Training With Kids

Gwen and I went for a relaxing 5-mile ride today.  Her trail-a-bike hitch is mounted on my single-speed city bike, the same bike that I'll be riding over three mountain passes later this summer for Courage Classic.

I took her to my secret spot, an amazing viewpoint of Commencement Bay and the Port of Tacoma, especially at night.  It's also just a few miles from home and makes a nice place to turn around when I need to get out and cruise the neighborhood a bit.

I've been riding a weekly 20-miler with the Harmon Bike Club to get ready for my big ride over the mountains, but I don't anticipate doing any training rides longer than that.  In fact, about half of my bike miles are short trips on our Xtracycle with the kids on the back deck.  The Courage Classic route has a rest stop every 15 miles or so.  I simply plan on riding four 15-mile rides each of the three days.  Doesn't sound too bad, eh?  These short rides with Gwen are great for training, even though they are mostly for fun.

Commitments and Progress

When I committed to match donations made in April with 10% of my own money, I didn't expect to have so many of you take me up on the offer!  You donated $1,400 so I kicked in $140, bringing our total to $1,595 so far! (Some off-line donations are not yet listed.)

I still have a long way to go to reach my goal of $5,000.  It's going to take as many $5 and $10 commitments as we can muster.  Extra thanks to those of you who have sent around the donation link and raised awareness for Courage Classic and the Child Abuse Intervention Department at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.

Meanwhile, I've been training on my city bike with the Harmon Bike Club on their Tuesday Night Rides around Tacoma.  Tacoma is most certainly not a flat city, so only having one gear means getting out of the saddle often.  I'm starting to realize that I may be spending many miles on the Courage Classic route standing up, rocking the bike back and forth to reach the pass summits. It will be tough, but it will be worth it.

If you're ready to help push me over the mountains this August with a donation, the button is at the top, on the right.  Every dollar counts.

Keep on Pedaling!

-Matt

Wazygoose

Earlier this month, the girls and I rode down to King's Books to check out the Wazygoose letterpress and book arts fair. We met some local artists, tried our hand at a few antique printing presses, and watched giant posters get pressed by a steamroller. Jeff's Ice Cream was also there selling delicious made in Washington ice cream bars and spreading the good word about his ice cream bike mini-franchises.  A detour to the playground on the way home earned 100% kid approval.

Taking My Pro-Bicycle Agenda to Frost Park

The Frost Park Chalk-Off, held weekly during the Friday lunch hour in downtown Tacoma, seemed like a good place to ride on Earth Day.  Tula and I took the Xtracycle to Proctor for errands, then stopped by Defiance Bicycles, Tacoma's newest bike shop, on the way to Frost Park. 

It is a perfect day to be a riding a bicycle anywhere in Tacoma.  I'm looking forward to getting out again tonight for some 21+ biking action on the MOB Ride.

Do you like to ride bikes on Friday nights?

via LordRocktober

I bet you've been sitting around saying, "Man, those MOB Rides are always on Saturday nights. I'm always busy with [insert lame excuse] on Saturdays."

We'll see you on Friday.