tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77529266185469907482024-03-19T02:44:19.501-07:00Biking & runningMr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-7612544603209413902020-10-19T22:34:00.001-07:002020-10-19T22:35:13.509-07:00America's Dairyland<p><b>Day 1</b></p><div dir="ltr"><div>Fly to Milwaukee</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEndXBR7RwentoTK2Y8k-WXAn63OIcBTTLJBPnAPRzV1keayVaqORJsLjsM5AC1EZbFCO1qKHOHqYitYK0Jw1uKy63b9-5yP7jrKGG8nRdjhpty1vfBEgWtsbqVSAFGPc8VwdESXCrw/s2048/IMG_1366.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEndXBR7RwentoTK2Y8k-WXAn63OIcBTTLJBPnAPRzV1keayVaqORJsLjsM5AC1EZbFCO1qKHOHqYitYK0Jw1uKy63b9-5yP7jrKGG8nRdjhpty1vfBEgWtsbqVSAFGPc8VwdESXCrw/w640-h480/IMG_1366.JPG" title="Mount Rainier (with St Helens in background)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Rainier (with Mt. St. Helens in background)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 2</b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Virtual marathon on Milwaukee waterfront</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5632537930" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5632537930</a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0WFnWRmjkS4vzpm6A6rZ353J5Y7x8gRApKNtReq0CwRucevcWgcQI2FeWNaE5RkQVN95SVNyDZqsajMDOtiu36nXX_P2gdZh0cxoMitbvzF5CTVou2jj7mnTTaP-rE7DFqKRUMXkgg/s2048/IMG_1371.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0WFnWRmjkS4vzpm6A6rZ353J5Y7x8gRApKNtReq0CwRucevcWgcQI2FeWNaE5RkQVN95SVNyDZqsajMDOtiu36nXX_P2gdZh0cxoMitbvzF5CTVou2jj7mnTTaP-rE7DFqKRUMXkgg/w640-h480/IMG_1371.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runner in front of most recent addition to Milwaukee Art Museum buildings (this one designed by Santiago Calatrava)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFC26gQeZI73A6Q4Uv5kxx6x_h5Acg6z-UNfoOypGqKp9rmu7Jq9ZNfYxz1J6cb8K2uGoxZF-aqR7_WtpFytKGoVkFrEvBbEa3Dr8HGJOyEz9vbK5GJvaNwf17bqHol3zg5EKNrX3BQ/s2048/IMG_1373.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFC26gQeZI73A6Q4Uv5kxx6x_h5Acg6z-UNfoOypGqKp9rmu7Jq9ZNfYxz1J6cb8K2uGoxZF-aqR7_WtpFytKGoVkFrEvBbEa3Dr8HGJOyEz9vbK5GJvaNwf17bqHol3zg5EKNrX3BQ/w640-h480/IMG_1373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rotary Amphitheater<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div><div>Drive to Madison</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 3</b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Visit Wingra Park on shore of Lake Wingra</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbis3kn_F8FICGya9w7l3XixmILcXB5KrUYTC78Wj9nW6Iyeq8cxiRnW0DT5uxm-n5Xtex5dB4zDTUVM_o0zrsuDIZdU72dkQz0QNaXhYcfv3ccq3IS3Tcz6J4ELwKnHUeX6H3G-FnA/s1242/IMG_E1550.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1242" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbis3kn_F8FICGya9w7l3XixmILcXB5KrUYTC78Wj9nW6Iyeq8cxiRnW0DT5uxm-n5Xtex5dB4zDTUVM_o0zrsuDIZdU72dkQz0QNaXhYcfv3ccq3IS3Tcz6J4ELwKnHUeX6H3G-FnA/w640-h612/IMG_E1550.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison's most peaceful lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div><div>Drive to Kickapoo Valley Reserve for hike</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitXsVq8Ih6MluijTI3tUeYnLJz8tfOag4QdJaDc3eMFkDXXqLDZvpUL9Af4P0DF1Kp9gC-l649UcxmN1yKoPiv_OcP2oWGKwqN3G7n_0yfaTdfMd0JN-AbNbaWiVo_zwku1EiyZjcwQ/s2048/IMG_1382.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitXsVq8Ih6MluijTI3tUeYnLJz8tfOag4QdJaDc3eMFkDXXqLDZvpUL9Af4P0DF1Kp9gC-l649UcxmN1yKoPiv_OcP2oWGKwqN3G7n_0yfaTdfMd0JN-AbNbaWiVo_zwku1EiyZjcwQ/w480-h640/IMG_1382.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous Kickapoo cliff diver ponders next move<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPRr4Ivx74Znyqpx1GQ-noOEl-pLpel-6btfQPseIjmMIBCzoam4YZEtypaZnNfi3Ca96zw1yd355Y-TxKLhrW311m08M6q2VH0NYKH4OZgZhYI2JlejXC2RavbMHmB0-Ld4ZhSIKSg/s2048/IMG_1390.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPRr4Ivx74Znyqpx1GQ-noOEl-pLpel-6btfQPseIjmMIBCzoam4YZEtypaZnNfi3Ca96zw1yd355Y-TxKLhrW311m08M6q2VH0NYKH4OZgZhYI2JlejXC2RavbMHmB0-Ld4ZhSIKSg/w640-h480/IMG_1390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in Wisconsin, the smoke from fires in western states colored the sunsets<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In the evening, driving back to Madison, encounter deer not social distancing</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGjHbvrHu9qiERcPpPaB8ctIWpc65c66BoMGNSqDsJDd_rsCAVkmcZ9J023C509IcgNjF17Wgs9Iusx7Z2h386GJ6Rpx0vu1MooKpAoHGW0OM1rwIzrIvqjjZvVE_hbthCheGyO1W1A/s2048/IMG_1399.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGjHbvrHu9qiERcPpPaB8ctIWpc65c66BoMGNSqDsJDd_rsCAVkmcZ9J023C509IcgNjF17Wgs9Iusx7Z2h386GJ6Rpx0vu1MooKpAoHGW0OM1rwIzrIvqjjZvVE_hbthCheGyO1W1A/w640-h480/IMG_1399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They don't make 'em like they used to<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxCUrDF6fZTfJYTzEXXfHBlXAOOLCupb9ZRdARpmKbJv7owmFIIQJrnARcI4EdW5gdPBx4loSkGW6q9ViZ4yUiB-lRvpqUvE0_PjxLTbSFPb0HdPasin0a1hML4j-N2AlqsZuSdUvIA/s2048/IMG_1401.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxCUrDF6fZTfJYTzEXXfHBlXAOOLCupb9ZRdARpmKbJv7owmFIIQJrnARcI4EdW5gdPBx4loSkGW6q9ViZ4yUiB-lRvpqUvE0_PjxLTbSFPb0HdPasin0a1hML4j-N2AlqsZuSdUvIA/w480-h640/IMG_1401.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If only the deer had seen this<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 4</b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Brief, scenic run in Madison</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5640238488" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5640238488</a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUtZ8D1pDeDK6ieoZsNeBNEi-3KwPV_TdiAhOvjJYTJCsILPiX2AflLAn2PI47SPoMJrkxZ86q5QBTAMTuqNfbXvX0-UNW-4S_gFYuatkM3c0zCNsBKfLeaKhJGEZ8RXD50aazwelyg/s2048/IMG_1400.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUtZ8D1pDeDK6ieoZsNeBNEi-3KwPV_TdiAhOvjJYTJCsILPiX2AflLAn2PI47SPoMJrkxZ86q5QBTAMTuqNfbXvX0-UNW-4S_gFYuatkM3c0zCNsBKfLeaKhJGEZ8RXD50aazwelyg/w480-h640/IMG_1400.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maintenance on capitol building</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Drive to Milwaukee, with short stop for lunch</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6J5AJChEcuX4gghGQIfCyF9udwlKqAL2qe_S_QixH5zarYQhPGoH9gfI5TsHtLlEOAdzujkuGyptucbaGYM2m8lWQGlO70R6_c-xBw76cRVIrIYcOFGQB1IoLK8cUqM-FQmIjz5fPyA/s2048/IMG_1402.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6J5AJChEcuX4gghGQIfCyF9udwlKqAL2qe_S_QixH5zarYQhPGoH9gfI5TsHtLlEOAdzujkuGyptucbaGYM2m8lWQGlO70R6_c-xBw76cRVIrIYcOFGQB1IoLK8cUqM-FQmIjz5fPyA/w480-h640/IMG_1402.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous cafe<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Return to Seattle</div><div><br /></div></div>Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-28911074166948212020-09-11T00:04:00.000-07:002020-09-11T00:04:48.512-07:00RSBP 2020<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">(Ride from Seattle to the Border and Ponder)</span></b></p><div><br /></div><div>L’événement, RSVP (Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party), avait été annulé (à cause du virus), mais c’est un si important partie de l’été, pour moi, que j’ai décidé d’en faire par moi même. C’est à dire sans le soutien du club de vélo Cascade. Il y aurait aussi ma partenaire du vélo tandem.</div><div><br /></div><div>Les dates étaient 21-22 août ; nous les ont changé à 22-23 août (à fin de travailler à vendredi le 21).</div><div><br /></div><div>Pour nous nous aider avec notre retour, surtout avec le transporte du tandem bicyclette, nous avons placer mon voiture à Bellingham.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><b>Day 1</b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Le <i>ride</i> commence au campus de l’université de Washington et se dirige vers le nord sur le sentier Burke-Gilman. Pour rendre des choses moins compliqués, nous avons commencé vers le nord sur le sentier Interurban, rejoignant en fin la route officielle à Lake Forest Park.</div><div><br /></div><div>Il faisait beau, avec un après midi pas tellement chaude. Nous sommes passés par le centre de la charmante petite village de Snohomish, avec ses antiquaires et ses petits restaurants. On y trouve aussi le sentier Centennial. Il y avait des autres personnes, parce que c’était un beau jour du weekend, mais pas vraiment du monde.</div><div><br /></div><div>Au petite parc Machias, on a prit une petite pause. Puis un autre couple à tandem est arrivé. Leur vélo était un Santana, avec une configuration du cadre marathon. Il m’a fallut prendre un photo, parce que j’aime les vélos un peu âgés.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdaaaDwQjXvWbb8HpwoEejkv6T1nIsESLKNtqxYJ6q0Niauo8CUxNeMlIks2E_pHJg_O-f5mqBQErCSmWve2YYe5LuKNNasPokAaBohcZUfFc2zFzy9flFOi0UYqG9WpTL9uSTIJkdtRp/s2048/IMG_0844%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdaaaDwQjXvWbb8HpwoEejkv6T1nIsESLKNtqxYJ6q0Niauo8CUxNeMlIks2E_pHJg_O-f5mqBQErCSmWve2YYe5LuKNNasPokAaBohcZUfFc2zFzy9flFOi0UYqG9WpTL9uSTIJkdtRp/w625-h469/IMG_0844%255B1%255D.JPG" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Santana, marathon configuration, filet brazing. Note fenders and pump match paint job.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>À la ville d’Arlington nous avons pris une pause chez un resto mexicain. Cela m’a bien fortifié - après j’ai pédalé avec un très forte effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nous avons gardé le sentier jusq’au fin (près de la grange rouge). Pas loin après cela, nous sommes arrivés à Mt. Vernon. Nous approchions du pont qui traverse la Skagit River, via Riverside Dr. On arrive à une feux rouge. J’ai détaché mon pied droit de la pédale du vélo. Je me suis penché légèrement vers la droite, me préparant à poser mon pied sur le sol.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just avant de toucher le sol, la feux a changé en verte. J’ai tout de suite penché vers la gauche pour pousser à la pédale gauche. Ce changement d’équilibre rapide a confondu la copilote, ce qui a provoqué une forte surcorrection. J’ai tout de suite placé ma pied droite sur le sol mais c’était trop. Le tandem et les deux coureurs se sont tombés à sol!</div><div><br /></div><div>Personne n'a été blessé, juste un peu embarrassé. On a continué. Skagit Flats était parcouru sans incident.</div><div><br /></div><div>Comme d’habitude, pour cet événement, il n’y a pas beaucoup de circulation à Chuckanut Drive. On reçoit les nouvelles, on y évite. Cette fois c’était un peut différent, surtout au début. Il y avait un club des sports car aficionados, dirigé dans la direction opposée. La plus part étaient en group assez tranquil. Il y avait trois voitures en avant toutefois en train de faire un cours !</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1gC4B-PtGW6FRcTk_T6kbmliCZ3MYlFyUIW0hS6bVtRojjloP-wkTj53R019gBdTnShjTf6NR0cLe6j229EoucJL-jyItDaNbQPg2r8QWNshui8nBy4boos2Nx6CFu53N7UdLZjiZOFI/s2048/IMG_0845%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1gC4B-PtGW6FRcTk_T6kbmliCZ3MYlFyUIW0hS6bVtRojjloP-wkTj53R019gBdTnShjTf6NR0cLe6j229EoucJL-jyItDaNbQPg2r8QWNshui8nBy4boos2Nx6CFu53N7UdLZjiZOFI/w625-h469/IMG_0845%255B2%255D.JPG" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Chuckanut Drive<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div><div>En fin nous sommes arrivés au Bellingham. La copilote avait une amie qui habit au centre ville. On y est resté pour la soir. On a marché au restaurant : <a href="kombuchatown.com" target="_blank">Culture Cafe</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 2</b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Nous avons roulé tranquillement au nord, jusqu’à Lynden. Comme d’habitude cette petite ville est plein de cyclists. Cette fois-ci on a trouvé une table, sur la trottoir, pour manger une pâtisserie.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maintenant la route - E Boundary Rd - passait juste au côté du frontière ! Il y avait quelques groupes d’amis - Américain, Canadien - assis, face à face, pour passer du temps ensemble !</div><div><br /></div><div>Un peu plus tard on est arrivé au frontière Canadienne. C’était un scène d’un film sci-fi : il n’y avait personne ! Nous n’avons pas constaté un seul auto !</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq29PRRwhDottmB3H7FTh_zPxCwItXQary-TAqvYY8vyFQtvcHLgRrbS3zfWp0q9TBwS9KOnOPfycuZPoqjXgwSMR07eBND0NbbwIVtziuEo8luVp2GgNIv0f5QEeGcNa9SOtG0x4Az1CV/s2048/IMG_0846%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq29PRRwhDottmB3H7FTh_zPxCwItXQary-TAqvYY8vyFQtvcHLgRrbS3zfWp0q9TBwS9KOnOPfycuZPoqjXgwSMR07eBND0NbbwIVtziuEo8luVp2GgNIv0f5QEeGcNa9SOtG0x4Az1CV/w625-h469/IMG_0846%255B1%255D.JPG" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very quiet border<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />Maintenant l'itinéraire officiel était terminée et on a créé une route nouvelle, à l’ouest. Lynden - Birch Bay Road était presque un embouteillage. Après, on a appris que c’était le dernier weekend du <i>crabbing</i>. La marée était très basse et il y avait des centaines de personnes dans le sable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maintenant nous nous dirigeons vers Bellingham. Dans cette direction on passe par des grandes raffineries de pétrole. Nous sommes entrés à Bellingham le long de la côte. On a pris une petite pause à Marine Drive Park.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H8ze8rh3fyZUnzbnEffJYP-iudQxYV-eaAlmflHAlZynNXzTPOJ6lebS1_QRkT5iWBZLsXHYevOqE_yknMqQNNzx5LHk7HvivsXyHUB4J3b657UFR3Zuf6lh5lrv2wCZXzzglk1nNbx4/s2786/IMG_0848%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="2786" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H8ze8rh3fyZUnzbnEffJYP-iudQxYV-eaAlmflHAlZynNXzTPOJ6lebS1_QRkT5iWBZLsXHYevOqE_yknMqQNNzx5LHk7HvivsXyHUB4J3b657UFR3Zuf6lh5lrv2wCZXzzglk1nNbx4/w625-h255/IMG_0848%255B1%255D.JPG" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Marine Drive Park<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Avec notre hôte on a mangé un peu à <a href="https://caferumbabham.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Rumba – Peruvian Restaurant and Sangucheria</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Puis j’ai placé le tandem sur mon auto et nous avons retourné à Seattle par un plus vite moyen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-87846535560563408832020-07-24T00:15:00.002-07:002020-07-25T00:45:37.010-07:00STPDX<br />
<h3>
From Here to Eternity</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the COVID-19 pandemic made its power clear, it was time
to duck for cover. In late spring the
Cascade Bicycle Club cancelled all events remaining for the year. It wasn’t long before the idea of riding it
anyway came to me. Partly, I imagined,
this would be a return to the very early days of this legendary ride, when only
a few hundred people participated. I
assumed there would be other people riding the course, on the dates originally
scheduled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Logistics seemed simple enough:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Make a reservation for a hotel in Castle Rock</li>
<li>Mail a package of necessary items to the hotel</li>
<li>Reserve a rental van in Portland</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a Budget Car Rental right next to the finish line,
so reserving there was preordained!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next I set out to find a partner in crime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend Donna came to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier in the season I had signed her up to
a very elite Trace Pacifique team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
that event’s cancelation (and, Canadian border closure, for good measure),
Donna had been sitting home, by the phone, pining away while awaiting the
call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it finally came, Donna rose
to the occasion, agreeing to stoke the Lippy Ecstasy tandem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To make the ride even more interesting, I solicited two
friends to join in, enroute, each for a portion of the ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that was that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others had expressed interest, but their salary demands would have put
the team over the league’s salary cap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A week or so before the ride I noticed on google maps that
the Budget location near the finish was “Temporarily closed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder when Budget was going to mention
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I phoned them and they moved my
reservation to one of their downtown locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They informed me a van was no longer available, all of them having been
commandeered for Operation Legend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead I would have an SUV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
started worrying about getting the tandem in the vehicle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the originally scheduled weekend drew near, the forecast
was for some heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would not be
record heat, but it would be high enough to take a toll on us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day before the start I nervously replaced the captain’s
stem on the tandem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The existing drop,
from saddle height, was putting too much weight on my hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this change made the ride doable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCpb8RnsAxMPr2Gqt_qD7kn99Lx5YVY1CrI3M7x-1rcAAAl3hCh_bDBvd0rufp4n0WutCoIFqHIJ47-wiXJai2gDzDLkIVwaeymM7BfYlE-8u_OkXaUtQvhh1t8dJzzC4AsswFC5xfj1A/s1600/IMG_E0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1528" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCpb8RnsAxMPr2Gqt_qD7kn99Lx5YVY1CrI3M7x-1rcAAAl3hCh_bDBvd0rufp4n0WutCoIFqHIJ47-wiXJai2gDzDLkIVwaeymM7BfYlE-8u_OkXaUtQvhh1t8dJzzC4AsswFC5xfj1A/s320/IMG_E0468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Stem seemed just too low.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got rolling at 5:30 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was already a gorgeous day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
two of us only had several short tandem rides under our belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are various things to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One challenge was navigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donna had the Garmin, with the route
downloaded to it, so she was the chief navigator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Renton we discovered that without
10,000 of our close friends, or hundreds of directional arrows painted on the
pavement, navigating became tricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
the time we arrived at Spanaway, we had made three significant wrong turns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were still some tandem basics to iron out, as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going along, everything
seeming fine, when suddenly the bike lurched out into the lane of traffic!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately there were no cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donna seemed surprised that adjusting her
underpants had caused this to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
knew it was pointless, and also not the time, to mention that one generally
does not wear underpants with cycling shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Donna perhaps knew what I was thinking and preempted by saying that all
of her friends had already told her not to wear underpants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever my overall reaction to the incident,
I must have come across as being a bit testy – the stoker accused me of having
my period.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Near Puyallup the first clearly STP 2020 participants passed
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first food stop was at the
Safeway in Spanaway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There the ever
eager and cheerful Peg joined us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She set a wicked pace on SR-507, where it parallels the
perimeter of the Joint Base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a
good thing because it’s a tough stretch: lots of fast moving traffic, on a
narrow lane, with a narrow shoulder (partly taken up for rumble strips) for
cyclists.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was on this stretch that we had our first near death
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two very bad
railroad crossings, the tracks being at such an angle as to easily gobble up a
bicycle wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To improve the situation
for cyclists, an extra lane has been added, for a very short distance before
and after each of these crossings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
allows the cyclist to cross the track safely, at 90 degrees, while being away
from traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tracks went from left
(close) to right (far), so to cross them you come at them from the outside
(right).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were crossing the tracks,
the driver of a fast moving pickup truck decided to use a fair amount of this
safety lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He missed T-boning us by
about two feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Yelm we picked up the Chehalis-Western Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a relief to get a break from motorized
traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met John near Rainier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to see him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had come a long ways back from a very bad
cycling accident last October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he
was riding his new Bachetta Carbon Trike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRgvAMJ_TdQtNI0ZwiCiU488yY1HY7qCTWYK8hgNG1kEWTDMECEKBZHMzBux7f-aqKtl7Nk-9zx-BJxuRgzbQ1f5A1lShI-mwxGsObcV8IZ8Ef2tqmjDdpBIoRjbkX5pk1Iq2agtBQZ-s/s1600/IMG_E0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRgvAMJ_TdQtNI0ZwiCiU488yY1HY7qCTWYK8hgNG1kEWTDMECEKBZHMzBux7f-aqKtl7Nk-9zx-BJxuRgzbQ1f5A1lShI-mwxGsObcV8IZ8Ef2tqmjDdpBIoRjbkX5pk1Iq2agtBQZ-s/s640/IMG_E0472.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That carbon fiber trike<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John presented us with sour dough bread he had made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peg revealed she too had become, during <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stay at Home</i>, a sour dough bread baker.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peg had to turn around, at this point, but John accompanied
us to the end of the trail – Tenino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
said our good byes and then it was back to the business at hand – getting to
Centralia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Centralia is the largest town on the route (18,000) on Day
One, big enough to have a Dairy Queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By now it was hot, so some cold items, consumed outside in the shade,
lifted our spirits and energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When we got rolling again, we found the trail that runs
between Centralia and Chehalis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
route next passes through the historic part of Chehalis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After Chehalis, one is on quiet roads, but they can be
hilly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first town we came to was
Napavine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped briefly, in the city
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There I just happened to refer to
the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It showed we were at the
closest point possible to I-5, until Longview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I checked the distance and it would also be slightly shorter to take the
freeway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to go for it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For an interstate, the route was quite hilly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also undeniably fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crossing the ramps is quite dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could do well enough, on my own, with my
mirror, for the off ramps, but I hastily trained Donna to make the call for on
ramps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in Kelso/Longview in no
time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had ridden 142 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdaXrpIYNmsJ2gVSk1e2YYM2aSBV3J-2egPWs4FdT3pMvm-e59nJf1dj_IR9IZfMJrwgkTOJXVVKPzePg1WPVNptZDXzSzoJQ-1VgYKtNrBY-Txigp5bbO-oqNvmCIMUluJ8eCMwrrHTf/s1600/IMG_E0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdaXrpIYNmsJ2gVSk1e2YYM2aSBV3J-2egPWs4FdT3pMvm-e59nJf1dj_IR9IZfMJrwgkTOJXVVKPzePg1WPVNptZDXzSzoJQ-1VgYKtNrBY-Txigp5bbO-oqNvmCIMUluJ8eCMwrrHTf/s640/IMG_E0475.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The machine<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night we dined at the El Compadre Restaurant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Day Two promised to be hot again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our good intentions, for an early departure,
turned out to be 7:00 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not
the best way to avoid traffic on Highway 30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we attempted to cross over I-5 and descend to the actual
course, we were again overcome by the interstate highway’s attraction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several interchanges later we finally exited
into Kelso and headed for the Longview Bridge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the bridge we discovered the narrow shoulder was covered
in wood debris that comes off logging trucks. It was a bumpy ascent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At mid-span we were delighted to find out that
at least Oregon doesn’t wait until STP to clean THEIR half of the bridge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the descent, we mostly took the lane,
although the harsh joints instill a rather low speed limit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then we were on Highway 30, an experience generally less
than loved by STP riders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To emphasize
this point, shortly after leaving Rainier (the first town encountered in
Oregon), a speeding car came two feet across the fog line! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a straight stretch of road, with a wide
lane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The act seemed intentional.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dangerous drivers notwithstanding, traffic remained light
for a while. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came upon the site of
the first of two mini stops (during the actual event) and pulled in (for
sentimental, as well as, bush reasons). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
guy on a bent, heading the other direction, pulled in to talk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he’d seen quite a few cyclists, so far
that morning, heading in the direction of Portland. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since not a single cyclist had yet passed us
(this day), that was another indication we had gotten a late start.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we reached Saint Helens, the location of the last major
food stop during the actual ride, we stopped at a gas station for consumables. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, as we passed by the high school - the
site of the final official full scale food stop - I thought of the <a href="https://sthelensbandprogram.weebly.com/">Saint Helens High School Band</a>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They always run the food stop and take
donations to support their activities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After St Helens it was time for another near death
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A big part of my job, on
high speed descents, is playing Pac-Man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I watch for debris, on the shoulder, and do my best to avoid it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Near the end of just one such descent, I
noticed a large patch of gravel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was no way to avoid it, and braking, when coming into a patch of gravel, is
very dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had just enough time
to glance into my mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I wanted
was the fog line, just 4 fricking inches!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wouldn’t you know it – there was a car camped on my left heel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were plenty of wide lanes, but there he
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I hit the gravel at high
speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try not to get overly confident
in the stability of a tandem, but its long wheel base, and generally wider
tires (than on a single bike), can do a lot for ones survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damned if, nearly immediately after that
patch of gravel, was yet another patch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bike again performed splendidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had to scream a few choice words (actually, just ONE choice word, repeated
several times) to the universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it
was back to the business at hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Day 2 dragged on, the long suffering stoker started
calling stands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must have worked
because I commented this was the first time I’d ever heard her moan with
pleasure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She retaliated, based on being
the navigator (she had the Garmin, but it was monitoring <b>my </b>HR) that it was the
first time she’d ever noted my cold heart could have a beat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed the site of the final official mini rest stop (now
just a large, empty, paved area).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pushed on and came to the sign that welcomes one to
Portland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I took the photo,
below, my phone rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not
recognize the number, from Portland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suspecting it was Boozhay, I answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was damn hard to hear, what with the by now heavy traffic on Highway
30, but I was able to make out that it was the car rental location in downtown
Portland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy said they were going
to close at 1:00 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 12:50
pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked if I could get there in the
next 10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to him that
Cadel Evans, in his prime, with all green lights, could not be there by 1:00
pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy said Boozhay’s airport
location would honor my contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
he bid me good day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8pE0zz_544WkFtBrb3h9RIApkcwFFEcgO9aXk2fFO87VkoJcSptWEke8Yf58cqPTKlR3uNvL0NVjmsXuiz0PyNmQgLlTbIIQ8waa-2XQh93U7XWJNd3d36nf6o_5eJDCHtzSsm6ALhNW/s1600/IMG_E0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1030" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8pE0zz_544WkFtBrb3h9RIApkcwFFEcgO9aXk2fFO87VkoJcSptWEke8Yf58cqPTKlR3uNvL0NVjmsXuiz0PyNmQgLlTbIIQ8waa-2XQh93U7XWJNd3d36nf6o_5eJDCHtzSsm6ALhNW/s640/IMG_E0478.JPG" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A final underwear adjustment, before the triumphal </span><span style="font-size: small;">march into the Rose City </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We checked google maps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Boozhay PDX also closed at 1:00 pm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately there was another
location, just passed the airport, open until 6:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We set a course, with google maps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two small bits of good news,
amidst this bad news:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>We'd get to cross the St. Johns Bridge</li>
<li>We'd get to take the trail on the south side of the Columbia River, out to the airport</li>
<li>(OK, so I can’t count) – There’d be one last Near Death Occasion.<span style="text-indent: -24px;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Who could not appreciate that?</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
St. Johns Bridge was spectacular. All of the volcanoes were out, including Mt.
