Training Ride

The symphony of sounds on the trail was sweet...the steady hum of the tires, the swish of water running off the fenders, the pit-pat of rain on my jacket and the rhythmic crackling of my rain pants. My ears were filled with the incessant scolding of tiny birds and my eyes were distracted by the scampering squirrels. The ducks were in their element, and thronged to the water's edge where they did absolutely nothing but stand together sleepily in the rain. Spring is here, evidenced by the many flowering trees and the gentle rain.

daffodils...what is Spring without them?

 

It was a rainy Thursday as usual, and after loading up my bike with enough cans of tuna to feed a small starving nation, I wobbled off to Redmond. After the requisite gatorade, sandwich & chocolate pick-up at QFC, we set off to find Puget Sound. Many miles and a picnic lunch later, as we rounded Lake Washington, we passed the Kenmore Airport--for seaplanes only. They looked pretty amazing!

The University of Washington and Gasworks Park on Lake Union were next. Here is Camille taking a break and enjoying the view of the Seattle skyline. The Space Needle off to the right really interested her, but we didn't have time to visit today.

Gasworks Park...and...those funny looking things in the background would be the old gasworks I guess!

view of Lake Union

under-view of the incredibly huge bridge over the canal leading to the Sound

my destination reached: the ocean! or (tuna meets source)

After I savored the salty ocean air and the view, I retraced my trail back to Redmond. It was still raining and I had lost the feeling in my feet, so some thawing-out at the Starbucks was in order. I rode the familiar road back home in the fading evening light. Total miles for today's ride: 90. I had hopes to make it a century, but carrying the extra weight and the long day in the rain shortened the final result. After a delicious dinner, I enjoyed relaxing for a few hours in the hot tub outside with my brothers! 

I learned a few important things today. My new Sealskinz waterproof socks held up beautifully but my Lone Creek panniers with rain covers did not prove terribly waterproof. The cans of tuna were quite damp... so it looks like I will have to improvise a little. Otherwise I am very happy with the bags. I need to tweak my bike setup a little for more comfort over longer distances and look into lower gearing for hill-climbing while loaded. I hit every bump I could find (and there was no shortage, I can assure you) and the bike held up really well. There is a bit of a sporadic rattle that I'm trying to track down, but other than that, Camille is a very solid ride!