Sunny Seattle Afternoon Leads into Midnight in Paris

DartreDame and I (Pramila became "DartreDame" during our early-in-relationship visit to Paris) thrust ourselves out into yesterday's sunny Seattle afternoon as if we'd die if we didn't get our Vitamin D dose. We, like all Seattleites, have been longing and complaining and yearning and mourning for our fair share of Sun and Warmth. So, when the Sun showed she still showers us on occasion--and this time on a Friday afternoon on the eve of a predicted totally Sunny weekend--we couldn't believe our good fortune!

Out we dashed to the waterfront for a bite and a bathe into our old pal the Sun.

Later, still glowing inside and out, we sallied off to see Woody Allen's newest, Midnight in Paris. Remember all those times in the past twenty years when you go to his "latest" with great anticipation (or maybe successively diminished anticipation) only to be let down. Maybe it was clever. Maybe it had yet another great beauty, but not much to it. They have seemed to leave me unfulfilled for many a year now. Not to mention the anger and disappointment at his reported personal failings.

Midnight in Paris is the one for which I've been yearning. Glittering shots of Paris, a familiar but sweet plot line, an uncannily Woody Allenesque Owen Wilson, and yes, amazingly beautiful women. But, best of all for me, it was just funny and funny and funny. I suspended disbelief over and over despite the avalanche of absurdity.

Ah, Woody Allen swept Dartre and me away on the perfect Friday evening in our domestic Paris: Seattle.

But wait, there's more! Thanks to randonneuring and the Paris Brest Paris, we are Paris bound in just two months. We will walk those very lanes, stroll the Seine, and maybe it will even rain on us some warm Paris evening (see the film to appreciate this). If it does, I will cherish that rain as much as I am loving this Seattle Sun right this very moment.

Midnight in Paris promotional photo.

Wait! What am I doing?! Writing to you about our fabulous Seattle Sun instead of riding into the Sun with Dartre? I must be crazy. We're going riding! See ya!!!

Keep it with a Sunny disposition,

CurioRando

First Ride for Dartre after the Travails

A few weeks ago, Dartre got back on the bike. It was the first time in too long.

Her travails started by being rear-ended while sitting at a light in her car. She was driven into the car ahead, and she received a serious whiplash.

Several months of recovery later, her knees just stayed swollen. She had been starting to run again for fitness just before the accident, but her knees hurt and swelled up. So when the swelling didn't subside she got MRI's and X-Rays, and learned that in addition to the whiplash she has an early onset of severe arthritis due to a genetic knee placement issue and bad luck. 

This is tough to swallow, so a bike ride was a victory of sorts. And doesn't she look good back on the bike?

She now has to be careful of the knees while she gets back to cycling training. And while she practices patience, she also has to give up the training she loves most: running. That's a big bummer.

As we all know, Life isn't fair. But that doesn't make it easier. It still sucks.

So Dartre back on the bike, carefully, is a good thing. And a smile and sunshine on her face is just beautiful.

Wish her well.

Keep it safe,

CurioRando

My Valentine: Our Cross Training Coach



My Valentine, Pramila Jayapal, with my second-favorite Cross Training Coach, Cornel West.


My Valentine is of course my wife, Pramila, also known here as DartreDame.

I call her our Cross Training coach because she trains us to synthesize what we might initially believe are disparate disciplines into a greater whole. Take her Seattle P-I column published today titled The Root Causes of Immigration. In it she links poverty, the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA, agriculture, global and village economics, immigration, unionization, and our very humanity...because in fact they all are linked. I commend this column to you with enthusiasm. There is nobody putting this all together like she does.

Many find Pramila's writings, speeches and organizing inspiring. And it truly is. This ability to translate what's going on, break it down and put it back into a whole that causes folks to act with passion for the greater good is a unique gift. It is Cross Training Coaching.

But, since she's my Valentine, Dartre's also my inspiration. And for me, Dartre inspires in many ways far removed from this cross training of our intellects with our souls I've just been alluding to.

Her latest inspiration for me comes out of her recent taking up of running. It's been a trip sharing the running pains--of all kinds--that she's been dealing with as a re-athlete, much as I have had to deal with in my re-athleticism via cycling and randonnering. But every day Dartre runs, she comes back more excited, rejuvenated, committed. It is fun to be around.

So it got me to thinking...maybe I should incorporate some running into my cycling base training. No sooner did I get to thinking that very thought than I turned the page in the current book I'm reading, Base Building for Cyclists by Thomas Chapple. What did I find? Nothing other than a chart for cyclists who want to begin adding running into a cross training program.

Very practical. And humbling. Check out how slooowly Chapple encourages you to go. A whole lot of walking before ever really running much. Probably smart advice.

Well, truth be told, she did inspire me, but I haven't run at all yet. I think I'll start tomorrow. OK, by the chart that means it will be walk 5, run 3-5, walk 5, run 5. OK, got it. I'll report back later on how it went.

I am very proud of my Valentine. She is taking on tough stuff. Convincing a world that barely ever pauses that we better take stock and take action for our collective welfare. And, she's conquering her own inertia by taking stock and taking running action. Both are inspiring.

