Twelve of us on eleven bikes got out to Marymoor on Friday morning to re-acquaint the bike seat with our bottom end. For some it was a brand new experience (new to STP riders like Joshua, Lukas, and Danny). For me it was a reminder of just a little too much turkey and stuffing over the winter holidays but for the rest it was just a wonderful feeling to be back riding a bike on a weekday morning.
We started with a brief safety talk and review of hand signals which led to our first object lesson. Someone (who shall remain nameless but if you look carefully at the photo … ) forgot their helmet. As a general safety rule we should ALWAYS ride with our helmet. Fortunately Ed was the Captain on this tandem team with the helmet-less stoker and if there is ANYONE I would trust with my life and safety in their hands while on a bike, it would be Mr. Ed !! Thanks Ed for protecting your rider!! After prayer coverage for ALL of us we started our ride and got on the onto the Sammamish Trial without much further ado.
The ride was advertised as a New Rider Ride to be on flat trail along the Sammamish Trail and the Burke Gilman Trail towards the U-district and back. For the most part it certainly was. After several miles into a very pleasant ride, Kurt and Dan (our designated sweepers) were separated from the group. A quick phone call to Dan’s cell confirmed that Kurt had a flat tire and they were in process of fixing it. A CO2 canister Kurt fortunately had got them on their way again and we continued through.
The Sammamish Trail is full of scenery and today we were blessed to see an Eagle perched on its nest high above us. Just before we reached Third Place Books (which turned out to be our final destination/turnaround point), Kurt informed us he had a lunch appointment he had to make so he returned solo. Turns out afterward that Kurt did have another flat again and was unable to ride back but he called his lunch date who was fortunately able to pick him up and they were able to meet briefly.
After lunching at Great Harvest Bakery we were ready to return on the same route on which we ventured out. The “young” riders Andrew, Joshua, and Lukas who were powered by Subway foot-long sandwiches led the charge back and rode all the way to the cars way ahead of us. They said they waited “hours” for us and I knew better than to doubt them. I also knew that later that evening or early the next morning they would be feeling all the benefits of riding the full 28 miles round trip.
When we got back to Marymoor, a woman with a disabled vehicle/drained battery asked if I had jumper cables. I looked and didn’t have a set but fortunately Eric did and we offered assistance. We also discovered that my hybrid is UNABLE to charge another vehicle. The engine doesn’t turn on/kick in when parked or stopped. Thanks Mary for pulling her SUV up and stepping in to transfer electrons from her battery instead.
Overall we had a wonderful Friday bike ride experience with great people and community. Thanks everyone for helping make the ride so fun!
–Victor