A Lovely day, A Lot of Hills, and A Lost Little Girl

We took a team ride as I posted earlier around the South end of Lake Wa and across I90. For the first time, our 7 man team (New name pending suggestions) was together and we rode like the wind. Or rather we rode against the wind. Insert the sound of Leo impersonating the wind who seems to hate us and always push us down. Sorry I trailed off.

Anyway, a few team members had some anxiety and anger to blow off so we started off strong. Riding to enjoy the day, to get some exercise and to well work off some frustrations. The day was a little cloudy but after Chilly Hilly it was like I was pedaling in Hawaii! I should back up, I have NOT been on a bike since that dreadful event and honestly almost cried thinking about mounting up this week. Just a little PTSD....

Anyway the day was nice and we started out heading South towards Renton. To quote Jocelyn, "There are just a few hills on this route." Unfortunately for Joc, she became the Girl who cried wolf... There were a lot of hills, great training for our journey in August.

We curved around the SOuth end of Boeing Field and took a little rest for a snack at Seward Park in South Seattle. We mounted back up and headed towards I90 and Mercer Island.

Mike and I decided to ride up the hill while the rest took the flat route and then climbed the stairs to the top of the bridge. (Note to self: it was one hell of a hill, thanks Mike!)

Across I90 is always my favorite part and aside from some sand in my teeth it was no different. I did feel like it was soooo much easier this year as compared to last.

Now the interesting part. We ventured onto Mercer Island to add about 13 miles to the route by biking around the Perimter. About 11 miles in we all stopped to recuperate. Mike and JR had some leg cramps and the rest of us had to go to the bathroom bad. While we rested in some rich Mercer Islander's driveway, we saw a little girl walking along side the , not so safe, road. It looked as though she had popped out of the huge Mercer Island Trail system that goes for miles through the inside of the island.

She was crying, sobbing and shivering. We got her to come with us and finally got her name and her age, just 6 years old. Apparently her friend's dad dropped her off at home but then zoomed off in his sports car (that i am assuming, no idea what car he drives) before she got inside. Her house was locked and no one was home. So she started walking and walking attempting to find her way through her tears to her friend's house. Luckily she came upon us and not the awful people that are scattered in this world.

We called the MI police, and a hybrid SUV later, a nice cop showed up and helped us return her to her home. Not before reaming out the friend's mom and making our little lost girl feel safe again. I hope her parents give those other parents HELL about this and that the little girl is doing better today.

We rode on, with our anger and astonishment to propel us forward and we ended our 35 mile bike ride, some 4 hours later back at our cars. Starving and tired, and in desparate need of a bathroom.

Never a dull moment with Team _____________________ (Still looking for a new name).

Next up- Tulip Ride!!!

If Sunny Skies Prevail

How about this for our route on Sunday?

35.67 miles. Start at SE Bell park and ride, head south around the bottom of the lake, thru Seward Park and the Mercer Island Loop back to the car.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/29901148

Newest team member!!!

I would like to introduce everyone to Team Jarlos' newest team member and first fan, Mike! He finally got the nerve to join us for a ride this weekend. Without a "cough" holding him back, he manned up and rode 30 long, trecherous miles along the Centennial Trail! The ride was from Snohomish to south Marysville. Here is a pic of Mike (don't know what he's doing) with Marysville highschool in the background.

At the start, you can tell Mike was getting a little nervous. His cleats wouldn't let him fully clip into the pedal but he said screw it and we were off. Thank God for nice weather, especially after what was the worst sunday of my life last weekend. The ride was honestly so easy (even on my old piece of shit) that there really isn't much to talk about here! Just glad teammate number 5 finally joined in!
If you notice in the pic above, we're all holding the number 25 with our fingers. Reason for this is the last two miles of the first half was a pretty gradual downhill slope. Mike decided to take off showing off his insane bike skills. Soon after that, CLos passed me and I screamed out "I CAN'T HIT 25!!!!" This is because on my old piece of shit bike, the fastest I can go is about 25 mph, but it takes a force of God to get the speed up that fast!!!