Now, I just have to keep an eye on Cornel West. He sure is holding my Valentine pretty darn close. If he weren't my second-favorite Cross-Training Coach, I'd be worried!

For more on Pramila and the organization she founded and leads, see the OneAmerica website.

Photo by Jack Storms. Check them out, great Seattle photographers!


Keep it crossed,

CurioRando

Now That's a Thoughtful Cycling Partner!

No, this dashing woman isn't my cycling partner, though she looks like she'd be a fun one, yes?

DartreDame, my wife, left me a lovely voicemail this past week that I listened to after I rolled out of bed pretty late. I've been dueling with this sinus infection, and feeling kind of poorly. The message said to check out the middle of the NY Times main section for a story about a bike race in Italy: the Eroica.

As you can read for yourself, the Eroica is an annual ride of stunning vintage bicycles on beautiful Italian lanes. Folks dress in period attire, and eat and drink their way across another space and time with one leg still in our space and time.

What a fabulous idea!

To top it off, Dartre suggested that one day, perhaps on our Italian honeymoon, we too could go and watch...or participate. Bravissimo!! Dartre is one thoughtful cycling partner!!! I guess that front handlebar bag must have really been a hit!

Maybe there is hope of my finagling a vintage high wheeler for my 60th birthday, though our Italy trip will be long before that, Dartre I promise. But let's see, would Dartre look better in a flapper era skirt or a Victorian dress? And, I've always wanted to wear one of those dapper....

In case you go and you'd like a primer on Italian language--hand language that is, the language that counts in Italy--then check out this video of common Italian gestures . Mom, this video contains bad words so I wouldn't go there!

Just thinking about Italy reminds me of the family that owned the little general store and bakery next door to the house where I grew up. Jim and Lena's store at Pierce's corner. Jimmy was from Macedonia I believe. Lena was Italian, and oh how our house lit up when she came over. Loud, and expressive, and fun!



The current Jim and Lena's Market at 417 Wall Avenue in Pitcairn, PA is operated by their son, Dennis. A little older than I, Dennis would cream me on the football field, which is to say our back yard.



That little blue squiggle joining Turtle Creek is Dirty Camp Run, the crick we all grew up in and around. I posted earlier about Dirty Camp Run in a post titled: Prolonged sex, lightning bugs, crick fishing, and...oh yeah, randonneuring.

But we had to keep quiet some summer days because Jimmy would sleep in a hammock out behind the crick since he stayed up all night baking his glorious yummies.

So, imagine loud and expressive and fun on vintage bicycles in heartbreakingly beautiful settings with good Italian food and drink. Heaven on earth. Let's go, Dartre (after France of course). Salud!!

Keep it high and old,

CurioRando

Is This You, Seattle Rando, Flying Down Mt. Rainier?

Unknown Seattle Rando bedecked in new SIR lightweight jersey.

UPDATE: I'm told this is Elaine Jameson.

DartreDame and I took a run at Mt. Rainier last Saturday, but not as particpants in the Seattle International Randonneurs  #0243 Sunrise Climb Group Permanent. After tea and the newspapers in bed, we had breakfast. After breakfast and fiddling around, I packed our gear in the truck. After that I looked at the clock and realized...whoa, we had better hurry!

It was almost 11am, and we had to drive to Mt. Rainier, ride to the summit, descend, and return home for what we discovered was to be a fabulous wine-paired meal prepared by our now very good friends. Included in the dinner was a raucus Tour de France analysis about the battle between Contador and Schleck as it turned out that Steve (his wife Tanmeet and he prepared the fabulous meal!) was an avid Tour watcher. I could go on and on so wonderful were the food, wine and companionship of that evening, but we've got to get DartreDame, my wife Pramila, up Mt. Rainier right now.

Another pair of unidentified flying Seattle Randos.

So after the clock-checking, we had to "hustle our bustles" as my 8th grade English teacher Ms. Seneff used to say. I had wanted the day to be the antithesis of a time-bound brevet so Dartre and I could relax together, but my poor planning doomed us to hustling.

In fact, as we were about to leave the parking lot at the base of Rainier, Jansen, one of the readers of this blog, stopped to say a friendly hello after he recognized my new Pereira bicycle I've been bragging about here. Poor Jansen, I was so harried by my poor planning that he understandably assumed we were on a time-bound brevet. Not so. Jansen: I thought later I should have taken a photo of YOU for this post, but I spaced it. Next time, and thanks so much for reading this blog. I can't overstate how rewarding it is to be recognized simply by my bicycle and jersey by a reader of this blog. It is an honor to know folks read this. Thanks, Jansen!

Does anyone know this Seattle Rando? I know it isn't Dylan because I didn't whip out my camera in time for a shot of him.

And as for riding with us Seattle Randos, Jansen: don't wait. You've prepared enough. Even if you're not sure whether you're fully prepared, you'll learn more by trying than by waiting. Give it a go! I think that sometimes folks both inside and outside the Rando tent build up this randoing a little too much. It sure is tough at the longer distances, but a 200k to get started is well within most riders' grasp. Come join us!!

See the cue sheet? Yet another Seattle Rando. But who?

