2013-01-12 Team Mang vs the Cold

On perhaps the coldest weekend of the year, Team Mang went on their customary first ride of the year - the Stinky Spoke Mountain Bike Classic.  It's a short ride - only around 19 miles - but it's very memorable.  Starting out from Red Hook Brewery in Redmond, up the Heart Attack Hill following the Tolt pipeline eastbound and weaving through the Redmond Watershed back towards the Sammamish River Trail.

Approaching Heart Attack Hill

For most of us, it was the first ride of the year...and it showed. While those who had been riding throughout the holidays raced through the course, some of us less than fit folks took our time to enjoy the scenery (and catch our breath).  The snow covered trees, iced trails, frozen puddles and surprisingly very little mud all provided for a pleasant ride at conversation pace.  We were also very careful to stay with the guy who had the camera :) - but we did miss out on the pro photographers along the course.

Birthday boy, Harry P!

This year's ride was a dry one but cold to the bone - like 30 degrees in the shade!  Coming out onto the sunshine helped a bit - it was during those times when we could actually feel our toes.  The ride concluded as usual at a lunch plate; this time, we ended up at Pho Mignon in Kirkland with a surprise treat from the birthday celebrant, Harry!

Looks like 2013 is going to be a good one!

2012 - Sep 30 - Kitsap Color Classic

Cascade Bicycle Club officially ends the road cycling season with the Kitsap Color Classic.  Usually a blustery cold and wet ride through the Kitsap Peninsula through rolling hills, this year's ride turned out to be a pleasant excursion on a beautiful sunny day. Team Mang joined with some Trangko members and started from Edmonds.  After a quick ferry ride to the other side, they were off.  Great way to end the road season, guys!  More pictures in this video!

2012 Sept 29 - Iron Horse Trail Redux

At the entrance of the Snoqualmie tunnel after 20 miles of riding

Team Mangers rode the Iron Horse Trail again this Saturday, 09/29, just to get a good workout of a different sort and for some, to try out new equipment (29ers!).  It was pleasantly mild day - no showers or extreme cold or heat.  Clouds took care of shielding the group from the sun as they slowly made their way towards the Snoqualmie tunnel, 20 miles away.  It took a while to get there from the Rattlesnake Park, simply because everyone took it easy.  At the tunnel entrance, the group relaxed, brought out the wine and cheese and crackers and celebrated...anything!  Nope, nobody got drunk (don't drink and bike).  After a wild ride through the 2 mile tunnel (howling, singing, making funny sounds in complete darkness with nothing to light them but their bike lights), the group took pictures at Hyak, did some restroom time and started their way back.

The trip back from Hyak took a little less than 2 hours with at least one rider suffering a mechanical but not enough to keep him from riding back. After the ride, everyone was quick to congratulate each other on a job well done, specially for those who did it for the first time.  As is customary on most TEam MANG rides, their hunger for calories lost led them to search for the nearest restaurant.  They landed at CC Thai in North Bend and after a quick meal, said their good byes.  Another fun day in the lives of Team Mang!
Here's a VIDEO summary.