WEEK 3 JANUARY RIDE/PHOTOS #10-15

NOTE: Apparently I have been stuck in 2020 — no worse place to be stuck!!! So now that I realize that, my photos should have the correct year indicated on them 😏. It is impossible to go back to change the year on previous photos. 🤨

#10 January 15, 2021

My bike was ready for pick up (recall my mechanical breakdown a couple of days ago) so we made a plan. Susan and I would drive to the bike shop and I would ride home, alleviating Susan of having to load up my bike, and allowing me my ride for the day ;’-). Plan worked great 🤗. 

I took some back roads through neighborhoods I am familiar with, some of which are part of regular routes I often ride. I veered off to go by this little pocket park. Little being the operative word here. You can see how small, as it is just about totally in the photo.

I added a few miles by riding through the Boeing plant but still the ride was much shorter than yesterday. Much hillier though, so it balances out. Similar weather with some sun breaks and this time some actual threatening clouds. Empty threats for this part of the day as there has been no rain ;’-).

#11 a & b January 16, 2021

Cloudy, damp and chilly today. After a zoom meeting this morning I geared up and rode around a longer route in my neighborhood. Stopped for the photo of this Green House which needs two photos.

Those are plastic pop bottles used for walls. Rather interesting I think, and probably very effective for a Green House.

#12 January 17, 2021

They said it would be sunny and in the mid to upper 40s today. Cindy and I did not see nor feel any of that on our damp and cold morning ride. Didn’t matter though as we did a short meander around the south Everett/Mill Creek area to the Nickel Creek Park to enjoy our tea and snacks. And of course a lot of chit chat ;’-)

I had ridden to Cindy’s house for our ride start, and arrived a little early. I ambled around her house and yard and found my photo for the day —  her front yard remains adorned with a “Christmas” tree.

Candles in the window shine a warm glow onto her front porch.

#13 January 19, 2021

I am NOT going to count the one mile (1 mile) I rode on Monday (yesterday as I write this). I thought it would be a good riding day until I walked out in the early morning and found how cold and damp it was. In the late morning I saw a sun drop and thought I might harness some of that for a neighborhood ride. I got on my bike and chose to ride alone rather than join Susan for the ride back to pick up the car from general maintenance work. A few pedal strokes was all it took for me to know I was not going to ride. I have been riding in cold damp weather for days, this day I just could not find the smiles for a ride. Often I would ride on, hoping it or I would be better and have ended up with a good ride. Not this day. Aborted plan and finished around our mile long block to get back home.

This morning (Tuesday) presented with early morning fog and temp at about 33. Ugh. I am an early rider, and by afternoon I have normally lost all motivation to get on my bike. When there was blue sky, bright sun and temp at 43, I could not resist.  

Not a lot of miles, but plenty of smiles behind my mask for a bimble around the neighborhood and through the Village Center.

#14 January 20, 2021

An aside: CELEBRATE!! NEW PRESIDENT AS OF TODAY. ;’-)

I have not ridden the north end of the Centennial Trail for at least a year, mainly due to the Pandemic and not leaving home. It is about a mere half hour drive to the trailhead that allows a 25 mile round trip bike ride, but still away from home, and not wanting to ride that distance alone that far from home had kept me away. 

Today changed that as Cindy and I met at the trailhead and rode along the trail practically all to ourselves. The day was cloudy and on the cold side of 40, but we expected that and were well bundled against the weather. This part of the trail is a delight as it takes us through a lot more countryside than developed neighborhoods. The destination is always to get to the Nakashima barn at the very north end of the trail. 

Here are a few photos I took around the barn. The website will tell the story of the Japanese family who ran the farm, and for all purposes, were the owners (as Japanese they could not own property then). The family were gathered up  after the Japanese attack and the war began, and put into internment camps.

SEE STORY HERE

There are more photos to take along the trail, but these are the few I took, saving some for another day ;’-).

Big bike little bike.

Owl in a fence. Looks blurry but really is not.

The town of Arlington, a bit south of the barn, has several interesting murals. Here’s one; I am saving more for another day.

A marker on the trail through town. I cannot quite figure out the “10”. There are pole mounted mile markers all along the trail from 1 on the south end to 30 on the north end. The center of Arlington is about 8 miles south of the barn. The best I can do is surmise that this particular marker (there are a few more) is 10 miles south of the barn. I did not notice where these ground markers start or end. I will try to remember to make notice on my next ride here.

