WAVE - ride September 18th

[Biciclista]

I am one of the Seattle Ambassadors for this ride, I am inviting you all to participate in the fun. All the cyclists are women, and there are gobs of cute guys volunteering to support it.

http://cyclethewave.org/

Cycle the WAVE (Women Against Violence Everywhere) is a non-competitive, women’s cycling experience created as a venue for women of all ages and fitness levels to experience camaraderie and increase awareness of domestic violence while raising funds for domestic violence programs.

This event was created by women passionate about cycling, friendship, fitness, and the desire to “brake the cycle” of domestic violence and make a difference in their community.

September 18th, 2011, a Sunday!

[jelee1311]

I'm in,my friend called me a few weeks ago and told me we need to do this ride cuz its a blast and best of all the have cute jerseys!:D

[Susan126]

Hey Ambassador Mimi my daughter and I are already registered for this year's Cycle the WAVE. I have done every single cycle the WAVE since the very first one. I'm collecting all the medals. I have three and I look forward to receiving my fourth when I cross the finish line this year. This year will be extra special for me because my daughter is going to ride it with me. What a great ride and cause. I highly recommend this event! Over the years I have seen quite a few TE ladies at the event. One year we all wore Mimi's TE jersey. I look forward to seeing you all again at this year's ride and I look forward to seeing some new faces too.

[Biciclista]

yay Susan!!!

[bmccasland]

My knee allowed a full circle (pedal all the way around) on a recumbent bike machine yesterday in PT.... I'd say my spin rate was something like 2/min - a far cry from my former rate of 75/min.

so ya think I could do the 10 mile or 25 mile by September?? :o

[Biciclista]

DEFINITELY! The ten miler for sure would be good for someone recuperating!

[AppleTree]

I just signed up! I've been wanting to do this ride for three years, and have always had another commitment that falls during the same time period. I'm super excited! I love that it is just a ladies ride too...now, if only our long awaited summer weather will hold out through September.

[Stellar1]

I have just signed up. See you on Sept 18 with new Orbea ready to go.
Stellar 1:)

[Biciclista]

fantastic, this will be the best year ever!

[kfergos]

I will be there doing the 62-mile route. Look for helmet streamers. :)

[bmccasland]

Thanks for the reminder. Still haven't had my bike outside. And um, haven't been riding it on the trainer either. :o

[NbyNW]

Beth, how is your knee?

Unfortunately I will have to miss the ride and be out of town this year. Just as well, I haven't had a lot of motivation to get on my bike lately.

[bmccasland]

Beth, how is your knee?

Unfortunately I will have to miss the ride and be out of town this year. Just as well, I haven't had a lot of motivation to get on my bike lately.

Still making friends. My PT has asked me if I've taken my bike outside for a ride - on flats, NO hills yet. I have trouble completely bending it, so managed to trip and fall while doing field work last week, then on the garden hose in the yard the other day. I R a klutz.:rolleyes:

[Susan126]

This afternoon my daughter and I and maybe her boyfriend and my hubby/daughter's dad, will be driving to the REI in Issaquah to pick up our WAVE packets. Anyone else going to pick up their packets today too? Only one week to go. Joe will be in Paris on business and I decided to stay home and ride in the WAVE. I haven't missed one yet.

Mimi, any news on whether or not Donald will be cheering next Sunday with the cheerleaders? :p

[NbyNW]

Have a great ride this Sunday, everyone! I'll be thinking of you.

[LilBolt]

It wouldn't be the WAVE if we didn't get bit wet. I helped put the goody bags together last weekend and we had amazing weather. What difference a week makes.

Looking forward to yet another great ride. Today on our ride one of the guys said that yesterday he saw WAVE volunteers sweeping Issaquah-Hobart...literally...with brooms!!! Those are the details that make this ride so special.

[AppleTree]

So unfair that the weather is going to be nice tomorrow....on Monday. Am I the only one to wimp out at the gruesome forecast? Rain and wind are not good combinations for me. And I so wanted to do this ride. :(

I am hoping the Kitsap Color Classis next weekend is better, that is the last organized ride of the season.

It's hard to complain too awful much, as my DH said, we have been fortunate on all the major rides this year. Which is saying something considering the spring/early summer we had up here.

Hope those who went had a great ride. Look forward to hearing ride reports!