Adams, which one sees between the bridges towers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the bridge, google maps started us meandering
north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually came to an
intersection with a red light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were three lanes: left turn, through and right turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got into the through lane and waited for
the green light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we started into
the intersection and were nearly side swiped by a guy in a pickup, going
through from the right turn lane!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I yelled out “Right turn lane!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IMHO, that seemed innocuous enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slammed on his brakes, popped open his door
and jumped out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself hoping
that Donna would protect me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my
relief, he didn’t come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He yelled
that he was right, I was wrong – I had failed to read the sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huh!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had NOT failed to notice that large, white, right turn arrow, painted
on his lane, nor that there was only ONE lane, on the far side of the
intersection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been around
transportation engineering standards for quite a few decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merges WITHIN an intersection are considered
very dangerous; they are never allowed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I yelled back at him, again repeating that it was a right
turn lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I referenced him,
using several choice adjectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he
got into his truck and drove away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the ride was pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portland has some very impressive bike lanes
and paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, there was one more
incident, this one purely friendly: a car pulled up alongside of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was initially nervous but the driver called
out, in a friendly voice, that they too had a Lippy tandem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped and we chatted a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he’d bought it about 25 years ago and
in more recent years given it a sexy pearlescent paint job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a nice interchange.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bike paths took us nearly up to the door of
Boozhay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The total mileage was a lucky
213.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The friendly woman, after first informing me that because of
some computer issue she could NOT honor my pre-paid contract, came up with a
Full Size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I coordinated pickup, and
bike, with Donna, she translated: Full Size means just a big normal car (not
SUV or anything else).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started worrying
a bit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got the vehicle out of the secure parking area and drove
around the corner to the empty lot of a business closed on Sundays (or perhaps
closed EVERY day, during pandemics).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There we assessed matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First
we happily discovered that it was possible to fold down the back seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I folded down the front passenger
seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Donna suggested I not do this
prematurely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so right: I removed
the front wheel and slid the whole enchilada into this Honda Accord Sport via
the trunk!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right: not need to
remove the rear wheel, fenders, rack, saddles, bars or pedals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zip, zilch, nada!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh life was good – this was one big happy
moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrq2ykozILCUVuCockcWB6Ad0J8l18A5DYoQsDUZslWUR867kDF9ZbD8vvjosW6k7EsoVveV4bHTFS5GSWqYExrrSZfRp14knfMQVBc12dcbajje2-jD99n2f3F12yuoXb3IhjZN92eu3/s1600/IMG_E0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrq2ykozILCUVuCockcWB6Ad0J8l18A5DYoQsDUZslWUR867kDF9ZbD8vvjosW6k7EsoVveV4bHTFS5GSWqYExrrSZfRp14knfMQVBc12dcbajje2-jD99n2f3F12yuoXb3IhjZN92eu3/s640/IMG_E0480.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Tandem fits in Honda Accord Sport</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We booked up 205 and 5, stopping at Castle Rock to pick up
the box, back to Seattle!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This took
less than five gallons of gas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS5po-UmvhUGonBdeQjsRYf2TwJ0RrBk5Xn1mC9fTHRAPmopAGqXOLPOSjU7PH0UHU4nZo36AUwKsytPMw3vNC1iguaHo0OKJ1bcKR-RivCyF5QAYtWjciqgBxUgE_JS8yver89neyMIB/s1600/IMG_E0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS5po-UmvhUGonBdeQjsRYf2TwJ0RrBk5Xn1mC9fTHRAPmopAGqXOLPOSjU7PH0UHU4nZo36AUwKsytPMw3vNC1iguaHo0OKJ1bcKR-RivCyF5QAYtWjciqgBxUgE_JS8yver89neyMIB/s640/IMG_E0481.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Less than five gallons ot gas to return to Seattle<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-25086113928993070132020-04-18T00:18:00.001-07:002020-04-27T23:45:14.030-07:002020 LA Marathon (not too much for the man)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h2>
Los Angeles</h2>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
No Marathon Quite Like It </h4>
<br />
Of the marathons I've run, there is none quite like Los Angeles. The course passes through famous neighborhood after famous neighborhood, offering race participants nonstop entertainment, from Dodgers Stadium to the pier at Santa Monica.<br />
<br />
The visit to LA, for the marathon, begins with packet pickup at the convention center in downtown LA.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocJ8e3Ip-LmwyfHhJrTeQ8UfoiruPJ3YNTLgeWIoMg0YfXhgTMBeNj4wWzBAWZsBypPbDLOuwl71gL5eBACBrmzUvFPQUSkfWt8MB5i9ptkgcEMY-Ffd8QJjzrmtnvMNcWCMVhw5WadmJ/s1600/IMG_9294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocJ8e3Ip-LmwyfHhJrTeQ8UfoiruPJ3YNTLgeWIoMg0YfXhgTMBeNj4wWzBAWZsBypPbDLOuwl71gL5eBACBrmzUvFPQUSkfWt8MB5i9ptkgcEMY-Ffd8QJjzrmtnvMNcWCMVhw5WadmJ/s640/IMG_9294.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The LA Convention Center</div>
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For this visit, I stayed in Baldwin Park, about twenty miles east of LA. My intention was to do some hiking, after the marathon.</div>
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For some carbo loading, the night before the marathon, I went to the Guadalajara Grill. An unexpected benefit was live entertainment.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwISNkvkSE-mqH2bk6J4nea8oJywxu2F5b0BOd1NmNZYFZv3EJjZJOy7Ab3jDw7Yt5oiZ6bqjQCxWx3oxw7duqZfRLtBFVjwcm1fmKf57OBfymIwoA3JAKyCTT9c3DMKFqjkWlRI5Cclu/s1600/IMG_9296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwISNkvkSE-mqH2bk6J4nea8oJywxu2F5b0BOd1NmNZYFZv3EJjZJOy7Ab3jDw7Yt5oiZ6bqjQCxWx3oxw7duqZfRLtBFVjwcm1fmKf57OBfymIwoA3JAKyCTT9c3DMKFqjkWlRI5Cclu/s640/IMG_9296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live music adds to ones dining pleasure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hanging with 27,000 of my close friends.</h3>
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The crowd of runners, for the 6:00 am start at Dodgers Stadium, takes more than one half hour to get passed the start line.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2p2UO7aXFRPcWCc3HERStoMBOF1hqt-YbLEgfByHzXmwOYg06ww4avfsWxEQ1m27Lpj4wjUdBaYnRO7Gou_tVDU4IMoOXSR95V-iY11U1Hp2rG_yX3gYs7f2U3lmWvn40KtaxyI4YUiw/s1600/IMG_9301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2p2UO7aXFRPcWCc3HERStoMBOF1hqt-YbLEgfByHzXmwOYg06ww4avfsWxEQ1m27Lpj4wjUdBaYnRO7Gou_tVDU4IMoOXSR95V-iY11U1Hp2rG_yX3gYs7f2U3lmWvn40KtaxyI4YUiw/s640/IMG_9301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thousands of runners approach the start<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Quite a few runners wore shirts with Kobe Bryant's name on them. Several of those runners were dribbling basketballs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkYHqC4-9YQZg7cn-C7UkDqBDYvywwen9q1Fo2VL0kqiLbsfz3zK9GmtUz1BCKp8_cA5uIwQ986loJR3_Nd1RByKnHhiG_Z7eVGIKwEl9LLXngtP34ksMX40yDGLnpdGd__Ghlqlupux1/s1600/IMG_9305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkYHqC4-9YQZg7cn-C7UkDqBDYvywwen9q1Fo2VL0kqiLbsfz3zK9GmtUz1BCKp8_cA5uIwQ986loJR3_Nd1RByKnHhiG_Z7eVGIKwEl9LLXngtP34ksMX40yDGLnpdGd__Ghlqlupux1/s640/IMG_9305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Drummers regale the runners, near the Disney Concert Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br style="font-size: medium;" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdGc8AxFR8VDJz2CY6gSGIzCzOH8k-uhOVf0nCFDxgBo4UlrFhUEjWtpWXJrcf13EjBaAy4ZrOHZb4fSVmv7m3ge7FclHI-4nkLXttlsvHxYTP_psQ7_KH8MPSAaPeZSUHmR5eSuKhlfQ/s1600/IMG_9306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdGc8AxFR8VDJz2CY6gSGIzCzOH8k-uhOVf0nCFDxgBo4UlrFhUEjWtpWXJrcf13EjBaAy4ZrOHZb4fSVmv7m3ge7FclHI-4nkLXttlsvHxYTP_psQ7_KH8MPSAaPeZSUHmR5eSuKhlfQ/s640/IMG_9306.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Disney Concert Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br style="font-size: medium;" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">After leaving downtown LA, the course continues on famous streets - Sunset Blvd, Hollywood Blvd, San Vicente Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd, Rodeo Dr and Wilshire Blvd.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_38zkMF1j-0v08RHCYy-7I2kYt4PdN1eKORYcGnZEwzwXsTxYJXWSjHTNcWG9S-lJ8-wT-GRRbe7NgvjZqeqvSmv9ImKcUadZcL28KiVQ07tW_vgJtUxf6t_e2LIwEveY2CusW7OkZBo/s1600/IMG_9308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_38zkMF1j-0v08RHCYy-7I2kYt4PdN1eKORYcGnZEwzwXsTxYJXWSjHTNcWG9S-lJ8-wT-GRRbe7NgvjZqeqvSmv9ImKcUadZcL28KiVQ07tW_vgJtUxf6t_e2LIwEveY2CusW7OkZBo/s640/IMG_9308.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A notable landmark on the route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2F0BGPE-u9hmHAjUc_l9KbaJ90jSg24nu0O-fmofL9E2hMP3XYQjToW9wXuVyN7lKXB4_lkuiipgXV7Knofbqk858EJtsjFEeGYwxm4u7gH-E-rE3qF1lm5Dnc0DIaqBxrIQFH_nES2DH/s1600/IMG_9311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2F0BGPE-u9hmHAjUc_l9KbaJ90jSg24nu0O-fmofL9E2hMP3XYQjToW9wXuVyN7lKXB4_lkuiipgXV7Knofbqk858EJtsjFEeGYwxm4u7gH-E-rE3qF1lm5Dnc0DIaqBxrIQFH_nES2DH/s640/IMG_9311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Fans entertain runners. Time is about to tell if running is a cure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsb8NWoKa1uuHL0KAA4xnNdMUP7q8xNoHKGTDbtcByCs7BjvGnZKkS5kLDhsoUcdQA5tkNwVruhP0mggtnkLZpU7qKePyOO8M1EpwC-QCblGciHdias0odlPasInQzD96YQhCFmFfGHJ2/s1600/IMG_9312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsb8NWoKa1uuHL0KAA4xnNdMUP7q8xNoHKGTDbtcByCs7BjvGnZKkS5kLDhsoUcdQA5tkNwVruhP0mggtnkLZpU7qKePyOO8M1EpwC-QCblGciHdias0odlPasInQzD96YQhCFmFfGHJ2/s640/IMG_9312.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The finish, at the Pacific Ocean, on Santa Monica Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Nearing the ocean, and the end of the course, a cooling breeze, off of the ocean, takes the edge off of the afternoon warmth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAOxFlhyZXzbiBBfk0_bXoLw8x5lmA7I4lE_9mgmNTjKzkW3NNrdIZmJ7TJM-0LkEufaN-VHF6XTlJb_Z_TzKVpqpo3OQLs5B-HyIay29XyqlT11JaSkC-2a0aUhrd8CrlgS32HmKxWBT/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAOxFlhyZXzbiBBfk0_bXoLw8x5lmA7I4lE_9mgmNTjKzkW3NNrdIZmJ7TJM-0LkEufaN-VHF6XTlJb_Z_TzKVpqpo3OQLs5B-HyIay29XyqlT11JaSkC-2a0aUhrd8CrlgS32HmKxWBT/s200/IMG_9350.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_1s6-kg9BeEDPZgog90QsPp3bKpAjees-B8KcUZrmPW0CvLsnsCPRlBe3jZHB_PuIC3xdYWjnweGb0UJNuy87GqWlDpaOCV_u8-wpTK5E9SmZU_TUfkP3ESC0pAqgmBS3ffuRZf4FprQ/s1600/IMG_9351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_1s6-kg9BeEDPZgog90QsPp3bKpAjees-B8KcUZrmPW0CvLsnsCPRlBe3jZHB_PuIC3xdYWjnweGb0UJNuy87GqWlDpaOCV_u8-wpTK5E9SmZU_TUfkP3ESC0pAqgmBS3ffuRZf4FprQ/s200/IMG_9351.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The finishers medal is a great memento</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
Hiking </h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
The day after the marathon was a visit to some hiking trails in the SW foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The first trail was closed, the aftermath of a rainy season, several years ago. The second choice was a bit more modest hike, but the day after a marathon, a short jaunt felt OK!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBqe78KF5kv2fafrJEERruBXTN-D94vbk5VNBkqkcTPKdgQM3BBzN6HAFvBOTjlJdcotPW7u3HgoM7G5zoiI_w4eWy4Heg-HvOPbj3cCqGnKEx2pLKT_3DP9Id0pLz3n6fiULIEMtjXgM/s1600/IMG_9315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBqe78KF5kv2fafrJEERruBXTN-D94vbk5VNBkqkcTPKdgQM3BBzN6HAFvBOTjlJdcotPW7u3HgoM7G5zoiI_w4eWy4Heg-HvOPbj3cCqGnKEx2pLKT_3DP9Id0pLz3n6fiULIEMtjXgM/s640/IMG_9315.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Monrovia Canyon Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiRRHDmp6Ig0ufzoBef_H1Pc-4t8TRGCzA88Ekr8GY1Rka6hSJdeeyx5Q9r85MtMAX2JnJxozzUnKR2umxhxZ6gjiSewbUHhO6iZIXJJrpHUS-L1WsDw3MRRW_BlVs50yzEKFezh9C5ER/s1600/IMG_9319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiRRHDmp6Ig0ufzoBef_H1Pc-4t8TRGCzA88Ekr8GY1Rka6hSJdeeyx5Q9r85MtMAX2JnJxozzUnKR2umxhxZ6gjiSewbUHhO6iZIXJJrpHUS-L1WsDw3MRRW_BlVs50yzEKFezh9C5ER/s640/IMG_9319.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looking south, from the trail head</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<h4 style="font-size: medium;">
</h4>
<h4 style="font-size: medium;">
A Day in the City</h4>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">It was time to be an urban tourist.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxdJyY2yqRIJNs3sFsszgrIOC3G6tEjeX8VWWv7NKkD08skPk1afMuru4C0NWZnHOHesHqP9klrBqXP8nNxPsjFCbfsHG4eQLzoayPsmGgRK1xuqyWIEdTgeU6QC-LRLRoUOGGDI7IlZ0/s1600/IMG_9334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxdJyY2yqRIJNs3sFsszgrIOC3G6tEjeX8VWWv7NKkD08skPk1afMuru4C0NWZnHOHesHqP9klrBqXP8nNxPsjFCbfsHG4eQLzoayPsmGgRK1xuqyWIEdTgeU6QC-LRLRoUOGGDI7IlZ0/s640/IMG_9334.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Broad Museum, across the street from the Disney Concert Hall</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRaHYbPBMIYuZC1DQzJopYD1nTfjFElWxVuwY2_v3OL7tCwIcWTGN4_Djzxeou-mLFQ16MQCdybHfCXNsfzxFFPDUdzUoYYAuIr4KBO10eZrXv2mSGCwN9uX4P4YxRPVrpScPrvJxQ5CJ/s1600/IMG_9333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRaHYbPBMIYuZC1DQzJopYD1nTfjFElWxVuwY2_v3OL7tCwIcWTGN4_Djzxeou-mLFQ16MQCdybHfCXNsfzxFFPDUdzUoYYAuIr4KBO10eZrXv2mSGCwN9uX4P4YxRPVrpScPrvJxQ5CJ/s640/IMG_9333.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looking out from the museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FDUrA1jhVr8VBkCAzi3Fv02IRKRR7BXpeERTkyktMqohyphenhyphenWqhl3c61DbE6PbAbWPia9BEVKwp69dNbOVYIj8U3xzJS3V8QCVx7MXfvPsz-kvcsICxiTr1lTxb9avQuPj6CrjqenrThsRj/s1600/IMG_9332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FDUrA1jhVr8VBkCAzi3Fv02IRKRR7BXpeERTkyktMqohyphenhyphenWqhl3c61DbE6PbAbWPia9BEVKwp69dNbOVYIj8U3xzJS3V8QCVx7MXfvPsz-kvcsICxiTr1lTxb9avQuPj6CrjqenrThsRj/s640/IMG_9332.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A large piece on display in the museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1GdFpsSYNlUetQ76RWzt5pzkEtvRHIlcgvhDpRdLMoKRAvE1enURsYgO3f10OF3Jcwok-3iHNjfyOt_iO1K_fL5G010G5tHUQYz24hNeSPe4ZNMrf88iANPv-O0AUrKm9ZBVC8HWBMuU/s1600/IMG_9327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1GdFpsSYNlUetQ76RWzt5pzkEtvRHIlcgvhDpRdLMoKRAvE1enURsYgO3f10OF3Jcwok-3iHNjfyOt_iO1K_fL5G010G5tHUQYz24hNeSPe4ZNMrf88iANPv-O0AUrKm9ZBVC8HWBMuU/s640/IMG_9327.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jean-Michel Basquiat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After visiting the Broad Museum, there was some time to walk around downtown, prior to visiting the Disney Concert Hall</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIYS18GzFOTPsPwBNSIL7-8emEGxTRTXopHyKClaiPLg8lPKhqFMw1OUXnQi3JSB1GtRZmdJSpAxkWrlE2SbR_3Sn1FNVwN06AUg5yY0uwdjWCT6bib8lSvYqFVKusYJJxlkzeFVXzAP7/s1600/IMG_9336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIYS18GzFOTPsPwBNSIL7-8emEGxTRTXopHyKClaiPLg8lPKhqFMw1OUXnQi3JSB1GtRZmdJSpAxkWrlE2SbR_3Sn1FNVwN06AUg5yY0uwdjWCT6bib8lSvYqFVKusYJJxlkzeFVXzAP7/s640/IMG_9336.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Perry Mason building, from Grand Park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0DIBcgFYW-KuyFsf1LhYho4FpRvcNomINRnGZcCwIFJqcElbVDLSDZ1pLXaiar6cbcYUnz1L2A-JZAoAs9Sw_3YiwhXN7cgh4ugU4L7-6AyuwcY3lyKb3d3GHk4ATe1uXPctTgLXI6yy/s1600/IMG_9347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0DIBcgFYW-KuyFsf1LhYho4FpRvcNomINRnGZcCwIFJqcElbVDLSDZ1pLXaiar6cbcYUnz1L2A-JZAoAs9Sw_3YiwhXN7cgh4ugU4L7-6AyuwcY3lyKb3d3GHk4ATe1uXPctTgLXI6yy/s640/IMG_9347.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Disney Concert Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPfPtRy579cIC79_XaDtfU93doO-zLwVEX1Berfi8JL3-gAoHKJEQ5gl5yZDY6HkSD5Yu4BwAmEcCiqkNZSGgGMmtxlZd8tsvLEi-jqJcyPJS7bC0d9FzwzPgsDttBn4O9dLV9d27WyOo/s1600/IMG_9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPfPtRy579cIC79_XaDtfU93doO-zLwVEX1Berfi8JL3-gAoHKJEQ5gl5yZDY6HkSD5Yu4BwAmEcCiqkNZSGgGMmtxlZd8tsvLEi-jqJcyPJS7bC0d9FzwzPgsDttBn4O9dLV9d27WyOo/s640/IMG_9346.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Organ Pipes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h4 style="font-size: medium;">
The Final Day of the Trip </h4>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
On the way to the Orange County Airport, there was time for a short hike.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K0-0RH19yrtMnO7DFs5fw-i0Ae8kFV88vEw1_kf7dnlbokjP01WZD-ib7rCDmaw3hHK2y9hrC0cAej2eg7EJVPd74PreKOu4Hb2HewoBiW640iMpFm8uf23THDx29QVFVUmdZipckTnV/s1600/IMG_9354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K0-0RH19yrtMnO7DFs5fw-i0Ae8kFV88vEw1_kf7dnlbokjP01WZD-ib7rCDmaw3hHK2y9hrC0cAej2eg7EJVPd74PreKOu4Hb2HewoBiW640iMpFm8uf23THDx29QVFVUmdZipckTnV/s640/IMG_9354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Downtown LA, from Schabarum Trail</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEI970YmRECqPeNF7fZT6ijKWA3tNBWZ07B3a2eTFspeTtk8iM5AyXJPewtUdecXUjQWFfUIui_Q4g24xJQnuIAS_mb5DszLW3KtnvsMv88VMH2b0YDpHieo0qD8uDpDsa0EEsOaQM1ID/s1600/IMG_9364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEI970YmRECqPeNF7fZT6ijKWA3tNBWZ07B3a2eTFspeTtk8iM5AyXJPewtUdecXUjQWFfUIui_Q4g24xJQnuIAS_mb5DszLW3KtnvsMv88VMH2b0YDpHieo0qD8uDpDsa0EEsOaQM1ID/s640/IMG_9364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Volcanoes, from the plane</td></tr>
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Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-89487530409944157332019-12-18T04:52:00.002-08:002019-12-18T04:59:46.044-08:00Honolulu Marathon<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Un Marathon ... pas comme les autres!</b></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
Signing Up</h3>
<h3>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">
I hadn't necessarily planned to register for this event, when I visited its web site. What I saw, on the home page however, sealed the deal:</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">There is no time limit and no limit on the number of participants. We wait for the last finisher to cross the line and all finishers get an official finishers shirt and awesome medal.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The event slogan - </span>26.2 Miles in Paradise<span style="font-weight: 400;"> - didn't hurt either.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div>
</h3>
<h3>
The Expo</h3>
Like most marathons, prior to the event there is packet pickup at the expo. This expo was held at the Hawai'i Convention Center, in the heart of Honolulu (not far from the race start).<br />
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The Convention Center is striking, with its tall glass walls and atrium, connecting the interior with the exterior. The palm trees, on either side of the glass, reinforce this connection.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHxZM1kV8Dj0qm9nNW70eHC7LH2GVtFyv3C7CcPrbXpOly_0noZVsXPvMrkU2Eq8ZKB4sWSRyQtn0IzbNnlE-huPZob4L_IdOpwet8E6YEq4ft4q8MfHgenep6V0Bm3cQCASR8s7VvJmx/s1600/IMG_E7703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHxZM1kV8Dj0qm9nNW70eHC7LH2GVtFyv3C7CcPrbXpOly_0noZVsXPvMrkU2Eq8ZKB4sWSRyQtn0IzbNnlE-huPZob4L_IdOpwet8E6YEq4ft4q8MfHgenep6V0Bm3cQCASR8s7VvJmx/s640/IMG_E7703.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marathon Expo at Hawaii Convention Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing I noticed, at the Expo, was that most signs were in Japanese. Some signs included a bit of English, but many did not. The main sponsor, JAL (Japan Airlines), had a large booth as well as a large reception area (I assumed for participants who had arrived in Hawai'i via JAL).<br />
<br />
Unlike most marathons, I was informed that the event shirt was only available at the finish line. This gave additional incentive to finishing.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Start</h3>
It was a bit sobering to learn that the start was at 5:00 am! At that time it is quite dark, of course, except this was in the heart of a rather large city, so seeing where to go would be no problem. Additionally, to make navigation really easy, there would be 25,000 other runners, so one could merely follow the herd. 5,000 of those runners were doing the 10k. Everyone started together. The start was at Ala Moana Regional Park, located between Ala Moana Boulevard and the water.<br />
<br />
It was already warm, 68°, before even starting. The walk to the start had left me sweating. For one who runs most of his marathons in the cooler part of the year, in the Pacific Northwest, it would be a hot day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqFOsvVB6v-QxpkLnnherycQzqIkYxmltDtl-7rn5Xqm98owLvAgXbiEmH1bkt48OugavftJSFXmG55VxaT3W-n5iEO_ozI8_D4j1zJeElYO6lUV3VN577T8YJbbFfhZ1wQ0Al_kyqOJx/s1600/IMG_E7709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqFOsvVB6v-QxpkLnnherycQzqIkYxmltDtl-7rn5Xqm98owLvAgXbiEmH1bkt48OugavftJSFXmG55VxaT3W-n5iEO_ozI8_D4j1zJeElYO6lUV3VN577T8YJbbFfhZ1wQ0Al_kyqOJx/s640/IMG_E7709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the start (0:dark:00)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once the start began, and the crowd oozed toward the start line, there were fireworks to add to the drama.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpnOfk31vNQ61NcvP7SNp8l3bb9rmXskm06zW06uyYiAhBvlYgb7UWMOtc6VCVR8GM7rDhy843Z5nKE1dQSbUDesV1wi7WISbyQg4BumYOJr_ngQ0oJ6VRBUbe35DJBCl0_prbD92IXAd/s1600/IMG_E7714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpnOfk31vNQ61NcvP7SNp8l3bb9rmXskm06zW06uyYiAhBvlYgb7UWMOtc6VCVR8GM7rDhy843Z5nKE1dQSbUDesV1wi7WISbyQg4BumYOJr_ngQ0oJ6VRBUbe35DJBCl0_prbD92IXAd/s640/IMG_E7714.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks after the gun has gone off (5:00) and I approach the start line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoGqGwk3y2uUc1xZ85yUY24SoYtRx4jO3fOGK29ECo2IAM2BaNPl-ZB5Gn3BnS484vRTId7oWSRpdB6vHfolsZmTijUp31Sh5n7fM8GOKZHPDOK31LgI_DJ6Zogxz-7-CfU-eE-L0va_9/s1600/IMG_E7719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1600" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoGqGwk3y2uUc1xZ85yUY24SoYtRx4jO3fOGK29ECo2IAM2BaNPl-ZB5Gn3BnS484vRTId7oWSRpdB6vHfolsZmTijUp31Sh5n7fM8GOKZHPDOK31LgI_DJ6Zogxz-7-CfU-eE-L0va_9/s640/IMG_E7719.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They came in all shapes and sizes (10:49:06)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv9KrF7HS5hfsg0w6rkREqRH56Zt-3EoV8G2-5Pyz2t0jxVZJyDABmQV30YreFx_CNbrDt7UplsKEwSwAwP6w2v38AtUgTILanoaHX0Keoea5GyadGudehGDhbmGVIl8h1YRSIriloWsS/s1600/IMG_E7720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv9KrF7HS5hfsg0w6rkREqRH56Zt-3EoV8G2-5Pyz2t0jxVZJyDABmQV30YreFx_CNbrDt7UplsKEwSwAwP6w2v38AtUgTILanoaHX0Keoea5GyadGudehGDhbmGVIl8h1YRSIriloWsS/s640/IMG_E7720.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn on Kalakaua Ave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the 10k point, the 10k runners finish in Kapiolani Park. Shortly after the park, the course begins a one mile climb along the rim of the Diamond Head crater. A few hundred meters before the crest, the first marathon runner came by. Shortly behind him was the first participant in a hand crank vehicle. Just over the crest I saw the second hand crank participant, still climbing. He looked to be suffering greatly, but was still working very hard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a short descent, the course separated from the return route, headed north and started climbing again. Sigh. Then we headed northeast, leaving the crater behind. We would be revisiting it, very late in the race.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCoxgbLhiwQFl3hKNCLL0lu05hqUqoNAiAgG3HcOI1I3cSHhv3BKJPVovEI5yyCcPvZ2L-XtXYrb4uZ7tgET7-vDIPNvRgScX-oiPkrbF4lpDDlsfxLvBvogynO99wmZ6Tx8ZU83BcboJ/s1600/Diamond+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="645" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCoxgbLhiwQFl3hKNCLL0lu05hqUqoNAiAgG3HcOI1I3cSHhv3BKJPVovEI5yyCcPvZ2L-XtXYrb4uZ7tgET7-vDIPNvRgScX-oiPkrbF4lpDDlsfxLvBvogynO99wmZ6Tx8ZU83BcboJ/s640/Diamond+Head.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around the crater (numbers indicate distance, in miles)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk58HOZB-8_-fgQDI97Z1MuGWojx70qlbq_V_DwB2yizwaSD9K1_X02J9LycAJO40hrxSaRSz0p8j9yB2brW95jHRNhX25GwKl82M274asRbQ1xWTgytIrHWoSDKe905R1YlqGaPA_yi2/s1600/IMG_7721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk58HOZB-8_-fgQDI97Z1MuGWojx70qlbq_V_DwB2yizwaSD9K1_X02J9LycAJO40hrxSaRSz0p8j9yB2brW95jHRNhX25GwKl82M274asRbQ1xWTgytIrHWoSDKe905R1YlqGaPA_yi2/s640/IMG_7721.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirting Diamond Head (off to the left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shortly after Mile 11 the course joins the return route along <span style="text-align: center;">Kalanianaole Highway. For the next 4.5 miles we would see the suffering faces of those returning from the loop at the end of this long out and back.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1sF-hUGv_uSRAr2jgMzaHbYuJxQTB3EL5wBmJ9gZeHef4qb2Jp9oYNMBNTxGQfkYwxsTOTDtpZG5Fwe4ojhNUvkA5WEv9c_CtdTdYplZwvsdO8UiLYhA5ovt_Vq2i7zHmgnvL-hdJUG3/s1600/IMG_E7722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1sF-hUGv_uSRAr2jgMzaHbYuJxQTB3EL5wBmJ9gZeHef4qb2Jp9oYNMBNTxGQfkYwxsTOTDtpZG5Fwe4ojhNUvkA5WEv9c_CtdTdYplZwvsdO8UiLYhA5ovt_Vq2i7zHmgnvL-hdJUG3/s640/IMG_E7722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along Kalanianaole Highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The loop goes around Kuapa Park.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqp6O9cJ0OYj1HpwcKW0BaAY4t6NwwhJuW8M8eQTGwZ_ZoW_AmdjEio88q1NJXbBKG96JJcjrwA4Za70geFLPgfNgpBQbSuOgfEllY4Xk9gLbtN1ogRgduEv8K7E7iKlCUXcCSIKUcHWT/s1600/IMG_7723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqp6O9cJ0OYj1HpwcKW0BaAY4t6NwwhJuW8M8eQTGwZ_ZoW_AmdjEio88q1NJXbBKG96JJcjrwA4Za70geFLPgfNgpBQbSuOgfEllY4Xk9gLbtN1ogRgduEv8K7E7iKlCUXcCSIKUcHWT/s640/IMG_7723.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuapa Pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzxc68Mx64kBExFcKvv7fOq4UzfgbBPQepavpiYfd0bWFH1deGD8FK363zJn0Ac5aiVTnehQ8vK1SLsrBthVyYkm_hkPO-lktmTmpe2dR3CBsVM94IPUGaPVa9z83MPCq0HrcugZ_2pf_/s1600/IMG_7724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzxc68Mx64kBExFcKvv7fOq4UzfgbBPQepavpiYfd0bWFH1deGD8FK363zJn0Ac5aiVTnehQ8vK1SLsrBthVyYkm_hkPO-lktmTmpe2dR3CBsVM94IPUGaPVa9z83MPCq0HrcugZ_2pf_/s640/IMG_7724.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">45 pounds (I asked) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Coming out of the loop, and finally facing the finish, still a long distance away, one feels a psychological boost. It was also a chance to see most of the remaining participants, still heading out. </div>
<br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9iFwiu8DX5OfcEbRu2uFMrF9opiVNSJEJ4mHWsm024uQITcfFmX4OFrnau7oX8f8mqhDfPbYS-GMPqsv0iuBeu2DA6tzCAkt5hCc4HTuHTc8ETIcRlXj6jwSnMZZp5aTPdTwhek_RRxR/s640/IMG_7725.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of chutzpah (though his number was not in the finish results)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9iFwiu8DX5OfcEbRu2uFMrF9opiVNSJEJ4mHWsm024uQITcfFmX4OFrnau7oX8f8mqhDfPbYS-GMPqsv0iuBeu2DA6tzCAkt5hCc4HTuHTc8ETIcRlXj6jwSnMZZp5aTPdTwhek_RRxR/s1600/IMG_7725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9iFwiu8DX5OfcEbRu2uFMrF9opiVNSJEJ4mHWsm024uQITcfFmX4OFrnau7oX8f8mqhDfPbYS-GMPqsv0iuBeu2DA6tzCAkt5hCc4HTuHTc8ETIcRlXj6jwSnMZZp5aTPdTwhek_RRxR/s1600/IMG_7725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
At the finish it was clear that the heat had taken a toll on me. I felt queasy and found a column I could use to lower myself to the ground. Eventually I got back on my feet and made it back to the AirBnb, to fetch my bag and head out to the airport. Yeah, a shower would have been nice, but ones does what one can.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TQA9hxqnT-86h1bJ2D4lKxQ7axDsPUFlCwnfgSJ8E5_kRH51Qq5zmH-Z3Z7AjmmgH_nPfARKFI4G-1ZWTC8HORf-ZqhaMnSgbYDV7aTVRZlIIIpJqKyY2t1i35dCbo4NEYeJmwiJGZo8/s1600/IMG_7726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TQA9hxqnT-86h1bJ2D4lKxQ7axDsPUFlCwnfgSJ8E5_kRH51Qq5zmH-Z3Z7AjmmgH_nPfARKFI4G-1ZWTC8HORf-ZqhaMnSgbYDV7aTVRZlIIIpJqKyY2t1i35dCbo4NEYeJmwiJGZo8/s640/IMG_7726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Maui for sunset<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Reflecting</h3>
<h3>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">
<br />
I finished 14,659 of 18,803 total finishers (8,448 women, 10,355 men), with a time of 7:41:39. At Los Angeles, nine months earlier, I finished 19,214 of perhaps 19,977, with a time of 7:32:00. This is much more typical for me - near the very end. So why does the Honolulu Marathon attract so many mature marathoners? Perhaps because the organizers state, right up front, that there is no time limit. Maybe this is because, in Japan (where the vast majority of the participants came from) the elderly get some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. And least there be any doubt about this being a Japanese marathon, the price for the event photos is in yen.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzfQ6ghOOOJJbaTY1vN3kvJfLhPLHJRJDQfeDHD_hJg46OY37ko4zc0bNRto8D_j7CNOJrpmPoG2mKM5ZSORgLbE3YFOqJXD51MWC6COJWQC-TxOfTfxqN0Zg5_qiz5RZSq752xe85M7Z/s1600/yen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="524" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzfQ6ghOOOJJbaTY1vN3kvJfLhPLHJRJDQfeDHD_hJg46OY37ko4zc0bNRto8D_j7CNOJrpmPoG2mKM5ZSORgLbE3YFOqJXD51MWC6COJWQC-TxOfTfxqN0Zg5_qiz5RZSq752xe85M7Z/s640/yen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo prices are in yen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</h3>