 

#15 January 21, 2021

Another cold damp morning. Well, it is January, and they are reporting it the wettest January in 77 years! I was not totally into riding today, but since the rain (and maybe even some snow) is well on its way for next week, I thought I should give it a try today. There was no rain, so I got my warm gear bundled on to me and spent a bit more than an hour meandering around our area, close to home.

Riding through the Village Center, this photo reminds me of a cold winter day in Paris where a writer or artist might be seated plying their craft. 

I was happy to get home after a short ride and enjoy my hot tea and cozy comfort of my couch ;’-)

WEEK 2 JANUARY RIDES/PHOTOS #6-9

RIDES/PHOTOS

#6 January 9, 2020

Having had temps in the 43+ range for the past couple of weeks, it was surprising to see 32 this morning with frost everywhere! Early morning bike ride plan was thwarted. ;’-(. I had in mind to start my ride early so to ride a little longer before needing to get home and ready for the 1:30 Seahawks game. So, at 10:00 with temp climbing to 35 degrees, I switched gears and got ready to ride closer to home for my short neighborhood route.

Thwarted again when my feet were slipping around on the slippery slick surface on the road in front of our house. It takes so much time and effort to get geared up with layers of clothes and head gear, and heating elements for fingers and toes for cold weather riding, and now I would have to do it all over again when temps increase a bit more.

Will 11:00 be the magic hour with 39 degrees in the sun? That will be the time for ime to try again.

So —- I will just go back and remember this...

11:00 did present with better riding conditions. Kinda. By the time I was on the saddle the clouds came by to cover the sun and I figured I would turn around for home if anything unsafe appeared. I would do as Cindy says and choose to live another day to enjoy another ride. I was sure to avoid the side roads that were very shaded, and carefully maneuvered around any wet/shiny places. Like this one...

That is ice in there.

This all caused me to ride shorter than usual, but safely. I went into the elementary school to check on the abandoned garden. Abandoned at least during the pandemic.

The sun was now out and high in the sky as I rolled into our garage shortly after noon. Shorter but a nice hour and a half on my bike.

#7 January 12, 2020

After two full days off the bike I was, shall we say ‘ready’ for a ride! The first day off was due to high lack of motivation, and it was dry with even a few sun spots later in the day. Myself was simply saying I did not want to ride that day. I try to listen to myself, so passed up a ride. The second day off was “legit” with tons of rain for the entire day. 

This morning brought some rain as well, but when our water gauge (a puddle on the the street in front of our house) showed no rain at about 11:00, I quickly got it together for my solo ride. The temp was 52 degrees, so I wore some lighter gear for today’s ride. I had some swift wind in a few places, but nothing too bad. The route took me on some quiet neighborhood roads and then to the back way to our county airport where many airplanes are in “storage” at this time. Today’s photo was taken near the Mukilteo City Hall that I pass on this route.

#8 January 13, 2020

Mechanical issues stopped my ride short 😖. I was just about half way and starting my route to home when my derailleur stopped working. Could not shift gears. That was not quite the disastrous happening for me on my pedal assist as the gear was now stuck in the easiest sprocket. BUT, what was I to do for my future riding! 

A not too long story a little shorter, Susan drove, I rode, to the bike shop where she took my bike into the the shop (I am, with Susan’s staunch agreement/insistence) staying out of all stores and shops. Fortuitously, I was planning to schedule a full maintenance for my bike as soon as I could get to it. This was sooner ;’-). My back up is —- using Susan’s bike while mine is at the doctor. 

My photo for the day ...

Another thing for today is that we had quite the storm last night that Susan and I slept through undisturbed. Trees were down, homes had lost power, there was debris strewn about on most roadways. This tree was closing the road.

Of course, when I saw the sign and knew why the road was closed due to the tree, I recalled all the downed trees we have scrooched around with our bikes and did the same here. On the other side a workman sitting in his truck told me that was “risky” because there are loose wires in there!! Although very nice, neither he nor the other workman sitting in the truck next to him had moved out of his truck to stop or warn me. I apologized to him and thanked him for the warning and kept beating myself up for being so stupid, but soon let that go when I thought about them not acting very concerned for me! Lesson learned — look UP for any downed wires when scrooching around downed trees.

