Crusty Cassette

"You warmed me up," I told Gary when we hit Southway. I took off the windbreaker I had started in figuring I wouldn't need it again. the forecast was for 51. I'd be fine with just a vest. Shoot. I was already sweating. Gary really was pushing it.

I expected clouds and a sunbreak or two. Instead the day dawned to blue sky and stayed that way.

Doug, Linda, Donna and Gary joined me for a Lapwai Loop. I did this route a week or so ago but didn't want to call for more since I figured most of us didn't have the mileage base.

But it was Doug who suggested we might add Kendrick. I knew that even with my 9:30 start at home, I wouldn't have time to add on at the end of the ride for a century. I might have done it but I'd have been riding right to sunset. I settled for 83 for the day. Doug should have something like that as well having added eight miles before we started.

Donna and Gary had never done Lapwai. Donna had 100 miles for the year which makes Lapwai a tough enough ride. This was only the second ride of the year for Gary.

You can't fault his enthusiasm. I was worried when I had trouble keeping up from Critchfield to the boat launch. But it turns out the Lrgent training plan has a flaw. We had a pretty stout east wind in our faces going up Tammany and that took a toll on Gary.

Donna and Linda had about 30 minutes head start on us but we caught them at MacIntosh. We regrouped at Web Ridge and 95. The sign at Lapwai Grocery read 53 degrees. We had a tailwind headed north and hoped for a strong wind to push us back to town.

At Arrow Bridge, Gary opted to head back. Doug and I headed up 3 toward Kendrick into a head wind.

A quick bite at Archie's had us headed back to Lewiston by 2. No tailwnd! Well, we must have had some from Arrow to town since we were holding 20+ but it just felt like a breeze in our faces.

Doug headed home from Hahn Supply. It was 3:30. Would I go around Evans? It looked like I'd get 82-84 miles just head home. Evans really only means 3 or 4 more miles. Not worth it.

Next week. If the weather holds, Doug and I going to shoot for that first century next week.

Steve reports this is guard weekend but he has Monday off and claims Bosie is enjoying fine weather too. Will he have three centuries before I get my first?

Thanks to Donna and Gary for joining us. You two have been regulars. Linda says you're interested in the Lilac Century. My favorite ride last year, but I've considered skipping it this year. What fun if we could get a good TRC group together for this year.

For the ride of it.

Back in 2005 when I still owned my house in Lewiston and spent most weekends there, Corrie somewhat inadvertently challenged me to ride a century at least once in each calendar month. I enjoyed meeting that challenge the first year, and have continued it. Of course, the challenge in this comes mostly from the December and January weather, but this year is a bit different.

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Rain! The paper and Klew promised me rain on Friday, so I did 110 miles over three days anticipating a day off.

But Friday morning the thermometer said 49 degrees when I got up at 6. By 9 the sun and light wind persuaded me to go out to beat the wind.

You've tried that haven't you. You know what happened. I fought a wind down to 10 miles but counted on and got a great tail wind back to the Corps. I had hoped it was a southwind and I wouldn't face a head wind headed toward Evans.

No such luck. Even truning back Southeast to go up Evans didn't get me the anticipated help.

Saturday was calm and sunny. I had to go out once more time. This time I ran into Roy on the bypass near the railroad bridge and turned around to ride back to his place up Tammmany. Beautiful day. Good Ride.

But Sunday dawned grey and stayed that way. The promised 53 degrees probably never happened. At ride time, I doubted anyone would show.

But Gary and Donna showed up in their red pickup followed by The Riddles and their Tandem--Nicki complaining and wearing her Joseph Booties--and on bikes, Jim McCracken and Bill Arnold.

Couse Creek near Buffallo Eddy became the goal. I'd taken off my wind-breaker and stayed pretty comfortable though on the edge of chilly.

A drop of rain fell in Asotin but no one suggested we turn back.

We had a lively health-care discussion to make the mmiles go by.

No flats for the day unless you count the front on my bike in the garage before I left.

Next Sunday? Weather permitting, we'll ride from Nicki's place. She doesn't want to ride, but she promises oven-fresh cookies. And she says rain cancels but cold doesn't. Put it on your calendar.--Yum.

Corrie