This year JimC decided to join Lief and JimZ and participate in the Seattle-to-Portland (STP) bike ride on Saturday, July 12th. After months of training and planning they started off (minus Lief...please see his blog for further details) at approximately 0440 hours in Seattle and rolled into Portland, 200.9 miles later, at 2000 hours. Ian, Colette and I were at the finish line as were all 4 of the Amboy Zim's, also Ward and Elynor. I was quite proud of him as he finished the ride, relieved that they made it and were safe and sound and that JimC had accomplished his goal of finishing in one day. When asked if the ride was fun JimC replied "NO!" He then qualified it by saying that the first 3 miles were fun and the last 3 miles were fun but the middle 194 were pure torture. Now that a week has gone by he admits he may have been a bit dramatic and exaggerated his point! In fact, he's already talking about next year's ride!!
I have to admit it was a thrill to see him cross the finish line, especially wearing the WSU jersey. Earlier the WSU Veterinarian Team riders, roughly 8 to 10 of them, crossed the line together, it was amazing to see them all in their matching WSU Vet shirts and lots of fans yelling "Go Cougs!!" It really is quite an accomplishment and JimZ has now done it twice!! Jamey had cooked up a yummy rice and mango dish ( please see his blog for details on that) to nourish the tired and hungry riders, thank you so much for that Jamey, it was delicious. I had to try it, I am Mabel's daughter after all. It was a beautiful Portland night, hot, but with a nice breeze blowing and we were safe and cool under the beautiful trees of Holladay Park.
The next day he wasn't really the worse for wear. His legs were a bit sunburned, but not bad, just some pink. The one thing that is still going on with him and could go on much longer is that he has lost the feeling in a couple of his fingertips due to holding on to the handlebars for such a long way. It's nothing that is debilitating at this point, but just don't ask him to hold your hot cup of coffee, it may just slip right out of his hands.
Thanks to all the family who supported them, it is much appreciated. A huge thank you to Lief and JimZ for being great guides and fellow riders, it was fantastic having you two to ride and train with, couldn't have had better partners. Last, but certainly not least, let's don't forget the families of these men who were holding things together while they were away training, planning, wondering what to eat, what not to eat, emailing, talking on the phone etc...Kudos to all.
Have a great summer all and keep on riding!
