Providence Bridge Pedal 2007

Thomas and I rode the 6-bridge version of the Providence Bridge Pedal yesterday. I’ll post photos later but we had a great time. Although we had to walk our bikes for long stretches at the beginning, tearing down the Fremont and Marquam bridges (I-405 and I-5, respectively) at full speed made it all worth it. Thomas had a minor crash towards the end, but he was a trooper throughout even when his legs got tired going up the final bridge. Tina and Graham joined us downtown for a late lunch at Macaroni Grill and we adjourned to CPS for several hours of Guitar Hero II before limping home on tired legs. I was glad it was all downhill going home.

Distance: 20.4 miles
Riding time: 3 hours, 5 minutes
Max speed: 26.8 mph
Average speed: 6.5 mph
Temperature: 75º (approximate)
Route:

  • 162nd to Burnside
  • MAX to NE 7th Ave
  • NE 7th to NE Lloyd Blvd.
  • Lloyd to Waterfront Bike Path
  • Crossed the Steel Bridge
  • Waterfront Park to starting line
  • Hawthorne Bridge
  • Ross Island Bridge
  • Marquam Bridge
  • Burnside Bridge
  • Broadway Bridge
  • Fremont Bridge
  • SW Oak to Broadway
  • Broadway to CPS
  • MAX to NE 148th Ave
  • 148th to NE Halsey
  • Halsey to 162nd
  • 162nd to home

Every time you go away you take a piece of me with you

Phrases heard when giving goodbye hugs (as compiled in the Minneapolis airport with Graham, Thomas and Tina):

  • “Bye.”
  • “Bye guys.”
  • “See ya.”
  • “See you later.”
  • “I hope to see you next year.”
  • “Come back and stay longer next time.”
  • “Scarecrow, I’m gonna miss you the most.”
  • “Thanks for coming/having us.”
  • “Travel/drive safely.”
  • “I’m so glad you/we came.”
  • “It was great seeing you again.”

Vital Statistics

Hours of sleep last night: 8
Hours billed last week: 0
Cobs of corn eaten: 12 (approximate)
Aches & pains: none
Current reading:: Metal Cowboy by Joe Kurmaskie
Recent weather: hot, cold, wet, dry (no lightning or thunder)
Recently accomplished: picked and shucked corn, skeet shooting, swimming at Lake Hendricks, water park supervision, visited with various relatives, camping, shopping at Cabella’s
Upcoming To Do: return rental car, shopping at Mall of America, airplane to Portland, drive home from Seattle

You have to let that raga drop

As we hid from the rain in my sister’s giant RV this morning, somebody switched on the TV and we watched George Bush arrive at the new ground zero in Minneapolis. It occurred to me that if I lived in the middle of a disaster area, I would shudder if George Bush showed up. Nothing says “incompetence” quite like the Bush administration.

In Iowa for the next 10 Days

In a few minutes, I’ll go jump on the Max which will take me to the Gateway Transit Center where I’m meeting Tina and the boys. From there, we’ll drive to SeaTac where we’ll hop a plane for Minneapolis. The plane gets to Mineapolis around 2 am. After we gather our bags, we’ll take a cab to a nearby hotel where we’ll sack out until about 10. My sister and her family will meet us at hour hotel at 11 and then we’ll continue our journey to my hometown, Riceville, IA.

Vital Statistics

Bike odometer: 1544
Weight lost: 50 lbs.
Hours of sleep last night: 6
Hours billed last week: 45.5
Aches & pains: sciatic, ankle (slightly yesterday)
Current reading:: 2107 Curious Word Origins, Says & Expressions by Charles Earle Funk, The Book of Totally Useless Information by Don Voorhees, Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
Recent listening: Playlists for Iowa
Recent viewing: Countdown, Gilmore Girls, The Newshour, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show
Recent playing: Pangea Arcade
Recently accomplished: Fixed boomtube, new litter for cat boxes, trimmed and mowed front lawn, cleared Tivo schedule for vacation, pulled blackberries, packing, confirmed and finalized travel plans, tried to fix Thomas’ computer, burned numerous gift CDs, paid bills, recorded movie for Mindy
Imperative To Do: RMA old Tivo drive, sift through inbox, post office, call Colleen/Kurt, bank deposit, fix Thomas’ computer, drop bike off at Bike Gallery