This was never meant to be a training log, but you are likely to see more and more of these posts since I am getting right into the thick of my first randoneuring season. Saturday I went out with Chris, Joby and Matt to Vashon Island for some leg crushing climbing. We are all preparing to do the 200k this weekend and thought it would be a good idea to not waste a good weekend for riding. As always, there were plenty of threats of rain but the weather held up for us. Predicting weather in Seattle is almost useless.

As soon as you get off the ferry, there is a four to five hundred foot slog of a climb to the top of the main highway. We crammed in almost 5,000 feet of climbing in the 43 miles ridden on the island. For comparison, the Seattle to Portland is a bit over 200 miles and has 3,800 feet of elevation gain. We haven’t exactly been avoiding hills lately, but my legs were definitely burning by the end of the day.

We timed the ferry back well and rode up and over West Seattle to get back in to town. Afterwards, I was able to check out Loretta’s. It is a new bar in town opened up by Scott, who runs 9lb Hammer in Georgetown. It has an all wood interior and tons of charm. Naturally, there are cries of gentrification since it is one of the few places in town worth going to. Yeah I know, I’m part of the problem. Fear not though, there are still plenty of South Park regulars with quotes like this:

“Only (effeminate males) drink (brand X beer). Hell no man, I drink Bud Light.”

I’m work safe.

There is a patio in back where I’m imaging that we will be spending plenty of time on this summer. It was a good thing that they served up good food, because I definitely needed it. I’m still riding to eat.

That night some friends came over and knocked out a little Rock Band with us. I was a little more wiped out than I wanted to be, but I tried not to display it too much. Thankfully, it didn’t go too far into the night. I just needed a little bit of sleep.

Sunday Jane and I went shopping for groceries and stop at (for the second time in the same weekend) Bakery Nouveau. We are on a mission to eat every style of crossant known to man, but mostly almond and chocolate varieties. Oh, and the ones with turkey, Havarti, and mustard too…

Jane is involved in a book group with some other lovely ladies in town and this month it was to be hosted at our house. She got ambitious and wanted to make a quiche that she’s done with Norman in the past. Naturally, there was plenty of cussing and panicking, but everything turned out fine. At least, I think it did. I was barbecuing with other husbands. They know what it is like to be kicked out of the house for goss…err… book night. Brian cooked some amazing fish and we had a bit too much to drink. It turned out pleasant.

This morning I placed an order on a wheel set from Peter White Cycles. I am really exciting to be getting some hand built wheels from an expert in the industry. It will have a Schmidt dynohub so I can power my own head and taillights. I settled on getting an E6 headlight after much mental push and pull. High fives to the four of you who know what the hell I’m even talking about.