<br />
<br />Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-60869094930491776042019-07-15T03:30:00.000-07:002019-07-24T05:11:13.120-07:00Le tour à tandem vélo dans la Vallée de la Loire<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Notre route</span></b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Nous avons commencé près de Saumur et avons
fini </span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">à</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">
Chenonceaux</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7KHHrRAONFDxajvbyDQFDHJGY1nNXtfqcxWiEGnHuc8J8YHJ4pfRU7cPFKLWm2z_imQjqEXwNnnNaFJ2N4cmNArH4Ut4mRv9agCX43irSbbkb4h78BPnEjf7wQRXGrB9lfV2CZValhNB/s1600/Route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1242" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7KHHrRAONFDxajvbyDQFDHJGY1nNXtfqcxWiEGnHuc8J8YHJ4pfRU7cPFKLWm2z_imQjqEXwNnnNaFJ2N4cmNArH4Ut4mRv9agCX43irSbbkb4h78BPnEjf7wQRXGrB9lfV2CZValhNB/s640/Route.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Les données</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Garmin: </span></span><a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3864483906" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3864483906</a></div>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Les tourists</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nous
étions dix équipes de tandem vélo. Neuf </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">équipes </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">étaient du côté est (des États Unis);
ma co-pilot et moi étions le seul équipe du côté ouest.</span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">La
compagnie de tour - </span><a href="http://adventuretandem.com/wp/" style="font-size: 13.5pt;" target="_blank">Adventures in Tandem</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> - a pour ses propriétaires un couple
de New Jersey - Mike et Caren. C’était leur 13</span><sup><span lang="FR" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ème</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> tour - nous avions de la
chance ! </span></span><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">😉</span><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
1</span></b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Presque
tous les membres du tour a passé la nuit avant dans un hôtel à l’aéroport
Charles du Gaule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Mike
a transporté nos grandes valises - contenant des tandems - à Roiffé, dans la vallée
de la Loire, pas loin de Saumur. Nous y avons suivi, dans un bus. Il y avait
beaucoup de trafic à cause de la fin d’école, le jour avant. Je pensais que
nous étions dans le film <i>Les vacances de M. Hulot</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">On
y a passé deux nuits dans la Domaine de Roiffé (pendant les années de Napoléon,
c’était un centre de détention pour mineurs).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Aussitôt
que nous sommes arrivés à Roiffé, nous nous sommes occupés de l’assemblage des
vélos. À mon avis, c’est toujours un miracle, quand plusieurs pièces viennent
ensemble pour devenir un vélo, surtout un si long vélo !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK6rvr74iojX6kbCo42f_aDDsXgRygGEM6aOTiTB6WK27-S1BtbfRLP7Vj7ueTF9QYsB6PfBPYGnpPXZcecjaKp79vB5wZQSvRB3EKlqo9D2ONPZ4tlMQwaV6gxPQ_YsfUGm4sFewJ4q-/s1600/Assembly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK6rvr74iojX6kbCo42f_aDDsXgRygGEM6aOTiTB6WK27-S1BtbfRLP7Vj7ueTF9QYsB6PfBPYGnpPXZcecjaKp79vB5wZQSvRB3EKlqo9D2ONPZ4tlMQwaV6gxPQ_YsfUGm4sFewJ4q-/s640/Assembly.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assemblage Requis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Il
faisait très chaud, environ 33°C.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81p0-UZ48Uih9CyvTbqpvsSGXLtlYvJ99_TWe4TYSbFs-OjlSKtmRM7BqnstdxLycydMml123Th-Ccn5RFtx_HLbF8_GZUynNc7E8P-os9V12TSW64GOxi2i7pKG-BbSc4M79BsQh7kVp/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81p0-UZ48Uih9CyvTbqpvsSGXLtlYvJ99_TWe4TYSbFs-OjlSKtmRM7BqnstdxLycydMml123Th-Ccn5RFtx_HLbF8_GZUynNc7E8P-os9V12TSW64GOxi2i7pKG-BbSc4M79BsQh7kVp/s640/Sunset.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le coucher du soleil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p><br /> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
2</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">En
fin, l’occasion de voyager à vélo ! La visite principale aujourd’hui était le
<a href="http://www.chateau-saumur.fr/" target="_blank">Château de Saumur</a>. Le début de sa construction était en la X<sup>em</sup>
siècle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWOV-AEpOULw5OnCefEaJ_wN-uDUoeBySS_DI1IG7WwX0QhS8WeU6jplz46fIXRGfYOHyVOUy34FGYjlkU4hW7QG6nKTnUXNR3K1J82da4o7Lfmde5ovVejXQ2YoJMNpFBiL0nqtWhRCj/s1600/Loire+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWOV-AEpOULw5OnCefEaJ_wN-uDUoeBySS_DI1IG7WwX0QhS8WeU6jplz46fIXRGfYOHyVOUy34FGYjlkU4hW7QG6nKTnUXNR3K1J82da4o7Lfmde5ovVejXQ2YoJMNpFBiL0nqtWhRCj/s640/Loire+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Rivière Loire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh0BfsifjXmNAZhl7QotRNUmZG3l2zYYT_0jbzLEl_trrwfu8_BFGHWrWwLH4oQjiDOg1oR12oXaiVmTxMTvfCwQMpU3RMkUVpkB3xGy9EMA0wMLlSl1lBILS18Xsicin2LRy0Nnnaadg/s1600/Saumur+chateau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh0BfsifjXmNAZhl7QotRNUmZG3l2zYYT_0jbzLEl_trrwfu8_BFGHWrWwLH4oQjiDOg1oR12oXaiVmTxMTvfCwQMpU3RMkUVpkB3xGy9EMA0wMLlSl1lBILS18Xsicin2LRy0Nnnaadg/s640/Saumur+chateau.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Château de Saumur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFkFzowZrSuvJsBD1X0ZMVCXnfYxjhEDm6KAMouFP17xouVKzVqwwyw2fxJMX2jzzP18zy4xLWVn7ethuyWs1OAMJ6lP_jotKl2-W4HGSJmG-bFGLa8AjC4BzDlpyncdybOQXqGrp4QC-/s1600/Saumur+chateau+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFkFzowZrSuvJsBD1X0ZMVCXnfYxjhEDm6KAMouFP17xouVKzVqwwyw2fxJMX2jzzP18zy4xLWVn7ethuyWs1OAMJ6lP_jotKl2-W4HGSJmG-bFGLa8AjC4BzDlpyncdybOQXqGrp4QC-/s640/Saumur+chateau+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Château de Saumur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdQa91Thpg5aws_ti9jOOfSC5PWyu2sTGYe_4ZmeKeQ8uvDUVfDFve_0PPTE6tc3GwHfDUs5l_TPA-UHLCUT_86tD6U1v2xlKxUsWbnRVUipYx7m-wzP6zKRzXVM3FlesoL0iHF8H8L9f/s1600/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+de+Br%25C3%25A9z%25C3%25A9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1600" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdQa91Thpg5aws_ti9jOOfSC5PWyu2sTGYe_4ZmeKeQ8uvDUVfDFve_0PPTE6tc3GwHfDUs5l_TPA-UHLCUT_86tD6U1v2xlKxUsWbnRVUipYx7m-wzP6zKRzXVM3FlesoL0iHF8H8L9f/s640/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+de+Br%25C3%25A9z%25C3%25A9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.chateaudebreze.com/" target="_blank">Château de Brèzè</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t20tJXYE_go-F_htrCAg5fbdmGOU_MgDPn9cDZpnbWMBszuB_mjkhZnP0XF2aN6J835zMzb0PunUyvDQNK6KdvayyZGgPGDfvNf8uOFRdOo0TQmHbqB5iDvK7x-E8DnnhIO2A7Dv9beq/s1600/Peter+and+Niki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t20tJXYE_go-F_htrCAg5fbdmGOU_MgDPn9cDZpnbWMBszuB_mjkhZnP0XF2aN6J835zMzb0PunUyvDQNK6KdvayyZGgPGDfvNf8uOFRdOo0TQmHbqB5iDvK7x-E8DnnhIO2A7Dv9beq/s640/Peter+and+Niki.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter et Niki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx3uNa_PcHjaWpW8KA5YHMRq9g-JlQupkjHs4IMzT5xHSsaWYlZLK5QJf5I1YC7LWmkptjMW6lG6iZaSq_-SsNFjJJSdnOsOLZxEr0cEGp2dxatqMqSXVKhgcid9GoO8MxQyZrYSQwutK/s1600/Ted+and+Dana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx3uNa_PcHjaWpW8KA5YHMRq9g-JlQupkjHs4IMzT5xHSsaWYlZLK5QJf5I1YC7LWmkptjMW6lG6iZaSq_-SsNFjJJSdnOsOLZxEr0cEGp2dxatqMqSXVKhgcid9GoO8MxQyZrYSQwutK/s640/Ted+and+Dana.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ted et Dana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Il
faisait chaud, environ 30°C.</span><br />
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p><br /> </o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
3</span></b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">La
visite principale aujourd’hui était la <a href="http://forteressechinon.fr/fr" target="_blank">Forteresse Royale de Chinon</a>. Le début de
sa construction était en la X<sup>em</sup> siècle.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9RaGy0oslGbbJeFIyxbSfZccOZ2O9lG7wdon5UqiwY5yM8N4tp9EzhxrrFFtlQSSsn28Kf2tqiopdfd0tBYfaMEdXVd8yomE7vcOGvpnRhp917oscnaqDLjMvoJerO_FpWZa-FU_wFtr/s1600/Chinon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1368" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9RaGy0oslGbbJeFIyxbSfZccOZ2O9lG7wdon5UqiwY5yM8N4tp9EzhxrrFFtlQSSsn28Kf2tqiopdfd0tBYfaMEdXVd8yomE7vcOGvpnRhp917oscnaqDLjMvoJerO_FpWZa-FU_wFtr/s640/Chinon.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_1oin-schZY4cn-2RPjTeW-qhvYiORwwvdYBX5D8Pdqk6ElRw9b0oGHjBrXQ5BZ6wu9ekp3_PJZSwvE0wsVL7NYoGypAPivBEVulRj5HTRPDfSaBtmyPYgbMXPz3nFdWjRbJ6OZ39bXw/s1600/Chinon+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_1oin-schZY4cn-2RPjTeW-qhvYiORwwvdYBX5D8Pdqk6ElRw9b0oGHjBrXQ5BZ6wu9ekp3_PJZSwvE0wsVL7NYoGypAPivBEVulRj5HTRPDfSaBtmyPYgbMXPz3nFdWjRbJ6OZ39bXw/s640/Chinon+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMXxhg11HPSebPpjn35w1VyoWJJupe7CPU73Rqx_UGO6ZmvL9zm5c66kFU1L3WaaUNtNbI5JcavXfdfQSBhnyK_6DDtAhYcRlxm47vA5lBLz9_kI9j0jM4EEGd-GZe2jxBQlRfpVji0FH/s1600/Chinon+Fortress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1124" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMXxhg11HPSebPpjn35w1VyoWJJupe7CPU73Rqx_UGO6ZmvL9zm5c66kFU1L3WaaUNtNbI5JcavXfdfQSBhnyK_6DDtAhYcRlxm47vA5lBLz9_kI9j0jM4EEGd-GZe2jxBQlRfpVji0FH/s640/Chinon+Fortress.jpg" width="449" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Forteresse de Chinon<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOcbxhW4-PfI6aOid4fmOXxKOMlH806jLlOvuxX-xnvIM7jS1rmtLUx9-IgGFA8PYPWlQslHuuopbpc1KQylUklPsfai4U0EAypqsrcxRUAm0_U_hnJYqdfzqQp8uigY9c16vTMxZ4B0W/s1600/Chinon+Fortress+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1460" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOcbxhW4-PfI6aOid4fmOXxKOMlH806jLlOvuxX-xnvIM7jS1rmtLUx9-IgGFA8PYPWlQslHuuopbpc1KQylUklPsfai4U0EAypqsrcxRUAm0_U_hnJYqdfzqQp8uigY9c16vTMxZ4B0W/s640/Chinon+Fortress+02.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La forteresse de Chinon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8ijzluVWEnGCCkYGNRNDQxuCXhNPDitnK-M59oSJypRi6Elvu7rF268STs-F-C1QQ5iqW5goGeqen54R23FX1Np3kVRjma-Lu8DWXqWVHJOaYe9rfXa7M8rNyz7N8wHOJ_pSZtY2_FQ8/s1600/Siege+engines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8ijzluVWEnGCCkYGNRNDQxuCXhNPDitnK-M59oSJypRi6Elvu7rF268STs-F-C1QQ5iqW5goGeqen54R23FX1Np3kVRjma-Lu8DWXqWVHJOaYe9rfXa7M8rNyz7N8wHOJ_pSZtY2_FQ8/s640/Siege+engines.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Les armes de siège</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">C’était
ici, en 1429, que Jeanne d’Arc est venue rencontrer Charles VII.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzdPQthkjQEx8oy-4_gGvJFrg7EyNCHnLYVS06SFk5H95_aYQ_oRTxWaZHddQr6WI4OJdtTSUf7vzh7ZMlDETKM015uFYxuTNNIruk_Sp3mOsK-aCSCqNeJDolmjS256l6oiedlhwOx77/s1600/Jeanne+d%2527Arc+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzdPQthkjQEx8oy-4_gGvJFrg7EyNCHnLYVS06SFk5H95_aYQ_oRTxWaZHddQr6WI4OJdtTSUf7vzh7ZMlDETKM015uFYxuTNNIruk_Sp3mOsK-aCSCqNeJDolmjS256l6oiedlhwOx77/s640/Jeanne+d%2527Arc+poster.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Une affiche qui ne flatte pas ni le roi ni l'église</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Quelques kilometres plus tard nous passons par le <a href="https://www.chateaudurivau.com/fr/" target="_blank">Château du Rivau</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg-FgptAdeQKRP50WeXrSxBH8FKm6Q-a6Ou469wvIwLJxybmreeYNXf_EzG6-YwObemLj7lbo9YzBMPm6sg5IT9qABNRsVdVGTkBMrLKdkfXHF-h6bZ0Ii4xdjZdaP_X3oTUrgvU3CfEn/s1600/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+du+Rivau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg-FgptAdeQKRP50WeXrSxBH8FKm6Q-a6Ou469wvIwLJxybmreeYNXf_EzG6-YwObemLj7lbo9YzBMPm6sg5IT9qABNRsVdVGTkBMrLKdkfXHF-h6bZ0Ii4xdjZdaP_X3oTUrgvU3CfEn/s640/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+du+Rivau.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">le Château<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">du Rivau</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsY_18KJn34I3GyDKFB5RJIkcYm2CnPdBGGgzHSG9LNrz3o_AEHsgQm0sDThW2SSzJMkRvqs-wy4_xLMLMjiJwTVGUzOyF5Wh9pR5cv59JfrpIzfBkp0vESi-31j9UDjE7SM7JSMGFKnV/s1600/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+du+Rivau+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsY_18KJn34I3GyDKFB5RJIkcYm2CnPdBGGgzHSG9LNrz3o_AEHsgQm0sDThW2SSzJMkRvqs-wy4_xLMLMjiJwTVGUzOyF5Wh9pR5cv59JfrpIzfBkp0vESi-31j9UDjE7SM7JSMGFKnV/s640/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+du+Rivau+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">le Château<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">du Rivau</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Au
fin de la journée nous avons arrivé au <a href="http://www.chateaudemarcay.com/" target="_blank">Château de Marçay</a> (15em), pour passer le
nuit. </span></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL2ISxvMa8tAMAN2VSwO5BH1fA4pNr5LyFq_aoNz8fRvTlpa2-HFL0I0iXlcomj5AoeXDtoVFZy9oLBon-Cyols6E0Ri9kyK73FXMrBpPqvzpVjhJMIAD_IuzdG31vUTauDLb6NQmBYwP/s1600/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+de+Mar%25C3%25A7ay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL2ISxvMa8tAMAN2VSwO5BH1fA4pNr5LyFq_aoNz8fRvTlpa2-HFL0I0iXlcomj5AoeXDtoVFZy9oLBon-Cyols6E0Ri9kyK73FXMrBpPqvzpVjhJMIAD_IuzdG31vUTauDLb6NQmBYwP/s640/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+de+Mar%25C3%25A7ay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">le Château</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">de Març</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ay</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LU1fSh7j06cyh40ViITI8duYFSPnTy8TKO9-XHSnztXfFskbCaKUZIYPIhIHqSNAtRgC4UlxfxxzqmX7w3wzB9qrfLrzDNcCAHvfQ2WiF2aAwgJUl1SOlchul1hDWaUeKWRXab1yiXCL/s1600/Limoncello.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LU1fSh7j06cyh40ViITI8duYFSPnTy8TKO9-XHSnztXfFskbCaKUZIYPIhIHqSNAtRgC4UlxfxxzqmX7w3wzB9qrfLrzDNcCAHvfQ2WiF2aAwgJUl1SOlchul1hDWaUeKWRXab1yiXCL/s320/Limoncello.jpg" width="86" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Avant le dîner, les chefs du tour ont annoncé l’équipe gagnante de la
compétition pour le poids total (le moins) de leurs bagages : c’était notre équipe - 21.8 kg ! Le prix était une bouteille du limoncello (fait à leur
maison) ! L’équipe avec les bagages le plus peseuses portaient 65.0 kg !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
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<div style="text-align: right;">
Adventures in Limoncello</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Il
faisait chaud, environ 30°C.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
4</span></b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Il
y avait deux visites principales aujourd’hui : le <a href="https://www.chateaudusse.fr/" target="_blank">Château d’Ussé</a> - le début de
sa construction était en la XV<sup>em</sup> siècle ; le <a href="http://chateau-de-langeais.com/" target="_blank">Château et parc de Langeais</a> - le
début de sa construction était en la X<sup>em</sup> siècle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Le
Château d’Ussé inspira Charles Perrault pour son conte de fée <i>Belle au
Bois Dormant</i> (en anglais, <i>Sleeping Beauty</i>).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtu6w_u-UEHI5e7n_1oI0dpAYgMSOFJ9fHnhW9k6vKV1HBgPdbkm36Vgl6FvOcxxKVq4X2e5WSqvUeatTpylFClZZ7pYkExfHbusHFL5hcusGx0paGTcphF6sb67apNKPXpWePSgZI-4G/s1600/Usse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtu6w_u-UEHI5e7n_1oI0dpAYgMSOFJ9fHnhW9k6vKV1HBgPdbkm36Vgl6FvOcxxKVq4X2e5WSqvUeatTpylFClZZ7pYkExfHbusHFL5hcusGx0paGTcphF6sb67apNKPXpWePSgZI-4G/s640/Usse.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Château d'Ussé</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">On arrive à Langeais par un pont dramatique.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HWQpCyjKtrOzMfsITZVgWMlQ5_pVpS09OTj43YNq-wyfMquMyFPVbrZNxox_G9Y3YaV6mav2i-T4Pro7p6fkgesNfjXjZUN40pmnbINiJD3EWQbHfSSboK3nvS5BhoxLx80_XE8nLnRy/s1600/la+Loire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HWQpCyjKtrOzMfsITZVgWMlQ5_pVpS09OTj43YNq-wyfMquMyFPVbrZNxox_G9Y3YaV6mav2i-T4Pro7p6fkgesNfjXjZUN40pmnbINiJD3EWQbHfSSboK3nvS5BhoxLx80_XE8nLnRy/s640/la+Loire.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Loire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zo4CLmSLS0u15mAQrscnuIb1C2oFpNtGj8S6ZX6u0Z1bxwOFEI_Nf-MX5fNNwC4qG2EJjRiwQk6Fn5TzDfvxvKAWoYGwnMus7hbEfayexAmAIm_RBYQazNqKkcVwATjYJnh8ImYClr7c/s1600/Pont+de+Langeais.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1561" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zo4CLmSLS0u15mAQrscnuIb1C2oFpNtGj8S6ZX6u0Z1bxwOFEI_Nf-MX5fNNwC4qG2EJjRiwQk6Fn5TzDfvxvKAWoYGwnMus7hbEfayexAmAIm_RBYQazNqKkcVwATjYJnh8ImYClr7c/s640/Pont+de+Langeais.jpg" width="624" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le pont de Langeais</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Le
Château Langeais était reconstruit par Louis XI en 1465 après avoir était
détruit par les Anglais lors de la guerre de Cent Ans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mjG6V_9Ay-rdryDlxDxuv90J1khvLdR1bx24g6T-i0Sp3K4kKM1v5pJMqUNYoo3OJdf5bgja15-GOnSkzMqL2XKz85uMjXFJmgA9-yXsgOmHi7ShiiCakD1W8Lm6r_6dwQhBDH3l3m33/s1600/Chateau+de+Langeais+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1522" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mjG6V_9Ay-rdryDlxDxuv90J1khvLdR1bx24g6T-i0Sp3K4kKM1v5pJMqUNYoo3OJdf5bgja15-GOnSkzMqL2XKz85uMjXFJmgA9-yXsgOmHi7ShiiCakD1W8Lm6r_6dwQhBDH3l3m33/s640/Chateau+de+Langeais+03.jpg" width="608" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Château de Langeais</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TDYyTADA1F3j0OR4p3QSICquWu7pqLqRszy9QfFgafXXAf2ATR5cQkypph-EEcCLuj0Qmlx3Zoe0L_ITTW5bJktteRSTEIF9IET6K1G6OnaZ2dabxomb-RfsxvBeKDRj0diLTMdN4HjM/s1600/Chateau+de+Langeais+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TDYyTADA1F3j0OR4p3QSICquWu7pqLqRszy9QfFgafXXAf2ATR5cQkypph-EEcCLuj0Qmlx3Zoe0L_ITTW5bJktteRSTEIF9IET6K1G6OnaZ2dabxomb-RfsxvBeKDRj0diLTMdN4HjM/s640/Chateau+de+Langeais+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Château de Langeais</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 12.8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4s1oHHFmLixz_ykB9QYXKSj1_hu95zRgh6snEfkTnC-0Mxmh321LNLnMsfS7e1Wl1VFMDBmhsHShsFoQ-YasdxJKbxskAQuKceAJw0E-dxJIOz9TL_vY_UwLg-n2wVMfjFSj_V1wwLOW/s1600/Chateau+de+Langeais.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4s1oHHFmLixz_ykB9QYXKSj1_hu95zRgh6snEfkTnC-0Mxmh321LNLnMsfS7e1Wl1VFMDBmhsHShsFoQ-YasdxJKbxskAQuKceAJw0E-dxJIOz9TL_vY_UwLg-n2wVMfjFSj_V1wwLOW/s640/Chateau+de+Langeais.jpg" width="588" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Château de Langeais</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">L'événement
le mieux connu dans l’histoire du château est le mariage de Charles VIII avec
Anne de Bretagne, en 1491. Anne de Bretagne a eu juste 14 ans. C’était le
deuxième de ses trois mariages, y compris à Maximilien de Habsbourg et à Louis
XII.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">C’était
le pape Innocent VIII qui a annulé antidaté son première mariage, par
procuration, avec Maximilien de Habsbourg.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Le château contient d'importantes œuvres d'art historiques.</span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_q-TqRiI7CG6PW0f7CYEqZOdpT357ZZ42ifUlz__q0Nhoi6hSAm3TEacXWjTuvPaAmdmyTTHJs_Hlyo857pbH-0HVjkzjTGvQGZD2fFVz4uAelfqUQg_KE7p_zo5KiIGObcolUQuz8jh/s1600/Predication+de+St.+Jean-Baptiste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_q-TqRiI7CG6PW0f7CYEqZOdpT357ZZ42ifUlz__q0Nhoi6hSAm3TEacXWjTuvPaAmdmyTTHJs_Hlyo857pbH-0HVjkzjTGvQGZD2fFVz4uAelfqUQg_KE7p_zo5KiIGObcolUQuz8jh/s640/Predication+de+St.+Jean-Baptiste.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tapisserie de saint Jean-Baptiste</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">Langeais est une région connue pour sa production de vin rosé.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mSTsmpHgRBdYTR34n611X5Sj_wwKQPc32xgUOsLpMkcl_fJGufY8JbyuxpdegzrHOzEBzUtj9XjAcuf0E0sguBo4g5Dbbc-zehMJIc-qy1IvxH1KmuWF5WCyd9d78bgs9vraals6Spkj/s1600/f%25C3%25AAte+du+ros%25C3%25A9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1497" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mSTsmpHgRBdYTR34n611X5Sj_wwKQPc32xgUOsLpMkcl_fJGufY8JbyuxpdegzrHOzEBzUtj9XjAcuf0E0sguBo4g5Dbbc-zehMJIc-qy1IvxH1KmuWF5WCyd9d78bgs9vraals6Spkj/s640/f%25C3%25AAte+du+ros%25C3%25A9.jpg" width="598" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seulement 25? Personne n'a dit que la vie serait facile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">En fin de journée nous sommes arrivés à Villandry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IABFVPZ_mk3Ac_70PvZD8-1KK8cdpP9d_-PYRIoT1rx8abWoinq6BrZIqLXs5hWovvNIiqeOyD3_ZR7JWEuXzunAyPFv7EscXgIQ_Ydddf9CYHnersmi-Fx6iRhOUZcoVJFO8HTGCaRi/s1600/balles+de+foin+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IABFVPZ_mk3Ac_70PvZD8-1KK8cdpP9d_-PYRIoT1rx8abWoinq6BrZIqLXs5hWovvNIiqeOyD3_ZR7JWEuXzunAyPFv7EscXgIQ_Ydddf9CYHnersmi-Fx6iRhOUZcoVJFO8HTGCaRi/s640/balles+de+foin+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balles de foin près de notre hôtel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
5</span></b></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">C’était
une journée tranquille à cause de l’option de rester à Villandry (donnant une
pause bien méritée à notre vélo fiable). Nous avons marché au <a href="https://www.chateauvillandry.fr/" target="_blank">Château de Villandry</a>. Le début
de sa construction était en la XVI<sup>em</sup> siècle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Les
jardins sont merveilleux ! À bien des égards, ce paysage surprend et inspire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCRDZsQK4chBpQV-Zm3kzBqQWF3MCviMhhG9gg0VyPiY9xnL48i4-HJsZbaOwzMoZvcks-xNPAz6vTKWfY-WoYOi9HbI5gTVQbV7amx9_rjJiMUvXJA1BQdLYmOFEr2FFkXak5fkAIto8/s1600/Chateau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCRDZsQK4chBpQV-Zm3kzBqQWF3MCviMhhG9gg0VyPiY9xnL48i4-HJsZbaOwzMoZvcks-xNPAz6vTKWfY-WoYOi9HbI5gTVQbV7amx9_rjJiMUvXJA1BQdLYmOFEr2FFkXak5fkAIto8/s640/Chateau.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Château</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q0MpT1BFX0fSWmMo4WvP4Ewxl0A4099nDLubjORdH8XhQgWFVo_R05oSAcgsHIBZ57JBHd8JcVg4TwTapBpXKHry1TXP5thMlWbOZP6Gexs0rzLyQtgO8UBgxEGAo6ymfUA49CAA9aPI/s1600/Jardins+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q0MpT1BFX0fSWmMo4WvP4Ewxl0A4099nDLubjORdH8XhQgWFVo_R05oSAcgsHIBZ57JBHd8JcVg4TwTapBpXKHry1TXP5thMlWbOZP6Gexs0rzLyQtgO8UBgxEGAo6ymfUA49CAA9aPI/s640/Jardins+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oi6RkvsVjnkOB65eXvM_5meNhWzdO0PKIP3vP-rEqLnfmJIRv6bVAJ_KPhXqBC6U6r4ZrHf8DNWTJQ3_O5OtjEFriVKNc7z90qcMIVlmPJnN6ocsTg6R4LG3kr5gFGxW9N1HUwYjCk7a/s1600/Jardins+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oi6RkvsVjnkOB65eXvM_5meNhWzdO0PKIP3vP-rEqLnfmJIRv6bVAJ_KPhXqBC6U6r4ZrHf8DNWTJQ3_O5OtjEFriVKNc7z90qcMIVlmPJnN6ocsTg6R4LG3kr5gFGxW9N1HUwYjCk7a/s640/Jardins+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItMTR25x3wFaRo4VeA6ZPzZsN_5DpEqwyBCXKCQ7Zf3nT52lklrJGFcRe0JyC3jCUHBfZ32xebSkP0Hwk1CSEaKZi1j5ne5UgvvwsWEToVCqnHVby2RE7eCNu8d2F2dVexc5HJjntN4at/s1600/Jardins+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItMTR25x3wFaRo4VeA6ZPzZsN_5DpEqwyBCXKCQ7Zf3nT52lklrJGFcRe0JyC3jCUHBfZ32xebSkP0Hwk1CSEaKZi1j5ne5UgvvwsWEToVCqnHVby2RE7eCNu8d2F2dVexc5HJjntN4at/s640/Jardins+03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZquHadgiIzoqg5PvLJvWW-9gCofNnGjwJQqjuViDgyEuarpglxAp6IVtQ0Jr31fEgFpKzRuzjYay7Ue3c7K7PADkKr4z83F20y88doyS72zpKOMwF8-GLTGIFw4z93aDKzKq7wVGgbZc/s1600/Jardins+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZquHadgiIzoqg5PvLJvWW-9gCofNnGjwJQqjuViDgyEuarpglxAp6IVtQ0Jr31fEgFpKzRuzjYay7Ue3c7K7PADkKr4z83F20y88doyS72zpKOMwF8-GLTGIFw4z93aDKzKq7wVGgbZc/s640/Jardins+04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZhhprINDSXf6qDwh5xNe7kKgVo3QKiPrplrNVri6EQRjDYV827JI9SpH5Mwh3xWs_ICYF7YJ4TagfusM-Y57s4XBzmJHNGkpep-uoKP0sz09KFl-hnW7tEGpx_KU0UlS9uLsi8neifnz/s1600/Jardins+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZhhprINDSXf6qDwh5xNe7kKgVo3QKiPrplrNVri6EQRjDYV827JI9SpH5Mwh3xWs_ICYF7YJ4TagfusM-Y57s4XBzmJHNGkpep-uoKP0sz09KFl-hnW7tEGpx_KU0UlS9uLsi8neifnz/s640/Jardins+05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WDGAi7TAettWV05Nucur5Et9gTgLDYxAUlLwVJ-Koz0rgVlopM8x7R-0LOLgdx27q5Il8RlOKWXmeF2poojIArxwLY7g291p81WdGKQJHvHUA0QV6jdQvwFsXe6rMWUkzxjvuSJ5BGQD/s1600/Jardins+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WDGAi7TAettWV05Nucur5Et9gTgLDYxAUlLwVJ-Koz0rgVlopM8x7R-0LOLgdx27q5Il8RlOKWXmeF2poojIArxwLY7g291p81WdGKQJHvHUA0QV6jdQvwFsXe6rMWUkzxjvuSJ5BGQD/s640/Jardins+06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jardin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
6</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsGKK1sY5ymdeUmUFyiFdTCwlAXB_EQMpLZoXSpdhX5R8tOJtbPoIGEh8Lt9oO3NglqZA0T5MgFO7Rhs1DwOt5w8buwRNPP-7hX4DTsUiINRGbfMJe1H0nsv28iYzx1i_A_9r_8y4c0hY/s1600/ros%25C3%25A9+petillant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsGKK1sY5ymdeUmUFyiFdTCwlAXB_EQMpLZoXSpdhX5R8tOJtbPoIGEh8Lt9oO3NglqZA0T5MgFO7Rhs1DwOt5w8buwRNPP-7hX4DTsUiINRGbfMJe1H0nsv28iYzx1i_A_9r_8y4c0hY/s320/ros%25C3%25A9+petillant.jpg" width="93" /></a><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nous
allons à Chenonceaux, le dernier stop de notre tour. Juste avant notre arrivée
à Chenonceaux, il y avait une visite chez <a href="http://www.pereauguste.com/fr/" target="_blank">Père Auguste</a>, pour la dégustation. Nous avons aimé le rosé pétillant le meilleur.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Pour le diner, on </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">é</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">tait libre </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">à</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> explorer. Nous avons trouv</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">é</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> une brasserie sympa - Les charmilles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBJ2WdV7oEWfMonmuL5nfAv-GEqIBkv7CTtjdBlfCN8S6H8Sp0TOWcJz7Qq78shocn6gO0itL-5WZ8fpQrq0NF8_WuVV8F-B0l0d44OlodvqaPWz23FVM8u3B70ZV0IGfTp8zfGuUwV3N/s1600/diner+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBJ2WdV7oEWfMonmuL5nfAv-GEqIBkv7CTtjdBlfCN8S6H8Sp0TOWcJz7Qq78shocn6gO0itL-5WZ8fpQrq0NF8_WuVV8F-B0l0d44OlodvqaPWz23FVM8u3B70ZV0IGfTp8zfGuUwV3N/s400/diner+01.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bière à la pression</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5C74PjuKW2FgTsWvkpGLYbz67243M79HYj4r6xh9AG77CPjstyiqyKUR-S6nihvExrb85pdabaUQjMoIIfIgBEgd9QGI8AWXAklAzrrV1wlDUsNzBp8zqxSb1WVFqW1qj97s0CJQZ8nC/s1600/diner+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5C74PjuKW2FgTsWvkpGLYbz67243M79HYj4r6xh9AG77CPjstyiqyKUR-S6nihvExrb85pdabaUQjMoIIfIgBEgd9QGI8AWXAklAzrrV1wlDUsNzBp8zqxSb1WVFqW1qj97s0CJQZ8nC/s640/diner+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Une petite salade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
7</span></b></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Aujourd’hui
notre course c’était, pour une très grande partie, une boucle étroite, sur des
pistes du vélo. Nous sommes allés au <a href="https://www.chateau-amboise.com/n/fr/" target="_blank">Château Royal d’Amboise</a> pour visiter la chapelle
Saint-Hubert où Léonard De Vinci est enterré. Après, nous avons visité au
<a href="http://www.vinci-closluce.com/fr" target="_blank">Château du Clos Lucé</a> et à son parc tranquille avec des représentations des
inventions de Léonard de Vinci. Ces deux lieux étaient pleins de touristes,
peut-être parce que 2019 fait 500 ans que Léonard est mort.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zbHKc_eQOq_orDHHMiYLqp3bCbV54ve8D_-9Mk-R9pDTQC8UWTbC8c4u18Y9w6FShtnltB1MIICAWMKmah0660wwWNXNMx2LX48KgQuu-acqgtN51k16jWkcDnPMjtf9VMwPX1Zz-pYU/s1600/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+Royal+d%25E2%2580%2599Amboise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zbHKc_eQOq_orDHHMiYLqp3bCbV54ve8D_-9Mk-R9pDTQC8UWTbC8c4u18Y9w6FShtnltB1MIICAWMKmah0660wwWNXNMx2LX48KgQuu-acqgtN51k16jWkcDnPMjtf9VMwPX1Zz-pYU/s640/Ch%25C3%25A2teau+Royal+d%25E2%2580%2599Amboise.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.chateau-amboise.com/n/fr/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Château Royal d’Amboise</span></a><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUCcuqpczQYc0qaQjgORNQr7cYk1uGShtDY5lXgj3TpRvxKbfcmj16eqdhgjjC2UPMAfb8Hjx5Aos47UpCoIHehZP_Eg5Vhahb4x72qKJkRGm9JkKYNOFXJtkmxBbyW0BaJY6WOOaMYpE/s1600/Chapelle+Saint-Hubert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUCcuqpczQYc0qaQjgORNQr7cYk1uGShtDY5lXgj3TpRvxKbfcmj16eqdhgjjC2UPMAfb8Hjx5Aos47UpCoIHehZP_Eg5Vhahb4x72qKJkRGm9JkKYNOFXJtkmxBbyW0BaJY6WOOaMYpE/s640/Chapelle+Saint-Hubert.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Chapelle Saint-Hubert<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXu0OA6QYS2EvZps65eMrnQLHetS4kHeSmCylMJKWsgPGGhXmUBJzWsaHRCnbrl9wXPhElDUpDFQ5WnXw2-t0o-PQMvZuFM6s2m3AK_uRcetNJoF5xu_eLWCmleL8PEhVoXnsL493DtcP/s1600/Chapelle+Saint-Hubert+-+int%25C3%25A9rieur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXu0OA6QYS2EvZps65eMrnQLHetS4kHeSmCylMJKWsgPGGhXmUBJzWsaHRCnbrl9wXPhElDUpDFQ5WnXw2-t0o-PQMvZuFM6s2m3AK_uRcetNJoF5xu_eLWCmleL8PEhVoXnsL493DtcP/s640/Chapelle+Saint-Hubert+-+int%25C3%25A9rieur.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">L'intérieure</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHpsSdgRnjNRahYASUSDzePMAn6zIJ554FRWePHSpkQKgfb600UPQ6BHgC_jtuWZVYr1rZb9otdY0P8UzTI-AKFui5DYA55aj-i4I_XIc5y_YwQCNHPIz8nwFdO-G8kHEziEbjjXqAkPk/s1600/sa+tombe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHpsSdgRnjNRahYASUSDzePMAn6zIJ554FRWePHSpkQKgfb600UPQ6BHgC_jtuWZVYr1rZb9otdY0P8UzTI-AKFui5DYA55aj-i4I_XIc5y_YwQCNHPIz8nwFdO-G8kHEziEbjjXqAkPk/s640/sa+tombe.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sa tombe</td></tr>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Après
notre retour à l’hôtel, nous nous sommes occupés avec la désassemblage et
l’emballage de nos vélos. </span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">À</span><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> ma très grande surprise,
tout cela est allé très vite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Après
le dîner, il y avait une visite nocturne des jardins, autour du château, avec
des lumières et de la musique.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jour
8</span></b><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Aujourd’hui
nous sommes parcourues à l’hôtel à Charles de Gaulle. En route, nous sommes
