine_rt_bottles.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This company <a href="http://www.inertiadesigns.com/">Inertia Designs </a>was brought to my attention today on the Randon discussion list on Google. The list for all things randoneuring. Looks like they have some really nice bags though I usually like to see bags in person before buying - you would be surprised at how many bike bags the Rando cyclist goes through before finding out what works for them - for me its a Carradice Barley and a mini Giles Berthoud bag. Anyhow I digress back to Inertia Designs - and the bag I might have to have from them for wine country jaunts. They sell a rack top bag that fits 4 bottles of wine with padding and this is all the bag is designed to do. So if you see me out riding in the <a href="http://www.rattlesnakehills.com/">Rattlesnake Hills</a> ask me about my newest bike bag.</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-9023147875187315072008-04-09T17:27:00.000-07:002008-04-09T17:41:56.308-07:00Tandem in Baja MexicoWe escaped the snow and took our Tandem to Baja Mexico. We packed up 5 bags to make the trip we were an impressive site to behold we had our tandem, we had camping equipment, we had food, we had camera equipment. We arrived in Sunny <a href="http://www.gotoloreto.com/home.html">Loretto</a> it was snowing at the Seattle Airport when we caught the flight at 6:30 a.m. - we changed planes in LA and by 3:00 in the afternoon we were checked into the Oasis Motel. A few days were spent checking out the local sites, assembling the tandem - giving it a test run, drinking some margarita's and figuring out the plan for our adventure.<br /><br />We launched the tandem for the 8 mile crossing to isle Carmen - there we found porpoises, sea lions, sea turtles, hermit crabs and for more fun we went to Isle Danzante where we found a few whales, lots of cactus, a cool hike. A push into the headwinds brought us back to the Inn at Loretto Bay a very posh place to spend a last day in the sun.<br /><br /><br /><br />Oh did I mention this Tandem is a Kayak? Our trusty <a href="http://www.klepperusa.com/">Klepper</a> now needs to be washed up and put away until its next adventure - maybe the Queen Charlottes, the Broken Group or another winter trip to Baja.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQNehSGEWm3PB5JaVLpDElK2gmnS2l7JIdDjAe_WhTPStE0g3wKWQZqmVekKLwvfh68bvuFKRYS__8M1-LlXsYj7T7uRi8M3UFNk_OyQVw3YjAadlOXb-uS7RLbvUCvOA2uOAxQ/s1600-h/_14_0091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187409912523997378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQNehSGEWm3PB5JaVLpDElK2gmnS2l7JIdDjAe_WhTPStE0g3wKWQZqmVekKLwvfh68bvuFKRYS__8M1-LlXsYj7T7uRi8M3UFNk_OyQVw3YjAadlOXb-uS7RLbvUCvOA2uOAxQ/s400/_14_0091.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our Trusty Klepper in Glacier Bay Alaska - I'll post a picture of it in Baja soon.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-6927678501517156772008-02-17T13:50:00.000-08:002008-02-17T13:58:09.557-08:00What the Heck is PladAdet?<div>We picked up a new bike magazine <a href="http://www.roadmagazine.net">ROAD</a> and it had an insert in it on for Hincapie's house of dreams. This actually sounds pretty cool its near Saluda North Carolina - just across the border from Spartenburg South Carolina which I've actually heard of. </div><div><br /></div><div>The thing is my folks want to do another family vacation for their 5oth wedding anniversary - not too far from their home in Florida and this area would fit the bill. Stuff for my non-riding family to do and sounds like some good riding for my spouse and I. </div><div><br /></div><div>So if this ends up being the place we choose - I'll give you a report. In the meantime - its something geeky cycling related for you folks to check out.</div><div><a href="http://www.pladadet.com">PLADADET</a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-61037629955496563442008-01-11T15:56:00.000-08:002008-01-11T16:02:49.408-08:00Inspiration for winter cyclingI'm just happy that we are around the bend on the darkness in Seattle and I will soon be motivated to start putting those miles on the bike. I don't think this is going to be a big mileage year for me - but then again who knows maybe we will.