tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post3599456111614703292..comments2023-06-29T02:02:19.866-07:00Comments on Pedaling to Portland: Notes on a great ridekbzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11787385978245469047noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post-36742231535679099682007-07-18T00:26:00.000-07:002007-07-18T00:26:00.000-07:00Congrats on finishing! This was also my first STP...Congrats on finishing! This was also my first STP and I'm still in a euphoric mood from completing. It's just such a great journey. At the end of it, you do feel a little sad that it is over. It happens so quickly.<BR/><BR/>I don't know about you, but now I am looking for another challenge. :-D<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting the pics on your blog. I didn't bother to take pictures along the way, so yours are a great memento.Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13835043691647033055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post-60519887975424623332007-07-17T14:23:00.000-07:002007-07-17T14:23:00.000-07:00So glad to hear our group crossed paths with you. ...So glad to hear our group crossed paths with you. Now I feel even MORE connected. Good luck to you on future riding!czhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08700486995352900912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post-63447975645131985792007-07-17T12:27:00.000-07:002007-07-17T12:27:00.000-07:00CZ - Thanks for sharing the story about BJ. I saw ...CZ - Thanks for sharing the story about BJ. I saw you guys on the ride, and wondered about those jerseys. Turns out I was standing behind BJ's mom in the port-a-potty line, at the last food stop at the high school. I asked her about the jerseys, and she told me about the group effort to ride in his memory. That was such a touching story, and such a lovely way to honor his passion for cycling. Katherinekbzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11787385978245469047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post-59453628281455384932007-07-17T10:25:00.000-07:002007-07-17T10:25:00.000-07:00Skinny. quite proud. You take on big project and s...Skinny. quite proud. You take on big project and see it through! I knew you'd make it cuz you are Skinny! What an adventure. (And, you ARE taller than me.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post-38253243844901847752007-07-16T23:50:00.000-07:002007-07-16T23:50:00.000-07:00Katherine - my dad clipped your article while I wa...Katherine - my dad clipped your article while I was riding the STP and handed it to me upon my return late last night. I'm also a 1st timer ... and my kids are also nearly grown. I now have to hold newsprint about a yard from my face if I don't know where to lay hands on glasses, but I stretched out my arm and forced my eyelids open to read every last word .... and then ..... "out went the lights!!" But I felt a kinship as I dropped off to a sound sleep. I'm amazed and exhilerated at how well my poor aging body held up. It almost feels as if a Dr. just gave me a complete physical and then a clean bill of health. I must admit that I turned around and looked in a mirror at a part that I normally try to avoid seeing in the mirror these days ... only to find a distinct red bike seat stamped right where you would expect! A badge of honor!!<BR/>I was most impressed and touched by the cohesive unit that the bikers form in terms of cooperation and support. I had never been on a bike in a pack before and didn't know the rules of the road at first ... but it didn't take too long to catch on. Our small and now very tight group of 7 riders were threaded together by the memory of a great kid who passed much, MUCH too soon at age 18. In spite of his tender years he had crammed 5 STP's, 1 RAMROD and the summiting of at least 3 of the 5 major peaks that the Cascades have to offer (that I know of). SUCH a spectacular kid!! So we assembled a motley crew of first timers to join his experienced mom and sister .... one of which was his uncle .... the rest friends .... and we took him for his symbolic 6th STP. Everybody in our group had something "BJ" (his nickname) with them. I wore his bike shoes. We all wore what I thought were spectacular jerseys designed by his mom and sister and SO many folk were SO kind and curious to ask about our mission. It was very touching ... and we heard nearly as many touching tales in return. I was impressed. I was moved. I was proud. I was empowered. I was drained. I AM changed!!<BR/>Thank you for sharing and documenting.czhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08700486995352900912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post-29656110026764738052007-07-16T22:30:00.000-07:002007-07-16T22:30:00.000-07:00Hi Michael - yes, they were giving away banana bre...Hi Michael - yes, they were giving away banana bread in Napavine, and there was a rest stop at the Goble Tavern, although I happened to skip these both. Doing it in one day is an extraordinary accomplishment -- maybe I'll have to give that a try one day -- but I did really like taking my time and getting a good look at the scenery. Thanks for reading the blog!kbzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11787385978245469047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872279506317682460.post-35022743301774433512007-07-16T19:27:00.000-07:002007-07-16T19:27:00.000-07:00Hey KatherineCongratulations on STP. It is a pers...Hey Katherine<BR/><BR/>Congratulations on STP. It is a personal accomplishment to be proud of. I have done the ride a few times and I have to say that the year I did it in one day is one of my greatest moments. I will say that doing the ride in two days is way more fun because all the small towns on the second half of the ride really turn out for the second day. They don't really turn out on the first day. Does the Goble Tavern still have a rest stop? It always seemed kind of cool to stop at a tavern during the ride. I hope the people in Napavine still do the Banana Bread. That is the best part of the ride.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, great job.Michael Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231362823419529183noreply@blogger.com