arrêtés à Chartre, pour visiter la fameuse <a href="https://chartrescathedral.net/" target="_blank">cathédrale</a>, avec ses arcs-boutants.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">Notre visite a coïncidé avec un mariage.</span><br />
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<span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nous
avons monté les escaliers du tour pour visiter le grenier (l’espace entre le
plafond et la toiture) de la cathédrale.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-38911741502059281252019-05-28T01:11:00.001-07:002019-08-03T01:59:55.385-07:00Santana Safe Case<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
What's it all about?</h2>
The Santana Safe Case can carry a tandem bicycle, one that has couplers, in the frame, that allow it to be taken apart. The parts of the bicycle are stored in respective layers of foam. There is no need to wrap the frame, to protect the paint.<br />
<br />
<h2>
You say you want an evolution ...</h2>
Reading the supplied instructions, watching the on-line video, and searching for disassembly information for components not covered in the Santana video caused acknowledgement that bicycles keep changing. The design of the cut-outs, in the foam, is merely a snap shot in time, of one bike, with its particular components. Will the Safe Case work for your tandem? All you can do is try.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Disassembly</h2>
The instructions will state what needs to be taken apart. You can always take things apart if the foam cut-outs dictate.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Packing</h2>
The last page of the instructions has photos of what parts go where.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAKqrToEQ4GnEIUN_6IGItH0ilE6CjjXYs-HMrJiM4laqTcPEpY8zGV1kKe8ewA8PSX4y434Va1DjO4H-DBupeKfBHVnKSFQ9mJdUG6oxz20BphRsGZWylZvLYx2_qzKNzebfvLAVfkef/s1600/IMG_4696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAKqrToEQ4GnEIUN_6IGItH0ilE6CjjXYs-HMrJiM4laqTcPEpY8zGV1kKe8ewA8PSX4y434Va1DjO4H-DBupeKfBHVnKSFQ9mJdUG6oxz20BphRsGZWylZvLYx2_qzKNzebfvLAVfkef/s640/IMG_4696.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The goal is to put this tandem ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nwYlX_A8Xev23GDDG88Dhyphenhyphen-bIOAMnZFB-hTcMc7gE92FkH3GcYMYw9-UzlE8553vdT5hiuFw8bcxsWbH9kqFrT5lsPPLQQkTrTTkXN_MB1YgvNDsgig07KT89o5aH7tr86fOaybClJzr/s1600/IMG_4698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nwYlX_A8Xev23GDDG88Dhyphenhyphen-bIOAMnZFB-hTcMc7gE92FkH3GcYMYw9-UzlE8553vdT5hiuFw8bcxsWbH9kqFrT5lsPPLQQkTrTTkXN_MB1YgvNDsgig07KT89o5aH7tr86fOaybClJzr/s640/IMG_4698.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in this suitcase.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NSMTTcn0BhfTIRg-OyeuibWplTAHtWO7SEzPcfJIYoQoRG0gHqklJ7NSGyV9Wr6mJyVc_kjjtCoNwvKlmQ6mVFx2BJ4MfsP2QskX4uyEUSbqQwkbq5gmZYpgil_LXJW4XEQdKHmj6PSF/s1600/IMG_4699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NSMTTcn0BhfTIRg-OyeuibWplTAHtWO7SEzPcfJIYoQoRG0gHqklJ7NSGyV9Wr6mJyVc_kjjtCoNwvKlmQ6mVFx2BJ4MfsP2QskX4uyEUSbqQwkbq5gmZYpgil_LXJW4XEQdKHmj6PSF/s640/IMG_4699.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Layer 1 holds the stoker bars (IF they're cow horns, since we do not, the spare spokes and pump can go here), a tube (if your frame breaks down into individual tubes, since ours does not, the belt and the chain can go here), the hub skewers and three of the cranks (if you do not have hollow spindle bottom brackets).</div>
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-SSRMTe3g3jA-Zsnp94l4UjlY5cAnEUOhPQ9vSZCafZ-QE3Meg0zhnbwWrDisj3bks0aTbfimfE5w2U85eHMF1mnaKwbXczGuVAevmcEoVs7hFvm6IE4TyObqPH9HtCJm-Fa6Ggm3jtA/s1600/IMG_4700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-SSRMTe3g3jA-Zsnp94l4UjlY5cAnEUOhPQ9vSZCafZ-QE3Meg0zhnbwWrDisj3bks0aTbfimfE5w2U85eHMF1mnaKwbXczGuVAevmcEoVs7hFvm6IE4TyObqPH9HtCJm-Fa6Ggm3jtA/s640/IMG_4700.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Layer 2 holds the front of the frame ... and a crank arm. I removed the front disc brake because it seemed to be protruding upward far enough to be in the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KEwucTPvpAjOrSkvL7cECUziqXjgc0bracf6yvWoGgfcYO5OPm0URuhOSf7woKKN5WfkxhaH1USpMh8NkE9jEE05VgTQ0LakUBqjItCMB7-4nKTNoKnmulYw8dB1g69g0WYTgPPf9Py3/s1600/IMG_4701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KEwucTPvpAjOrSkvL7cECUziqXjgc0bracf6yvWoGgfcYO5OPm0URuhOSf7woKKN5WfkxhaH1USpMh8NkE9jEE05VgTQ0LakUBqjItCMB7-4nKTNoKnmulYw8dB1g69g0WYTgPPf9Py3/s640/IMG_4701.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Layer 3 holds the rear wheel (disc down).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7duDtZKk7IHMb8xuSUdJeqFFReYdIpR7KVo5hfjllz45m4s4xZVozklnwfSSaBARLQAj5iCc1XFCL4rcrQ05G3I3FiuLaUxSXrRmxMfNwFBN-hZk_dGUuzOCFlq2qs7j1NRZYEmFNJsC/s1600/IMG_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7duDtZKk7IHMb8xuSUdJeqFFReYdIpR7KVo5hfjllz45m4s4xZVozklnwfSSaBARLQAj5iCc1XFCL4rcrQ05G3I3FiuLaUxSXrRmxMfNwFBN-hZk_dGUuzOCFlq2qs7j1NRZYEmFNJsC/s640/IMG_4702.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Layer 4 holds the captain's handlebars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLUqNJ2njb6UndIOjD4IsLRLv2A3g-tHsD-kZfOrZ8_LRnGnHdcXtmm0iD9-O71n9YQXrH3zqfwpKKpvFhLER42bxgOdpCoCqKu0ePhEDmFeXO7quKlNDv6EkW74bdPHXFYghEnGP2ctg/s1600/IMG_E4704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLUqNJ2njb6UndIOjD4IsLRLv2A3g-tHsD-kZfOrZ8_LRnGnHdcXtmm0iD9-O71n9YQXrH3zqfwpKKpvFhLER42bxgOdpCoCqKu0ePhEDmFeXO7quKlNDv6EkW74bdPHXFYghEnGP2ctg/s640/IMG_E4704.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Layer 5 has a lot of work to do. It starts out by holding the seat posts and saddles. It also provides space for the handlebars, from the layer below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QNdxUM_hnrB3lRNYbEt_HGDWuo8oqcAslg0gvwGMetWVWy2zEucAojye8YFK6RBf6Oi78xp13pDwf4N8rRfMJmMh9wmVEi2LigiImq7OMUzys89JN31wRYvB8ls_G9ddBFbDD8dC1AJu/s1600/IMG_E4703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QNdxUM_hnrB3lRNYbEt_HGDWuo8oqcAslg0gvwGMetWVWy2zEucAojye8YFK6RBf6Oi78xp13pDwf4N8rRfMJmMh9wmVEi2LigiImq7OMUzys89JN31wRYvB8ls_G9ddBFbDD8dC1AJu/s640/IMG_E4703.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Both seat posts were longer than the cut-out. The handy electric carving knife makes expanding a cut-out quick work. I used the bread blades, though the carving blades might have been fine. </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj3myql96OcXAwtmgWqJQQo87MFlDsi3ZFzbOLCHYfVs0t826HrTQ3IseoeVPdUxN_TXkt0fFCZykb4KtKAkrxDGU-xC79gQKnpv5pEXHZuQitf0Md9kwjeyvktEd1y-AwiZy4pDKTd_N/s1600/IMG_4705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj3myql96OcXAwtmgWqJQQo87MFlDsi3ZFzbOLCHYfVs0t826HrTQ3IseoeVPdUxN_TXkt0fFCZykb4KtKAkrxDGU-xC79gQKnpv5pEXHZuQitf0Md9kwjeyvktEd1y-AwiZy4pDKTd_N/s640/IMG_4705.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">And then it gets really ambitious by attempting to take the rear triangle AND the front wheel. But Houston, we have a problem, a BIG problem. Sigh. The problem is with where Co-Motion slices the frame. With Santana, the slice is very near the stoker's seat tube. As you can see here, with Co-Motion, it is quite a ways away from there, which creates an impossible situation. I attempted to gain some space, by removing the tire, from the front wheel, but it didn't gain ENOUGH space.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIOYKTg1Pfi6DvKCANRJcvlC46rhIEqrryM4oe5HsWyi_mxv0UMLEOAu5SvWCYp8qBupxX1ZbJwa5LsN3YyBQ4u8e_Vwz6LKULxyJ91_O9GIRjNNILkwG2dyEpOosgQwzW93tCWcHFa7M/s1600/IMG_E4706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIOYKTg1Pfi6DvKCANRJcvlC46rhIEqrryM4oe5HsWyi_mxv0UMLEOAu5SvWCYp8qBupxX1ZbJwa5LsN3YyBQ4u8e_Vwz6LKULxyJ91_O9GIRjNNILkwG2dyEpOosgQwzW93tCWcHFa7M/s640/IMG_E4706.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">
Layer 6 holds the tool box (it comes with the Safe Case), a frame tube (the Co-Motion Carrera doesn't break down into tubes) and perhaps another part of the frame.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDaRMpdoAp3gb1mnyCPocq2j5es7hqgVnT3XQ7VZdDYxoE-b2K7bL-86RsBU8ROUCdQvoY4haUZFEYMj8jnOwtZrz94kk9MswyFtNF_Hf5y5kXJXxx44b1FLlnV2B7mOxtMXVW-7gk9tq/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDaRMpdoAp3gb1mnyCPocq2j5es7hqgVnT3XQ7VZdDYxoE-b2K7bL-86RsBU8ROUCdQvoY4haUZFEYMj8jnOwtZrz94kk9MswyFtNF_Hf5y5kXJXxx44b1FLlnV2B7mOxtMXVW-7gk9tq/s640/IMG_4707.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The rack, and maybe the cranks, can go in another piece of checked baggage, the remaining piece of the frame can probably go in Layer 6, but what to do about the wheel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Time to stew on this problem. </h2>
<div>
<h2>
The rear triangle</h2>
Without a major reworking of the layer scheme (perhaps even WITH), there did not seem to be a way to get the rear triangle into the suitcase. In the end we punted: we would put the rear triangle in the second checked bag.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c31h5uZMsaBhWHa2cO0-sv9O2-B_en086fG9O69kneOzNFSnaXg1wPZsZegCnuHiMlvcG1vdkalOP8VJH9XW0j6QSDymGtDKReDyyumUI3wQtPhrEcGE4dqN3frW_DEdS8iZCVnG3XQ7/s1600/Roll-a-bag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c31h5uZMsaBhWHa2cO0-sv9O2-B_en086fG9O69kneOzNFSnaXg1wPZsZegCnuHiMlvcG1vdkalOP8VJH9XW0j6QSDymGtDKReDyyumUI3wQtPhrEcGE4dqN3frW_DEdS8iZCVnG3XQ7/s640/Roll-a-bag.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear triangle of tandem frame fits in soft shell roll-a-bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It will be necessary to put a spacer in the rear drop-outs, and to wrap the frame with clothes, to protect them during handling.<br />
<br />
Next I decided putting the belt rings in the soft bag was a bit risky, so I revisited putting them in the chainring spots in the Safe Case.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierpzi6e_tYBbFeeWqFzZB9AOdT5YwupZGOG0Iipq8B4Z_5H8BdIN0nQhL6t0mS092ci5ujSx9TRtIdXRS70VLHB1f7tjyEqxuWcsUunnqnmZMXwtSiNfatb2OIswe4Jv9AmxyIX9vCgWr/s1600/Layer+1+b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierpzi6e_tYBbFeeWqFzZB9AOdT5YwupZGOG0Iipq8B4Z_5H8BdIN0nQhL6t0mS092ci5ujSx9TRtIdXRS70VLHB1f7tjyEqxuWcsUunnqnmZMXwtSiNfatb2OIswe4Jv9AmxyIX9vCgWr/s640/Layer+1+b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layer one has had the cranks, with the hollow spindle bottom brackets, added. Note that the spindles protrude upward and will need to be accommodated in several of the above layers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYKqhzekQzUD4jgJBheEGi7k6o1nreBD510wKdz0TwQbOvWnV7NxoM843BGBWHTyZqiYxZ9pbhbytlJLvEEKz99IopGW-2V6rYKue-3HXFmKhl5ulwohtf3AeeRb8Wkm8YspHl1mMgam0/s1600/Layer+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYKqhzekQzUD4jgJBheEGi7k6o1nreBD510wKdz0TwQbOvWnV7NxoM843BGBWHTyZqiYxZ9pbhbytlJLvEEKz99IopGW-2V6rYKue-3HXFmKhl5ulwohtf3AeeRb8Wkm8YspHl1mMgam0/s640/Layer+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layer 2 has had two holes added to accommodate hollow spindles of the bottom brackets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFV8FmunGCAujGBjOtzvyDrYv53lTCDdCZ9De_ygWWjR8cw1J5NmnEdHZ73AgLgepMx8dTYfnqX44SswJ5x1kB2ny73q5jWIuIC1LvUMK8bnYyr3dvYfwjfJQpN5URDisQL2aWcRl54vb/s1600/Layer+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFV8FmunGCAujGBjOtzvyDrYv53lTCDdCZ9De_ygWWjR8cw1J5NmnEdHZ73AgLgepMx8dTYfnqX44SswJ5x1kB2ny73q5jWIuIC1LvUMK8bnYyr3dvYfwjfJQpN5URDisQL2aWcRl54vb/s640/Layer+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layer 3 has two holes added, to accommodate the hollow spindles of bottom brackets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Let's look again at Layer 5, the workhorse of a layer:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTU0X8xrnnrhudrxUM5zXzDrqbp8CggtVk7ejLC4jM1GgWcuJba-fJmTCO5kLXeiate3jqS7TV9OuMibYkY2c2jsgYS8d8GWDhwlV8bnf2neadyYXgylo46X6E-dDQ_UE_oBdIBeSq0eQ/s1600/Layer+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTU0X8xrnnrhudrxUM5zXzDrqbp8CggtVk7ejLC4jM1GgWcuJba-fJmTCO5kLXeiate3jqS7TV9OuMibYkY2c2jsgYS8d8GWDhwlV8bnf2neadyYXgylo46X6E-dDQ_UE_oBdIBeSq0eQ/s640/Layer+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layer 5, without the headache of trying to include the rear triangle of the tandem frame.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now we want to customize Layer 6 (the final layer), to accommodate the middle of the tandem frame. I went to a foam shop and for $60 was able to match the foam. I got one sheet of 1/2" and one sheet of 1-1/2". This would enable simulated routing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCg5LU2mGusmh_JwwYImaCbQsU_1zDfBQIKhnEGIRQMSZt0vH7AAuhUQDnEayy14DjVsSHa6xc4MHcil6COZoDa0VMTQUXek_nY2cUVoffltkhkTERSCaR4hRdpnY7R4HEfvAC61D649Y/s1600/Glue+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCg5LU2mGusmh_JwwYImaCbQsU_1zDfBQIKhnEGIRQMSZt0vH7AAuhUQDnEayy14DjVsSHa6xc4MHcil6COZoDa0VMTQUXek_nY2cUVoffltkhkTERSCaR4hRdpnY7R4HEfvAC61D649Y/s640/Glue+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of top portion of Layer 6. Although wood glue is shown here (because I had some), it was very slow to dry, so I would recommend using something more appropriate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OmbYIAL9XCgrWjKvGpsLki5tBSXS2A8oemxJxc6Tg27IZfCk5LhVDldtbWD6o8exye2YAC7e5n1wxiYkml_nYM9UzoX6z2nHyfJmPmZ_9p5SKfuB7ffR8eM3msUmRhvPnZsZ0re9vLfF/s1600/Glue+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OmbYIAL9XCgrWjKvGpsLki5tBSXS2A8oemxJxc6Tg27IZfCk5LhVDldtbWD6o8exye2YAC7e5n1wxiYkml_nYM9UzoX6z2nHyfJmPmZ_9p5SKfuB7ffR8eM3msUmRhvPnZsZ0re9vLfF/s640/Glue+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top portion of Layer 6 has been glued to bottom portion. Now the wait for it to dry.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiueVkMLFAM2mtmsUQa54PQynFsEHMI4sWdzGXULH30Z6ydbncPZiMNOQ2bUeGpdv2i91qtPSkwx5LnLwz5n6ecv-jIJZzFMVEpcO4HRKHME2ZDwKQI8ZrDtyxUh1d9feLUrKtam_rw0vQ/s1600/Layer+6+a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiueVkMLFAM2mtmsUQa54PQynFsEHMI4sWdzGXULH30Z6ydbncPZiMNOQ2bUeGpdv2i91qtPSkwx5LnLwz5n6ecv-jIJZzFMVEpcO4HRKHME2ZDwKQI8ZrDtyxUh1d9feLUrKtam_rw0vQ/s640/Layer+6+a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut the bottom, 1/2" layer, where space will be needed for the items in Layer 5: the disc brake and the handlebars. Also cut a hole for the bottom bracket.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgcmZctdm_H5mtXK6wFv62kVNYXfRjkVgmnISDe7Nvyn1uaOdHIyly_zTApneDncD5TSAiNfXMPaiWNIcq9c5Sw_XICwikuDlBU7lv8PFsiDuPRww6PSzgsRt8djaMEagI7VqGOHnjMU5/s1600/Layer+6+b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgcmZctdm_H5mtXK6wFv62kVNYXfRjkVgmnISDe7Nvyn1uaOdHIyly_zTApneDncD5TSAiNfXMPaiWNIcq9c5Sw_XICwikuDlBU7lv8PFsiDuPRww6PSzgsRt8djaMEagI7VqGOHnjMU5/s640/Layer+6+b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Layer 6 holds the center of the tandem frame and the the tool box. It also allows space for the handle bars, and the disc brake, from Layer 5 (below), to poke up. (The corners of the foam still need to be rounded, to better fit into the Safe Case.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
A bit of mucking around, including completely recreating Layer 6, and placing the rear triangle of the tandem frame in a second carry-on bag, allowed the Santana Safe Case to be used for a Co-Motion Carrera tandem. The stoker stem and flat handlebars still need to be added to Layer 2. They were held in position by gluing in place several small blocks of foam.<br />
<br />
It will be prudent to place a spacer between the rear drop-outs, to protect that spacing during shipping and handling. This one was made from a scrap piece of 2x6 (from the construction site next door) and two crank bolts. First drill holes in the ends of the wood piece using a slightly smaller diameter bit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGABz5kwPtvexAxCCOo7e8BS-qKrI9b3GiTVOoGa2K70wMNkUTXyL8QEXwuV6TjtnueHxDVe4MCZJefUz4w4utgOGNNuJBW8WQ0rso3EVVOJoVQWcJLCvJyrFn2xouYAP8NFB-C-v3iAt/s1600/IMG_E5184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGABz5kwPtvexAxCCOo7e8BS-qKrI9b3GiTVOoGa2K70wMNkUTXyL8QEXwuV6TjtnueHxDVe4MCZJefUz4w4utgOGNNuJBW8WQ0rso3EVVOJoVQWcJLCvJyrFn2xouYAP8NFB-C-v3iAt/s640/IMG_E5184.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spacer for rear drop-outs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A better gluing solution turned out to be a hot glue gun.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGrHmarb1aZ8EH3KmdtG0uUIB27OT6iDh1aOpexQzEStozoDE0FkBtDa3TAljdvZmS6JCFNtck1m6qRHX-i1RAOYoPBw1fEFAwuVyum_bhbEkSpG_3xRtcpUM2VNQA2TZ-X5HtrrPZuoJ/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGrHmarb1aZ8EH3KmdtG0uUIB27OT6iDh1aOpexQzEStozoDE0FkBtDa3TAljdvZmS6JCFNtck1m6qRHX-i1RAOYoPBw1fEFAwuVyum_bhbEkSpG_3xRtcpUM2VNQA2TZ-X5HtrrPZuoJ/s640/IMG_5378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot glue gun to the rescue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Epilogue</h2>
The maiden voyage went quite well. Most moving around in the airports went smoothly because of the wheels and the extendable handle. Occasionally it was necessary to squeeze through turnstiles, or to rotate the case to get it on escalators. A bit of strength, and some sliding were required (the SafeCase can only roll in broad profile), but even that was manageable. <br />
<br />
The SafeCase weighed in at 28.8 kg. On the return flight, the second checked bag (the one with the rear triangle and the rear rack, and now including some, ah, liquids) weighed in at 25.3 kg, nothing to sneeze at.</div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-86306985427765052292019-03-29T04:31:00.008-07:002022-04-24T22:41:17.548-07:00One Hundred Marathons of Solitude<h2>
Forward</h2>
In 2006 I allowed my siblings to set me on the slippery slope of running a marathon. For lots of reasons it was a dissatisfying experience. I reasoned however that perhaps, under different circumstances, a marathon could be more satisfying. I tried it again ... and the activity became a staple of my existence.<br />
<br />
After running marathons for a few years, an idea was hatched: complete marathon #100, in my home town, 50 years after high school graduation.<br />
<br />
As I near #100, age is letting me know there aren't too many more of these events up my sleeve. It has, nonetheless, been a wild ride. I hope to hit #100 this fall. In the meantime, here is coverage of this year's marathons.<br />
<br />
<h3>
#95 - Los Angeles (did NOT prove too much for the man)</h3>
<div>
I first ran LA last year. It is by far the largest field I've run in. In 2019 there are 23,000 runners. My division, this year and last, had over 180 runners. I sometimes run marathons with a smaller <b>field</b> than that.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gRplSE2lUnljU7mKl89qR0oq5vouAsr1ivzfz_zUx6PMBIA6J46eDvwxGYNGAttEfdB1tSckeX3anD8VWXrzIyvjdEy5bDANFJO2igNJYnVvgOXkHl1JUALPIP7ZbcraXBijGeFv9P6X/s320/Awaiting+the+start.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0SZ_KbM6BQuliLAf2Ep1g1_MCe0lQVswXAdnPYdzOrk7x3h0cZ4SuTsKX3TW4NiN0xEWCigfqFhK4-CJJl0-PBokCEMVWTah6wq1sdiMCAEkDtwEtoqy5J-ljmxMh7XocWuLX686iI6d/s1600/Approaching+drop+off+point.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0SZ_KbM6BQuliLAf2Ep1g1_MCe0lQVswXAdnPYdzOrk7x3h0cZ4SuTsKX3TW4NiN0xEWCigfqFhK4-CJJl0-PBokCEMVWTah6wq1sdiMCAEkDtwEtoqy5J-ljmxMh7XocWuLX686iI6d/s320/Approaching+drop+off+point.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching drop off point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyEpDMQ7z1tkCXkpaE-P0WsMbwHA-r6iEtjbE_z8T-KmDRzTueDvzSE9cLOgWTSGAAh9moVN2j_gdoQ6F6fTDfKsJDzX9HmoKyy27J7bW2hGDi3jLs46rsziv3wMNoREO6caQgrhRlygN/s1600/Starting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyEpDMQ7z1tkCXkpaE-P0WsMbwHA-r6iEtjbE_z8T-KmDRzTueDvzSE9cLOgWTSGAAh9moVN2j_gdoQ6F6fTDfKsJDzX9HmoKyy27J7bW2hGDi3jLs46rsziv3wMNoREO6caQgrhRlygN/s640/Starting.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they're off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTbzli4YSxhXlo-9uT5q0eAfAG77E80zivubaGK7l45ZDoFQsuBpjMMB_VeZJYrFIA8MFLHLMpE6z5mV4-G-2m9hHXY4r6kstUCajM2kMR_j6VpkC-eqfHuNUUYZZkVPDrrcWryA7G2Lo/s1600/Early.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTbzli4YSxhXlo-9uT5q0eAfAG77E80zivubaGK7l45ZDoFQsuBpjMMB_VeZJYrFIA8MFLHLMpE6z5mV4-G-2m9hHXY4r6kstUCajM2kMR_j6VpkC-eqfHuNUUYZZkVPDrrcWryA7G2Lo/s640/Early.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling the streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6ZQkYrDA9MOHHXTnh3MOXYSniHC3lcsZvJOpURNSz8aDAGXjma6r8DvuZnROuoC-vEftuzn8C3mDYpJBI7spgMID2QCUeoepMQ7Cx-BNbqnvcBVIE1mJ5OgLWOUnLz59xTk-zdI4wMtR/s1600/Pacer.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1026" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6ZQkYrDA9MOHHXTnh3MOXYSniHC3lcsZvJOpURNSz8aDAGXjma6r8DvuZnROuoC-vEftuzn8C3mDYpJBI7spgMID2QCUeoepMQ7Cx-BNbqnvcBVIE1mJ5OgLWOUnLz59xTk-zdI4wMtR/s320/Pacer.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacer carries flag in harness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfxrnNBZ95Br6X9ggsQ0FMGG0MqfBgIsHzNy1ptrDCVMl4xVktMS_0fz74b8MPZk3Hd3q25WMJkeJ58XtLUNrYoBDKQmJTK3VUCaa8NAEjsVOoXLKbaVZVOZNR8du5j68GNot4qi9fXHE/s400/Disney+Concert+Hall.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Disney Concert Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKXS-t5VI3j6cWbjst7eNJVxR5pm5ncY6LmrjvBcIU1QbQyMlKdsNLpWwBhAv8Vzlv36u3nzDSli2a-VZ1R9IyXTl-BbhqRrv1bp1BnUms125OjA5x9ulSqCOZomE9ElZWaMCqeu4oxSb/s1600/Multi-Modal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKXS-t5VI3j6cWbjst7eNJVxR5pm5ncY6LmrjvBcIU1QbQyMlKdsNLpWwBhAv8Vzlv36u3nzDSli2a-VZ1R9IyXTl-BbhqRrv1bp1BnUms125OjA5x9ulSqCOZomE9ElZWaMCqeu4oxSb/s640/Multi-Modal.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman pushes cart with girl. Earlier there was a dog attached. I didn't think to see if it was in the cart.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIl5KxMY1vM2dogrlQvwgCulPWetbJ25XiXtpW7w00A896hJYscduNvgmqbEWROqMdcAgqImfKKqESxguRidEnqF_QzHjQ2Yxx0V3cRWGhtACoYZSgVXgdZMdOA0YSpXtg-AxW2cpq_Oqi/s1600/Javelina+Jundred.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1105" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIl5KxMY1vM2dogrlQvwgCulPWetbJ25XiXtpW7w00A896hJYscduNvgmqbEWROqMdcAgqImfKKqESxguRidEnqF_QzHjQ2Yxx0V3cRWGhtACoYZSgVXgdZMdOA0YSpXtg-AxW2cpq_Oqi/s640/Javelina+Jundred.jpg" width="554" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humor with Spanish 'J'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUbmmsZID7XtRVrx7zy_1ewDYfCtqS2zVzXEZxh8r5KIN6vmGCeTntLp3mMJYG7Y4ZDzFfSU876cpFNhzoTu-9J2russ0iX2IGsggsbNdzUxdqg3j8PIY7MFKCOSMX2-5TNXrwFi6f7AY/s1600/Cheetahs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUbmmsZID7XtRVrx7zy_1ewDYfCtqS2zVzXEZxh8r5KIN6vmGCeTntLp3mMJYG7Y4ZDzFfSU876cpFNhzoTu-9J2russ0iX2IGsggsbNdzUxdqg3j8PIY7MFKCOSMX2-5TNXrwFi6f7AY/s640/Cheetahs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At my age ... I can only DREAM of running like a cheetah. Sigh.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigVAVOE3VPeNW3C4OCQsHMbcZSsGB8aqYqZzGbYKD6VSKqN1ZHfBUZqYXmwORdkfVeaDcuyrEqDEqDACky5j3Js4IxqJS8dHH2UmyG_NU1z1RcrbT-IhXdj10N_QSR_GYxWprr6WFIysg/s1600/Getting+it+done.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigVAVOE3VPeNW3C4OCQsHMbcZSsGB8aqYqZzGbYKD6VSKqN1ZHfBUZqYXmwORdkfVeaDcuyrEqDEqDACky5j3Js4IxqJS8dHH2UmyG_NU1z1RcrbT-IhXdj10N_QSR_GYxWprr6WFIysg/s400/Getting+it+done.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the nice neighborhoods</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKR2kcg7PjqoDNetK8RFhMJgwGhgcxnInDRIecZHh1kVPsIsISY2Y-USTPkUrXyZRkCvOxJyI0TjYcPDLpjAUO8zmMpBAUuCsd0uPO1ler1dbfYhlUOSSJr-jnAKg8BjLdWkhvauRLHCn/s1600/Almost+done.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKR2kcg7PjqoDNetK8RFhMJgwGhgcxnInDRIecZHh1kVPsIsISY2Y-USTPkUrXyZRkCvOxJyI0TjYcPDLpjAUO8zmMpBAUuCsd0uPO1ler1dbfYhlUOSSJr-jnAKg8BjLdWkhvauRLHCn/s640/Almost+done.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost to the finish!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgbKclDTGwiF6zk_JFUG8tkV6wq06PpxSKS67p-yceKwrzaYx1SDlSISBrkTNZibCeSoGISHf_10NUtehGcTzLxXl5NJlVyKZWEkLeQ9fuW2fMQTYLg6vJcg7RKje6w4vzvuckRFvb06y/s1600/Our+Lady+of+Endurance+Running.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="923" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgbKclDTGwiF6zk_JFUG8tkV6wq06PpxSKS67p-yceKwrzaYx1SDlSISBrkTNZibCeSoGISHf_10NUtehGcTzLxXl5NJlVyKZWEkLeQ9fuW2fMQTYLg6vJcg7RKje6w4vzvuckRFvb06y/s320/Our+Lady+of+Endurance+Running.jpg" width="184" /></a>Shortly after the finish: Our Lady of Perpetual Endurance Events</div>
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<h3>
#96 - Wenatchee (magical sequencing on a 10 mile loop)</h3>
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The event is part of the Apple Blossum Festival. The scenery is dazzling: blossums in the foreground, snowcapped peaks in the background. There were three starts: early marathon, at 6:30 am, half marathon, at 8:00 am, and the combined marathon and 10k, at 8:15 am. Not only the times, but the directions, are carefully thought out, to minimize conflict, for the runners, and logistics, for the organizers and volunteers.<br />
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The start, for all, is at the plaza at the convention center, on Wenatchee Ave. From there one goes north, ties into the trail, and continues clockwise. And then various things happen, depending on ones distance. For the marathon, one goes out 5k, returns (to rack up 10k), then continues, counterclockwise, for two laps on the 10 mile loop trail. The trail has great variation in terrain, scenery, people and ambiance. It's always exciting.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyp8yM2-KieIxcOXQAvgxn1lu5c78jf6zWNZuCZ3Y3Mky7k2KDghWrBj0we576l4yzOhSdJduQwFBsGyFB95X2yaE0ssjW_CWyh4Vz-IEROOWgANPHj-x4j8UeP9nfogGyP2x2hlzM-_bh/s1600/10+mile+loop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyp8yM2-KieIxcOXQAvgxn1lu5c78jf6zWNZuCZ3Y3Mky7k2KDghWrBj0we576l4yzOhSdJduQwFBsGyFB95X2yaE0ssjW_CWyh4Vz-IEROOWgANPHj-x4j8UeP9nfogGyP2x2hlzM-_bh/s400/10+mile+loop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a reason it's call the Ten Mile Loop Trail</td></tr>
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The scenery dazzles runners, every step of the way!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_R88R8u5NwlWK9iV8ou1Jxs6pDlrWZHoZLM10zfUPz67xWK1Ww1T_dk-8z8LhrQqsUw8pEkjsLkO0qp4OPUAw7ljKpoFHXDzgXDTAnboDYPqi_dVjqAsOFWhhi4sJnfkSVfIdM2AFS2Z/s1600/Cascades.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_R88R8u5NwlWK9iV8ou1Jxs6pDlrWZHoZLM10zfUPz67xWK1Ww1T_dk-8z8LhrQqsUw8pEkjsLkO0qp4OPUAw7ljKpoFHXDzgXDTAnboDYPqi_dVjqAsOFWhhi4sJnfkSVfIdM2AFS2Z/s640/Cascades.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snow capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains loom in the background!</td></tr>
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There are three bridges as part of the Ten Mile Loop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWFaq9sB6fCj4rEp9nBPPpfEDJ4_VDitbxfFm7ynYv-CMT8lshFbmve36Mn5JiMdV_iQ5pLQ0siqTjdETcb44tsEks3TUelF4JNiojbRrpIum-4fGf4HgVZRwUZQOfS31efvlAL9D49BN/s1600/Loop+Trail+Bridge.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWFaq9sB6fCj4rEp9nBPPpfEDJ4_VDitbxfFm7ynYv-CMT8lshFbmve36Mn5JiMdV_iQ5pLQ0siqTjdETcb44tsEks3TUelF4JNiojbRrpIum-4fGf4HgVZRwUZQOfS31efvlAL9D49BN/s320/Loop+Trail+Bridge.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrian Bridge over Columbia River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWvSiektxjkQ6eF9IT4GggKCQaPolQXmRrrtD5UZA7v3xkQBOwJipg3093nyVyGOO1z2l_t2k9jFaKtxIZD3cSn2s5_DkoQvbhlaHF2Voa6XbywZfVlgOK1PAcs3eeQmLm-Jkg4ROddwd/s1600/US-2+Bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWvSiektxjkQ6eF9IT4GggKCQaPolQXmRrrtD5UZA7v3xkQBOwJipg3093nyVyGOO1z2l_t2k9jFaKtxIZD3cSn2s5_DkoQvbhlaHF2Voa6XbywZfVlgOK1PAcs3eeQmLm-Jkg4ROddwd/s320/US-2+Bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up to US-2 Bridge</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe9-pmpD0dixUPTdjVnIzWd5KgdJrxuIUL48zliB7XUSHLnf5jwaNQtnyOSVxp_lAGAhYyoFb5yEvEklm3lm0qBuIlHD53xarTL_f2jJZBV1L2-9r50BYelFDb3Dj2VtYNq4NKwRvojDl/s1600/Confluence+Bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe9-pmpD0dixUPTdjVnIzWd5KgdJrxuIUL48zliB7XUSHLnf5jwaNQtnyOSVxp_lAGAhYyoFb5yEvEklm3lm0qBuIlHD53xarTL_f2jJZBV1L2-9r50BYelFDb3Dj2VtYNq4NKwRvojDl/s400/Confluence+Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrian Bridge over Wenatchee River, where it enters the Columbia River </td></tr>
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In addition to the many residents using the trail, for walking, running and biking, there was an MS run. Never a dull moment!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocC-2OUfPvd3w8v8JUVCyyEFpU9FpZmeX4OaWjPhUKCUp9Y0yupFF-PVGXt6w4mKmSoBvexTzimMq0SPh-DO-H88PWKtnkQraF0v23u2bXg9Wq6cBOKIbL9XdiSDzxSU63xK-HYw-UAmP/s1600/One+Mile+to+Go.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocC-2OUfPvd3w8v8JUVCyyEFpU9FpZmeX4OaWjPhUKCUp9Y0yupFF-PVGXt6w4mKmSoBvexTzimMq0SPh-DO-H88PWKtnkQraF0v23u2bXg9Wq6cBOKIbL9XdiSDzxSU63xK-HYw-UAmP/s400/One+Mile+to+Go.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blogger nearing finish, listening to just the right tune!</td></tr>
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The plaza, at the Convention Center, on Wenatchee Ave, is a great setting for the finish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHZhCbfnb5sMRWS8DPnZNDYj2QxZfD_BJJXxXeKK_SeKLcFnQae5lBlZPSYdk6nBUFF09-eQ6m4I7fwCuNzbExDrR1o2wGRmWkz8Io-9iyhflrJPrTjwKwyeXEQjVVgKTitXTJQsdCA0u/s1600/Carla.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHZhCbfnb5sMRWS8DPnZNDYj2QxZfD_BJJXxXeKK_SeKLcFnQae5lBlZPSYdk6nBUFF09-eQ6m4I7fwCuNzbExDrR1o2wGRmWkz8Io-9iyhflrJPrTjwKwyeXEQjVVgKTitXTJQsdCA0u/s640/Carla.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perennial podium dweller, and all around nice person, Carla Stewart</td></tr>
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<h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
#97 - Wisconsin (Kenosha)</span></h3>
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This marathon had intrigued me, ever since I learned of it, a few years ago, for a collection of silly reasons:</div>
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<ol>
<li>The course is barely in Wisconsin (tucked away in the SE corner of the state)<br /></li>
<li>The event has a cheesy theme<br /></li>
<li>The organizers are from Chicago</li>
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Kenosha is considered the northern limit of the Chicago metropolitan area.</div>
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<div style="background-color: #fff9ee;"><h3 style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: medium;">#128 - Wenatchee 2022</span></h3><div><pre style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><code><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I drove over on Friday evening. I waited to leave my place until the Mariners' season opener was on, figuring that would pin down about 50,000 people. It was sad to have missed it - Ishiro threw out the first pitch. I can imagine the crowd chanting his name! Still, it was slow getting through downtown, and then fine. Snoqualmie Pass was clear and dry. Going up Blewett, the warning sign said APPROVED TRACTION DEVICES RECOMMENDED. Yikes! All I had were my Wisconsin driving skills. It was 19° on top, but the wet pavement was clear.