<br /><br />Jill up in Alaska is motivated to ride right now - she is training for Iditabike - yep thats right. She posted some great shots to her blog of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau Alaska - we visited there before heading out for 11 days of kayaking on Glacier bay in 2005. It's a much different view then we had on the 6th of July. <br /><br />Check out her blog and wish her well on her crazy journey<br /><br /><a href="http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/">http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/</a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-632693595514126982008-01-04T11:45:00.001-08:002008-01-04T11:53:03.324-08:00SUPER SPECIAL SUPER RANDONNEUR<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrKRUjE2o3qSdSEIZucL3-VlgFBJyr5bLBL9JKI0z2IWTEkWKfPdywM9KHdh3LKrY5SKQO29FvvA9UhbUQR3IbJDMzMjH0DqCsvTjVrSIcdB8c3PMqv0B-qFWjQhWcyw8Z-Zy-A/s1600-h/newsrmedal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151710513832910802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrKRUjE2o3qSdSEIZucL3-VlgFBJyr5bLBL9JKI0z2IWTEkWKfPdywM9KHdh3LKrY5SKQO29FvvA9UhbUQR3IbJDMzMjH0DqCsvTjVrSIcdB8c3PMqv0B-qFWjQhWcyw8Z-Zy-A/s400/newsrmedal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We picked out a new Super Randonneur Medal for the ACP to provide us SUPER SPECIAL RANDONNEURS - ie the GIRLS OF RUSA or for the RUSA GANGSTERS.</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-29816140141081054382007-12-10T13:19:00.000-08:002007-12-10T13:26:53.795-08:00The Cyclists Dream Couch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJLmJS4cVR0zRXjwMvcNSahtEYg-vqKjzfUOr0BBZEeWjbQ22Xz7sFIDdk2JQClIK9leglgC3eruyopGUXlPIE67uCDl_6Ezi4RNh2U20Qobjk5IPVd4qBXaFnuWhg8cCfOtk6Q/s1600-h/bikecouch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJLmJS4cVR0zRXjwMvcNSahtEYg-vqKjzfUOr0BBZEeWjbQ22Xz7sFIDdk2JQClIK9leglgC3eruyopGUXlPIE67uCDl_6Ezi4RNh2U20Qobjk5IPVd4qBXaFnuWhg8cCfOtk6Q/s400/bikecouch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142458473218461378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>Scarabike, a bicycle producing company - which offers customized products -presented a sofa and a stool made of bicycle seats. </p> <p>From 2007 <a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/read.php?CATEGORY_PK=&TOPIC_PK=1865">Tokyo Designer’s Week</a>.</p><br />I found this on Marlow Harris's website <a href="http://www.unusuallife.com/">unusuallife</a>. It's pretty cool.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-77997437039076585312007-11-29T12:56:00.001-08:002007-11-29T12:56:49.046-08:00Ben Kweller @ Neumos - Seattle, Wa<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crickontour/2073687971/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2073687971_84c3789176_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crickontour/2073687971/">Ben Kweller @ Neumos - Seattle, Wa</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/crickontour/">Crickontour</a> </span></div>Of course being the NPR junkie - I discovered this guy through World Cafe instead of through the normal channels. This was an interesting show - it was put on by Miller Beer and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Part of the show involved interviewing Ben and asking him about growing up in a small Texas town and getting his first record contract at 15 - he is now 26 and looks about 17.<br />After the show we got to meet Ben, I told him that he would be a fun guest at dinner and would keep us all entertained about his alternate career choice a very important fisherman or a VIF.<br clear="all" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-8921594247768889582007-10-31T13:41:00.000-07:002007-10-31T14:07:12.055-07:00<div>Happy Halloween - Pumpkins and Orange Bikes for the Holliday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdq75tZsWVrWllEpi15Sim5iJ8SkWK6r4nSMyhX9WjE0JyWCQmuC5nlegOIGyn2awqsm89kM9Mjs59gJqz-TuYyngXPZqWn3H19rsypHZRR2BUylTg0kRU6CUHOkz7qZ_HTV6RA/s1600-h/P1010019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127609498081671634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdq75tZsWVrWllEpi15Sim5iJ8SkWK6r4nSMyhX9WjE0JyWCQmuC5nlegOIGyn2awqsm89kM9Mjs59gJqz-TuYyngXPZqWn3H19rsypHZRR2BUylTg0kRU6CUHOkz7qZ_HTV6RA/s400/P1010019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Last night we rode around Seattle but did not see any ghosts or goblins but this morning there was a giant bannana at the espresso stand and a very small lion came to the workplace.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I was a kid I wanted to be a sailor when I grew up.</div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY3NHChQDvHj5k-_E_s5orxSX8b5n85KhFWYrYpzguwGiNlmLtF-EWRvDTayzYUk1wC9X52WJOT0idCtpQrskUcLIGUqnpA9RshgmUHSR3aO4miNIhmklSFzeEo5YVpjtB-NvwQ/s1600-h/Scan175.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127610228226111970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY3NHChQDvHj5k-_E_s5orxSX8b5n85KhFWYrYpzguwGiNlmLtF-EWRvDTayzYUk1wC9X52WJOT0idCtpQrskUcLIGUqnpA9RshgmUHSR3aO4miNIhmklSFzeEo5YVpjtB-NvwQ/s400/Scan175.