Quote Originally Posted by Lisa S.H. View Post
These were all fairly strong longtime bikers. But luckily for me, one was seven months pregnant and another had a very painful "comfort/gel" saddle, so I didn't have to get all embarrassed about my relatively modest strength and riding skills. For all these reasons, the ride was not too fast or too difficult for me. Thus, I was not always the one straggling at the back, despite the fact that normally they were all stronger riders than I.
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Lisa, i can really relate to this. It is a relief when some of our tough riders sometimes have to slow down because of accidents (I know, it sounds awful!!) or strains and stuff.

We left the house as soon as it was light and rode up to the University district, going through the arboretum, where a nice man took our picture with HIS camera because i brought my camera without its brains, so it didn't work.
If he sends the photo, i will include it in our "show your rides" thread here.

The arboretum was beautiful with all the colors. THe lack of other cars and bicycles was nice too.
then we headed west to ballard and then the magnolia waterfront and went down towards downtown where my poor impatient DH discovered that his bike is next on the list to be constructed at Elliott Bay bikes. While he was talking shop, i was loose in the shop, and discoverd a 44 cm Bianchi Volpe. I sat on it and it felt really good. Made me wonder if i just need a smaller bike. I was feeling a bit stupid and punkish so did NOT want to test ride it. (besides, army green, what WERE they thinking?!?!?!) The bike is steel and there is a lot more room for fenders than can be found on my Veloce, that's for darned sure!

we then headed back home, up to beacon hill where the local fire dept was having an open house. We stopped because there were a dozen dalmation dogs. And lo and behold DaKay (a TE lady) was there with a gorgeous friendly dalmation of her own. She recognized me in my bike duds, i would never have recognized her. So she got to see our ugly tandem and we talked bike stuff for a bit and then went on home.

SO glad we rode because today it is UGLY.