We had another nice day for an urban Coker ride on Sunday, 15 February
in Seattle. This time we had a big herd of seven Cokers which just means
more fun and partner riding opportunities. George Pendergast, Tom
Jackson, Steve DeKoekkoek, John Childs, Irene Genelin, and myself. In
addition, we were lucky to have Andy Cotter visiting here as a guest
from Minneapolis and we have SPARE cokers for people to ride. The
weather turned out to be OK. It started out to be very overcast but
cleared up well enought that "doc" (George Pendergast) has to don his
shades as evidenced from 'my pictures here is this gallery.'
(staff.washington.eduCoker15Feb2004Open ↗)
We started from my house at about 12:30 and went straight to
what is our first photo op on the Ballard bridge. We've lost
about 200 feet in altitude at that point but are still about
100 feet above the water. One of the fireboats was
practicing there.
The next group of photos are at the beginning of the pier 91
bicycle trail, one of Irene's favorites. Alot of time was
spent there viewing 'George's Coker which, for some reason,
appears dead on the ground' (tinyurl.com38l66Open ↗)
This bike trail ends at the first of the two downtown
waterfront parks, Elliot Bay and Myrtle Edwards. Here I took
some riding pictures because my last Coker write up included
only posed shots. I have several of riders passing a cargo
ship out on the Sound. 'I have eight photos of riders in
this area.' (tinyurl.com255jdOpen ↗)
The trail through the two parks dumps into the downtown
waterfront where I got a few more riding photos. Lots of
ships and water. VERY pretty. We met a woman at the
waterfront who was curious about the Cokers, having never
seen one. We found out she was a rider, sized her up to fit
Steve DeKoekkoek's cycle the best and in no time had her on
and riding unassisted. 'A sequnce of three photos of her
riding starts here.' (tinyurl.com3ybfeOpen ↗) We
ultimately found out that she was at the Minneapolis
Nationals in 1997(?) and she remembered who Andy and Connie
were. If I didn't know anything about geography I'd say that
it was a small world. It's not. It's a big world.
Several photos follow of Pike's Place Market, one of the
most colorful and busy places in Seattle. We couldn't get
Irene the pansy to idle a Coker and catch fish this time. We
did get some good photos of the 'appropriate riding team
member in front of a huge garbage chute. '
(tinyurl.com3futvOpen ↗) Is he emerging or entering?
We left the market and rode back up the waterfront and
waterfront parks and took a detour at the Ballard Bridge
turnoff to go the the 'Hiram Chittenden Locks.'
(tinyurl.comyqadqOpen ↗) These are poorly portrayed in the
six photos following the link.
We ended the trip going along Shilshole Marina with its
thousands of colorfuls boats in slips. Steve left earlier to
get home but took a short detour to'Sunset View Park'
(tinyurl.com2mg9rOpen ↗) as shown in these next three
photos. The best shot of the trip was when we were still
down at Shilshole and Steve was 300 feet above as at the
park on Loyal Heights Bluff. He got an excellent shot of the
six remaining riders below at sea level. He must have used a
10x zoom to get the shot. What timing. Hopefully he will
post his photos as will Tom Jackson and Irene.
Come and visit us in Seattle and we will take you on this 18
mile loop with LOTS of rests. Our group even has some spare
Cokers to loan, now. We finished back at my place just
before 6:00 PM, had some beers and root beers and went to
the sushi place just up the street from my house.
Highlights of this ride:
Watching Tom Jackson ride the switchbacks the entire way
from Shilshole Marina to Loyal Heights Bluff, 300 feet in
altitude gain.
Getting George Pendergast to ride with us a second week in a
row, meeting his wife and daughter, and having them go to
dinner with us.
Andy Cotter visiting again.
Steve DeKoekoek's shot of Shilshole Marina.
Getting a bystander up and riding a Coker. And a cute
one at that.
Having Irene around to ride with a bunch of geezers. Having
her ride better than us, look better than us, and teach us
some techniques about group touring.
Just being in the same group as a wild animal like John (you
can't stop me I'm a locomotive) Childs. And that's heavy on
the "loco".
Dinner afterwards and my wife Karen's chocolate cakes. And
her tolerance for goofy unicyclists in our home.
--
harper - Statuesque
-Greg Harper
B L U E S H I F T
"Stoke your own thread as much as you see fit, no problem." - Klaas
Bil
"Ugh, the Harpers; The worst neighbours in the world" - Tony Micelli
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