[Biciclista]

Hey I got to meet Lilbolt today!! I really can't complain about the ride today. I did the middle sister. It stopped raining when we got there and didn't start raining again on us until the last 5 miles.
WHat a hilly ride! The best part?? the tail wind on the last 5 miles. WOOHOOO.
and with my favorite guy in the whole world volunteering as a cheerleader and guide for all the gals at 2nd and Front.

[lauraelmore1033]

I thought I saw you Mimi! It was at the second rest stop and I thought you looked familiar, but it didn't hit me until later: Randonneur jersey, orange bike, tiny lady--must have been Mimitabby! That WAS a hilly ride! I saw many women walking the hills and spent much time thinking about how demoralizing that must be for new-ish riders who think they're in for an easy, "girly" ride of empowerment...
I thought about bailing too when I awoke and saw it was pouring outside. But I had already paid, and the swagg is always too good to pass up... getting a new drawstring bag (much improved over the one I used so much last year) was well worth it

[Biciclista]

yes, the Swag was REALLY good. Treats for both me and my DH. sorry I didn't get to say hi to you Laura

[Susan126]

Mimi I'm sorry I didn't see you today but I did get a sweet "kiss" from your adorable hubby! :)

When I arrived at 6:17 AM it was pouring! I parked my car in the garage and got ready. When I finally left the parking garage the rain had practically stopped. Just a light drizzle and then nothing at the start. Everyone I met was so positive and energetic. I hope you enjoyed one of those delicious Cin Dogs at the first rest stop! Yummy!

What a long long day for me. I was up at 4 AM because I had to drop my hubby off at the airport first. Dropped him off around 5:40 then got onto 405 to Issaquah. I was there in 25 minutes! Very light traffic on a Sunday morning at 6:00 AM! :D Then the ride and then I had to clean my own bike when I got home! Joe usually does that but he's half way to Paris by now!

I'll sleep very soundly tonight!

[Biciclista]

Susan, I SAW YOU!! you were on your way back, just past the rest stop on the out and back.. You were going about 30mph down the hill while I was going up. :-) I didn't see your daughter though?
I tried the Cin dog, it was too sweet for me. However, at the next rest stop (for little sisters only) I found incredible brownies.

sleep well!

[Susan126]

Glad you saw me I just wish I had seen you! What a day wasn't it Mimi?! I actually had a great time! My daughter bailed on me!!!!! She called me the night before and told me that if it was raining she wasn't going to ride. Hrumph! What a wuss! lol Well you know me . . . I paid and rain or shine I was riding! And I'm glad I did. A friend from work was supposed to ride it too but I didn't see her. I'll check with her tomorrow when I see her at work. She's new to biking and I'm wondering if the rain made her change her mind.

You sleep well too!

[Biciclista]

Susan, Salsabike REALLY wants to meet you. :-)

[Susan126]

Well I would LOVE to meet her too! :)

[salsabike]

Had a blast! Isn't it funny that after all that forecast drama, it DIDN'T rain till the very end?

We need to find a way to ID each other on this ride---seems silly that I haven't met you yet, Susan! And Laura too!

Raleighdon got lots of smooches today.

Best goody bag on earth, best volunteers, great food, food stops, firefighters. I love this ride.

[salsabike]

13737

13738

[Stellar1]

Liked this ride!! Looking fwd to next year.

Stellar1
New Orbea Onix:)

[bmccasland]

Sorry I missed being on the cheering squad. Woke up yesterday with a migraine and spent most of the day in bed.

Next year's goal: To RIDE! :D

[AppleTree]

Sorry I missed being on the cheering squad. Woke up yesterday with a migraine and spent most of the day in bed.

Next year's goal: To RIDE! :D

Me too! We missed all the fun! It's too bad that we couldn't have switched today's beautiful weather with yesterday, what a difference a day makes. :rolleyes:

[Biciclista]

Honestly the weather wasn't bad. Got rained on for 5 out of 42 miles. Better the grey skies than the hot weather of the weekend before!! It was the night BEFORE weather that shook ME up. I would have been miserable if it had poured all day.

[Stellar1]

The WAVE was fun. I managed to do the 42 mile ride over lots of hills and routes I normally ride from my home in Renton Highlands.