One more photo today that caught my interest. A lone caboose on the tracks.

I have to include a part of an email Cindy sent to me after I had written to her about my ‘adventures’ for today: 

"Once again our intrepid cyclist Nancy finds herself in mortal danger on her bike ride... what could it be this time??  Downed trees, raging river... no, not even live power lines across the road 

#9 January 14, 2020

My ‘Cindy ride’ today — or rather my ride with Cindy today ;’-). Some clouds early, but they promised at least some sun for the day. And they were basically right. High fluffy white clouds that were not threatening of anything filtered the sun for much of our ride, but we got full sun and blue sky for at least a bit of the day. We scamandered around the Mill Creek area with a brief visit to Tambark Park before heading on for a “snack” at Bequest Cafe in the Town Center.

That’s Cindy — waaaay up there in the red. This is a park I/we have come to quite often with two differences today: we entered from the opposite end, thus coming in from the rear ;’-); there were NO people anywhere in the park. That was really a new phenomenon, because if not really busy there have been at least a few people milling about. Not on this day

My scone treat at Bequest. Yummy.

Great riding weather for January, great route, wonderful scone, and fantastic company. Life is good.

WEEK 1 JANUARY RIDES/PHOTOS (#2-5)

 RIDE #2

#2 January 3, 2021

After a soaker and high winds yesterday, this morning started with consistent rain. Forecast kept going back and forth for when to expect no rain. I finally gave up waiting and took a chance at mid morning when the rain had just about come to a stop. Once out and on my bike —— I had sun for my entire ride ;’-).

\

#3 January 5, 2021

Rain or wind for just about all day each day has kept many of us off our bike more times than we like! It had rained most of yesterday with a hint from the weather people that this morning would potentially be dry. Rain to come in late in the afternoon. I grabbed the morning window and went for a ride.

What I call my “Shawna Loop” takes me  just a little outside my neighborhood and today, offered a delightful time in the saddle. I tried out the new glove/mittens that Susan found to purchase online, and they were great in today’s 43 degree, damp weather. Below 40 degrees I think I will have to add hand warmers to the gloves, but today worked great without that addition.

#4 January 6, 2021

Imagine my surprise when I had sun for a good part of my ride today. Sun! And some blue sky as well. By the end of the ride the temp had reached 47 degrees. 

I got out at my same time (9:00) and was not certain that the rain wold not start again. But alas, no need for worry. Our golf course has a double hazard! Sandtrap AND water hazard all in one. I continued on into south Everett and then through the airport on my regular route returning home. A good day.

#5 January 7, 2021

Finally a ride with Cindy. We have had to cancel or reschedule many of our planned rides in the past few weeks due to weather, but today was ours for a grand day of cycling. I drove my bike  to Everett for our ride start from Garfield Park. We each packed our lunch for a stop at the gazebo in Snohomish as we have done in the past, but woe, there were people in OUR gazebo!! 

So we rode around town a little before heading on for the second half of our trip. We stopped at the picnic table, after getting our feet a little wet riding through the big puddles on the trail, in the park by the Lowell River. 

It is such a delight to have a rural ride through farmland and flood plains so close to home. The horses are always a welcome companion along Riverside Road.

Our first ride through some water is down there at the end of the bridge...

These dilapidated steps lead down to the slough under the bridge we are standing on.

Flood plains are covered with water in a lot of places. Here the horses reflect in the pool as they graze.

We entered town to find “our” gazebo occupied and so made a new plan for lunch. This was our decision spot ;’-). NO — we will not go down there ;’-0.

I see this big ol’ tree trunk many times when I bike through town, now was an opportunity to take a photo.

On the ride out of Snohomish, Cindy had noticed this sign which could not be passed by. Words to live by — or hope by at least.

A NEW LOOK

A new year deserves a new look ;’-). So I have made a slight change in the look of my blog. Let’s see how that looks ;’-)

JANUARY

January 1, 2021

I have not missed riding on New Year’s Day in years. I don’t remember that last time I have not. There were some concerns about today, but at worst I thought I would do only a couple of miles in consistent rain. BUT, once again the forecast changed and I got a couple of hours window of dry, and only slightly damp riding weather. Ahhhhh, not to break my tradition. 

