Ring The Bell Twice

Canadian poet Leonard Cohen admonishes us in a song to do the things we love to do, never mind the imperfections. It is from these imperfections that enlightenment comes.
Due largely to the clemency of the weather the weekend before the Ephrata 400K. I loaded Hatsumomo and her new gearing (now a double instead of a triple) unto my Pogo Stick and we were off towards Canada.
The Bell, Bellingham for back to back 200k permanents, first to Elger Bay, Camano Island and back and day two to Fort Casey, Whidbey island and back.
Most impressive was in between. After the return from Elger Bay it was a no-brainer not to drive to Federal way and back.
Found an Econolodge a little north of town.

I convinced them to an extra $2 discount and took a ground floor room, perfect for the bike. After shower I rode into town, and the natives were loving the weather, people, free live music, lots of Margaritas and Canadian flags.
I kept thinking that this would be a great caper with a group of friends, me! I must be insufferable.
Finally settled on a Mexican restaurant called Jalapenos.

Extra salt with the chips please.
I highly recommend if you have a sweet tooth like me, Ice Cream at Mallard
Ran into the Captain on the way there, no blood relative I presume.

As soon as I had the Vanilla, (next time I must try the Rhubarb) my mind became fixed on Fort Casey so I hit the sack. But not before gathering with a few natives.

To validate this sunset.

Within 36 hours I rode Chuckanut Drive four times (as well as the Skagit Flats). On the final return I thought the "Drive" must be ready to "chuck this nut" but the feeling was not mutual. I really love it especially in the early morning.
Mark Thomas once told me that a flat tire has more to do with your karma than the tire that you were last heard extolling its virtues. What I am saying is that it is not in my karma to retain salt and water like a camel in the Sahara, nor will I ever win the "David Zabriskie award" for cutting through wind.
Winds in the Skagit, I could pass.

Thanx to "Meester Secret Control Man", I learn something every time our paths cross.

Jumbo Mambo

Be careful what you wish, it may come true.
I was invited by a friend to ride the Jumbo Mambo
Another friend joined in, this is synchronicity for in my "kitchen Swahili" (perhaps because Africans patronize their friends by calling them "chief") I would call my friends Jumbo.
Also these guys are tall and good to hide behind in the Skagit.
They rode quick by my standards.



But still had time to break Mambo bread.
Geoff thinks this one is a winner.

Gratitude for permanents AT seattlerando DOT org

Mambo-jumbo

I am sure that is what I sound like quite often.
I ramble on:
After poking fun, the fleche got me thinking, 360 km that is the distance you must cover every 24hrs to remain in the in the good one of the 2 columns. If it was a brevet how long would it have taken.
This is of significance specially in the multi-day rides. If you cover the 360 in 24hrs or more then you must ride on with no stop. I am also thinking that the only place that a 200k helps (in a multi-day ride) is in the second day of a 600k.
As these multi-day rides loom, is the 200k permanent still good training.
Tell me.
I am thinking that to be comfortable, if such a state is possible, with the 1000, 1200, and higher.
At least mix in and be somewhat comfortable with the 300 to 400k permanents.
What are those? Where? How many?
Well! battle innoculation, start with a 250k
Whidbey Mambo!
How did I do? I cut off 3hrs from last years time, mostly from better navigation, this is very important, I think, and skipping the Mambo. Yes there were winds in the Skagit and Traffic lights in Everett just when you really don't care to race them.
Running half awake and wide alive, ran into unprecedented traffic.

And Tulips

And still Daffodils

Daylight from start to the finish.


Thanks to Ward who stopped to chat as we crossed on Whidbey.

Amigos

Back in my vast seclusion,
Could it have all been in vain.
Fleche-Freedom just an illusion?
Hammering around my brain.

I realize
To my surprise
The Images still flood my eyes.


Lacey

Amy et amis

Montesano

Monte-"say, are we there yet"-no!

Westport

I don't care about fish!
Gimme a guy with BIG Big Miles.

Aberdeen


Matlock

The sun comes up on Icarus
Its so cold the night clothes stayed,
Yet it lights the maps and diagrams
That Geoff and Mark have made.

Kamilche

Are you serious we have to wait till 1300?
I am ready to decaffeinate this ride.

Olympia

Here in the midst of the Cyclos
Washed up on triremes of war
Trying to assist our egos
But the pressure is hard to ignore

Special gratitude to Carol and Ralph.

3 Capes and a Pilgrim

As I rode past the Trappist Abbey in Lafayette, OR with Sam Huffman. The Chant came to me.

Oh Lord of truth, oh God of might.
Who orders time and change aright.
Who sent the early morning ray.
And lights the glow of perfect day.
Extinguish now each sinful fire.
And banish every ill desire.
And while you make the body whole.
Set forth your peace upon the soul.

Easter morning Pilgrims just outside the cloister.

"Peter Abbott" as we fondly refer to Abbott Peter has done some amazing things.

Including a radiant new chapel.

Nor did it take away anything from old places of solitude,

and collective meditation.

The grounds remained magnificent and serene.

Prompting a stroll through the field of dreams.

To the unassuming alabaster shrine to the Virgin Morena of Guadalupe.

Cadence and cascades
Once kept Vince in his jade
Cool in the shade.

Thanx again Sam

Echelons

There is an African saying "that when a strong wind blows, the mighty Iroko is felled, but the grass, they bend over and let it pass". I told this to George "Big Guns" Metzler as we worked together in that memorable desert wind from Willcox to Tombstone. His reply; "In that case my ass is grass".
The Arizona Desert supports very few trees, and the grass, their biggest problem is water. The excellent logistics of the Pactour crew provided ample hydration. The wind was no stranger, I had ridden in a three man echelon with the legend ultracyclist Lon Haldeman and Scott "The Mast" Stinnett in big winds breaking on the side of the wind every half-mile as we approached Douglas Az. A good tutorial, but it did not prepare me for the march into Safford Az. See the Video:

We had ample warning about the stage from Willcox to Tombstone, and it came on the heels of the previous day, a mountain stage with a climb to Mount Graham peaking at 9200 ft. This was followed by a second lesser climb that proved to be the Guillotine. Soon after we left Willcox, Mark "Windjammer" Thomas, found his legs and was in Tombstone before the Motel keys were available. So I worked with George, Doc Stinett, Phil "n' Good" Misek and Ivan "The not so Terrible" Umble. We blended our individual power for more efficient travel to Tombstone. The road did not belong to us and the shoulders were pretty bad, with a strong cross wind from the left, the echelon stretched from left to right, it required almost absolute attention. 3 miles from Tombstone and we do a right hand turn for the only fair-winds of the day and I get my only flat of the tour, I watched them fade into the distance but not before reminding George to check in his guns at the Sherriffs in town. Right there was John "The" Kramer, he had more than his fair share of mechanicals in this tour, but it had not touched his "other worldly" smile. As we got to Tombstone we were both ready to bury that day in Boothill Cemetary.
Next and final stage to Tucson was to be almost as windy, after an exhilarating descent to lunch, George, Peter "The Great" Beeson and I decided to end this thing.

Endorphins ran high.

And stayed High.

We of the Echelons, all thank the crew.

Please save a bone for Bisti our mascot.

Mt. Graham Az.

If I could change, I would
Take all the pain, I would
Trace every wrong move that I made, I would
If I could stand up and take the blame, I would
I would take all my shame to the grave.
But it's easier to run...

Linkin Park

Thanx to Nano and Pactour