Ideal weather didn't bring me company yesterday, but the fat tire riders were out in force today.

I thought I was early but arrived to find Mike Riddle, Sean, Carol, and Bruce Carol all ready to go. Soon Debbie appeared on a road bike planning to ride to Waha but when she heard there might be alternative road ride at 12, she road to the top of the Waha grade but not on to the store.

Debbie joins us for a road ride to Waha Store!"

Chris arrived on his road bike just as we were leaving Waha store. He continued to the end of the pavement. Wanting a full 25 miles, he road on only to find that his thin tires were not designed for the gravel climb up to Soldier's Meadows.

We were joined today by Scottie who rides a great deal in Pullman though this is the first I've seen him on a club ride. He's a strong rider pushing even Bruce up these hills.

Scottie joins us for the first time."

Bruce is rarely on a mountain bike and rode today without any suspension. Didn't seem to bother him a bit.

We were concerned that Carol would try to repeat her fall from last year, but she fooled us.

Jerry managed to ride all the way up Web Canal Road. Last time he had had to walk. He suggested he might retire from cycling now and sell his bikes but I doubt it.

Jerry's climbing hills with a smile on his face this year."

Just as I was beginning to think we'd have no mechanical trouble today, Mike discovered a slow leak in his tire. I pumped it up twice and finally had to change it.

Mike has a slow leak. Chris rode a hundred yards on gravel and had a real flat."

One thing I learned is that a century is definitely not the way to rest up for the Soldier's Meadows Ride. I'm not quite ready to sell my 2niner but I did begin to understand the sentiment.