I did my ETAL route as it is the most convenient if worried about rain or distance as I can cut it short at any time. The route skirts several parts of the Golf Course, and so the photo. I had hoped the lights on the house across the Green would show up, but it is too far away.

CYCLE DAYS #48-57

Closing out 2020!!!! YAY for that!

On September 19th I had set the goal to post 15 photos of rides from that day through the end of 2020. It is actually a challenge presented on one of the bike sites that I joined back then. Some are calling me an overachiever now that I have 57 Photos for that amount of time. I don’t know about the overachiever part as the pandemic has induced more riding days as it is all I have been able to do outside of our house 😉. Thank Goodness for my bike 🚴‍♀️💕. It wasn’t that I thought I would get only 15 rides in that amount of time, but whether I could find a photo for each ride. It has opened my eyes to look around and find something, and now when I look at a photo I recall the ride and enjoy it again in my thoughts.

Rides/photos #48-57

#48 DECEMBER 15, 2020

It is often all about errands ;’-). Susan has no real drive to want to “just ride”, and needs a destination or errand to get her out. There was some wind, and it might rain again, so as Susan was going to bike up to mailbox about a mile and half from home, I said I would not join her. As she got ready — I changed my mind. I would at least get outside today if only for 4 or so miles. Then we (she) decided she would rather go to the box at QFC which would give me another few miles. We stopped along the way and Susan said, if I wanted to peel off she would understand 🤗. So I did. I meandered around some loops up and back to get just the same riding time and miles as yesterday, but not wet ones this time ;’-).

Here we are — mailing Christmas cards. As I was taking the photo a (masked) woman passed us on the way into the store and said “Santa’s Helper?”. 

Of course I did enjoy my ride, and really there was no wind to speak of. Not a bad time to be out there. I think if there is a sucker hole sometime this week it may be brief, and a spur of the moment decision to ride will not allow any planning. I can hope for another ride or two this week at least.

#49 DECEMBER 16, 2020

Left home a little earlier this morning to miss the rain that was due at about noon. And it worked. After home and lunch, the rain came down in full force as I watched it from my warm and cozy reading chair. 

Photo for today is this relic (maybe a replica?) that must be used by the owner as it is not always in the same parking spot.

Later I passed by some things lined up for the dump. Faded love until February I suppose.

#50 DECEMBER 20, 2020

After a weekend of wind and rain at Port Townsend, we came home to some dry weather. Remnants of the rain and damp roads, but no rain or wind. I got out late on this day because — Seahawks ;’-). We won against Washington, but just barely. 

Of course I enjoyed my ride around my immediate neighborhood visiting the elementary school where the climbing wall is, but was happy to get home and relax with a mug of tea before zooming with the Rainbow Riders traditional Christmas ride together in the early evening. Some rode their bikes together today, I did a “virtual” ride (I don’t think anyone else did that) and we met up on zoom to talk about our day and shared photos for those who took any.

#51 DECEMBER 22, 2020

There is no comparison of the amount of snow we get to the amount (and frequency) that friends in Vermont or Minnesota get, and that is just how I like it. ;’-)

BUT — on the FIRST day of winter (yesterday), right on schedule, snow arrived. 

Photos from last evening’s snow fall from (and at) our front door. 

By this morning, as I was preparing for my ride, this is what was left of our first day of winter snow fall — just how I like it. ;’-).

The sun was out bright and casting shadows. Just how I like it.

I rode around on dry streets in sunshine with temps in the low 40s. A perfect winter day ride — especially after an evening of snow. 🤗🚴‍♀️🥰

#52 DECEMBER 24, 2020

I am posting my Holiday challenge photo today on Christmas Eve (usually due to be done on the actual holiday) because 1) I most likely will not get to ride tomorrow — Christmas Day — and 2) this is the day we always celebrate our family Christmas.

Today was a very short ride, but a little longer than the one mile I had initially thought it might be. The frost was thick and cold out there in the 28 degree morning. I probably would not ride at all!

It gradually got a little warmer as the sun came out, and our road looked kinda dry so I decided to get my ride. Within about 50 feet of my house, it was still heavy frost. Our road is very shaded by surrounding trees so the sun was not hitting many places. That convinced me that I would not be doing my regular loops of the neighborhood roads as they are much the same as our immediate road.