I did the early start for the marathon - 6:30 am - because I’ve become darn slow. wunderbra said it had hit 30° over night, setting, or perhaps tying, the record low for the date. This was about 15° below normal. I had to bundle.
The event is on the 10 mile trail, a scenic loop around a portion of the Columbia River, between Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. This completely paved trail passes through an impressive collection of local and state parks. The marathon starts with a 5k clockwise out and back. That takes cares of the 6.2 miles; what’s left now is two counter clockwise laps on the trail.
It was sobering to have the lead runner (preceded by the escort bike) catch me at about Mile 9 (regular start time was 8am).
The half marathon (8:20am start) does a 1/4 marathon counterclockwise out and back. I arrived at their turn around shortly after the lead runner (and a few other marathoners) had caught me. From there I had lots of company, back to their finish (my Mile 16). Just before getting there, the lead runner passed me again! The escort cyclist turned around, heading back to, I assumed, pick up the lead marathon woman.
For my last lap, things were a bit quiet. At about Mile 20 an unassuming woman from Vancouver, BC caught me and deigned to chat. She said her first event, since BC (before COVID), had been the recent San Diego half. She had initially been disappointed, with how it had gone for her, until discovering she had had COVID. And just in case you’re not already convinced she is one tough cookie, her last words to me were "I hope it’s not snowing on the pass - I brought my motorcycle." OMG!
The last two runners (marathon, regular start) passed me around Mile 21.
When I finished, the rather elaborate finish area was nearly completed torn down. The finish mat was gone, of course. No other runners were present. They gave me a medal AND a beer glass (for division winners, though I probably was that). I couldn’t remember if I had ordered a shirt but they gave me one anyway. The person in charge threw the entire contents of the food table at me. With the help of the shirt, I managed to transport it all to my car.
I was the last finisher, #91, the same as in 2019 (the last time the event was held), only this time I didn’t make it into the results. I've contacted the timing company, with my Garmin results. Perhaps they will deign to acknowledge me.
</span></span></span></code></pre><pre style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><code style="font-size: 15.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: times;"><a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/8652559734">https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/8652559734</a></span></code></pre><pre style="color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 15.4px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><code><span style="font-family: times;">Driving back, I opted to go over Stevens Pass. The ski area was still open. It was raining lightly.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4ydZGMr_e3rZ0OrgHQPOg9spEhEqYNAjnu_x_wdFPTFoZaM1XGBdhkMdCVil5fNwMcDUS32lYsNtNBPsV2-tf6JJOS8kECWtXWv5t72bLEnnYnD1WwiRuap_WmoyxTWMFu38bJ9sHA_9f4YOfPkRN9UczpsZFdNNjWt22YaIH7g_B0VXYGuEtLJJ2Q/s4032/EKZD5939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4ydZGMr_e3rZ0OrgHQPOg9spEhEqYNAjnu_x_wdFPTFoZaM1XGBdhkMdCVil5fNwMcDUS32lYsNtNBPsV2-tf6JJOS8kECWtXWv5t72bLEnnYnD1WwiRuap_WmoyxTWMFu38bJ9sHA_9f4YOfPkRN9UczpsZFdNNjWt22YaIH7g_B0VXYGuEtLJJ2Q/w480-h640/EKZD5939.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Medal</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCy_RK0SDepaBBdIKVxciLr5ly5HVWjDaQVGE6D0qtZ2Ah78A-F1Jt3waQS7cnmUth9-XkBfXDKnl3jbi-HZigi4WAZaUwomIEKOstv51UoQusFnKTHXnSQpceurgwod86wrxfBQTWCo2lMoWYoB93Z_6syER9uATYnRY94TqKjeO3isBayA_nhuXuw/s4032/IMG_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCy_RK0SDepaBBdIKVxciLr5ly5HVWjDaQVGE6D0qtZ2Ah78A-F1Jt3waQS7cnmUth9-XkBfXDKnl3jbi-HZigi4WAZaUwomIEKOstv51UoQusFnKTHXnSQpceurgwod86wrxfBQTWCo2lMoWYoB93Z_6syER9uATYnRY94TqKjeO3isBayA_nhuXuw/w640-h480/IMG_0469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevens Pass</td></tr></tbody></table></span></code></pre><br /></div></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">&&&&</div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-62810457758617762822019-03-20T02:52:00.000-07:002019-03-20T02:55:56.186-07:00NAHBS 2019<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic44vj2xvQLziisTcLAinvfWckovwAUvszYgTwD6z6iuEhyu2fPShDcjc_2iTsyaWhtczbIo4fqgtimG1MWLNtqpO50Zn53OHS_Lji22eFHmaB-QBKKjfqlHGGJutgtE77cpuwpt5OisNP/s1600/DW-NAHBS2019-07-Poster-20190220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic44vj2xvQLziisTcLAinvfWckovwAUvszYgTwD6z6iuEhyu2fPShDcjc_2iTsyaWhtczbIo4fqgtimG1MWLNtqpO50Zn53OHS_Lji22eFHmaB-QBKKjfqlHGGJutgtE77cpuwpt5OisNP/s400/DW-NAHBS2019-07-Poster-20190220.jpg" width="283" /></a>At the North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show, small scale builders get together to display their works of art. They push the envelope, not only visually, but also in use of structural materials, connections and finishes. One will also see new technology arriving in the world of cycling.<br />
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The annual event has been around for 15 years. Organizers change the location each year, to give everyone a chance to visit.<br />
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<h4>
Shaft Drive Train</h4>
Say good-bye to chains (and belts).<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztf2NUXkmM8phextR2iTVxBo4qGuNweOB-CHnEtBX7obpQKR6I673LJT3qg2fVIup4eLvzIDUkhyE_P2Ogl4ehYa8fBve_aaPSngmFLcGv_JKGs4uyo_AslEnsaLVD5f5JDvuKPHNpdby/s400/Shaft+02.jpg" width="300" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmxNI-a2KYUHNoxlLwLAoJrA8XxkPvTmO51tI5i-mQBAfVuVfA5S9qxMyKDqTaqORNm8SkaZsbQpJ8TczswGo01cXbqfnEFj4lAHdCsGNFWKuatjKvO7xIV_t6f9wWfUgb8URAlT5BCwc/s320/Shaft+03.jpg" style="text-align: right;" width="240" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uYeHacUdeAtI7GDvT2VtEchKD82PA5CTwB5TlBUJdhn6veY1h-qoKajYJrXTjKDjNLMzwAdknol8dk_akg3gycjBFD9oM_EuSb3rXZBBeh7eolS1pzaTOQDTBriAjROdwmICMQ-XK6ID/s1600/Shaft+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uYeHacUdeAtI7GDvT2VtEchKD82PA5CTwB5TlBUJdhn6veY1h-qoKajYJrXTjKDjNLMzwAdknol8dk_akg3gycjBFD9oM_EuSb3rXZBBeh7eolS1pzaTOQDTBriAjROdwmICMQ-XK6ID/s320/Shaft+04.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA_wszjcUVedlpj7nE2Ah6LlDArsJslZ1zfjHpfG2qQgMk7m343VOl7NrAYTooJQH1WRHGGJkTtMYoan7_2mTM1-doeIDsIv4_RPzm4plzPqz2pEzJHDs43355cTtN7opaPXt_bJUXCGO/s1600/Shaft+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA_wszjcUVedlpj7nE2Ah6LlDArsJslZ1zfjHpfG2qQgMk7m343VOl7NrAYTooJQH1WRHGGJkTtMYoan7_2mTM1-doeIDsIv4_RPzm4plzPqz2pEzJHDs43355cTtN7opaPXt_bJUXCGO/s400/Shaft+05.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Bamboo Bikes</h3>
Give new life to that dreaded weed in your side yard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgp0oZs3oDyqRzB7XorblPYGoaz6WAavndgKR2771D2b-WoAGD5MbktLIYTRZpH99D3pbv7bbNuSHyd3IpCwQfX_9G61zjKG2MjWDT-SLfvE-7oeCsd7NPhAMMCOBgtF9BEB-7XKKeRfx/s1600/Bamboo+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgp0oZs3oDyqRzB7XorblPYGoaz6WAavndgKR2771D2b-WoAGD5MbktLIYTRZpH99D3pbv7bbNuSHyd3IpCwQfX_9G61zjKG2MjWDT-SLfvE-7oeCsd7NPhAMMCOBgtF9BEB-7XKKeRfx/s640/Bamboo+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4yLYCsq5S08LiBHam3oeglT8VI2Eu4OicC6GnkDNwvLQv_eV2g1yin2gSzZLJIdJRglRx1JdZmEjiPNp9SSK6dPuMEQv_fJC-1fKnT9mbtBlADKAzE_kgJRQevrrY14riJp8TVIGRhvL/s1600/Bamboo-Bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4yLYCsq5S08LiBHam3oeglT8VI2Eu4OicC6GnkDNwvLQv_eV2g1yin2gSzZLJIdJRglRx1JdZmEjiPNp9SSK6dPuMEQv_fJC-1fKnT9mbtBlADKAzE_kgJRQevrrY14riJp8TVIGRhvL/s640/Bamboo-Bikes.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Wood Bikes</h3>
The amazing strength of this material becomes clear.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjCNtk66CbBlm2fpxxGcY5D6KMUa4L7ISY3hQegbQXFh6Tf9rrnyELoipPpvx7cgk8KdEglHAZwMz-oyMx5QXb_I3bDtnIsVTlABvb1gK2lqk76UpDNqzGOe_bBcnTnbKxaWYRSsnAJB_/s1600/Kinipio+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjCNtk66CbBlm2fpxxGcY5D6KMUa4L7ISY3hQegbQXFh6Tf9rrnyELoipPpvx7cgk8KdEglHAZwMz-oyMx5QXb_I3bDtnIsVTlABvb1gK2lqk76UpDNqzGOe_bBcnTnbKxaWYRSsnAJB_/s640/Kinipio+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrtCB68RgNqRNQ-aDCNuEnW6iRLgTUtyQqk3KgP1olvnkmA0PtV9u4Qb0wP5EhGp6vbVlQKUXBbKLBW84UsRWYGkFBy2MOFoH8192R1Aoaco9m4v3cXs5gzQrer23cNVVeh9ZGCps4MHD/s1600/Natural+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrtCB68RgNqRNQ-aDCNuEnW6iRLgTUtyQqk3KgP1olvnkmA0PtV9u4Qb0wP5EhGp6vbVlQKUXBbKLBW84UsRWYGkFBy2MOFoH8192R1Aoaco9m4v3cXs5gzQrer23cNVVeh9ZGCps4MHD/s640/Natural+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZyVtRKahu94cCzYwsFtDtfSS1-xYUQtsre0YXZNdi25M_MQZpgB_sbEddACjM10xyDRCtR4WhEOBFOloV2mOIsLCXcMu_fwDTXRNUs56eHYWezcG6wCsq4R_WaAhhcFvbPgW2owGJKhH/s1600/Class+Project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZyVtRKahu94cCzYwsFtDtfSS1-xYUQtsre0YXZNdi25M_MQZpgB_sbEddACjM10xyDRCtR4WhEOBFOloV2mOIsLCXcMu_fwDTXRNUs56eHYWezcG6wCsq4R_WaAhhcFvbPgW2owGJKhH/s640/Class+Project.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
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<h3>
Lugged Steel?</h3>
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You betcha!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONXQpaDtNJW-ofUkdTFtgy1GKqSwB2AeCT7X1q4zDcMiTowHyNSKt1AkIu-7Gns1-m1Jp0x2vcIGfWl9T0blN7PpGl0WNx8GM4kEkopJ9wL9Dq8PPeQsJNQOZo5zf2OwTxvL69WSUECWT/s1600/Boots-Willsan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONXQpaDtNJW-ofUkdTFtgy1GKqSwB2AeCT7X1q4zDcMiTowHyNSKt1AkIu-7Gns1-m1Jp0x2vcIGfWl9T0blN7PpGl0WNx8GM4kEkopJ9wL9Dq8PPeQsJNQOZo5zf2OwTxvL69WSUECWT/s320/Boots-Willsan.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Rivendell (but you knew that from the paint scheme!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNo0GLOTDL6rdu8grYos5MDn512zYZogX4G3-V7LsPUjP7xGMLznZJsdGj75sKR3H19WTW9KohpdDqo2-BU9S9dwvXMTZ49YFWgdo3VPKt3ImpcBL2qX7dM3wXbGNyimrG4jhxRTTKhxj/s1600/Fat+Chance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNo0GLOTDL6rdu8grYos5MDn512zYZogX4G3-V7LsPUjP7xGMLznZJsdGj75sKR3H19WTW9KohpdDqo2-BU9S9dwvXMTZ49YFWgdo3VPKt3ImpcBL2qX7dM3wXbGNyimrG4jhxRTTKhxj/s320/Fat+Chance.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrWpDV8IOHvawxyeT50c05h7SWkVJazicD6B-IhazStAZUmdJw6cohr8IE4PYeAnF7_4eOkfquAbXyiFy3iFetlJPsamex9nXZbHhSw-EOhOoTRzJuBztq9Uph17IXllxyiMZ8kmmTaHo/s1600/Chrome+lugs+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrWpDV8IOHvawxyeT50c05h7SWkVJazicD6B-IhazStAZUmdJw6cohr8IE4PYeAnF7_4eOkfquAbXyiFy3iFetlJPsamex9nXZbHhSw-EOhOoTRzJuBztq9Uph17IXllxyiMZ8kmmTaHo/s640/Chrome+lugs+01.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcSTEIkmPMRG47WLScF1Gfgqkqrfe6pg8HAYBBpLyM5SNN5E0eX5zsFGH2X244u_XwqEdFMcU5uw4kYrqe8C-d1O9d29h3LeuKblL07QBqBuzb0siP6s-Bb7F5dFUHvGOvkpnfctVTcfG/s1600/Chrome+lugs+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcSTEIkmPMRG47WLScF1Gfgqkqrfe6pg8HAYBBpLyM5SNN5E0eX5zsFGH2X244u_XwqEdFMcU5uw4kYrqe8C-d1O9d29h3LeuKblL07QBqBuzb0siP6s-Bb7F5dFUHvGOvkpnfctVTcfG/s320/Chrome+lugs+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP57yqWzxN3GQDCVyh8U5F4GA0Y2a5US8h5_kRiwmMZ7w5X7q36u2Y_7-fUz4hbmDRSHt8Y3J1ku-bFZklfiH8pVVMuWNlR4lG_BdRVAy3cBVbUE2RXJseaA5yfm2ON17MZHYC6yzEZvwh/s1600/Chrome+lugs+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP57yqWzxN3GQDCVyh8U5F4GA0Y2a5US8h5_kRiwmMZ7w5X7q36u2Y_7-fUz4hbmDRSHt8Y3J1ku-bFZklfiH8pVVMuWNlR4lG_BdRVAy3cBVbUE2RXJseaA5yfm2ON17MZHYC6yzEZvwh/s200/Chrome+lugs+03.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Shamrock Cycles<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMzUlvL4fIjBQE6GH7ve2CXklmUiz6NN-Wyb2o5_uz-ZmejtVcsh1KX1kmXZrLQlcuZihWCynsQzQt-aLwIe8LmUWYdyQzCMsLjFe_JEfyKega2YJS8lk9Of4o6TuMETDlf2UcqNOj7FB/s1600/Shamrock+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMzUlvL4fIjBQE6GH7ve2CXklmUiz6NN-Wyb2o5_uz-ZmejtVcsh1KX1kmXZrLQlcuZihWCynsQzQt-aLwIe8LmUWYdyQzCMsLjFe_JEfyKega2YJS8lk9Of4o6TuMETDlf2UcqNOj7FB/s320/Shamrock+01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRZbe9tr9s8l27Q4t2BRi_vFZmw_dF_Lmz5U7Mqlv1YcKKEvs1Rr5VXuwrccga9cJQSnDp4NUUDF4yBSu2x8L_x6ttgvq6RBGx7GtmHblAVu9p0AnMV4qnGw-R12RlB2NOhOIH9nMzbg/s1600/Shamrock+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRZbe9tr9s8l27Q4t2BRi_vFZmw_dF_Lmz5U7Mqlv1YcKKEvs1Rr5VXuwrccga9cJQSnDp4NUUDF4yBSu2x8L_x6ttgvq6RBGx7GtmHblAVu9p0AnMV4qnGw-R12RlB2NOhOIH9nMzbg/s200/Shamrock+02.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkXRNqpRvQOX_F6HsgVmwsaMX5DBMlfhaGLBNxHUWlZ3FxQ5Ow4_PMPPEgif8ffokTEzbcaGUjgbeTO3TzBnbtZ5B02v_xuQ3AxzY84L6Xs99UeWD3umcj_Lfv7eNOZn0oKZLwJ2UxxPT/s1600/Shamrock+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkXRNqpRvQOX_F6HsgVmwsaMX5DBMlfhaGLBNxHUWlZ3FxQ5Ow4_PMPPEgif8ffokTEzbcaGUjgbeTO3TzBnbtZ5B02v_xuQ3AxzY84L6Xs99UeWD3umcj_Lfv7eNOZn0oKZLwJ2UxxPT/s320/Shamrock+03.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwCEbGaBqaSNh0aCkTiZG_gN0KknY9j_Xu0kkEn_Jp5Vc0Ae5hL-vjGsmUwluIJOB06boS-pu6glRI00EZ7Raw2tyWlk6xN6CGDjKZLG1CCOxstKNJOu7Gl8FIBnE1tqMKzkPq93-lDKu/s1600/Shamrock+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwCEbGaBqaSNh0aCkTiZG_gN0KknY9j_Xu0kkEn_Jp5Vc0Ae5hL-vjGsmUwluIJOB06boS-pu6glRI00EZ7Raw2tyWlk6xN6CGDjKZLG1CCOxstKNJOu7Gl8FIBnE1tqMKzkPq93-lDKu/s200/Shamrock+04.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Oldies but Goodies</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFDiDiBPmwSlyfpimLZJnHCaBe5lkREdUqL4THPM-efVVvBzAc5DeD6CkCQ9nK_yUSMmr0ute6GpAYsqdvqJnJMkfn9V_zfmAL_jiztUcfeztMnzJpjj5aE0YqvYpbxUufgXrgVqU9OHI/s1600/Bamboo+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFDiDiBPmwSlyfpimLZJnHCaBe5lkREdUqL4THPM-efVVvBzAc5DeD6CkCQ9nK_yUSMmr0ute6GpAYsqdvqJnJMkfn9V_zfmAL_jiztUcfeztMnzJpjj5aE0YqvYpbxUufgXrgVqU9OHI/s640/Bamboo+02.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many fork blades are really necessary?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5jioGdaRadQeIa_v8RyMpM3CUXBKmCu-YMr1qg4QdQUQ7q6OgMAJ1___i2wXbhp8CIKvAm4AxH3Mz5Sg08BZFFam9DcWspLgHOPQmdViCwqXJIOFHrA0QBk89aqF_qoO3VEJQbt_pLgw/s1600/Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5jioGdaRadQeIa_v8RyMpM3CUXBKmCu-YMr1qg4QdQUQ7q6OgMAJ1___i2wXbhp8CIKvAm4AxH3Mz5Sg08BZFFam9DcWspLgHOPQmdViCwqXJIOFHrA0QBk89aqF_qoO3VEJQbt_pLgw/s640/Brooks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooks (but you already knew that, right?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Schmoozing with Cycling Gods</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JysawCRIYVL57uIqAgrUZC3FaennELoekkf4gufolY4hMKM2U2Vfm8OvRTpan1i4upe9c1tMNid7hUl3AOzx3nrqp3byJSzeiZ5_WuueKO713qguR2APYwrGNiFk_0NXMX5YBGuhtsAp/s1600/Cheetah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JysawCRIYVL57uIqAgrUZC3FaennELoekkf4gufolY4hMKM2U2Vfm8OvRTpan1i4upe9c1tMNid7hUl3AOzx3nrqp3byJSzeiZ5_WuueKO713qguR2APYwrGNiFk_0NXMX5YBGuhtsAp/s640/Cheetah.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelson Vails (and some poseur)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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(That's all he wrote!)<br />
<br />Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-88733187397687335202019-02-15T21:53:00.002-08:002019-02-24T13:00:50.308-08:00Roll On, Colombia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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👰👰👰👰👰👰</div>
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A visit to the northern tip of South America, for a wedding and some exploring. Uber Pool ride, three flights, and a three hour van ride, to reach wedding location - Santa Marta. Made for a long day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlAKqHGw1q76hf-ejMQ-4UCYuDp8db2cZeTiUo9lUIOQcO8OE7lsgoETmLA_94PzdueQz57oCsLWwfImL7bPuzHGrW3AbmNHdXAnRMsNQG3J3cBodJp5jnKGV0EoX0EYndX_RUlASHiAl/s1600/Take+off%252C+flight+2%252C+Charlotte+-+Miami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlAKqHGw1q76hf-ejMQ-4UCYuDp8db2cZeTiUo9lUIOQcO8OE7lsgoETmLA_94PzdueQz57oCsLWwfImL7bPuzHGrW3AbmNHdXAnRMsNQG3J3cBodJp5jnKGV0EoX0EYndX_RUlASHiAl/s640/Take+off%252C+flight+2%252C+Charlotte+-+Miami.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take off of flight 2: Charlotte to Miami</td></tr>
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First stop: <b>Santa Marta</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Santa Marta: Day 1</span></b><br />
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Located on the coast, Santa Marta is the second oldest city in South America.<br />
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Many of the wedding participants stayed downtown.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_WgbmWrGd6b1h-5Fh5AG4bExC0-gb4PIiM9J06fzVJgocIt2PD7nJ2rsl_0RvEtEOk-9aMx71Axi59-7M5OlhlcYpLJtaGrizjmBBrgfIc106tC7cqWddcSNz1OywcI-ltKWKDtZgTbj/s1600/Looking+north%252C+to+ocean%252C+from+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_WgbmWrGd6b1h-5Fh5AG4bExC0-gb4PIiM9J06fzVJgocIt2PD7nJ2rsl_0RvEtEOk-9aMx71Axi59-7M5OlhlcYpLJtaGrizjmBBrgfIc106tC7cqWddcSNz1OywcI-ltKWKDtZgTbj/s640/Looking+north%252C+to+ocean%252C+from+hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looking north, from hotel, to the Caribbean Sea.</td></tr>
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The downtown is a pleasant place to walk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLD9SDUvzfuO3GA7mEkxZxpxPMsERYCaWxYxgSVUKxycPSpLKWQ2w2P35qTEyapxjCa-DvOBx1sTbC2SgJDqXPP0WeOiQiZwB_QSK94cXwq-VLf2ni_ezmOlNCUMEMsffcg9ackLLDKkk/s1600/Mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLD9SDUvzfuO3GA7mEkxZxpxPMsERYCaWxYxgSVUKxycPSpLKWQ2w2P35qTEyapxjCa-DvOBx1sTbC2SgJDqXPP0WeOiQiZwB_QSK94cXwq-VLf2ni_ezmOlNCUMEMsffcg9ackLLDKkk/s640/Mural.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murals are everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ci5vM1EeCYf8Dy7S6e3HLaygwA0shUH4O_sg-CeniMSsacv2dY6Zrm2MJujwrGf2lx2sVMN0smRBqmrmx8S3_aJlDnYvGpMchCjoU5PG1n01KREkCToGxepUxlYGayX1nM2UQswTuL9F/s1600/Lunch+stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ci5vM1EeCYf8Dy7S6e3HLaygwA0shUH4O_sg-CeniMSsacv2dY6Zrm2MJujwrGf2lx2sVMN0smRBqmrmx8S3_aJlDnYvGpMchCjoU5PG1n01KREkCToGxepUxlYGayX1nM2UQswTuL9F/s400/Lunch+stop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stop for lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRFuGbTy_kPzKiA_3SGmdltu5M9l-c1YZX6ODy3kErvWl-ATOPfzfCjIpPzccuRGwVo0UtbEGolMP_zgQ3RCFwMRS_O9lmCo5oT65QgeIZdt34YSwfmIxPLbYQMjnsgfHEyCnAbVN-SHe/s1600/Around+the+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRFuGbTy_kPzKiA_3SGmdltu5M9l-c1YZX6ODy3kErvWl-ATOPfzfCjIpPzccuRGwVo0UtbEGolMP_zgQ3RCFwMRS_O9lmCo5oT65QgeIZdt34YSwfmIxPLbYQMjnsgfHEyCnAbVN-SHe/s400/Around+the+pool.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guests around the pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In the evening we went to a magnificent house, overlooking the water, for the wedding party dinner.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXsCmuCdsytmxyC-kSahDwkvoD5r_II-So5X9wA7Q7s6LjA_FqjRw8AzT_IIp7CFW1T-_Pb5GhO1IJSekIvhkde7_MF2cxrYw3jMl48QFudzwoL83nxmQHRtay1hv6P_DtKxjUXdANSgB/s1600/Wedding+party+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXsCmuCdsytmxyC-kSahDwkvoD5r_II-So5X9wA7Q7s6LjA_FqjRw8AzT_IIp7CFW1T-_Pb5GhO1IJSekIvhkde7_MF2cxrYw3jMl48QFudzwoL83nxmQHRtay1hv6P_DtKxjUXdANSgB/s640/Wedding+party+dinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding party dinner participants arrive to a setting sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was music during the dinner, from a performing family!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTE-ZKKHlptlta6AKgYo0zj6Ksa_EeKr7EGXCvIcxlR4L9FSGOETR5BlyE5IP1TQdBCPlmeT8BSlEDwQwvQ5ax6SQc84IFIGpkWUu1SccpXG4aplon8s0W3tDtiowh3TxtvQpeMHvO3BU/s1600/Family+of+entertainers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTE-ZKKHlptlta6AKgYo0zj6Ksa_EeKr7EGXCvIcxlR4L9FSGOETR5BlyE5IP1TQdBCPlmeT8BSlEDwQwvQ5ax6SQc84IFIGpkWUu1SccpXG4aplon8s0W3tDtiowh3TxtvQpeMHvO3BU/s320/Family+of+entertainers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family sang in Spanish, English and Italian</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87GZ5QBkVC0G_ky74l-Q_B45cYYtb3Io05yVqp01JTLAAZua4ZXtAMYDRrlNeQZepmWZ-jSLF00A-sDGUW9aZFpyPlOCvCSA4jhmkgAU7Qa1l3YN0VgBHlRGceAa3Rwwld5p3OODpa2KU/s1600/Family+of+entertainers+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87GZ5QBkVC0G_ky74l-Q_B45cYYtb3Io05yVqp01JTLAAZua4ZXtAMYDRrlNeQZepmWZ-jSLF00A-sDGUW9aZFpyPlOCvCSA4jhmkgAU7Qa1l3YN0VgBHlRGceAa3Rwwld5p3OODpa2KU/s320/Family+of+entertainers+02.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musica maravillosa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuda98QvnO85Ni-WTm3Yort93kL52E-e7pv7o0RkernJdzj_ktRq9EmcMA3DbLuG__qzzA0f6VdXCEGHqCOWBcc0F9EGfEzlcv-wfxzSZQwGnGA_UNjKTmHTcBSCtSPIYuCczMcULNZE7/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuda98QvnO85Ni-WTm3Yort93kL52E-e7pv7o0RkernJdzj_ktRq9EmcMA3DbLuG__qzzA0f6VdXCEGHqCOWBcc0F9EGfEzlcv-wfxzSZQwGnGA_UNjKTmHTcBSCtSPIYuCczMcULNZE7/s320/Sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun says goodbye for the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The dinner, and all of the merriment, were wonderful.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDVek4oH7SOMoKQX5myKSVv_SSXKLTb-BARXCxLdl2vWiRbwhdJUjS5cHHyseRsUU7j3XZISJGBF8Nj5M2v2yxOfkew7LrOdJpf5fe22I0iudCkRgIou1Wo4plK-wifXe4vj5ntRrpoug/s1600/More+participants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDVek4oH7SOMoKQX5myKSVv_SSXKLTb-BARXCxLdl2vWiRbwhdJUjS5cHHyseRsUU7j3XZISJGBF8Nj5M2v2yxOfkew7LrOdJpf5fe22I0iudCkRgIou1Wo4plK-wifXe4vj5ntRrpoug/s320/More+participants.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother of bride, flanked by usual suspects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmr9ynVfI3sQjrH6I7zZUS8ZGnfQyy6Cw3BSndhbMHR9sFJSvcVvQcfCGWip1I6uawaaU-ZkSDrZDvWMbQUZEeuJPFdBhMyyuqTw7wcbW7XNSnIzP7frdqMZRXzAe9K0k7YIOLv76Ne_3/s1600/Participants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmr9ynVfI3sQjrH6I7zZUS8ZGnfQyy6Cw3BSndhbMHR9sFJSvcVvQcfCGWip1I6uawaaU-ZkSDrZDvWMbQUZEeuJPFdBhMyyuqTw7wcbW7XNSnIzP7frdqMZRXzAe9K0k7YIOLv76Ne_3/s320/Participants.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: relative of bride, bride, father of bride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidigFR3YB_OPJt_M7zF-rvoEZlPx_dgRJgWBYT4ELoQmEDfhaoY0hilOr0JW2N4aOdL0h9fqEcuOId-QMTgbQNqdmw7Pp-dnsmr50TAhE_jsh7rL4J9BHDEW3pmXTKJyWRLaj-s0jkkBJ3/s1600/Serious+participants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidigFR3YB_OPJt_M7zF-rvoEZlPx_dgRJgWBYT4ELoQmEDfhaoY0hilOr0JW2N4aOdL0h9fqEcuOId-QMTgbQNqdmw7Pp-dnsmr50TAhE_jsh7rL4J9BHDEW3pmXTKJyWRLaj-s0jkkBJ3/s400/Serious+participants.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father of bride, flanked by usual suspects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were back to our rooms at a civilized hour, conserving social energy for tomorrow's wedding.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Santa Marta: Day 2</span></b><br />
<br />
Today we walked to the <a href="http://proyectos.banrepcultural.org/museo-del-oro-tairona/es/english">Museo del Oro Tairona</a>. The ground floor has artifacts made of metal and stone.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJTGPqEMy-s-_CVtdryAvvUkdSggHnCiVh7vjDXerivOFb2U9YQHbXI7i6KMRSUyrmeZTOOY1ofpUBw7FgF8FbUdj5H__Tv-ACnyivNyiTWsFl-vOc0FXoA95kSOycv3e_RrT_Wn-asPH/s1600/Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJTGPqEMy-s-_CVtdryAvvUkdSggHnCiVh7vjDXerivOFb2U9YQHbXI7i6KMRSUyrmeZTOOY1ofpUBw7FgF8FbUdj5H__Tv-ACnyivNyiTWsFl-vOc0FXoA95kSOycv3e_RrT_Wn-asPH/s320/Head.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Metal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPE1_LFxb453dDE2PWryPAcXxffWLZFdebd8Cb6R-l_jqPnLTQIoSb8QaNsGlIdF_RCkLCJXer6uWJzQbyvromvWMB6DHnP7orCnPFZQnIKhTom7EcSRSO_OiO8-EEjp1_ZUUQaMz16T-/s1600/Cayman+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPE1_LFxb453dDE2PWryPAcXxffWLZFdebd8Cb6R-l_jqPnLTQIoSb8QaNsGlIdF_RCkLCJXer6uWJzQbyvromvWMB6DHnP7orCnPFZQnIKhTom7EcSRSO_OiO8-EEjp1_ZUUQaMz16T-/s320/Cayman+Man.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cayman Man performing dance in annual parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv3lsFeUD9Fb6RQYjXU0J95W3YpMSOP6GHMBSRbep_P_aSW52fvnNss4Jwx_6GvCBEcnQQlN5LQuTtlpC4LbPOcYfOrdXcgXH13JhKiCJEzafFw78R9B5uq0PwdmjgVeD8RiohkLVRuez/s1600/Plaza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv3lsFeUD9Fb6RQYjXU0J95W3YpMSOP6GHMBSRbep_P_aSW52fvnNss4Jwx_6GvCBEcnQQlN5LQuTtlpC4LbPOcYfOrdXcgXH13JhKiCJEzafFw78R9B5uq0PwdmjgVeD8RiohkLVRuez/s400/Plaza.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looking out from second floor of the museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Pleasant murals greeted us, as well as plazas, including the one around the cathedral.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3KgtrzKSt8aU9cdGlRE2u-_Olo3TSnJshlZw-0bubfxH7-jAqfrH2xFxntZuYTCLV78aNTo5gdV7ZEH0ddWSJCIEn4iYH9pUT69qICS9d3_PW26KJScpySj__VTyhhwA2m7MSkjaTToA/s1600/Colors.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3KgtrzKSt8aU9cdGlRE2u-_Olo3TSnJshlZw-0bubfxH7-jAqfrH2xFxntZuYTCLV78aNTo5gdV7ZEH0ddWSJCIEn4iYH9pUT69qICS9d3_PW26KJScpySj__VTyhhwA2m7MSkjaTToA/s400/Colors.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Twkgfj4CyNg9PicfrqKoXgBFulmqzheyItvpvFHDIoaHG4YnFmMp16s3WY7lNUC7XtZMxLX1J-sGJP6LHDSvKpgh0ph3rkgCLhZGLJcBGb1CYqh7fbP_OE4pC5o5Zos9png-aMX8GzgE/s1600/Mural+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a> </div>
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Pleasant colors <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Twkgfj4CyNg9PicfrqKoXgBFulmqzheyItvpvFHDIoaHG4YnFmMp16s3WY7lNUC7XtZMxLX1J-sGJP6LHDSvKpgh0ph3rkgCLhZGLJcBGb1CYqh7fbP_OE4pC5o5Zos9png-aMX8GzgE/s320/Mural+02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mural</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmexSH2b4OfmtWEu_WHo5qnWyv9kBtKgxAoAyXB_SZlQTBGaJbfCFIG-dmh_mHdz_13yS0ni1_QRSrl9WJbOqYJnnDbGwcxja2ov829CznSS5mwn8GY0hMzRmYYf_29b65yIzr-dKhYVv/s320/Mural.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSUBDBxDe6cAWECCYPTIrdx7qnmrUH6V9yOwfFMODC93NhwgpH32iRucEFRUKPywNGFIdb3PnB0Gv1KpezzaHjOXmkauuiWzR_KVwUJyzGSdE8gWc7IB909vt611pfXibvIrUG1pBqy3a/s320/Cathedral.jpg" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cathedral Basilica of Santa Marta</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3s7iGYX_pFSW-VUO2SxxfHCLR3aQt9kkeeK7CDU28ZN1AX_pYOsSWFtIbzzVNF_EuUZ4juCFVj-UEGPRVQUIuQE9Q_V49sOBHV4j4B80rwQCzgCKvP1yUQd4EUUYLhrJoBTwNmn4pBKa9/s1600/Exotique.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3s7iGYX_pFSW-VUO2SxxfHCLR3aQt9kkeeK7CDU28ZN1AX_pYOsSWFtIbzzVNF_EuUZ4juCFVj-UEGPRVQUIuQE9Q_V49sOBHV4j4B80rwQCzgCKvP1yUQd4EUUYLhrJoBTwNmn4pBKa9/s320/Exotique.jpg" /></a> <br />
