I could put these gorgeous early fall days to good use, perhaps, by riding early and long by myself, but I prefer company. Yesterday, for example, I had thought about doing the Winchester Century since that stretch of 95 the otherside of Winchester is now rideable. Instead I took Becky Phillips up on her offer a ride on the Palouse. True that gave me an opportunity to take Linda's bike into B&L and get a ride at the same time. Richard joined Becky and I for the Albion loop and the Chipman Trail for lunch at Quiznos. Famous Cameo Appearance: Chris Wendt passed us riding across campus.

So I gave up a century on a beautiful day to ride 45 miles in the Palouse (complete with west wind.) Steve might not approve, but I had a good time and learned a lot: Richard was full of stories about his research--an autonomous underwater vehicle ala the Martian Rover. And Becky filled in some of the gaps in her story that took her from Colton Vet to freelance photog, writer, and editor. Hey, and she let me talk about writing.

As we climbed Cloverland, Darwin said, "It's nice to have a group to ride with." You're right, Darwin it is nice.

Darwin turned up on a Lemond and all the right gear. He looked lean and fast and had no trouble with our hills. He claimed no place as home save his RV though he said Colorado had been his starting point where he had done mountain biking but not road biking. He said he had been layed off and found he could live on his investments and had just not gone back to work. He asked question about riding here year around. We assured him it got cold but didn't keep us off our bikes.

"I got layed off and just never went back to work." Sounds a little like Steve.

Darwin learned of the club 9:30 start through the simple means of calling a local bike shop--he didn't remember which. A member was in the shop and told him about us. Wish that member had also turned up.

As it was, only Helen, Darwin, Bill and I left the boat launch. Eric had cancelled calling early to say family were visiting. Our departure was a bit late since Helen had imported a goat head from somewhere and had a flat before she had even taken the bike off the rack. I patched her tube since her spare had visible holes in it. I used too much glue and the patch later failed on Asotin Creek. Mike repatched it right. Thanks, Mike.

Mike and Nicky had a committment at church and planned to join us somewhere on the Grade. Helen said she though Debbie would be with them. That Debbie was lobbying for an 11 am start. We wouldn't have had time for that. I was out 5 hours as it was--of course that did get me 75 miles.

Sean caught us before Spiral Highway. He'd skipped the boat launch and lain in wait at the convenience store at the Rose Garden.

The Riddles called when we were just approaching the last set of switch backs on the grade. We spent some time at the top enjoying the view and the gradually warming day. We all put jackets and arm warmers back on, though, before the descent. Helen, still climbing, saw us coming and turned around. Toward the bottom, I spied Scott Whitely, then Debbie and Nicky and Sherry. Suddenly we had a crowd.

We headed west for Red Wolf and then up 13th through Clarkston to Clemens and on into Asotin Market for water and something to eat. It was just past noon. We stopped while Mike fixed Helen's flat (I think Sherry had had a couple of her own earlier but I don't have the details--it was before she even started, too, though.)

Scott tried to follow Sean when we started climbing Cloverland. Mike and I just sat back and waited. Sean's been training and now rides closer to Eric than he does to us. Darwin settled into a comfortable pace and I was happy to stay with him for the climb.

Bill's riding a 90s era Raleigh with about 7 speeds. He really needs a 21st century bike. Still he pushed those big gears up all three hills and never complained. Darwin said he doesn't need no "stinkin' double." We agreed that triple granny was the right gear today.

Bill's back. A former member, Bill's taken up the road bike once again.

Bulletin: Helen is 30 minutes ahead of the pack on Anatone.

Okay so she cheated. I hadn't notice the missing Helen on Cloverland. Turns out she turned around and headed up Anatone on her own. There she was waiting patiently when I arrived.

While we are on the subject of cheaters, we had one more member join. Lance had Jan bring him up to the Y on Asotin Creek after church and he rode up a mile or two before we came down. He kept talking about how fresh he felt. Right. I'd be fresh too if I skipped the first two peaks.

Fresh or not, I agree with Darwin. "It is good to have a group to ride with."