OK then, once I decided to go a little further than the one mile, I continued onto the Boulevard which has more sun available. Shortly however, there was my dreaded black ice!

Though I managed to get 6 miles of riding, it was not the most fun ride. Keeping a sharp eye out for dicey areas, being afraid of not seeing them, and being ready to avoid those I did see took a lot of concentration and left little enjoyment for me.Too bad as it was a gorgeous crisp mid morning that would have offered a great day of riding.

Oh well, as my friend Cindy says, better to live to ride on another day without a fall and possibly a broken body part!

#53 DECEMBER 25, 2020

Though the photo is a tad out of focus, this was the feeling if this Christmas Day ;’-). More about the day is in a previous post titled CHRISTMAS DAY 2020.

#54 DECEMBER 26. 2020

The Bruin is the school mascot for one of our local High Schools. When I first heard the word bruin, I did not know what animal that is. It looked like a bear, had a bear’s feet. It was the word ‘bruin’ that had me puzzling. It’s a bear: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bruin.

I often pass by the school on one of my routes so stopped there on this day for a visit with the Bruin ;’-).

Big feet on this bruin.

Cloudy and cool for my ride, and more wind than I expected. I fought some strong headwind for the second half of my ride on the way home.

#55 DECEMBER 28, 2020

Sigh, Cindy and I had planned weeks ago for a ride together today. Overnight low temps and frozen fog put a halt to that plan. Frozen Fog?!? How many weather conditions can there be? And how many can fall onto our cycling plans? A lot apparently.

I dithered and dithered. Finally I decided to try a ride in what had become a sunny mid morning, clear of fog with the temps gradually climbing to 40 by 11:30.

It was a slow and enjoyable meander around the ‘hood on one of the routes I often ride. The open gate in an industrial parking lot presented a photo opportunity I wasn’t sure would arrive. I was glad I had not tried for a ride any earlier as there were many wet places that could have been icy in slightly lower temps. I of course avoided those, not knowing until I was upon them if there was actually ice. No ice, no frozen fog, no wind, no precipitation, and sunshine. Rather a good late in the day ride. Cindy and I will reschedule our together ride for another day.

#56 DECEMBER 29, 2020

We have a new ferry landing in town. The ferry that takes us from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island has moved and this day was opening day. And closing day of the old one. There would be a lapse of traffic and ferry use for about 4 hours for the construction crew to finish up last minute opening needs. Susan who as you recall, basically rides only if there is some kind of actual destination, wanted to ride down to the new ferry landing and check it out while there was no traffic. So we did. 

Rushing to stay out of the way of the construction workers, I was able to get only this blurry photo of the new ticket buying booths. I will post it now, and repost when I get a good photo. It looks so ‘cosmopolitan’ compared to our little booths along the Speedway. We were not able to completely figure out how traffic will work once it starts, and it appears the current option will be ‘temporary’ for several months (according to one worker we asked) with traffic police directing traffic at a STOP sign. A stop sign does not seem adequate for as much traffic as flows to and from the ferry.

After exploring this area we toodled around the park for a bit before heading home. A short and sweet ride with Susan in the late morning worked well for this day.

#57 DECEMBER 31, 2020

Rain or shine we will ride she said! Okie dokie Cindy — let’s do it. 

We have had to cancel so many rides together this month, we really wanted this one. We both thought it so very appropriate that we finish 2020 together on a bike ride. After all, we started riding ‘virtually’ early on in the pandemic’s lockdown days. We gradually, very gradually got to the point we could ride together in person and have continued to do that on an almost weekly basis.

We are experiencing the rain...

We were on the trail for only part of the time, and it was a bit wet. But it did dry up after about half an hour of riding, and we apparently avoided a lot of rain during our outside lunch stop. 

Both Cindy and I are so happy for the ride today, and we know we will have more fun adventures in the brand new year.

As the year ends, I will start a new round of photos for 2021 with three caveats: 1) I will not number the photos (I got so mixed up with numbers); 2) I will not set a number goal. My cyber friend in Germany (who actually started this challenge on the site) has given me the idea of “ride and photo whenever possible”. I like that better than having a number, so I plan to copy her on that (thanks Suzanne); 3) There will undoubtedly be some repetitive photos but taken at different circumstances, and will that will be OK.

HAPPY 2021 FOR US ALL 😊🤗🚴‍♀️❤️