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Fruit cart <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDblQpqpS6tqMvlwTrwl22l8Z-FQRBepAwTP3kplSwypRYZ5EjdsMjBXzG-hRBlXGTuQN7F-t-ERwCY34ePjMKxXNnctDYfPkpC66DQfkoJU5rWzk7Nt_5nnPeA_vtAb2lCWbsAyPc9_bo/s1600/Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDblQpqpS6tqMvlwTrwl22l8Z-FQRBepAwTP3kplSwypRYZ5EjdsMjBXzG-hRBlXGTuQN7F-t-ERwCY34ePjMKxXNnctDYfPkpC66DQfkoJU5rWzk7Nt_5nnPeA_vtAb2lCWbsAyPc9_bo/s320/Flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvSX8aAHNkb26feGf2SQ6QEYhKtmOERQyEfkmU81KZReU66epqMrcW1neq7CdOwGjY9PC2lCQB16FRgCYkNy-525DsR399lu1WRkLTFL5Iur5fLA2hrSozRVXicfBcebzja5r2aFztewN/s1600/Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvSX8aAHNkb26feGf2SQ6QEYhKtmOERQyEfkmU81KZReU66epqMrcW1neq7CdOwGjY9PC2lCQB16FRgCYkNy-525DsR399lu1WRkLTFL5Iur5fLA2hrSozRVXicfBcebzja5r2aFztewN/s320/Hotel.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hotels along waterfront</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>The Wedding</b><br />
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Guests were requested to turn off their phones during the ceremony. So I have no photos of the actual wedding, but took some shortly thereafter, and at the marathon known as the reception.<br />
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The wedding took place on the Santa Marta Marina:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh5o448I2m7wLRuX1la8kX3UBuvWO1ZqHXQR38M697Q-gpkB9w34UryQeZRgqgpXxZ_yV8ny4WfXWM6LF0ymfUI-1fqAcpt6By3EjmOTbQ5Av4ps4vc8pUzwwmuBHVpcrNa2JNcQ7DkUd/s1600/Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh5o448I2m7wLRuX1la8kX3UBuvWO1ZqHXQR38M697Q-gpkB9w34UryQeZRgqgpXxZ_yV8ny4WfXWM6LF0ymfUI-1fqAcpt6By3EjmOTbQ5Av4ps4vc8pUzwwmuBHVpcrNa2JNcQ7DkUd/s320/Shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxDx9e3b0d47h70OM1AngRSK9E4Zo8JBJbjRa0QCP4EMc88pCQ9urqTGZ0ZVqDkmxSkdz9XjRbCEh6t915iQeQQRnL4ume9o5ROVcizRAXShNMAFehH-svXuOUXAdA_mZfJR3m1T5Xx0y/s1600/Wedding+site.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxDx9e3b0d47h70OM1AngRSK9E4Zo8JBJbjRa0QCP4EMc88pCQ9urqTGZ0ZVqDkmxSkdz9XjRbCEh6t915iQeQQRnL4ume9o5ROVcizRAXShNMAFehH-svXuOUXAdA_mZfJR3m1T5Xx0y/s320/Wedding+site.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<br />
Wedding site <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8VwWTk0P1ZK8DbY4J7x5XPRahKcwoUGTHAF7HPId9Rf2yHm4qPZ0FX7X_sOUiMcaSDJtDXOEzKJUG-n0lQ9A9KvG2V-lbZPORWM18_axSQ64WEE7GAbF9Zk1J11awg-qv_P5s7mMy4Uq/s1600/View+of+shoreline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8VwWTk0P1ZK8DbY4J7x5XPRahKcwoUGTHAF7HPId9Rf2yHm4qPZ0FX7X_sOUiMcaSDJtDXOEzKJUG-n0lQ9A9KvG2V-lbZPORWM18_axSQ64WEE7GAbF9Zk1J11awg-qv_P5s7mMy4Uq/s640/View+of+shoreline.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8cOcnR1-Kq5wgSRMYOPMyv1nwXDPqDuDDjm2uTqCg70IWxiHW09HdQD_D6hhgM4-qAY6vawiR40TANJBJWaSUk9ZdVT6Sgf_n48QkM4Kh02oQYr-t2IzjWK5aT-xiF3UdzBlk-XtCH3V/s1600/Violin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8cOcnR1-Kq5wgSRMYOPMyv1nwXDPqDuDDjm2uTqCg70IWxiHW09HdQD_D6hhgM4-qAY6vawiR40TANJBJWaSUk9ZdVT6Sgf_n48QkM4Kh02oQYr-t2IzjWK5aT-xiF3UdzBlk-XtCH3V/s400/Violin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violin music before ceremony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3kRhDaDyjQJkyqqAMFacSSIODeNvTXFw05g2iYNeaNjC7UjwMFZ5bjIioLVatU8ETde_GHidtZCzlgPjYMyar3wA9NhPBNtfioPepfvusHqz3sXAk0nToX0_DcNMr6KPEQFmdrKeGJC9/s400/Sunset+after+ceremony.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKaa8YXJM-7YLdYkZE_X9_1Vt0Q4PZfCyfp4hxeMW2H0Hm2F77LHR_S0QguXBP_eVMVv88M2ljiUdU4-PnXYBWCuc9w3BN7SiXtgUv72PounIIkeKPMswjSrrNrLhUbGysuFTKhw-XlvD/s1600/Sunset+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKaa8YXJM-7YLdYkZE_X9_1Vt0Q4PZfCyfp4hxeMW2H0Hm2F77LHR_S0QguXBP_eVMVv88M2ljiUdU4-PnXYBWCuc9w3BN7SiXtgUv72PounIIkeKPMswjSrrNrLhUbGysuFTKhw-XlvD/s400/Sunset+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at the marina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b>The Reception</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-o1gxFTdEjxkffBTOqSCQYGlv9DgGyu5oEQcSlZ-XRANlfrRst2liEGmeOLUKan9XseBZL6KtbFavHkEbr09UuWRpWbzXzOL_YqNO7WPFeh3F27pV0ih2FQFFmQC22guYQb__wDRWLXD/s1600/Musicians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-o1gxFTdEjxkffBTOqSCQYGlv9DgGyu5oEQcSlZ-XRANlfrRst2liEGmeOLUKan9XseBZL6KtbFavHkEbr09UuWRpWbzXzOL_YqNO7WPFeh3F27pV0ih2FQFFmQC22guYQb__wDRWLXD/s320/Musicians.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT_0EkwbWcYFn0EQ6i5SXJ__nlK4khGr-Gv9cyrB5e7OC8PElJ9UdbTGeZ4vL1gT9XswpmGD3-PMDGQ5CkzH57ivHO5ME-1gShOlFXBLQNikPBk7iN0qDXhrLwFKZlGQboTtO6QjdRVEo/s1600/Dancers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT_0EkwbWcYFn0EQ6i5SXJ__nlK4khGr-Gv9cyrB5e7OC8PElJ9UdbTGeZ4vL1gT9XswpmGD3-PMDGQ5CkzH57ivHO5ME-1gShOlFXBLQNikPBk7iN0qDXhrLwFKZlGQboTtO6QjdRVEo/s320/Dancers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyrLJ0NGf8bTDlhtB0DBgz395NzgYRHitBOFx8ta0v9GIcbCdeZgzVz2XMhZ1bW73H2-70A3Dw1sh-lw6w9UR4eqjKQxmb3J6c4HhWxTyNWXjI77LPQSA_fEa5pC8iQcIiSAwrbui6m1S/s1600/Entering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyrLJ0NGf8bTDlhtB0DBgz395NzgYRHitBOFx8ta0v9GIcbCdeZgzVz2XMhZ1bW73H2-70A3Dw1sh-lw6w9UR4eqjKQxmb3J6c4HhWxTyNWXjI77LPQSA_fEa5pC8iQcIiSAwrbui6m1S/s400/Entering.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the reception</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPClTgfNqCysJqL4QWeM26yo4qUn6_HLw5Kuafk8b6ieyRPHjuI48Ic42o-sXaNc0PdEvNLXLrnU3GQ-_0n7IMc15Z0xdG0MNkNY2H1TNBtfY0UxxnPlFQ9RMnGqO1hmWLeW5ISr9HQUua/s1600/Dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPClTgfNqCysJqL4QWeM26yo4qUn6_HLw5Kuafk8b6ieyRPHjuI48Ic42o-sXaNc0PdEvNLXLrnU3GQ-_0n7IMc15Z0xdG0MNkNY2H1TNBtfY0UxxnPlFQ9RMnGqO1hmWLeW5ISr9HQUua/s400/Dessert.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcZ9HdGV9AP7DzsLZVOo7f4hiZ29MxfVcFpTvnaZxBcvoSeahhYzUsE5xGRhPNWx1hML0IJicYZgHOs4bmhDeb2KdgiZaaIjM0tLHmf6DYn-J3U2_ZGJKaX2NXird2LmX3yiR3RA_KF5v/s1600/First+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcZ9HdGV9AP7DzsLZVOo7f4hiZ29MxfVcFpTvnaZxBcvoSeahhYzUsE5xGRhPNWx1hML0IJicYZgHOs4bmhDeb2KdgiZaaIjM0tLHmf6DYn-J3U2_ZGJKaX2NXird2LmX3yiR3RA_KF5v/s640/First+dance.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bride and father</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDReSzB2tdMJXfV_3OySC1ufoXXNp-cY8UcENDuMQsi-ARl4bukqR4Szo_ClH30RfqYJ7cc4Cj7z1T0ETwXs-Q1gcvKvDiBt66ayNPQ4j3O5B96YMAl3kkzJH2gvmCOdS8Q16QaqhZCbG/s1600/Dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDReSzB2tdMJXfV_3OySC1ufoXXNp-cY8UcENDuMQsi-ARl4bukqR4Szo_ClH30RfqYJ7cc4Cj7z1T0ETwXs-Q1gcvKvDiBt66ayNPQ4j3O5B96YMAl3kkzJH2gvmCOdS8Q16QaqhZCbG/s640/Dancing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Active dance floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpgIg2UsBiAIH4UiAcs3-NpY-YGL6-B5K7PG8uKT8BeW2k7uNHKqY0m5ZRSzD9oYZ7YJgp25_9dLGfq_Zx3okv2qU_55vGilzx0n-SI8CZewrxFwg5glvWCV-BK3s-_EzAUVK5g83pMpj/s1600/Singer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpgIg2UsBiAIH4UiAcs3-NpY-YGL6-B5K7PG8uKT8BeW2k7uNHKqY0m5ZRSzD9oYZ7YJgp25_9dLGfq_Zx3okv2qU_55vGilzx0n-SI8CZewrxFwg5glvWCV-BK3s-_EzAUVK5g83pMpj/s400/Singer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead singer in band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh2R2Dc7kvkwGr_Vn09CfY6JK88MTyJ4hAvi-lHaweEaQFoEr84ni2sDy_XwyvhoIzdQBGI22KSDg7axfo_VBLw1u-mIMNkfIDSokRjUHkMVSDxiZgfFcFmt8GM5UwueP2YP9YcmlVMAs/s1600/Marcia+plus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1288" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh2R2Dc7kvkwGr_Vn09CfY6JK88MTyJ4hAvi-lHaweEaQFoEr84ni2sDy_XwyvhoIzdQBGI22KSDg7axfo_VBLw1u-mIMNkfIDSokRjUHkMVSDxiZgfFcFmt8GM5UwueP2YP9YcmlVMAs/s640/Marcia+plus.jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaming mom and stepdad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35rN20TMBnayqmBMwefS0NGnmnY_sPeN6AgDWoPx359l4RKV7faAPE5xsMz50ckl2hnnNNY8cIeZ_AUAaapMuQ6E0-UmfE0yCBYlTt6BLNOVNNUANEZcuq_kA2CaHutYfhlcpTi8m0fUi/s1600/Musicians+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35rN20TMBnayqmBMwefS0NGnmnY_sPeN6AgDWoPx359l4RKV7faAPE5xsMz50ckl2hnnNNY8cIeZ_AUAaapMuQ6E0-UmfE0yCBYlTt6BLNOVNNUANEZcuq_kA2CaHutYfhlcpTi8m0fUi/s400/Musicians+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaA1Bw9W61B0Vyuu2SeW-CxqkeN58u6pFJneaWg2mF82E6WHwJ7_DcZ4oiIow6CT5yS5PJwOjqsOhyh9z406v0AORfdVjDr6hpR1lA0Rz_fTFkX8pvamM1Ns9g_Da1l-DSJILBeow7qB2j/s1600/Tofler+plus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaA1Bw9W61B0Vyuu2SeW-CxqkeN58u6pFJneaWg2mF82E6WHwJ7_DcZ4oiIow6CT5yS5PJwOjqsOhyh9z406v0AORfdVjDr6hpR1lA0Rz_fTFkX8pvamM1Ns9g_Da1l-DSJILBeow7qB2j/s400/Tofler+plus.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bride and groom dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzJXYGI2eYqAVzRtOJTirmTvWEANPghmxE5fb2_3WvJHGzFl4ViHDf2r2lL3U7tsXR02XMLUgoyOvvn9V-ymydXme2sTzwB824tJxHl7SI0JnynvXou73zOaYNrXSnqtS7DZnXMiQ5_wO/s1600/Tofler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzJXYGI2eYqAVzRtOJTirmTvWEANPghmxE5fb2_3WvJHGzFl4ViHDf2r2lL3U7tsXR02XMLUgoyOvvn9V-ymydXme2sTzwB824tJxHl7SI0JnynvXou73zOaYNrXSnqtS7DZnXMiQ5_wO/s320/Tofler.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bride dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqTo6lTgqH7EjiEo4pvbZB24k-f3CLqsEUtnbd61Plw8aDZ-e-PSOQfQn1lIArsuqxhhk1hbojd3Z1K0YJJ-6HjA4AWFlCzLvjvjAMVXfWBsC7SbFrh-HYixx2LSCMxAymTM2PIRfSh6s/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqTo6lTgqH7EjiEo4pvbZB24k-f3CLqsEUtnbd61Plw8aDZ-e-PSOQfQn1lIArsuqxhhk1hbojd3Z1K0YJJ-6HjA4AWFlCzLvjvjAMVXfWBsC7SbFrh-HYixx2LSCMxAymTM2PIRfSh6s/s640/IMG_3180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing masks and dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Monday's newspaper</b><br />
<br />
Monday's Santa Marta newspaper had several photos from the wedding. Thanks for the bride's father for catching this.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY70SzO4XLa07JFaIv0lwQSd337JlgP5wk9Pwnodwbwt1RjS_MZuLwg5MpVlj_xK-okTKh-FV2QXuJJ50Sc88SoeJIDTagd9nt_WT9I4rkjgZa1CnEt7M7AwSXmJr3-mTGeCVJOYMmziTG/s1600/IMG_0821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="447" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY70SzO4XLa07JFaIv0lwQSd337JlgP5wk9Pwnodwbwt1RjS_MZuLwg5MpVlj_xK-okTKh-FV2QXuJJ50Sc88SoeJIDTagd9nt_WT9I4rkjgZa1CnEt7M7AwSXmJr3-mTGeCVJOYMmziTG/s640/IMG_0821.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bride and groom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJkXn3fhTsWAkyOyYAnSvT8180o3zlaP92-UNklntwyUyNSqrjmh6y666dxnW9MwOxbeG0KttUW7FxBMLTkR09gTFc-vbpiDvcpsUawXMti_-K0m4vXFbxc8bq2uxDTMGO85ZM9fbdjf0/s1600/IMG_0822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="598" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJkXn3fhTsWAkyOyYAnSvT8180o3zlaP92-UNklntwyUyNSqrjmh6y666dxnW9MwOxbeG0KttUW7FxBMLTkR09gTFc-vbpiDvcpsUawXMti_-K0m4vXFbxc8bq2uxDTMGO85ZM9fbdjf0/s640/IMG_0822.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bride and groom, flanked by parents and step-parents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Santa Marta: Day 3</span></b><br />
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The temperature hit 90 today, so being outside was a bit of a shock, after experiencing the low teens several days ago.<br />
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<b>Brunch by the Wate</b>r<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG8uNqDEOMyWiuUSiAfEHixi_IIzZoIcr1QuR7QD2rJeYIlWFqd3JyENbL37YZET3eZJEM2pWFMCb47xo1PKMfMMegTn7iO1Fz9uYIsYsVVAudLpnRGWzYorvTl49AIB481dHA8IGzBLM/s1600/Bora+Bora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG8uNqDEOMyWiuUSiAfEHixi_IIzZoIcr1QuR7QD2rJeYIlWFqd3JyENbL37YZET3eZJEM2pWFMCb47xo1PKMfMMegTn7iO1Fz9uYIsYsVVAudLpnRGWzYorvTl49AIB481dHA8IGzBLM/s640/Bora+Bora.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smart people were in the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><a href="http://www.museobolivariano.org.co/quinta-de-san-pedro-alejandrino/" target="_blank">Quinta de San Pedro de Alejandrino</a></b><br />
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The death place of Simon Bolivar, liberator of several Spanish colonies. There were several paintings and sculptures of Bolivar. There were also several art galleries with interesting works.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI86NXVyONk86_lCqkBT4cyCy9u4vP6W8Cz8RZG4_JrsBEYoE6-44G_cDNgwlv7G6MHCSfD8hJ3pglBfaQwD4ur5SWvgR4W6G88ybRZpgTI0AF-1QN5CNWdIFblPDEVWBOGMTnEcI_CgP/s1600/Simon+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI86NXVyONk86_lCqkBT4cyCy9u4vP6W8Cz8RZG4_JrsBEYoE6-44G_cDNgwlv7G6MHCSfD8hJ3pglBfaQwD4ur5SWvgR4W6G88ybRZpgTI0AF-1QN5CNWdIFblPDEVWBOGMTnEcI_CgP/s400/Simon+02.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Bolivar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd2eLBtsnsIGypP0p3r29c74CPw2YMUXyTLys7dJVpB1bx7_7CLELW02tBEZkaj0JToWXn7172NJfvHvdi72OlAS3zFz1y6SDGhszyhyvyYqs17FcMrvWapeNwtpqp9N_u_ITtHGoMFqJ/s1600/Simon+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="855" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd2eLBtsnsIGypP0p3r29c74CPw2YMUXyTLys7dJVpB1bx7_7CLELW02tBEZkaj0JToWXn7172NJfvHvdi72OlAS3zFz1y6SDGhszyhyvyYqs17FcMrvWapeNwtpqp9N_u_ITtHGoMFqJ/s320/Simon+03.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Bolivar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1195" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPcs_w5nTUsapWdYjgp4qHZ48ZhjUIKHoMNNydj9huGgeu7BhvdDoopQHanHgZJTzCAscR1ebxweikkZkuI0eP7Y5olv0eNFO_uPza0PsajuYy2hDuyrEU0uMo2udsNTQT6xT-D3nnqAd/s320/Simon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="239" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Bolivar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPcs_w5nTUsapWdYjgp4qHZ48ZhjUIKHoMNNydj9huGgeu7BhvdDoopQHanHgZJTzCAscR1ebxweikkZkuI0eP7Y5olv0eNFO_uPza0PsajuYy2hDuyrEU0uMo2udsNTQT6xT-D3nnqAd/s1600/Simon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPcs_w5nTUsapWdYjgp4qHZ48ZhjUIKHoMNNydj9huGgeu7BhvdDoopQHanHgZJTzCAscR1ebxweikkZkuI0eP7Y5olv0eNFO_uPza0PsajuYy2hDuyrEU0uMo2udsNTQT6xT-D3nnqAd/s1600/Simon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUGBYenmKwe2FP6n2mJEeEGDUAPOnTfgP-GLpSA4Ifkwq-sGmFP8E7fJhOcPeOAw4GeqMCLpvy7bULOsvL33snCK-k32Iv75YyojjSkva9lHvXE1LT1IWU0E68yHZxQBw6PIVx58v7AyC/s1600/Simon+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUGBYenmKwe2FP6n2mJEeEGDUAPOnTfgP-GLpSA4Ifkwq-sGmFP8E7fJhOcPeOAw4GeqMCLpvy7bULOsvL33snCK-k32Iv75YyojjSkva9lHvXE1LT1IWU0E68yHZxQBw6PIVx58v7AyC/s640/Simon+04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ser eterno es haber sido</b>, Adriana Mendéz de Bustillo, Oil on Canvas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsaT-ndKAa4mCp0Jh9yl_EfXltTP4JUSoW-jRgBRmkRUHJBk6NS1RABieJSXSdxAiFJ8xa1qk2_g8Tz3CbN0zGyiNYDkFDKz2OA5wuRw7xE8Y5NvwlTMHfYnSLCZfcK8bNpoiKKbkMiAV/s1600/Bull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsaT-ndKAa4mCp0Jh9yl_EfXltTP4JUSoW-jRgBRmkRUHJBk6NS1RABieJSXSdxAiFJ8xa1qk2_g8Tz3CbN0zGyiNYDkFDKz2OA5wuRw7xE8Y5NvwlTMHfYnSLCZfcK8bNpoiKKbkMiAV/s400/Bull.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Toro de Luz</b>, Alex Sanchez (Aleph) El Salvador, 1959; Acrylic/cloth 1994</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUpBAC0NZ0-I8uOM4LdNYQzwjHe7FLraOgitUIe1ixDauFBRaghNKRWtbFnRaxaRTNHzoo6u898eT1sejd0Uxenb5lPFYAMcHpmNK35f78_CvNkp-gWzEXTrhTt6dac1lGa8wHKMUU2V6/s1600/Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUpBAC0NZ0-I8uOM4LdNYQzwjHe7FLraOgitUIe1ixDauFBRaghNKRWtbFnRaxaRTNHzoo6u898eT1sejd0Uxenb5lPFYAMcHpmNK35f78_CvNkp-gWzEXTrhTt6dac1lGa8wHKMUU2V6/s640/Hands.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Respira Rafael, Respira</b>, Pablo Buelvas, Photograph, 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjjqF2vqM-wyVMC_e-sd9ZWRKOR2aZMsrct867T-MEbJfOJB9tG59QrN8fNphEjLkSpf7KoabmP2BofBulD9W80vEnSCilzOYWsbzKizaCQyTyfLmOOcULRX8on1jcdEqemFqy5d1go3v/s1600/Reflecting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjjqF2vqM-wyVMC_e-sd9ZWRKOR2aZMsrct867T-MEbJfOJB9tG59QrN8fNphEjLkSpf7KoabmP2BofBulD9W80vEnSCilzOYWsbzKizaCQyTyfLmOOcULRX8on1jcdEqemFqy5d1go3v/s320/Reflecting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Failed to get the details]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On the grounds there were plants and creatures.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgW90ZTL9feJNzOlS1cSkMuXvSsqrUMdU1JXtXdcD0K0QJ8viGPU_G-niF5yKVWl5nf_aaiMq_aHMlGTy0J9rBSJ1tROYPCuha1nRpPv4ByD9rrDamRrnSt5v0bpsLDksaH0a_H4mwPjK/s320/Cacti.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpRx6zR9W7K6GCj6MxKyhNqcsD80HaIeDpxOrKLtime-xaD-Qsp5oQYRKIDhIT6SSly7rPLegdV7fn8XSeJWu0iZYt4xqxlLOIC3k6N_nX0yVNMiyn5p1hFNsSSo4tHuBbCklqJDMwZnG/s320/Flower.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOAYCgVXNZk7-yuT2a89qIY0tI618aI0pfxIRI4mmfhlFBjPGhAL-vB52Q0BhcOUUACsarPgePR2j7DyptIYxqNMOudiD1TXq6-d6Vgdyw8fyjbJ07Vrzk-6q-eHmuHLZoN7KinSaKxao/s320/Fruit+02.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZY6NxGtNRpxYJqNiEgTOr-9Ryb23ehG77c0bK_ASeJKlh5nw0L4WCxLA_qjCsm_AYAvBWaydSikselXk6qq06wVD75B7BUAdUtVGGv389NqDvnZkxGAAX6EZYACumZIym_mr4NoO_zkUC/s320/Fruit.jpg" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTnKLD7Wp9CCqPH7pz-put0SLTdX_MvhW3XusmAvMfLhRJAsCkntnYzaFq44KuNfUsw6gqrW0AVkxGs8h6RBtGfCyPzJCP0Ia0rSs0kdii-z-iisebGb6Gh2T4Y1IXRMSaqw8gpJqz9TM/s1600/Iguana.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTnKLD7Wp9CCqPH7pz-put0SLTdX_MvhW3XusmAvMfLhRJAsCkntnYzaFq44KuNfUsw6gqrW0AVkxGs8h6RBtGfCyPzJCP0Ia0rSs0kdii-z-iisebGb6Gh2T4Y1IXRMSaqw8gpJqz9TM/s320/Iguana.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Day of the Iguana (apologies to Tennessee Williams) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsiVfemloPGql88M-kpuWDC9aBzPoDRBk7hEfSQNGua_wiGC0nLwkOZcCBpfbMRDPao9qlcgCPU0hLZo7H69yN7IZFmsxrDz-pPCCj1n11pOuPBAyaMAJrzV5CbdwUtOczEcNL3dwh4d6/s1600/IMG_E3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="823" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsiVfemloPGql88M-kpuWDC9aBzPoDRBk7hEfSQNGua_wiGC0nLwkOZcCBpfbMRDPao9qlcgCPU0hLZo7H69yN7IZFmsxrDz-pPCCj1n11pOuPBAyaMAJrzV5CbdwUtOczEcNL3dwh4d6/s320/IMG_E3237.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hoped that this creature, and his three friends, were not hungry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKlYj6IrnoojUNTg9a1UcjBIJNV-cFayzRJ1LudOhSJmO6qb8KeLpMmFQ52jk5CQ7UVXgAZYAL7zaYkzK6CL_1pmF5cU4LV3nsjtWNaksDs9Kd0ESK9N40J5bKBbFC7TPDVTIzdFb8AxR/s1600/Papillon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="943" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKlYj6IrnoojUNTg9a1UcjBIJNV-cFayzRJ1LudOhSJmO6qb8KeLpMmFQ52jk5CQ7UVXgAZYAL7zaYkzK6CL_1pmF5cU4LV3nsjtWNaksDs9Kd0ESK9N40J5bKBbFC7TPDVTIzdFb8AxR/s320/Papillon.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariposa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In the evening several of us walked into the heart of Santa Marta for some street food.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3ytL-MRJ_KK9Lzpue518wuO7G8hzMUpg95i9jdueYlXwGKa5tYFxNsSItjMABXBECBQ4XhZtjfJP8doWb6OMN_pTpItIetgOB6jxWXE_66p3iYbOV0_sDopJpDtWtQOe2WZ_By3t6Nxa/s1600/Arepas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3ytL-MRJ_KK9Lzpue518wuO7G8hzMUpg95i9jdueYlXwGKa5tYFxNsSItjMABXBECBQ4XhZtjfJP8doWb6OMN_pTpItIetgOB6jxWXE_66p3iYbOV0_sDopJpDtWtQOe2WZ_By3t6Nxa/s400/Arepas.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arepas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">In Transit to Villa de Leyva: Day 4</span></b><br />
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A long day of travel, broken up by a visit to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU8wCITsgnpbS364XGqXwddha7-6N3ebwXrE-Il1_sqOLeRtwHZYkZ-hOwgB96sEmRcc6siMqDyaQ4jHuRVHm7mvHx5qjbVOqvjXym_XeUw_sXlorKbU65cv6pyw6coM1uXAMMrGOhEpX/s1600/SM+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU8wCITsgnpbS364XGqXwddha7-6N3ebwXrE-Il1_sqOLeRtwHZYkZ-hOwgB96sEmRcc6siMqDyaQ4jHuRVHm7mvHx5qjbVOqvjXym_XeUw_sXlorKbU65cv6pyw6coM1uXAMMrGOhEpX/s400/SM+01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS3m2dl5fuF10G2Ng4-9K9koPg2TZMOBGM2EV8VInXOzz8a_Y5Q-MQ7RPlAxdCd7At6ZjTGid92OKnVB8nSMe6abx9sgjODHAHvTxtTGNWcZayxrQUBMpaHU_d4VvvgF8G19JJaLw2ryN/s400/SM+02.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIdQBLeYG0NG_QP2fCgv9Dwo7r4D5LWu-9wWN2O7jfwdGUGdaIgmNkUDWCCFZFySla8jGr2pmkTp6qSHxYNABuC8It208uVl5McIjF3FGHCFI7Q2OBzBuOUae2myHGKcS6_GOY2M2Pijl/s320/SM+03.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw5nkmK8FGoukjwYCMxGygd2OU6vNK1fiikLp4r91mkq1Jp7C-X2nWE5vTuGfpD2fgLuPzsj-xKw35DbFf5uW7czjZqNMAXVI3mh0lSbMRR1-_8Ghndp8Hlt7Fo_l9z2LuejWSz5fz0_T/s320/SM+04.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn1sY6nojOgr4B7e82WB0RJPxdYt8KWGdOJ-KiWAW1cfPpJIUGKJPMPBd0VmJb6r67luKuiVT8Ao7pFVXh45qa2Evn_ml7Ooz-aejbg9NXiw0sYD4uv1X8xMazhQzw-ra0Z9Vjgk5e6IB/s320/SM+05.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2-1mRQAN9nLlAmIBHcye-au1enNrUSwJACM04YZOldovCvb-kcTljpaPAUrKBzZ8KUXk-CB8Hq-OQXMoW7cshtPX0Rg4Yngr0Rt16cBSaZ2KaBiE6H7tFoHbrz2T12NyxVkJKtdtd1NQ/s320/SM+07.jpg" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBhfrb3GhuwexQeon-4fsc_uQWW6xMJo9UaU1_JALsQvw6oKmRyEf9fsxb3WDXLwsoJBNCSvwC_tS6Am-a9hllSDm_vkcytB-UlR9uEzzS0usZwzJ3DU3u0y6J7jfR3pyNwfvPpqqW0jc/s1600/SM+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBhfrb3GhuwexQeon-4fsc_uQWW6xMJo9UaU1_JALsQvw6oKmRyEf9fsxb3WDXLwsoJBNCSvwC_tS6Am-a9hllSDm_vkcytB-UlR9uEzzS0usZwzJ3DU3u0y6J7jfR3pyNwfvPpqqW0jc/s320/SM+08.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
After the visit to the Cathedral, we stopped for lunch. Some of my fellow travelers asked why there was a thick layer of pond scum on my beverage. How indelicate!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNCzsV8wn9ypq-XgnGsru625Q9YcpEkeVk5vMmHCml0XLHUmHBXZxtU2i7b2qsDvBN0HjffW87baahyQx46tUjgMNF-Z-qVwWMw4mxcMkR7Npxv5Yb3IbL4dRe5UQ7XjNCKwQct4m841c/s1600/Beverage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNCzsV8wn9ypq-XgnGsru625Q9YcpEkeVk5vMmHCml0XLHUmHBXZxtU2i7b2qsDvBN0HjffW87baahyQx46tUjgMNF-Z-qVwWMw4mxcMkR7Npxv5Yb3IbL4dRe5UQ7XjNCKwQct4m841c/s320/Beverage.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond Scum on the rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVopmQMvZPfE0U8d5dDYGtKnm0NzrxvQrTpRPi-PPqHLKOxj1k2S1DbN86eXEYZ_GmPJcIwkMeqd1_2u48F0Dc2W66Zkbdb94lQl94u9NqvTvCP0WfYwLMm_bZA9EEQCgEuJkfVkAlRo94/s1600/Plato+vegetariano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVopmQMvZPfE0U8d5dDYGtKnm0NzrxvQrTpRPi-PPqHLKOxj1k2S1DbN86eXEYZ_GmPJcIwkMeqd1_2u48F0Dc2W66Zkbdb94lQl94u9NqvTvCP0WfYwLMm_bZA9EEQCgEuJkfVkAlRo94/s400/Plato+vegetariano.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried plantain; avocado on steroids with mushrooms, corn and sauce; fries.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Villa de Leyva: Day 5</span></b><br />
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In the morning our group of 17 tourists from the US visited three sites just outside of town: Convento Ecce Homo and <a href="http://envilladeleyva.com/ck15-hacer-y-comer/ck24-museos-y-atracciones/museo-el-fosil-monquira/" target="_blank">Museo el Fósil</a>.<br />
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Then it was time for lunch.<br />
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In the afternoon we walked around town.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYZStwWEsyiheh39mSgm8LUWXSPZ5VAoW73UMXubhyphenhyphenqy28GtzUsRJ6VpavJKmZO5syaOAXXdI-vRx6fkd5nPZqJ5UUdGXuhPUqHDDsRs_vJTm1QQzQ4ZMV_Ba-auk-O6te4IrcVuT6wRt/s1600/Convento+Ecce+Homo+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYZStwWEsyiheh39mSgm8LUWXSPZ5VAoW73UMXubhyphenhyphenqy28GtzUsRJ6VpavJKmZO5syaOAXXdI-vRx6fkd5nPZqJ5UUdGXuhPUqHDDsRs_vJTm1QQzQ4ZMV_Ba-auk-O6te4IrcVuT6wRt/s400/Convento+Ecce+Homo+01.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Convento Ecce Homo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim39o_s1SuThMni-FEODMkLXtgrHRDxmJz9BI3LHgC9FwZvTMepjObPkkh4VzMedvbIwGYRDvflNVUlIB2xXZSmMsLcJulxWNZdPVvTSgQ7zzEzyW_qZBfRv9huYzK9sHP3T5_FgfFm-Ha/s1600/Convento+Ecce+Homo+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim39o_s1SuThMni-FEODMkLXtgrHRDxmJz9BI3LHgC9FwZvTMepjObPkkh4VzMedvbIwGYRDvflNVUlIB2xXZSmMsLcJulxWNZdPVvTSgQ7zzEzyW_qZBfRv9huYzK9sHP3T5_FgfFm-Ha/s400/Convento+Ecce+Homo+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior Courtyard of Convento Ecce Homo</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKEy14AoZyjtMzGoGqlrea6uZMEEJT2w1yKUJA6PGsaVuWxC5X7MtnCPCPaDalPXjGvoib3gkrNFml52RUhVhqUNSlD8Mf7Zi5n0FdFc1a1DkjJPAFdTc-tAUiw2kD09W0Mb144NX6dfS/s1600/Kronosaurus.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKEy14AoZyjtMzGoGqlrea6uZMEEJT2w1yKUJA6PGsaVuWxC5X7MtnCPCPaDalPXjGvoib3gkrNFml52RUhVhqUNSlD8Mf7Zi5n0FdFc1a1DkjJPAFdTc-tAUiw2kD09W0Mb144NX6dfS/s400/Kronosaurus.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kronosaurus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0OM1UEXmLgF4Fy2ZudLzSkHCYF0k-W3_MSBH8w3AhVdbMeBC9nwoJ0d1ss6JmA4p1x-eDVWlxLfJ9rkWYF-cGhQWAzLpVrhw8i9tAnmuw8LeiiPhdQDYpvdSi6Mu3Ner6QcBUHhHaycC/s1600/Happy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0OM1UEXmLgF4Fy2ZudLzSkHCYF0k-W3_MSBH8w3AhVdbMeBC9nwoJ0d1ss6JmA4p1x-eDVWlxLfJ9rkWYF-cGhQWAzLpVrhw8i9tAnmuw8LeiiPhdQDYpvdSi6Mu3Ner6QcBUHhHaycC/s400/Happy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carved stone, used in fertility rites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSHWJrWBbblI96ocB6bIDAy4FAeEOMf3WYzolfLzhS9ZWs_ded27eJcF6H35QMrS1Q3jMjMZLr6o1yZUgEEA2zeCUowlAmgN5W3GKTghtdVNWLCH8nG4NufJ4r0IxXuDzEFr700qQusph/s1600/IMG_3300.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSHWJrWBbblI96ocB6bIDAy4FAeEOMf3WYzolfLzhS9ZWs_ded27eJcF6H35QMrS1Q3jMjMZLr6o1yZUgEEA2zeCUowlAmgN5W3GKTghtdVNWLCH8nG4NufJ4r0IxXuDzEFr700qQusph/s320/IMG_3300.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pond scum</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1hpMk-0WR9EX5WYgO9SDh6t7wAVaP6F9N5EjG-JW4p39b07O0yUjRPjQAaOfIfX6PqheIqaZm7xqcCsDqb9-cp2Tv1ZrtaAvnqvVMbidafE9D71sq1uVMpXdgTDY_qK9P5RCViXatxei/s1600/Plaza+Mayor.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1hpMk-0WR9EX5WYgO9SDh6t7wAVaP6F9N5EjG-JW4p39b07O0yUjRPjQAaOfIfX6PqheIqaZm7xqcCsDqb9-cp2Tv1ZrtaAvnqvVMbidafE9D71sq1uVMpXdgTDY_qK9P5RCViXatxei/s640/Plaza+Mayor.jpg" /></a> <br />