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-90341377225954995022007-10-04T11:55:00.000-07:002007-10-04T11:57:33.719-07:00The Wheels on the Bike go Round Round Round<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSfau2Pd3_oo1mQ7skQMK9rUCobSwJIoH96LofSOFnRd_Lsfb6yQxcdJfUfa3z6ld0lswoahXZIFiuxmNglfuwzO6pM2EuC08wOStEtdbGj0AWTOhvMkBQ0X_rVlpDvgdJFEovw/s1600-h/Bike.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117557505503460290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSfau2Pd3_oo1mQ7skQMK9rUCobSwJIoH96LofSOFnRd_Lsfb6yQxcdJfUfa3z6ld0lswoahXZIFiuxmNglfuwzO6pM2EuC08wOStEtdbGj0AWTOhvMkBQ0X_rVlpDvgdJFEovw/s400/Bike.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>No they Do Not!!!</div><div>Somebody had way too much time on their hands to do this to a bicycle.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-83246694456379400032007-09-28T15:09:00.001-07:002007-10-01T09:56:49.888-07:00Virtual Interbike - 2007 - saddles.<div style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcbomb/1451198289/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1055/1451198289_491db3af40_m.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcbomb/1451198289/">Interbike - 2007 - saddles.</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mcbomb/">McBomb</a> </span></div>Have you ever been to Interbike? For those of you not familiar its the big cycling trade show held every year in Las Vegas. I'm truly scared of these saddles. I've been a few times helping out my friend Charlie he runs Draftmaster and ATOC. You can also virtually attend Interbike - it used to be the exhibitors did not want you snapping photos at their booths but now I think they realized all the folks like me are waiting with baited breath about the new products for next year. Some of my fellow bloggers are attending in person this year and blogging reports check out the velo orange blog for the latest on what he is going to stock at the store including some odd folding bikes. David Bernstein at the<a href="http://www.fredcast.com/"> fredcast </a>is also attending Interbike and has posted some podcasts from the show including interviews about new products from Garmin - yes the new Edge 705 will be out soon. Sheldon Brown also has his <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/lasvegas/2007">Interbike report </a>up on his website. I'm also excited about some of Raleigh's new bikes including a new touring and single speed. No I'm not in the market but the price is right and I'm sure to recommend them to some friends that are on a budget - like the Salsa Cassarole from last years Interbike.<br clear="all">Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19216007.post-85508989939013360672007-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:002007-09-26T17:16:37.442-07:00Bookcrossing - an off the bike adventure by Orangecomo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZMao-ottuPYb_3fvS67pvRemX3kJXpU5yEtbq2W3WcbypWZgAZG5NAwYTT_jd59Em75Ya56yYuu-AsW9CO9ImLRFSgCvs4W6MlsRzvzwNKxOSChYCImGnLYaplcaWYqynM7NRA/s1600-h/RunningBook33.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114669779947027362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZMao-ottuPYb_3fvS67pvRemX3kJXpU5yEtbq2W3WcbypWZgAZG5NAwYTT_jd59Em75Ya56yYuu-AsW9CO9ImLRFSgCvs4W6MlsRzvzwNKxOSChYCImGnLYaplcaWYqynM7NRA/s400/RunningBook33.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F863DsigQUC1QmdTjFg1Yc4G7zBSC6M9jQuyl68P3OoP2_rFBV5-4ZDwzUA1Xa9sA_od9d2ZHbKHwZyU63kfHdcs_osz33HKFx2TTInr_cW75MI-AClGXMhHNH82j81bueW-8A/s1600-h/RunningBook33.jpg"></a></div><br /><p>So you ask what is the story with this little running friendly book? He is the icon for Bookcrossing.com. Bookcrossing is a coolwebsite which allows you to track books which you set free in the world for others to enjoy. I've been part of bookcrossing for several years now and its pretty fun. Last night I released some books at Tully's near UVillage and today I got email back that someone had already claimed one of the books. Sure alot of books go missing never to be heard from again but the ones that do go into the hands of new readers are worth it. Last year at Bike Expo I let loose several bike related books in the beer garden - I haven't heard back from them but themed releases are part of bookcrossing also - leave your favorite Irish themed book at a bar on Saint Patricks Day its sure to find a new home with another Guiness drinker.</p><p>So if your bookshelf is full - Free your Books. </p><p>Bookcrossing is International and has Mirror sites in many countries.</p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264028509414469030noreply@blogger.com0