what love is?

Today is Sunday and church day . I called my sister on the way to the trail and she wondered if I was going to church and I had to say no. While I felt bad I think the experience on the trail was spiritual in nature. While riding I got to thinking about what love is. This is what I discovered on the trail today.

I ran into Ken and Randy who are friends. We cross country ski together. They had already gone a bazillion miles. We chatted for awhile and went on our separate ways. I am way too slow and don't ride as many miles as those boys do to ride with them. It was fun chatting with them anyways. Friendship is a kind of love.

As I got closer to Mirabeau Park I looked for this elderly couple. They are there almost every day.She has obviously had a stroke of some kind. She and I assume her husband walk along together. I have seen him drop something and have her pick it up. I am thinking this is part of her physical rehab. They could just stay home in their recliners and yet they are out here pushing back the effects of age and physical pain. Their commitment to each other and life is love.

When I got to the parking lot at Mirabeau I saw I'm thinking a young dad and three kids with backpacks heading down a trail to the river. Taking time to show your kids the beauty of the river and just hanging with them is love.

I pass a young women who is guiding another elderly women who again show signs of some kind of physical aliment. On the way back I hear her encouraging this person and that it is love.

At the second parking lot by Mirabeau I see signs and blue star balloons and a "start" sign. I groan a little and then I realize it is a walk in support of Wishing Star. It is due to start soon. One hundred walkers who could be at the lake or home reading the Sunday paper but they are here in support of a wonderful organization that changes lives and that is love.

Across the river I can hear a cheering crowd. It is a soccer tournament and those shouts are from family and friends of those kids. Again people who made the choice to come encourage their kids instead of some other activity that might be more appealing than a long soccer game in the hot sun and that is love.

There was a high school band playing at the river by Plants Ferry park and who knows what that was about but it added to that whole feeling that life is meant to be shared and celebrated.

On my way back from the Argonne trail head I am heading up a steep hill ( at least for me it is) As I get just pass the top a man comes by on his bike and says "good job" and smiles. Did he see me struggle up the hill ? I don't know but he did not have to say a thing and the fact that someone took the time to encourage a stranger is an act of love.

I have talked about all the wonderful nature that I have so enjoyed encountering on the trail but today it was all about humanity and hope and love. In the days ahead I will encounter people who make me cranky and frustrate me. In the back of my head I want to remember this Sunday ride and how hopeful it made me feel.

Eight Lakes Leg Aches Ride

So yesterday was the 8 lakes Leg Aches ride. A little history three years ago Steve and I were helpers as in not riders. This ride supports one of my favorite non profits Lutheran Social Services Northwest. An organization making a huge difference in Spokane and the Inland Northwest. Last year I rode the 30 miles section and it was super fun. But I was only riding about 10 mile rides at that point in my bike riding life. So needless to say my legs and other parts hurt ....a lot.
This year I have been riding a little more and I was not nearly as fatigued or sore as last year. I made it up most hills but did walk it up a few. My Granny gear is stupid and not effective at all. The fact is that I am 100 pounds over weight and that makes hills icky for me. Next year however I expect to be roaring up those hills. Last year Matt my son rode with me and that was super fun. This year my awesome sister was back riding and that was just too amazing for words. Steve my man rode with me to make sure I was safe and sound. Thanks honey!
My new seat is super sweet and again a big shout out to Steve 's bike shop on Cannon street in Brown's Addition. You rock!
720 miles yes

680 woo hoo

Monday morning and I am on my bike. I had to ride from my house as my 4 wheeled transportation is having a few issues. The ride was uneventful although when I stopped half way I answered my phone and chatted it up. Do not answer phone on trail unless it seems like an emergency.
OK that said my plan to ride every day this week has been forestalled as I have to have a colonoscopy Thursday. Apparently this is a two day event thus I will not be riding until Friday. Then the 8 Lakes ride is Saturday.

660 which is not 700

So I have been a little slow getting back in the saddle some of it weather related and some life related! Tuesday I did a twenty mile ride and saw a coyote on the trail. We did this funny who are you back and forth and finally I took his picture. What a fun way to end that ride.

Wednesday I went on a ride with my friend Sue on the Fish Lake trail 10 miles.

Thursday was my physical and my new Doctor wants me to get fitted on my bike and bring the handle bars up. My problem is I do not want to have my bike back in the shop,that week off was costly.

This week I am going to ride each day. I really need to do some hill work as 8 Lakes leg aches is next week and I know there are some killer hills. yish

So today Steve and I went on the trail and it was nice and we added another 20 miles.

oh and I am old. I have to do stretches now before and after each ride so My head and neck do not spaz out.

"Back in the saddle again"

I'm back in the saddle again. That's right picked Gertie up Friday. New seat, brakes,gel tape and general fix ups . That Steve on Cannon street rocks! The week off was necessary as I had some major weird physical issues head aches numbness in hands and a little dizzy.
Brains good, neck has some osteo arthritis. Will check on nerve damage on the 6Th. Still I am going to do physical therapy and keep riding.

Steve and I started out early 7:30 -8 ish. We headed toward Post Falls and came back on the trail and then zigged zagged our way home through Otis Orchards. about 15 miles altogether. I was such a slow mo on the first leg I felt I was ninety going 9 miles an hour felt difficult which is crazy. By the time we got home it was already getting hot!

My plan is to ride at least 20 miles a day and be at 700 miles by the weekend. I will need to go early as it heats up fast!

Check out this great MSN Video: Librarians Go Gaga

Check out this great MSN Video: Librarians Go Gaga

Tailwinds Forever

Since the last I blogged I have gone on two 30 mile bike rides with a twenty thrown in for good measure.
Yesterday My sister and her husband Dennis and I went on the Fish Lake trail all the way to Cheney. It was so fun. Of course there was the slight heads winds and then there was a slight and then not so slight up hill. I kept looking at the speedometer thinking we should be going faster! Once we got to the end of the trail I teased Dennis the end of the trail is the first food stop on the Eight Lakes Leg Aches ride in August! What no food! On the way back as we passed Fish Lake there was a Blue Heron right on the trail it took off just as we approached. So graceful!

Ah the road home tailwinds and speedometers that were 15- 19 miles per hour much better and so very fun.

Now my bike has needed a little tune up for while I needed a new seat and I wanted to get this gel tape put on the handle bars to help with the numbing in my hands. So my brother in law "suggested" this new bike shop that had just opened. Thus my sweet bike is in the shop for a week. Hmmm you don't suppose they had an ulterior motive? Like maybe trying to catch up with me?Let em try I say I will be on on Gertie in no time.