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Plaza Mayor <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2erHm_3T6wZ3EDQOjWtTib2IpOyq0aut2AIsRDFXX0tei8bQXWuIkd7ftdYAO8rsA5ICuE_du4vB2qRLactzemCVFJn_ENfhIjN66FqBz_P6R3o8qiw31N6WEuuInfGfwKiMV3kcEh_K/s1600/Iglesia+del+Carmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2erHm_3T6wZ3EDQOjWtTib2IpOyq0aut2AIsRDFXX0tei8bQXWuIkd7ftdYAO8rsA5ICuE_du4vB2qRLactzemCVFJn_ENfhIjN66FqBz_P6R3o8qiw31N6WEuuInfGfwKiMV3kcEh_K/s400/Iglesia+del+Carmen.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iglesia del Carmen, near town square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsZMRcGk_cS-pNdFA3edjEBDvR8_mBVu0PtUBo0GQ2d64caSDUb1nMkUXIw_2Tx7W2mt20k6cFu3UrCh42X2eef2U5GbmDJO_CL50hXs5DQepLyNYJAEzzWXM4-SNqtu0CZyOsbhp0DGk/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsZMRcGk_cS-pNdFA3edjEBDvR8_mBVu0PtUBo0GQ2d64caSDUb1nMkUXIw_2Tx7W2mt20k6cFu3UrCh42X2eef2U5GbmDJO_CL50hXs5DQepLyNYJAEzzWXM4-SNqtu0CZyOsbhp0DGk/s320/IMG_3308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the day of tourism was over, several of us retired to a colorful wine bar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bogota: Day 6</span></b><br />
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A 180 km bus ride took us to the capital city of Bogota. It is very modern, often feeling like Europe or the west coast of the US. With modernity comes traffic, which it does not lack. There are many buses, some on their own separated lanes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLpSeaNefJzX8hWHmjldypFdeJDh17BG-rI6KjkEpmWet2YYxCJqk-lj8D8DhwFqo4G09i6eamH9I4Uzip9bZK5J9bU70nqfFf5RBp5RMoJB1JorJD4BRNCLkFnGdVLS8qBXM4-FP_wuI/s1600/Huawei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="903" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLpSeaNefJzX8hWHmjldypFdeJDh17BG-rI6KjkEpmWet2YYxCJqk-lj8D8DhwFqo4G09i6eamH9I4Uzip9bZK5J9bU70nqfFf5RBp5RMoJB1JorJD4BRNCLkFnGdVLS8qBXM4-FP_wuI/s400/Huawei.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huawei has found a place where it obviously gets some R-E-S-P-E-C-T</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMmT7xuzHAZVwlxH0Xl_b8ytcd28WW8BtBaWZtHpyNOT8FFA9NaWDuO5lwS-NS0wXwMgenoVl2z-xIJgemMFsu-OHInZEWpWrwqURfZBPQ88Svgh27VPm67wx1ZLStOno-JwaXXuaI5FC/s1600/IMG_3322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMmT7xuzHAZVwlxH0Xl_b8ytcd28WW8BtBaWZtHpyNOT8FFA9NaWDuO5lwS-NS0wXwMgenoVl2z-xIJgemMFsu-OHInZEWpWrwqURfZBPQ88Svgh27VPm67wx1ZLStOno-JwaXXuaI5FC/s320/IMG_3322.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meals on wheels, and electric scooter, in bike lane.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1JigfPVOsZSGknBj6irKyGh5WGAWXGGrYIK0HDf1Vbx5kB2ELIoDgjN0D-VEGZlmLPyhVTgRya0vQsVXsEdL4KcoU32j_QyigJbeSDMDOrMKCxCYpKUAezVSuugrJREbYkXvG1EkvBZT/s1600/Diversidad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1JigfPVOsZSGknBj6irKyGh5WGAWXGGrYIK0HDf1Vbx5kB2ELIoDgjN0D-VEGZlmLPyhVTgRya0vQsVXsEdL4KcoU32j_QyigJbeSDMDOrMKCxCYpKUAezVSuugrJREbYkXvG1EkvBZT/s400/Diversidad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIVERSIDAD (DIVERSITY)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtFC7t2B3vc1rtHVYRWWQ6m8WAy_bQjLV1grYCNnLBRHE-L4otUwDIedbrkc59zLxnIMP79qjgo5QdH9vpoj_l2PmRYwDgglGM8XdzOQ_04dO5bcANNrq0yj5VkktdjvAkmeOkXFP2zyP/s1600/Peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1559" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtFC7t2B3vc1rtHVYRWWQ6m8WAy_bQjLV1grYCNnLBRHE-L4otUwDIedbrkc59zLxnIMP79qjgo5QdH9vpoj_l2PmRYwDgglGM8XdzOQ_04dO5bcANNrq0yj5VkktdjvAkmeOkXFP2zyP/s320/Peace.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[No caption needed]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt9eQ0QDUZw0vR_v3SxTu4TCRtwsqJyl2uukF88ANIrn1U9FiK5F0WjLuUk7s-IvhcfREuu66MCFOXeezMMkJ8uDti7J24DEJRD_jd2Y5nactsk3inXaiZtPqw80HolNlUUtDEV6h88pP/s1600/fracking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt9eQ0QDUZw0vR_v3SxTu4TCRtwsqJyl2uukF88ANIrn1U9FiK5F0WjLuUk7s-IvhcfREuu66MCFOXeezMMkJ8uDti7J24DEJRD_jd2Y5nactsk3inXaiZtPqw80HolNlUUtDEV6h88pP/s640/fracking.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oceans free from fracking</td></tr>
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After getting settled, we rode a bus to the base of the funicular that would take us up to the summit, overlooking the city, of Monserrat.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpvQF9UmO2Y9B2Grw8VQOmt9I5HyeZWlKhAH2pENiy62-eHou6Qo-RrHvrxzOUUVhjZ7Ubcd7aX5ASa0Ud9b2MMRJeKcPOsV8PPmmOIrIwKIv54rvH7032m0QUdJzfc9dEfipeyG4ZYwg/s1600/Base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpvQF9UmO2Y9B2Grw8VQOmt9I5HyeZWlKhAH2pENiy62-eHou6Qo-RrHvrxzOUUVhjZ7Ubcd7aX5ASa0Ud9b2MMRJeKcPOsV8PPmmOIrIwKIv54rvH7032m0QUdJzfc9dEfipeyG4ZYwg/s320/Base.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base of funicular</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUfS5R53v8T-ggZldDKg3A9d8YuDQ5rbJtWSemzCjXEoSI4-agiSZ3oSAMAVlCQf5MCGAMYWdLgTxgwwYqVhyphenhyphenOxHJsK7uCIaJj7B_3lsY0OqZCUQMG8LhHRafPj6_CRK1yqg77jPIPa0U/s1600/Overlook+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUfS5R53v8T-ggZldDKg3A9d8YuDQ5rbJtWSemzCjXEoSI4-agiSZ3oSAMAVlCQf5MCGAMYWdLgTxgwwYqVhyphenhyphenOxHJsK7uCIaJj7B_3lsY0OqZCUQMG8LhHRafPj6_CRK1yqg77jPIPa0U/s320/Overlook+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were warned to be on the alert for questionable characters.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS__cJt2qXgb9LrW0-KyVOv-O8t0OmlqNBDixEi8syoHSeHHGQ8eOCHMKL-eem8iNCW6G3hB26CG56jOqo0YEe4j09HsUHolOL4DpL3FO6rCJOU_hiZCQabQYCEqxyuYgVC1FvORJN69A/s1600/Overlook+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS__cJt2qXgb9LrW0-KyVOv-O8t0OmlqNBDixEi8syoHSeHHGQ8eOCHMKL-eem8iNCW6G3hB26CG56jOqo0YEe4j09HsUHolOL4DpL3FO6rCJOU_hiZCQabQYCEqxyuYgVC1FvORJN69A/s640/Overlook+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the heart of the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDMZqUbXN_XYaoK01rkpD-SvP2cNTRZJqXTlg-SDTCfms47JT-ugwT4_sUSKW2UZnK_n_8lTmiWu9RZlrzLLWb8Z8EBgyVo4WgWCP292QffgmhTRh1gNqRAvwz8anjzxRxCyjlyyyxtke/s1600/Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDMZqUbXN_XYaoK01rkpD-SvP2cNTRZJqXTlg-SDTCfms47JT-ugwT4_sUSKW2UZnK_n_8lTmiWu9RZlrzLLWb8Z8EBgyVo4WgWCP292QffgmhTRh1gNqRAvwz8anjzxRxCyjlyyyxtke/s320/Flower.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower on tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m-WB75_ZMcseeqyJPGoTgBsrLZnpUj0gWOTIxnC8_mkThlFghw9KYAupvOWOhRbpCkvlLzQgFy9g2GQucT2XxDTS-42KpDlEj4RwXvsDaw4Wi4jlCp2Iymzbaypm35Ax6OblWTciMhmU/s1600/Guadaloupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m-WB75_ZMcseeqyJPGoTgBsrLZnpUj0gWOTIxnC8_mkThlFghw9KYAupvOWOhRbpCkvlLzQgFy9g2GQucT2XxDTS-42KpDlEj4RwXvsDaw4Wi4jlCp2Iymzbaypm35Ax6OblWTciMhmU/s320/Guadaloupe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady of Guadalupe</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKf9_exh5-TK_7h32xc-OGD8-rhUKV2Xs45rOn9Qjyb-WyvzoHKz-wikzektH9n1-EXZ5828j4I026QZKo3Qo1mC0rLge92W_7LW5k1l_sYlyCxIVITaGZh3qyoAhRE5Yrtxbcd6BJkDgL/s1600/Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKf9_exh5-TK_7h32xc-OGD8-rhUKV2Xs45rOn9Qjyb-WyvzoHKz-wikzektH9n1-EXZ5828j4I026QZKo3Qo1mC0rLge92W_7LW5k1l_sYlyCxIVITaGZh3qyoAhRE5Yrtxbcd6BJkDgL/s320/Church.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AwnKd6Wg-5LkcXeqM3bkEGFOviZtSZi1JdryzfOk0mAfdN0KNzsUswK4pZfJXtkx0R4PSG4SQVKlAXub2fr-md6Xw5EN-xeuHnN-7K3JZJdZ34jOfCZXHpUYkF0HUltC6pOurLbT2YV0/s1600/Church+interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AwnKd6Wg-5LkcXeqM3bkEGFOviZtSZi1JdryzfOk0mAfdN0KNzsUswK4pZfJXtkx0R4PSG4SQVKlAXub2fr-md6Xw5EN-xeuHnN-7K3JZJdZ34jOfCZXHpUYkF0HUltC6pOurLbT2YV0/s320/Church+interior.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church interior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4OP3_25AquRKuyyeNago56-T_QV-6VAV05wkCudYXKbHIfVT_O20WDeuK5rOTT_wWywV5zh89qcchi1Q_hIYTYIvkD5HorjRobLG2NkCdV4nTBdKUoFGBy8yT8vs7k60qk_EIzcm68fw/s1600/Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4OP3_25AquRKuyyeNago56-T_QV-6VAV05wkCudYXKbHIfVT_O20WDeuK5rOTT_wWywV5zh89qcchi1Q_hIYTYIvkD5HorjRobLG2NkCdV4nTBdKUoFGBy8yT8vs7k60qk_EIzcm68fw/s320/Jesus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A darker shade of Jesus</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bogota: Day 7</span></b><br />
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Today we walked around the old part of Bogota. We saw murals, interesting buildings, two museums: the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum and Bolivar Square,<br />
<br />
<b>Murals</b><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjN2w76vVpDOlhg43_ymXB8E4Z_nwFpnLg-qZgq5Ex4bz5MWmRv5wsNr2EU2U6ly7kfAhftG6xt2_lb7HqBp_0QEHZr84-Yl3WkFiWrb1eQWUPX8jAdQYaUKgMMZTPFYNWnl5W_mfOrZ_/s640/Amerindian+02.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmVOQy184laVap4vjXLXuMrNv79R8iEP8sSA1PKNyrZlfXcJNDgeNb72keFKxdyKi0RksFgTcKT14GVaO18px4AFSi6ljqbObPm5f_mL2i_1q35kq26-J9Ty13atq846xqJyalfW_ZdpK/s640/Amerindian.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWmmXlblCsel2ZiU8THOv25C4Kgzvw7txV6T4U2dBrH-HXSdnEFI6bhup50_NVtTODu9MzMV4ukw-dDJZ1R8VNlZKj5L8x9zZLTDWdnajitx2e-cWtsqe4635lXNWunsfdPXqJgPJPN_V/s320/Tigre.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3UqID3J9YRAVgaOHiu8vu_Gu9NH8k2KNlbzzBpKkZ-Nvgewduxs4-XtUnGPf4cEZSqDeofAHFs4eC9inLk8D53uRrHlPXeqzUkc8_4oKp_Qqp3pn32hgLQ7xe0Euh2rWR3kXmyY4hJL2/s320/Anticorruption.jpg" /><br />
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<b>Buildings</b></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbus1zZKgDXcHnTxZTxM7JoEtGrWwd8Id9LO2f_nmky-S2WXodU19ROdAEt5wOyxfQnk1p_dFsjmp0t3ZJ2Xp-3O2M88KMPQmU9um7kA4YMsknwud1Zsitsr-VIp0vszz9BNFFC-s0gcG/s640/Sky+Scraper.jpg" width="268" /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJCfh0a8qIB-EK9XftxT5m7AKVPkOVCK0SZj7-YH9-OGcJMWRrTOMNHCvnRfAie4ertMcYG0R_8XawT_KkWt0lAGNl-wsWQeikhY13ED7f8Ikdb3Amzt31i1mN7pIYLmwr5b1saYLUyeU/s1600/Wisconsin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJCfh0a8qIB-EK9XftxT5m7AKVPkOVCK0SZj7-YH9-OGcJMWRrTOMNHCvnRfAie4ertMcYG0R_8XawT_KkWt0lAGNl-wsWQeikhY13ED7f8Ikdb3Amzt31i1mN7pIYLmwr5b1saYLUyeU/s400/Wisconsin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't make this stuff up</td></tr>
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<b>Gold Museum</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzyUA_-oYa9AvY9DBOeVK3E-dBjPakvetpmbWio_vUiaI82izOpN1uzwOmNhyphenhyphenS2EjJ2mw2tkuoor5l0iaoKx9G4wN5Yr4DbLsrTJmbpFDBYSsnKiYkM3H5SqchcDMhRwZ-veEZkggoIBW/s1600/GM+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzyUA_-oYa9AvY9DBOeVK3E-dBjPakvetpmbWio_vUiaI82izOpN1uzwOmNhyphenhyphenS2EjJ2mw2tkuoor5l0iaoKx9G4wN5Yr4DbLsrTJmbpFDBYSsnKiYkM3H5SqchcDMhRwZ-veEZkggoIBW/s320/GM+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ol9ePH-ZHrTc_D3LL21Ob-6KLkzPaBYY6fq495BCqEa5TturI9oAkrBULtV2JTdQnfujXufQob9lKHSpO6rAA77xUJQUi5nOT43AmdRM9KFr-ALBEhL9wKRcnHH7XGlwuc8Pq_2qYN7i/s200/GM+02.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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<b>Botero Museum</b></div>
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Fernando Botero (born 1932 in Medellin) is a Columbian artist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TJrWoDyV0NZY3rsoVc9N1SEFw9ttCDA_ru3GbX65KJAcmzEDsjLLj6qWC6yKjrfO3jCgtXkBL3qelwQBiiTbooFU4BcTjubJEH5k3lgUYQO0yYuq1DyQnsgjHD-EOMd429z-IiRKGnSs/s1600/Courtyard%252C+Museo+Botero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TJrWoDyV0NZY3rsoVc9N1SEFw9ttCDA_ru3GbX65KJAcmzEDsjLLj6qWC6yKjrfO3jCgtXkBL3qelwQBiiTbooFU4BcTjubJEH5k3lgUYQO0yYuq1DyQnsgjHD-EOMd429z-IiRKGnSs/s640/Courtyard%252C+Museo+Botero.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFls08LpWB2Lc2ZcADUX2u6_UD8BveuWuV2VbACfOyk8yvbvRipKSGncBjB3MAg-imETUNHFmDOCOVehJmA_iqmLoAoKFrWWv7zAwhLmDDl2Q6aljbEgjma8Hka2odoohCUN7AhZea6IDe/s400/El+Presidente.jpg" width="300" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMv7O6NNa3-SRacKFVXWdKovnMvpoWHwh5oxoMx5LQVnZe6pYEYO4y2HBUrfofw9BuptkPhQE15osgaB-rX9tEdt1SUFIkkTbaDYuhJ5Vnz0Af84z8OqxnYf1bh29fapccUx2Pa04IZ1q/s320/Madre+Superiora.jpg" /><br />
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<b>Bolivar Square</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7t9oViwBEuOkq5oIE3U3faNn7Q6Mzj7L2iLhE00uIfKuy8-CAIsFpKiLEx5tVRUwYx7mD1QdkyUozfNwpToYv-twTTnD4Ga6lg4Y8a01pwpQtdPKJ3trz3fcoUSAhgjHQ1JwoQ9GqSTQ/s1600/Bolivar+Square+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7t9oViwBEuOkq5oIE3U3faNn7Q6Mzj7L2iLhE00uIfKuy8-CAIsFpKiLEx5tVRUwYx7mD1QdkyUozfNwpToYv-twTTnD4Ga6lg4Y8a01pwpQtdPKJ3trz3fcoUSAhgjHQ1JwoQ9GqSTQ/s640/Bolivar+Square+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLFdnjitn11vX7L0rQaYH1v5AjuASJv7Hqj4CH1t055KlVssb2m5iDQ4RYAtwH0UBNNqyJwmN7bcx6nuImY_yQxMLHMJuwXeuzBwmZksRM_CvxQZUhHo0ny8Kog1zPPSzJGMZ2gD4u3lU/s1600/Bolivar+Square+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLFdnjitn11vX7L0rQaYH1v5AjuASJv7Hqj4CH1t055KlVssb2m5iDQ4RYAtwH0UBNNqyJwmN7bcx6nuImY_yQxMLHMJuwXeuzBwmZksRM_CvxQZUhHo0ny8Kog1zPPSzJGMZ2gD4u3lU/s400/Bolivar+Square+03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7v_vzgOrAm5evLikQIg7WdRR27LAlvc-amce_fkf0NwG_43tMnqQWI4O0PTR2MVisXGLdODQcNtIbtGBB2ez4u1DcK3JGi56LsU7sNmp4_QL2mMBLrkmx7h26-8I-T-QFjagbF7qAwkP/s200/Bolivar+Square.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pigeons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSSNV0VdkXqzuxvQwVCefAy4dMU-PoGVE1TtjB-AkuB9ozC73XT5g5irrCneOhG3ftGUZ6cQz7nSApK6FZAbLcFQGkx0JDwDgMIjpEZhxd4ARZwuCE06-rntxOOlQ2thykUACou2ln-xx/s1600/Cathedral+of+Columbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSSNV0VdkXqzuxvQwVCefAy4dMU-PoGVE1TtjB-AkuB9ozC73XT5g5irrCneOhG3ftGUZ6cQz7nSApK6FZAbLcFQGkx0JDwDgMIjpEZhxd4ARZwuCE06-rntxOOlQ2thykUACou2ln-xx/s640/Cathedral+of+Columbia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral of Columbia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhD3zNyyamONyWpGQnoYvBpZ6p7Qe5R1P3vtL01RTnIUDRWxvz2ST7zgIegDw5LGFuI5x_my5UktoSLU8s-FSovVwAQEg1wgoVRAvjFatKIr-6Pjj-Mb6x1akXFhxKDbJiW19SXCwALLc/s1600/Palacio+de+Justica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhD3zNyyamONyWpGQnoYvBpZ6p7Qe5R1P3vtL01RTnIUDRWxvz2ST7zgIegDw5LGFuI5x_my5UktoSLU8s-FSovVwAQEg1wgoVRAvjFatKIr-6Pjj-Mb6x1akXFhxKDbJiW19SXCwALLc/s640/Palacio+de+Justica.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palacio de Justica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Misc</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHi4qOlkV97cwSnqCu8KyftRLHiuU0dSviSeJK6nYopyB5ARvV1ztA9zduXVpAnCNWnWkJAf-eDZl5aAOMsObwfBTl9zzDDybrJA7exn7KoCNeDlI99K3w_baZaNcked-bFXqN_AsgASeM/s1600/Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHi4qOlkV97cwSnqCu8KyftRLHiuU0dSviSeJK6nYopyB5ARvV1ztA9zduXVpAnCNWnWkJAf-eDZl5aAOMsObwfBTl9zzDDybrJA7exn7KoCNeDlI99K3w_baZaNcked-bFXqN_AsgASeM/s640/Bus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple articulated bus, on guideway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZROBfzaVaQ_jxuhcaBTfnAVw-FSK_jvtogXMpJjbk7O-ptpWr6AABJoOb7YncaYfz4NgaHuqfTSA5bamJRg11TgTvxNbllTo0x59XsY0LQFsJIKNLA1DrMJiDwKhfTcaaKSXN_AhzdFM/s1600/Emeralds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZROBfzaVaQ_jxuhcaBTfnAVw-FSK_jvtogXMpJjbk7O-ptpWr6AABJoOb7YncaYfz4NgaHuqfTSA5bamJRg11TgTvxNbllTo0x59XsY0LQFsJIKNLA1DrMJiDwKhfTcaaKSXN_AhzdFM/s400/Emeralds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbia produces between 70 and 90 percent of the world's emeralds [wikipedia]</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0YPbIdIk4buo-ewpW_lkj367816M9CkoFYJQ_2jNCJoT8U0ya8vz_8KEw8KmTGAi3wIhDovQDyVNV2dwJ7kP6yaeu8d6tJNTejoZtj8LdgkMIdjK_lg9LKcxgz3C1AMJsn7fS8QzuvW9/s1600/River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0YPbIdIk4buo-ewpW_lkj367816M9CkoFYJQ_2jNCJoT8U0ya8vz_8KEw8KmTGAi3wIhDovQDyVNV2dwJ7kP6yaeu8d6tJNTejoZtj8LdgkMIdjK_lg9LKcxgz3C1AMJsn7fS8QzuvW9/s320/River.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fWocOAQA0-jbSyAfj1v2-xDO-fTyA2ZqIJ9peHk6e2Aq4TDVg3FVmUnciIxhUQ1_r9yTRu3K5vZcxz3HOtY7CYnuURPkg3-rpUZNSB2GwEUNBzKtUQkuwooqxOM1vvObcXrBMYq937pM/s320/Unicycle.jpg" /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwSxSotU1HB6lMR1tRASttvmE7xO7sQ7BCiuv39aXCe4LGi8ooZFo89KaIICIARCpZhGqQxCDjq5kSnWXSZf5w_4fNKAkLZXIfXDIhBYGjwMl2HgpfEB0ipZUbWusDPsD2YKNObBD_fOD/s1600/Mick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwSxSotU1HB6lMR1tRASttvmE7xO7sQ7BCiuv39aXCe4LGi8ooZFo89KaIICIARCpZhGqQxCDjq5kSnWXSZf5w_4fNKAkLZXIfXDIhBYGjwMl2HgpfEB0ipZUbWusDPsD2YKNObBD_fOD/s640/Mick.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a lot of liberties!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Medellin: Day 8</span></b></div>
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We traveled to Medellin (which I thought was pronounced <b>meddy <u>yeen</u></b>, but is in fact pronounced <b>meddy <u>zheen</u></b>), had lunch and set out to explore.</div>
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<h3>
Plaza Botero </h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8S34pLcUrdWXMf0ntU3nARNfPwkPhB3Xxq-eW_nOUJRGVuqobx4NXPyLMBNZbQqkQmx4HveNr-Ig0WcqTfyWzqobx5ZU2971Z0rMeQ90UYQkZebaqVgsI3TiOBBCAU6fktPyaTpEpKI8d/s320/Palacio.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Palacio De La Cultura</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUZ18oEVd0CqTi6vq0QEriDpPCCJUqxAfPPYq40bPsG3s_PzykuMvuXSRw_et5T7ewNDzh-lEuDcKQ4pOEFC83_EdT-EEEplCazzCxTJRHvoeX2xUG139yNzM3icJTLS72IdrjNL57L2P/s320/Unknown+building.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unidentified building</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7BJrc8bDcULEc9HAXIZioTmsn1iiUcGx4UU-Jo1LAF-VsxXXQd53tK7rYlubkaB6xQitJ5H78zIUH3pUJ0jOgC3mF9YxNcCrBGCaXn_kGWG6cz7J-7WdIZb9GfImeTr_-IF9e54wWGMK/s1600/Botero+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7BJrc8bDcULEc9HAXIZioTmsn1iiUcGx4UU-Jo1LAF-VsxXXQd53tK7rYlubkaB6xQitJ5H78zIUH3pUJ0jOgC3mF9YxNcCrBGCaXn_kGWG6cz7J-7WdIZb9GfImeTr_-IF9e54wWGMK/s640/Botero+01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFmOwXtSOqaji2VAKBhw_jbFqI4rTPUHm3WgigBWfnc6AMzC2LESdOVibGYtTHCViS8Lu3pdEcWsEtIa44nW7aKIBnj8V99pYnWH_fsymBH3FpsuF6_DEAKt9REmN0nJiXa8Cgex_xXnX/s1600/Botero+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFmOwXtSOqaji2VAKBhw_jbFqI4rTPUHm3WgigBWfnc6AMzC2LESdOVibGYtTHCViS8Lu3pdEcWsEtIa44nW7aKIBnj8V99pYnWH_fsymBH3FpsuF6_DEAKt9REmN0nJiXa8Cgex_xXnX/s400/Botero+02.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2p9KlaiCWquxkm87cdqb-kWIqhOHQHF9_wqz1HTsiVPC8f9sD570j4O9y4eBDTPbQ6QuQtJtXic6QHsoETXufDDBvfjRlTfPTcGWmpAmPEP50jQ4nywFxjtdFLtykCXnli3HZzv4IMA2f/s1600/Botero+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2p9KlaiCWquxkm87cdqb-kWIqhOHQHF9_wqz1HTsiVPC8f9sD570j4O9y4eBDTPbQ6QuQtJtXic6QHsoETXufDDBvfjRlTfPTcGWmpAmPEP50jQ4nywFxjtdFLtykCXnli3HZzv4IMA2f/s400/Botero+03.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Area 13</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKP34oIBE4hP9zgM_411kgxcKZBKj7M3rk8Tx8EiUHBVkLzJ_Vbc_wCeC_Zy9LbGzUrwbQGuzobZeGqwAmcmh7GAY900yC8VMMqFFrsitBiX7TUk7tcG3twkYPhSdHIvBDEn3nbXjZlv8/s1600/Mural+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKP34oIBE4hP9zgM_411kgxcKZBKj7M3rk8Tx8EiUHBVkLzJ_Vbc_wCeC_Zy9LbGzUrwbQGuzobZeGqwAmcmh7GAY900yC8VMMqFFrsitBiX7TUk7tcG3twkYPhSdHIvBDEn3nbXjZlv8/s400/Mural+02.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD6h_I3OiDJoDyV1xUfg_HYYhnYPSJWHkTf0ATG492fosJHtdEHq8RSHfmP5P9S1Cb2zzBJ0viK-dhjd3RH-h_yWpbDY8QN2FkpyYOkjWctkEglsEJZiBKsbBlRaQkUqkQNNeRmPXeY5h/s1600/Mural+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD6h_I3OiDJoDyV1xUfg_HYYhnYPSJWHkTf0ATG492fosJHtdEHq8RSHfmP5P9S1Cb2zzBJ0viK-dhjd3RH-h_yWpbDY8QN2FkpyYOkjWctkEglsEJZiBKsbBlRaQkUqkQNNeRmPXeY5h/s320/Mural+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSROiX8wSGrrtrwty3kCC6TvzRMzDT4hNo8qqoPDxn9ImilIjxhOS-nfYdzkA-s_ENMtQViUpENDHEhout-i1Atc2H66P76V4-E0F8DfWCcS-EmSiQNLOMBTDTVF8czUsexANNcz8Tlz57/s1600/View+from.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSROiX8wSGrrtrwty3kCC6TvzRMzDT4hNo8qqoPDxn9ImilIjxhOS-nfYdzkA-s_ENMtQViUpENDHEhout-i1Atc2H66P76V4-E0F8DfWCcS-EmSiQNLOMBTDTVF8czUsexANNcz8Tlz57/s640/View+from.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN17ZLt5ZuSsV4jK0KCniNiEcgs6voZMbcMzr2oIRt_ZSLnRXpua42j5YRF9Pmfa2GmC36OYcMt9Wkle7EqP6bVlVs9_H1KxAz7hkOBX6HUOiW75uYaIeJ-y9eiP9jxs8rLHaFzxbRLKUK/s1600/Area+13+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN17ZLt5ZuSsV4jK0KCniNiEcgs6voZMbcMzr2oIRt_ZSLnRXpua42j5YRF9Pmfa2GmC36OYcMt9Wkle7EqP6bVlVs9_H1KxAz7hkOBX6HUOiW75uYaIeJ-y9eiP9jxs8rLHaFzxbRLKUK/s640/Area+13+01.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houses on steep hillside</td></tr>
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<div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Cable Car Ride</h3>
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<div>
The Medellin Metrocable is part of the city's transport system. It is mainly used by commuters, though lots of tourist known about it. It is just over 2 km in length. We caught it during evening rush hour, staying on, at the turnaround, to return to our starting point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8un3ZWtpO4iwHgolc-x7Otd6fsPpAeR2yaoDG9c2b_eU3hyphenhyphenIWTR1Hg6LL_rPi3icimqiqbhnEO5zv6wYnGkoscDDXvT7DNCN2grcTO5an2Ex_sB65gc1MNlrBSIUrZ4SMBNEAomYikDPr/s1600/Buses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8un3ZWtpO4iwHgolc-x7Otd6fsPpAeR2yaoDG9c2b_eU3hyphenhyphenIWTR1Hg6LL_rPi3icimqiqbhnEO5zv6wYnGkoscDDXvT7DNCN2grcTO5an2Ex_sB65gc1MNlrBSIUrZ4SMBNEAomYikDPr/s400/Buses.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buses at cable car station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the platform</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYnBTldIGOHHL_bmNq25I6H3cG6ZnY0ltzJBG4zY05OsKZWteWIrZU0_TbfP5VSvYCbsGXu7ga99uduficHrAtPaFqcVo6QwcT91BFJNGmOiU90OEKiUvyHFcjWDzqbxx_WHSPPDdSqua/s1600/Return.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYnBTldIGOHHL_bmNq25I6H3cG6ZnY0ltzJBG4zY05OsKZWteWIrZU0_TbfP5VSvYCbsGXu7ga99uduficHrAtPaFqcVo6QwcT91BFJNGmOiU90OEKiUvyHFcjWDzqbxx_WHSPPDdSqua/s640/Return.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun set, during the ride, and the city's lights came on</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>El Peñol & Guatapé: Day 9</b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The two villages, very near each other, have the Piedra el Peñol located between them. We also took a boat ride on the El Peñol Reservoir.</div>
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</div>
<div>
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<div>
<h3>
El Peñol</h3>
</div>
<div>
The exterior form of the church is intended to mimick the nearby rock.</div>
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<div>
<h3>
La Piedra del Peñol</h3>
</div>
<div>
The rock is a popular pilgrimage. The determined can climb its 712 steps.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHP3G9VdLihJ3yFl3wF_dGfmdy9LPn6LeW8bIvpOJLfIj_hcRafJ2iGeT8bCd1VMtUy5prPzy2N1KBXY7hQFwxC_EMODTOy-P4db_hbhUNYvi36n-nMmyOHQBZkk8Q3blke2DjdgI2DjIw/s1600/El+Piedra+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHP3G9VdLihJ3yFl3wF_dGfmdy9LPn6LeW8bIvpOJLfIj_hcRafJ2iGeT8bCd1VMtUy5prPzy2N1KBXY7hQFwxC_EMODTOy-P4db_hbhUNYvi36n-nMmyOHQBZkk8Q3blke2DjdgI2DjIw/s640/El+Piedra+03.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staircase to heaven (or ...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcBf0sENlJ5UP-fwEtvf9q6BECKREPZVMYf0K1WvMF-IbRfdJX-4UrElysOjOyr4RlyAA3PWvrdZrr3nXVUXIc5NaBnv5lF85cWNRiMoiJx_ywdGJmhVZwXVqzL5nOrwTKJa5GFrxr5d3/s1600/Half+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcBf0sENlJ5UP-fwEtvf9q6BECKREPZVMYf0K1WvMF-IbRfdJX-4UrElysOjOyr4RlyAA3PWvrdZrr3nXVUXIc5NaBnv5lF85cWNRiMoiJx_ywdGJmhVZwXVqzL5nOrwTKJa5GFrxr5d3/s640/Half+way.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way up. Time to pray for those knees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTrde-umQXMiLgFo6EbCidd4jvibfWsZVX6lrT8yV_0GyM6hMa34ihVj1pEOL7UC3Bnds6goPy64jlyTAeWlGLoPigNCAtv6YdwG-xRsUCvtsqlwY3Bs2uibrECZl80JtuKShPJvcqE-F/s1600/Conquistadore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTrde-umQXMiLgFo6EbCidd4jvibfWsZVX6lrT8yV_0GyM6hMa34ihVj1pEOL7UC3Bnds6goPy64jlyTAeWlGLoPigNCAtv6YdwG-xRsUCvtsqlwY3Bs2uibrECZl80JtuKShPJvcqE-F/s400/Conquistadore.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blogger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CfsuYTfjtdPLd94fId6qRegiodgcT2MOMDxT03FNCdsQQoNq2glDVkQ0BJWOZw1bwLV1AMOqsvh6xXIqBIXmtLlfBBVqwPMce0L4plSYUZ_0grzs86dlbiiPfjr_bnw013LXcA1EKX_E/s1600/Conquistadores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CfsuYTfjtdPLd94fId6qRegiodgcT2MOMDxT03FNCdsQQoNq2glDVkQ0BJWOZw1bwLV1AMOqsvh6xXIqBIXmtLlfBBVqwPMce0L4plSYUZ_0grzs86dlbiiPfjr_bnw013LXcA1EKX_E/s640/Conquistadores.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group's fearless organizer, blogger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT7rLMZx38ZKhRCYYoNSnBVeGDebSscPhVVrETOQnG341bE5fCbM62EuPWzPbe2H6by_V7HXdqok-p2xv4hmHQeZXJEAeLHgfPIx2zLz7aMgVZpCBA_gIRUQ2z7Z4YgQ4xsYzFqC_E18-/s1600/Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT7rLMZx38ZKhRCYYoNSnBVeGDebSscPhVVrETOQnG341bE5fCbM62EuPWzPbe2H6by_V7HXdqok-p2xv4hmHQeZXJEAeLHgfPIx2zLz7aMgVZpCBA_gIRUQ2z7Z4YgQ4xsYzFqC_E18-/s640/Panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from on top</td></tr>
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<div>
<h3>
<br />
Guatapé</h3>
</div>
<div>
A colorful village.</div>
</div>