Sorry for the poor photo quality but I took these as we were riding up and getting the timing right to capture the descenders was tricky.

Here's Dartre on the early part of the ascent.

Getting closer.

Approaching Sunrise Point.

Made it to the first elevation sign!

Tired, but still willin'.

Climbing isn't easy.

The final approach.

Me, back in the lower elevations.

Mt. Rainier starting to dominate the skyline.

Hard to capture just how the mountain presses upon you near the summit. Really a full presence.

Dartre summits at 6400 feet. I think we started at 3500 feet.

I'm proud of Dartre. She toughed it out despite my poor planning. It wasn't relaxing at all like we wanted, but she reached down and did it, and did it in the hottest time of the day. The things she puts up with, me and my cycling obsession. The descent, however, was sweet. Another milestone for Dartre!

For an account of my solo summit as part of my Sunrise Climb Permanent, complete with elevation chart and map, go to this previous post.

Keep it well-planned,

CurioRando

Dartre's First Brevet!

Dartre on her way to her first 200k Brevet: the Seattle International Randonneurs Chili Feed 200 on March 13, 2010.

Out of the Saddle.

Hints of an early Spring.

The White River.

Overlooking the Tacoma Tidal Flats.

Here's Dartre at the Start Line with a rider whose name I believe is Tom, up from Oregon for his first brevet with SIR.

Also at the Start Line, our neighbor, Dylan, joins us for a photo. That'd be the last time we'd see Dylan who raced out far ahead of us! Dylan lives across the street and three houses down. That ought to give us the most randonneurs on a block per capita basis!

The really amazing thing about Dartre's completion of this brevet is that she doesn't really prepare or train. Her rides previous to this were this 25-miler with my stepson, Janak, in February, this 40-mile frolic on Vashon Island and the permanent we attempted but DNF'd after 100 miles in January. Other than those, she hadn't ridden at all since her first 200k of any kind: the Three Rivers Cruise Permanent.

Congratulations Dartre!!

Keep it memorable,

CurioRando

Moroccan Bicycle...and More

DartreDame just returned from a ten day trip to Morocco sponsored by the Center for Women in Democracy. Here are a few of her pics. Unlike our trip to India last year, there were few bicycles to photograph. Anyone know why?

All these photos are from Fes. Thanks, Dartre!

Orange vendor and his cart.

Waiting.

Lots of carts; no bicycles.

Earlier beast of burden.

With the young woman who taught Dartre button-making.

Tannery.

Kicking back.

Reminds me of our wedding day. Henna-handed Dartre.

Draped Dartre.

Keep it in focus,

CurioRando

Dartre's First 200k: The Three Rivers Cruise!

We didn't hunt and we didn't trespass. And sadly we didn't fish, even though the sign didn't exactly say we'd get shot if we fished. Problem is there isn't much of a remedy for being shot unfairly. But we did pass through some of Western Washington's most beautiful river valleys: the Stilligaumish, the Sauk and the Skagit. As steelhead fishers, Dartre and I certainly checked out some prime fishin' spots.

The Three Rivers Cruise is Seattle International Randonneurs Permanent #4089, and it was 200k via Arlington, Darrington, Rockport, Marblemount, back through Rockport, Concrete and returning to Arlington. In the pre-dawn light, this blue barn stood watch. Is the barn saying "Oh!" (top two windows as eyes, double-X doors as nose, and open area as mouth)?

Our companion, John Vincent (see Part 1 here and Part 2 here for John's interview about his recumbent experiences), and Dartre stopped as the sun was emerging. If you look closely you'll see the frost is indeed still on the punkins. It was 27 degrees.

The Sun emerges with its special first light.

John rode ahead of us as we headed upstream along the Stilly toward Darrington. Fire trucks and aide cars sped past us at a very fast clip, and our brains couldn't shake on this quiet Sunday morning a nagging dread that perhaps John had been hit. We were relieved/sorry to see the equipment stopped for a house fire. Hope all ended up relatively OK there!

Heading up the Skagit hoping for Bald Eagles. About three months too soon I'm guessing. A few years ago on a frigid float trip we spotted about 300 one day. Note the fabulous shoulder for cycling!

In Marblemount, John displays...I can't remember what the conversation was exactly, but he was displaying hardiness of some kind! Perhaps he was demonstrating how he wasn't the object for the aide vehicles' speeding so. John let me sit on his recumbent and pick it up. Damn, that is a light bicycle!

Here, Dartre displays...what can I say: a smooch heading my way as I practice my behind-the-back-with-my-phone photography skills. Only on deserted stretches of road, I promise.

The Skagit with snowcaps in the background.

Our day warms as Autumn settles in.

Feet planted in Concrete.

The Skagit is a powerful river, colored by glacial till.

Typical Skagit gravel bars.

On the bridge over the Skagit just before turning onto the South Skagit Highway, and miles of chipseal.

Even chipseal roads can capture the special light of a late afternoon sun.

It was about 3000 feet of total climbing, about all we needed.

And for Dartre, it was her first ever 200k! No small feat.

Congratulations, DartreDame! You are a Randonneur!

Keep it flowin,

CurioRando