Snow on March 29th - What the heck?

Imagine my surprise when I got up this morning and saw snow. I'd give a lot to have a picture of my double-take as I saw the back yard:



I must admit that my first thought was that it was April Fool's. But alas, it's not quite there. What an amazing year weather-wise. Maybe I HAVE moved to the Midwest without knowing it.

Spring on Lower Waitsburg

Last Sunday RJ and I went for a ride; we planned a rolling ride out to Waitsburg, and she was going to maybe add on Spring Creek as well. Not for me at this time of year!




As we took off, the wind was calm and it was definitely the beginning of spring, with the wheat fields taking on that "giant golf course" appearance, so typical of this time of year here:



On Sunday, RJ and I were planning a hilly ride, out Lower Waitsburg Road, and then she was going to maybe add on Spring Creek, too.


We stopped at a grain elevator to take some pictures.



As I was posing for the official ride photographer, the wind suddenly rose to a gale. RJ looked at me and said that she wouldn't object if we turned around, to which I readily assented. We turned around and got slammed by the wind. We rode a team time trial all the way back. What fun!

Five Mile Morning

Leslie and I were the only two riders to show up for our Friday ride this morning, and she asked me to take it easy on her, as she was feeling a bit tired. Being all for that, I readily complied.

Of course, all bets were off at Five Mile Hill. She moved just in front of me and I was determined not to lose her wheel. When we reached the top we were so breathless that we couldn't even speak for a bit.

Finally, I gasped out that my heart was ready to burst through my chest - and Leslie agreed that hers was crawling its way on out.

We spun our way back to town. What a great way to start a day!

Scenic Loop

Yesterday I did a ride that I had not done in a very long time. LIke, for nearly 20 years! On my "re-cycled" fat tire Davidson, I rode up Kooskooskie, and turned up the gravel, switch-back side. At first I thought, "piece of cake," as I spun up the first pitch. Then I skated over a icy and nearly flat area. Hey, no problem, that's what these fat tires are for.

Now the real climbing began. Ouch! No longer did the low, low gear do it. I was grinding out about 40 rpm, wondering if walking would be better. Three miles of climbing. I paused where it widened out near the top, and gazed down on the tiny toy houses from the valley where I'd come from.

This is what I love about climbing - the sense of accomplishment when you look back and think "yeah, I did that!" Whatever else may be going on in my life, here's one thing that I can do. I come back re-centered and ready to take on life again (maybe after a nap!)

Here's my ride from yesterday:

Hot Bike - Semi-Hot Mama

I recently had the privilege to participate in a fund-raiser for the junior cycling team in town, the Community Center for Youth, and modeled my new bike with the latest Whitnman college jersey:





Which I then removed to reveal my classic, wool, 1970 Whitman college bike jersey:




I had far from the most clever costume. There was a dashing hot pink biker and bike, a cow, complete with teats, and a classic turn of the century cyclist, complete with genuine mustache:








A great time was had by all, and money was raised for a good cause!

On why Bikes are part of the solution!

Here is a great video, courtesy of RJ. Enjoy!


Mat's Commute from Mat Barlow on Vimeo.

Waaay too cold!

I got up this morning, and to my dismay I found that the weather forecaster was correct: 18 degrees at 6 a.m.. Way to cold for Walla Walla in mid-March.