Next Challenge

I didn't do all that well with the #30DaysofBiking challenge. I rode a few days, didn't always post about it, but I didn't get out nearly as much as I'd wanted.

Now there's two new challenges starting today.

Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest and the National Bike Challenge. Both kick off today.

Day 14: 30 Days of Biking | Partly Cloudy, All Fun

I woke up this morning to clear skies. The sun came up and it was a beautiful clear blue morning with the temperature rapidly rising. Then it got cloudy.

Oh well.

I had a lot of work to do anyway.

Sure wish I could go for a sunny ride.

Around noon the clouds started breaking up. It wasn't clear skies, but I'd take it! It was time for a break anyway.

I got on the bike and headed out in my bike shorts, but I did wear the long-sleeve jersey. It was a bit cool and windy, so that was about right. I headed up into town, climbed the short hill past the bears, and then on down the roads. Went down Pless over to Military and looped around. Finally stopped on Hubbard long enough to catch a quick picture.

Hubbard Road

Nice, nice day. I wouldn't have minded it a bit warmer, but it wasn't bad at all. Crossing my fingers for another nice day tomorrow!

I haven't been hitting every day with #30daysofbiking, but I'm trying to get out when I can. I want to get in better shape and build up for the Thurston County Bicycle Commuter contest that starts next month!

Day 12: 30 Days of Biking | Bears!

Earlier in the week I'd considered riding to work today, but I've got too much on my plate right now to spend three hours today riding. I still wanted to get out, so I went out a bit before sunrise this morning as it was getting light outside.

My first stop out was the post office, then out of town via the hill up past the bears.

Watch out, bears!

There was a fantastic view of Mt. Rainier from the hilltop, with the clouds and the sunrise, but too many trees obscuring the mountain to really even try to get a picture of it. Plus the phone doesn't do all that great at a distance like that.

Riding around via 133rd, though, coming back down there's another great view of the mountain so I couldn't resist giving it a shot. The picture doesn't come anywhere close to capturing the feeling of that massive mountain  rising up into the pink clouds.

Mt. Rainier

It looks small in the photo, but in person it is the most eye-catching feature around. I think I'd have to paint it to try and capture the detail necessary. Or get a better camera!

Nice ride, nice loop this morning!

Day 9: 30 Days of Biking | Manke

Manke Rd

I haven't been getting out every day, but I'm trying to get out when I can. This morning I took a quick spin down to Manke road and back, just a couple miles each way, but it's amazing how much better I feel, even just riding that short distance!

Day 6: 30 Days of Biking | Need More Layers!

Partly cloudy sunrise mornings are the best as the sun paints rich colors across the sky. I've missed riding the past few days, so I didn't want to miss today too. I got ready and headed out. Brrr! I needed more layers! I felt pretty good on the ride but my hands and feet were cold, I hadn't bundled up enough against the freezing temperatures.

Post Office Stop

I headed up to the Post Office to mail a bill (to the one place that still doesn't do e-bills) and check the P.O. box. I'd considered a longer loop but the cold drove me back down the trail to home. It looks like it'll be a great day later, but I'll be off at work.

Maybe tomorrow afternoon I can get out for a longer ride!

Day 2: 30 Days of Biking

On Monday I looked out at a partly cloudy sky, some wind, and a forecast that the high would hit 60°F! How could I resist?

I got everything together and headed out. A bit chilly, but I was thinking about that forecast.

Sun Rising

The ride to work went well, I felt pretty good even though I haven't been riding these kind of distances often. I was tired when I arrived, but not too bad.

After a long day of work I headed out into a much warmer day. Instead of layers I just wore my cycling shorts and short-sleeved jersey. I felt pretty good heading out, but I could feel I was tired. Even so, a great day to ride.

Grayish Day

My energy reserves sapped away the last few miles. I was hungry and feeling like I might totally bonk, but what was the point in stopping? It wouldn't get me home any faster so I kept moving at a slower pace. The last steep little hill at our road was tough, but I made it up. Made it home.

Not doing that again tomorrow. I'll try to get out and ride, but a shorter distance.

Day 1: 30 Days of Biking

About to Set Out

I'd made the decision to try the #30DaysofBiking, but when it came down to the actual first day I didn't think it was going to happen. This morning I drove back from Lincoln City, Oregon to home after an exhausting and fantastic writing workshop. It rained the whole way home.

I was thrilled to get home, but there were things to get done. Shopping, for one. Back into the car and off doing that, then back and dinner and time with the family. It just didn't seem like I was going to get on the bike.

But then the clouds pulled back. The sun came out. I saw Kent Peterson's Biking Around the Lake on an Allant and I thought why not? How long would it take to ride a quick loop up into town, check the PO box, and then ride down the trail back home? Not much time at all.

Snatching the chance I changed, grabbed the Marlin, stopping just long enough for my wife to snap a picture and then I was off. A chilly wind blew across my hands, the only part other than my ears that was cold, but I figured I'd warm up and I wasn't going back for my gloves.

It  felt great to get on the bike. Well, except  for the toe I bruised a few weeks back. That bugged me a bit, but not enough to put too much of a damper on the ride. I took the roads around to the post office, nothing but junk in the box, and then I was back on the bike heading down the trail.

The clouds in the sky came alive with the rich colors of the sunset. My cell doesn't take the best pictures but I did stop to take a couple snaps.

The pictures really don't do the clouds justice but it was a nice ride. Now the question is, will I ride tomorrow?