Dr. Ken waiting to register. Note the
big, warm mittens.
This is a class act. Note the big registration tent, the big banner,
and the portable stove in the background that is heating water for
cider and cocoa. Also note Dr. Ken's stylish germ-free puffy blue shoe
covers.
Randonneuring is bicycling mixed with paperwork. More riders sign in.
Getting ready to go. Note the classy SIR mudflap on Dan Turner's
coroplast-fendered Colnago.
A cheery Mark Thomas mans one of the "secret" controls. On a brevet, if
there is a shorter route other than the route designated on the route
sheet, a secret control is often placed somewhere on the official
route to make sure riders have in fact ridden the official route. A
rider must have all completed brevet card at the end of the ride
including stamps from any secret controls. What looks like a little
chocolate bar in Mark's hand is in fact the official SIR ACME Rubber
Stamp.
Mark's car is the base of operations for the secret control on Connelly
Road. Mark told me he used Google Maps with the satellite overlay to
find a spot with a nice wide shoulder for the control location.
The second secret control of the day. This one was at the corner of NE
139th Street and O'Dell Road between Duvall and Carnation. David
Huelsbeck and I were deep in conversation and damn near blew past the
turn off Kelly road and would've missed this control if it wasn't for
other, more vigilant riders. I know several other "old-hands" who went
on auto-pilot once they hit Kelly Road and thus missed this control.
Wayne gives the official SIR blessing to another control card.
Wayne is getting ready to meet the next batch of riders.
Food stops are serious business. Everybody stops at Sandy's Espresso in
Carnation to get their control cards signed but muffins and coffee are
at least as important as paperwork.
Check out those GloGlovs and the reflective handlebar tape. Even though
today's ride is all in daylight, randos know about night riding. And
GloGlovs are extremely visible even in daylight.
"Oh Lord, bless this coffee. May it fuel this rider across the Valley
of the Cow, over the Hill of Union and bring him safely to the land of
Amber Ale."
Rando bikes and one rider who doesn't have a subscription to "Stylish
Wool Quarterly."
There is no truth to the rumor that Dan Boxer will be on the cover of
the next issue of "Stylish Wool Quarterly" but that wool cap you can
just see sticking out from under his helmet is a custom made wool
number from
Shaun
Deller of Portland.
See happy wool-clad Dan smile and wave to the camera.
Wayne collects control cards at the finish.
More riders roll in.
And even more riders.