Beth: how's the knee? Is it a new knee? I have had two and they are doing fine. It takes a while. The right was done in 08 and is still stiff on occassion. (like going up multiple hills) Hope yours is doing OK.

Stellar 1

[bmccasland]

The WAVE was fun. I managed to do the 42 mile ride over lots of hills and routes I normally ride from my home in Renton Highlands.

Beth: how's the knee? Is it a new knee? I have had two and they are doing fine. It takes a while. The right was done in 08 and is still stiff on occassion. (like going up multiple hills) Hope yours is doing OK.

Stellar 1

Stellar 1,
I had an ACL repair. Even though my doc said "good to go" on my last visit. I beg to differ. I swear I didn't do that much today, some twisting to load and unload luggage, and a stroll (over an hour) in the park after I checked into the hotel, and now my knee HURTS. :mad: Hoping colleague won't want to walk far for dinner.... I'm wishing I brought my cane. :(

[Biciclista]

more photos are up at the ride the wave smug mug website

[LilBolt]

Nice to see the posts about the WAVE. I was out of town this week and I'm just catching up. It was good to finally get to say hello to Mimi since I enjoy her posts, now I can put a voice to them. Great turnout this year. Once again looking forward to next year.

[kfergos]

I almost forgot to post about this ride! I did the Burly Girl and it was SO MUCH FUN! I can't think the last time I had that much fun on a ride. I loved that it was all women, the flowers & pictures in the port-a-potties, the firefighters, and the way they totally pampered you at the rest stops. It as great. I will definitely be doing it again next year.

My only concern was that the Dan Henrys were so poorly placed that it was difficult to follow the intended course for much of the ride.

[Biciclista]

Kfergos, that was a good point. I think they saved money by not painting the Dan Henrys again this year (they were OLD!!!) but that led to a lot of confusion. I was extremely fortunate (because of the riders I was with) to never take a wrong turn...

[Susan126]

I agree about the Dan Henry's too. It was very plain to see that they were old Dan Henry's. I persuaded a friend (new to cycling) to come out and ride and she did sign up and rode it with her friend. She said she did enjoy the ride but her and her friend got lost numerous times because there were no markings (especially going through neighborhoods) or they were very hard to see and they missed them. Having done the ride four times and also riding a lot in the area I knew the courses well. I feel that new markings on the ground should always be done a week or two before an event.

[kfergos]

Bicyclista, the folks at the 44-mile rest stop on the Burly Girl route took a picture of me holding my pink bike over my head. I didn't see it in the pictures online. Is there somebody I can contact about getting a copy? :)

[Biciclista]

Kfergos, there was a photo taken of me as I walked around at the finish line.It's not there either. I'm thinking he didn't think those photos were any good or he would have put them up.. :( Are you on facebook? you can write on "the wall" of cycle the wave. If you aren't let me know and i'll do it for you.

[salsabike]

Did either of you email or post about the Dan Henrys? They would want to know, and I think I will say something as well. Otherwise, still the most fun ride I know!

[Biciclista]

not yet. i will, eventually, you should too

[Susan126]

I posted on Cycle the WAVE's facebook page regarding the Dan Henry's. I think more people should speak up too. It's a safety issue and I feel a very important one.

Yea when I crossed the finish line at the end of my ride I threw both of my hands straight up into the air and screamed woohoo for the last 200 yards or more. I don't see that picture anywhwere. And I saw the guy snapping away!

[salsabike]

I emailed, and had this exchange last night:


On Sep 27, 2011, at 7:43 PM, Deena Heg<deenaheg@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> > It was a great ride this year as usual---but those Dan Henrys were pretty faint. I hope they will get replenished next year.

On 9/27/2011 9:00 PM, deborah taylor wrote:
> Hi Deena,
>
> Thanks for riding! And thanks for your input. All feedback is helpful.
>
> Yes, the City of Bellevue requires chalk paint and it is very difficult to see on wet roads. Great when the roads are dry, but tough in the rain.
>
> Improved signage will help next year in case of rain. But I'm planning on sunshine for 2012!
>
> See you next September!
>
> Deborah Taylor
> Cycle the WAVE Route Director
>
>
From Deena:

Thanks, Deborah. I remember them as being much brighter in previous years, including rainier years. And actually the road was quite dry right up to the last five miles. Maybe it was the colors? In any case, your response is much appreciated. And we'll hope your weather mojo is workin' next year.