<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duncan wannabe</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDKuJI3LmoEQQYTBUSlmTZ3coRrcQIyeQKl_T954asJ047tbD3DH5r46g8wGCBCVVfybrgNTsDgFeMWGGY_nqtSR6iNE8fTD1rQ6Acrmk7qs43cUZELHJWwvArRRaiyA32MC0ZutgvZyV/s1600/Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="887" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDKuJI3LmoEQQYTBUSlmTZ3coRrcQIyeQKl_T954asJ047tbD3DH5r46g8wGCBCVVfybrgNTsDgFeMWGGY_nqtSR6iNE8fTD1rQ6Acrmk7qs43cUZELHJWwvArRRaiyA32MC0ZutgvZyV/s320/Flower.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcSRAkWJ2flpj9xAsH_HnranLR4yeJ-SHLjvpIsqtWMG7DY3Szz4wgxX63vObATF7xFZ7tqSjLYcceCppBoEXqvufNfhIieRgFzn2cAcfqAHFUaWsFO2Hgg235omV_EJX4a24yuRkHc82/s400/Way+of+life+02.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZppZcnvgFG_QsWHWNIe9zVTvP1AIl2emt61Ht_j-YPElMx9b1HZl4XpW___A7jLgeIxqKrgFR8SjAmrJyCmdhnNuZSgxWQIVrIhaZ0BDbH_rXEG7ocpJUp499Lp0Vp7CBuQ4yvYB2oi5/s1600/Way+of+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZppZcnvgFG_QsWHWNIe9zVTvP1AIl2emt61Ht_j-YPElMx9b1HZl4XpW___A7jLgeIxqKrgFR8SjAmrJyCmdhnNuZSgxWQIVrIhaZ0BDbH_rXEG7ocpJUp499Lp0Vp7CBuQ4yvYB2oi5/s640/Way+of+life.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
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<h3>
Embalse del Peñol</h3>
</div>
<div>
A short boat ride on the reservoir.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEs5kg90lVn3gDpd9CicDqFllZge5naiX6L5BD6L0m2RwLQ6ChfhZcofSNlc6lAuZF-x6zNDmbQva16VmbTO1-aEuMquhfaeItjYU3rtgTpGN73CrZ0WNxoJN1Z0OtGwNflkScTZ6ZeoO/s320/Glass+boat+house.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass boat house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVHVM1qf8QkoTnBLiHGicVQZUN-_LGxTmR6ZHjs0ZKfWdF6EaeBXkFbV98W22NSeehFF4nGQmdM16rBEpMwYpEuVejUOq_oD_Zpp2-RA9C2Go89Q3IXlx8NjJ0I8Qng-s2GSNar4nC9Xn/s200/Escobar+01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pablo Escobar house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFxWW3bq1YIK_aeP9XDAkfoj6ieTw66uvHfr266iYP3GZQdRE5MwZzecQ3IM9zjUj6ZBxWoijaiFuTvWqT1Al_s6ab9MZC-9UwuLtIsyUQ83ogGGxMj3K4uk15mqgx6Qy_7fh6JWmqVYQ/s320/Escobar+03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pablo Escobar house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MuRqfa3TJ52mm6ZnRHjtVwPfFbnpW3M75nGgEnErPp9Chk8NEcjK8OzVtF4OQYmTdO0hMmCMh4qLHOCf4pN7llFwALfncsNXzWamLXiSQMGX2NemDM7I_qpffSnlifbQAdeC_3-KeTAY/s1600/Escobar+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MuRqfa3TJ52mm6ZnRHjtVwPfFbnpW3M75nGgEnErPp9Chk8NEcjK8OzVtF4OQYmTdO0hMmCMh4qLHOCf4pN7llFwALfncsNXzWamLXiSQMGX2NemDM7I_qpffSnlifbQAdeC_3-KeTAY/s320/Escobar+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pablo Escobar house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iWo_57DA-DgslnIkfMb05wJU7Z8V8aJsGcDji0h6qmEi6It-jdCeGbP0AqMeooaZ670JTj2m7oT87y72UDDtJIm9iQ0N0sdeSi-dZSMW_Le9UeJojyvY5AwytbHcXxjK-s13Kvi7GuKs/s1600/El+Piedra+Penol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iWo_57DA-DgslnIkfMb05wJU7Z8V8aJsGcDji0h6qmEi6It-jdCeGbP0AqMeooaZ670JTj2m7oT87y72UDDtJIm9iQ0N0sdeSi-dZSMW_Le9UeJojyvY5AwytbHcXxjK-s13Kvi7GuKs/s640/El+Piedra+Penol.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock we have known and loved</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdZ46TcHc_vqzlpkFz-X1_rCW1WDcbPEi1PYG7d1xf3tGz3YtLGfK2AANnwdPFIjnWuDIstc42rz1NM89tT3ueJpxirkoqubTl9iNFaWiDcDQ9pm3Voo7htBEJuEPmmuRn3Vz59a1eDC4/s1600/Pirates+on+the+high+seas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdZ46TcHc_vqzlpkFz-X1_rCW1WDcbPEi1PYG7d1xf3tGz3YtLGfK2AANnwdPFIjnWuDIstc42rz1NM89tT3ueJpxirkoqubTl9iNFaWiDcDQ9pm3Voo7htBEJuEPmmuRn3Vz59a1eDC4/s640/Pirates+on+the+high+seas.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawless pirates on the high seas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Santa Elena: Day 10</b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
A flower growing operation on the edge of Medellin.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP1RM3XwuT4wJHk7_ugGb3l4vlIY1dWD8arh39gkYM7BLU6VxaCa0gJKVjv19g2BEveVmGjkwktBsiYua87USuQrctnc52l9s2rSW94mOug1ugNTZyblXXCxW372i6Ui__ha84GMy4g3k/s1600/Loading+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP1RM3XwuT4wJHk7_ugGb3l4vlIY1dWD8arh39gkYM7BLU6VxaCa0gJKVjv19g2BEveVmGjkwktBsiYua87USuQrctnc52l9s2rSW94mOug1ugNTZyblXXCxW372i6Ui__ha84GMy4g3k/s640/Loading+flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our host, loading the flower carrier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiltqVMc0X0ZMSdnsxwLaqwIoc88T0SVe3eN31WrlnzBXS1AasUkfrU8UBgAL5wklFWfbiyB0Xdwqv9syTAxe_WNCn8quAI7sfpeIt5SvWYBEjdVgUjxL9xrR4YaHfdN3lOMu432O2KgY6/s640/Floral+design.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final floral design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2Hi1h6xN2dSyWjBMtKJBK8DR2T6d88kqKXh1svST7pxQP-QoQ5gTcoYdi_V7-aDLmgleaSAeI1KrHTBJ502aEghD6XKiq2TdzNCWGJ4h0H7nd-PBu1NqtMRTjDeE8Hjy4n_OHS8krl84/s400/Carrying.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't try this at home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-Oe2zOMxKwayMvSnyPEKChUjWSSLEhikH5_qkREna6bomLNJZ9nPhQlOPBC-eQx5QqfCa9ckUAy3jDeRih_uTBCThyphenhyphenpD2hQU2m34h0V2AFE2n_2nKXnr3jcjSASGOO8DMvfLTCy0ACrY/s640/Carrying+02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never "volunteer"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DmIM775KWj9ekmVDPrhu7clgnoN283dro7nrONCnEmKae_tXPuWEgJYgG8-IZ6EBceVHCB9GWj_8j9MyWqY2FB2nvU1f0PYqH2AumALchIcn2gvy5qwYcPWktMs3XjXq9bqnxJAjTiHq/s320/Carrying+03.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZXlteZHoECVOKNNxS_cIgqRDRcIvV9ns64t409HuRL7D_qJlCGTN4sTRK9Px3vi00jRSxhI4fDQifgINEKl1nBgjbP8THj2nf0dlwP3zach0ZRuACFztwvYH1H1x7xsZP4HUyuZqjGZ2/s320/Carrying+04.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jAxu5tzZ0Dh9IpnOaHnlg8rAUHF_SwUQwDEeLjapGmY8F0AAbAtG8kjT_s5BiZvZzZ90LxDFcqsJlslL3XcKp8HbCO6lQEvl4FkB8mOgTbsp8GR4EFh-uVTBIHsCEXD-jMvX_rtCvxCG/s1600/Arrangement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jAxu5tzZ0Dh9IpnOaHnlg8rAUHF_SwUQwDEeLjapGmY8F0AAbAtG8kjT_s5BiZvZzZ90LxDFcqsJlslL3XcKp8HbCO6lQEvl4FkB8mOgTbsp8GR4EFh-uVTBIHsCEXD-jMvX_rtCvxCG/s320/Arrangement.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hR2VKWufbO560f77tzPCMgE8jfkSRp-IS2AVSM2sWHU9Z03VSRfOzOC4tDYsaqa69-8oKatyFA3bkUyv-dIKDjGgzCXQtQHPQPRyN4lhjuvSAKDKjEP0679YS1WGI7Xis-EQJQP2GVj0/s1600/Two+colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hR2VKWufbO560f77tzPCMgE8jfkSRp-IS2AVSM2sWHU9Z03VSRfOzOC4tDYsaqa69-8oKatyFA3bkUyv-dIKDjGgzCXQtQHPQPRyN4lhjuvSAKDKjEP0679YS1WGI7Xis-EQJQP2GVj0/s320/Two+colors.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollinated flowers of this tree change color</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzoK4h9kZsJBzFhgxlyqo7Hq9KJjssEXD19tiriFNRjgoOYJH-mXzMBQEfnKKk_7MJrNthTCDWIDc04sj5IKpbjfd4aSZlZ8uWnWAUbOiMyS1RtAB27h7ZoTMq_I0Vxo4JxS3R4NH1O2L/s1600/Two+colors+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzoK4h9kZsJBzFhgxlyqo7Hq9KJjssEXD19tiriFNRjgoOYJH-mXzMBQEfnKKk_7MJrNthTCDWIDc04sj5IKpbjfd4aSZlZ8uWnWAUbOiMyS1RtAB27h7ZoTMq_I0Vxo4JxS3R4NH1O2L/s320/Two+colors+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCoqIrULCnAyowA3V16ivlwaNjwQDwYz6TXrg5llXNEaq6L3MRIE2QgrxpA7fynQUELSl8Ta1i8Nh4xIAKOYi23IPeKSfw85-HxCR4P7FNM4EncSiLJhPZ5Tjj6VJFMCPGqXosI0h_Fl_/s1600/Orchid+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCoqIrULCnAyowA3V16ivlwaNjwQDwYz6TXrg5llXNEaq6L3MRIE2QgrxpA7fynQUELSl8Ta1i8Nh4xIAKOYi23IPeKSfw85-HxCR4P7FNM4EncSiLJhPZ5Tjj6VJFMCPGqXosI0h_Fl_/s320/Orchid+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe-x-54il-xtcxxC15TA4o-g6mtrYRDxWEYIfzm_GlPaRLv7iisvdpDFPUnWaWkZs5jYnRccrEpkCJdFA9MaNacDPwXNpK48XFueuVgTbSmZQP7EkpZCziiaATe7lbDayVAyWikqh_Wc-/s320/Orchid+02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEO9gtB6XIDsM4_LV5bIH2MZbJFtA3lhHlG1xS7QyST24y0MxfdAnpORoz97xFfDJkfrbPkwAz4YwkfiELWOGisP1yNtrOImGl6QFS_RY6-JtiXkjXmBY71BLf2TdnAtXrhHGtPNXtqVx/s1600/Orchid+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEO9gtB6XIDsM4_LV5bIH2MZbJFtA3lhHlG1xS7QyST24y0MxfdAnpORoz97xFfDJkfrbPkwAz4YwkfiELWOGisP1yNtrOImGl6QFS_RY6-JtiXkjXmBY71BLf2TdnAtXrhHGtPNXtqVx/s640/Orchid+03.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">¡<span style="color: blue;">ADIOS</span>!</span></h2>
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<div>
<span style="color: blue;">That's all, folks.</span></div>
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Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-89391337913270343102018-07-03T04:29:00.001-07:002018-07-03T04:32:12.167-07:00The Rim Job<pre style="color: #3e3e3e; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><h2>
<code>Rim Replacement</code></h2>
<h3>
<code>Winter commuting + rim brakes = worn rims</code></h3>
<code>The grit of winter, and the braking of urban riding, take their toll on bicycle wheel rims. The rims wear down, becoming structurally unsafe, and require replacement.
If you don’t love your hubs, the situation is much easier to deal with (though considerably more expensive): throw your wheels away and start over!
If, OTOH, you have some nice hubs (like my 41 year old Phil Woods), a not overly difficult task may be the solution: replace the rims.
I only replace the rims, transferring the hubs AND the old spokes, to the new rims. I’ve kept the same spokes, on the wheels of my commuter bike, for perhaps 25 years, with no problems.
<b>Step One</b>: Match the new and old rims as well as you can. If they are not identical, at least the distance, from the virtual center to where the spoke nipple will be seated, should be darn close.
<b>Step Two</b>: Matching the locations of the valve holes, tape the old rim (with tire and rim tape removed!) to the new rim.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYOKqeLLApQ2mU3SRy8i3-hor5QBm9QugIGAbwbXVDhkLByZ4KJR5ibObCmrAI7V5fnQPqCOVu9inTThTe_f0vJ9_r5EpYS-XtY4wJu86lZpZUYah6o1D6LR08r2NBtLZw4fWk0V6Jhnu/s1600/IMG_1902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYOKqeLLApQ2mU3SRy8i3-hor5QBm9QugIGAbwbXVDhkLByZ4KJR5ibObCmrAI7V5fnQPqCOVu9inTThTe_f0vJ9_r5EpYS-XtY4wJu86lZpZUYah6o1D6LR08r2NBtLZw4fWk0V6Jhnu/s320/IMG_1902.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replacement rim has been taped to old rim. Note the valve holes line up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Step Three</b>: Working around the wheel, move the near spokes (i.e. those laced to the near hub flange) to the new rim. Do this by removing a nipple, placing it in its new hole, applying heavy oil to the threads of the spoke, and threading the nipple loosely to it.
</code></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KBK690wTkeItc1K_AHAjxSZAkE0fVkzSYc43jlgS9Gx8j1rfKgnxApLOh3rFfqdmqka82zYWcBOks9ChtTGS8Vx64Kss6W5oWFQa3m9YSWmGBno_09DK2fipuvLnL80HZP-qtv-PI1KD/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KBK690wTkeItc1K_AHAjxSZAkE0fVkzSYc43jlgS9Gx8j1rfKgnxApLOh3rFfqdmqka82zYWcBOks9ChtTGS8Vx64Kss6W5oWFQa3m9YSWmGBno_09DK2fipuvLnL80HZP-qtv-PI1KD/s320/IMG_1905.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near side spokes have been transferred to new rim.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="color: #3e3e3e; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><code>
<b>Step Four</b>: Repeat for the far side spokes. When all spokes have been transferred, remove old rim.</code></pre>
<pre style="color: #3e3e3e; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><code>
</code></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDyCGv4jmlwJad4231k16oM0sZeCG7FeRUlOgeLVmS2HUuNusi4B_eHpMd10EnEKiaJdmXxeGMtzuK6xb8Op-HLmRS_kI1cuLlAJUtbGOtjsAbKofSiI3kTUfctI_d1aUOnMb9VWjPdoq/s1600/IMG_1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDyCGv4jmlwJad4231k16oM0sZeCG7FeRUlOgeLVmS2HUuNusi4B_eHpMd10EnEKiaJdmXxeGMtzuK6xb8Op-HLmRS_kI1cuLlAJUtbGOtjsAbKofSiI3kTUfctI_d1aUOnMb9VWjPdoq/s320/IMG_1907.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New rim is in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="color: #3e3e3e; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><code><b>Step Five</b>: tension spokes, dish and true wheel, install rim tape, tube and tire, install on bike, ride!
<b>Note</b>: It can be helpful to have several extra (new) nipples available, in case any of the old ones get stripped in the process.</code></pre>
<pre style="color: #3e3e3e; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><code>
</code></pre>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-46482613993283201442018-03-03T13:39:00.000-08:002018-03-16T04:48:21.830-07:00Good Morning, Vietnam<b>Day 00 (Friday)</b><br />
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Our connecting flight, from Seoul, arrived at midnight. In the Hanoi airport we presented our approved visa applications, paid our fee, had visas attached to a page in our passports, and were allowed entry.<br />
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Then we picked up our luggage. Then I went into the restroom. After exiting the secured area, I almost immediately realized I'd left my just retrieved checked bag in the restroom (I was VERY tired, by this time, having been up for about 26 hours). Fortunately the security guard was very helpful, minimizing my embarrassment.<br />
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Two people from the <a href="http://www.vietnambiketours.com/" target="_blank">cycle touring company</a> picked the six of us up, in a large van/small bus, and drove us to our hotel in downtown Hanoi. En route, the guide told us a lot about how the tour would unfold.<br />
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<b>Day 0 (Saturday)</b><br />
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This was a free day. After breakfast, in the hotel, we walked a short distance to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%C3%A0n_Ki%E1%BA%BFm_Lake" target="_blank">Hoàn Kiếm Lake</a>. The perimeter park is a pleasant walk of just over two kilometers.<br />
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On the street along the south end of the lake - closed to traffic - children were riding around in large toy cars, etc. Our favorites were the military style tanks, complete with flags, either Vietnamese or US.<br />
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Near the north end of the lake is Jade Island, connected by the bright red wooden Morning Sunlight Bridge. On the island is Jade Mountain Temple. The street on the eastern perimeter of the park/lake, Inh Tien Hoang, was closed to cars and filled with pedestrians. At one location, in a large courtyard, on the far side of the street, a large assembly of people were listening to an excited speaker. From the large posters, we could only make out the word "green," though hastily concluded the event was for some environmental cause.<br />
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We found a place for coffee and pastries, on this street. We sat on the sidewalk, on small chairs, facing a small market.<br />
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Then we returned to our hotel, to regroup.<br />
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And then we headed back out again, for more exploration of The Old Quarter. We walked through narrow streets, and occasionally through even narrower alleys. There was one shop, after another, the activities of which often spilled out across the sidewalk. The sidewalks rarely functioned AS sidewalks because of all of the motorbikes parked there. So one often walks <b>in</b> the street, where it is best to take some care to not be run over by the many motorbikes, and much rarer cars, that one encounters there.<br />
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It was interesting how certain stretches of certain streets seemed to have a theme to their shops. One street had many shops offering various metal objects (smokers, for cooking, for example). My favorite theme shops were ones which, unabashedly, labeled themselves as Propaganda Posters. Most of the posters appeared to be from the 70s, during a time of tensions between then North Vietnam (Hanoi being its capital) and the US.<br />
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Our first actual destination for the day was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Joseph%27s_Cathedral,_Hanoi" target="_blank">St. Joseph Cathedral</a>. Built in 1896, by the French colonizers, its Neo-Gothic style was influenced by Notre Dame de Paris. The front of the church was inaccessible, due to a large chain-link fence, so it was unclear if the church is in use at the moment. The face of the church was a bit in need of cleaning, except for the large statue of St. Joseph, near the top, the cleanliness of which set it off, from the rest of the face, by contrast.<br />
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Then we found a restaurant, with outdoor seating that was shaded, on a quiet street, near the Supreme Court building. Perhaps judges come here for lunch, before hearing arguments in the afternoon. Our verdict: great food and beer!<br />
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From there we sought out the principal destination of the afternoon, the Hanoi Hilton. The prison was built by the French, around the same time as the cathedral. (Hey - the Lord giveth ... and the Lord taketh away!) It was originally used, by the French, to house political prisoners. Later, the North Vietnamese used it to house prisoners of The American War. Most of the prison is no longer there, but the gate house, and other remains, have been transformed into a museum.<br />
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Let's just say that, in its day, the place was NOT a country club. To Americans, its most famous prisoner was pilot, and future US Senator, John McCain. Perhaps its most famous visitor, again, to Americans, was Jane Fonda.<br />
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The return to the hotel, in late afternoon, was quite challenging. By this time of day the traffic had become very heavy. Occasionally we resorted to a rare crossing light, while being aware that red lights were merely a suggestion to drivers and especially to motorbikers. Just before finally reaching our hotel, somehow still alive, I saw a shirt, in a tee shirt shop, explaining all:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GREEN</b></span>: I can go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #ffd966;">YELLOW</span></b>: I can go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: red;"><b>RED</b></span>: I can still go</span><br />
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Back at the hotel, I was able to squeeze in a short nap. Then it was time for dinner. The people at the front desk, of our hotel, recommended a restaurant only two doors down. The food was very good. The staff was very friendly.<br />
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Afterwards there was a group movement to see the <a href="https://blog.inspitrip.com/4695/hanoi-night-market/" target="_blank">Night Market</a>. I was too tire, preferring some quiet time, back in the room in the hotel, to work on my blog!<br />
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<b>Day 1 (Sunday)</b><br />
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Most of today was free. My roomie Jim, and I, headed to the Museum of Ethnology. It was about 10k away, so we took a cab, leaving the old quarter behind as we headed west. The drive was a bit TOO exciting. The car wove its way through lots of people on foot and motorbike. We learned a little more about the fine art of horn use. As Jim noted, road rage does not seem to exist. Drivers of whatever sort of vehicle, just keep on keepin' on, always moving, always looking for an opening. We also learned more about the fine art of driving a motorbike and acknowledging red lights. Many red lights have a countdown timer display. Within 10 second of green is the point at which a lot of motorbike drivers decide "close enough!"<br />
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One out of the old quarter, the streets became so wide that the sidewalks were rarely used by motorbikes, for moving or parking! The buildings became modern, and taller. Eventually a very large, curving building caught my attention. It turned out to be the indoor portion of the museum!<br />
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The 11 acre site is devoted to the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups within Vietnam. Many of the outdoor exhibits are displays of traditional buildings (often houses, but sometimes other types of buildings).<br />
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Bahnar Communal House</div>
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Long junk house (boat is still used in international racing)</div>
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The afore-mentioned large modern building displays traditional crafts, including fabrics and musical instruments. I was particularly impressed by its architecture. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Museum_of_Ethnology" target="_blank">wikipedia</a>:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The exhibition building was designed by the architect Ha Duc Linh, a member of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay_people" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Tay people">Tày</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> ethnic group, in the shape of a </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90%C3%B4ng_S%C6%A1n_drum" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Đông Sơn drum">Đông Sơn drum</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, and the interior architecture was designed by the French architect </span><a class="new" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=V%C3%A9ronique_Dollfus&action=edit&redlink=1" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #a55858; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Véronique Dollfus (page does not exist)">Véronique Dollfus</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-history_3-2" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Museum_of_Ethnology#cite_note-history-3" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;">[3]</a></sup><br />
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Columns of Exhibition Building</div>
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Very large drum</div>
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Shadow puppet</div>
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Loom</div>
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From there we took a cab to the Ho Chi Minh complex. It is a large area, with two very famous large buildings - Ho Chi Minh Museum and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - and several smaller buildings, including the One Column Pagoda. The mausoleum had closed at 11:00 am, so we were not able to go inside. Seeing it from the outside was a none-the-less profound experience.<br />
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Last resting place of Ho Chi Minh</div>
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We walked the remaining distance, back to the hotel. We found a wide east west street, and stuck to the south side (shade!), to avoid the heat - 95° F! For an all too brief distance, we enjoyed a wide sidewalk.<br />
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In the late afternoon the tour company picked us up and transported us to the bike fitting. The bikes were lowered to the street level from the top floor of a residential building.<br />
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Bikes, about to be lowered</div>
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I had a chance to get acquainted with the bike I will be riding for six days.<br />
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If the bike fits, ...</div>
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I took comfort in an unsubstantiated conclusion that the bike's color - green - was particularly fast!</div>
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Then the tour people transported us to a restaurant, for the first official meal of the tour.</div>
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<b>Day 2 (Monday)</b></div>
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We rode the minibus from Hanoi to Halong City, 150 km to the east. In the port we boarded a wooden junk that would take us out into Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In all there were about 30 passengers on the boat (which could accommodate about 40).</div>
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The Paloma</div>
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The bay has about 2,000 limestone islets, many with vertical sides and dramatic shapes. The day was overcast, which obscured the more distant islets.</div>
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Halong Bay</div>
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After finding an interesting spot to moore in, we rode a much smaller boat to an island. There we entered a cave and walked at least 70 metres into it. We could have gone further but the small boat was departing and it seemed best to not miss it.</div>
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Spelunking</div>
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Shortly after returning to the mother ship, we got into tandem kayaks and set out to explore the islets from the surface of the water. My boatmate and I worked hard to keep up with everyone!</div>
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Kayakers in Halong Bay</div>
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Kayaker exploring the bay (photo by Kirkpatrick)</div>
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Then we returned to the mother ship (mother junk?) for the night.</div>
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<b>Day 3</b></div>
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The wooden junk returned to Halong City. </div>
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More karsts.</div>
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Once on shore, we boarded our minibus and headed west to return to Hanoi.</div>
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In the early evening we walked from the hotel to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%C3%A0n_Ki%E1%BA%BFm_Lake" target="_blank">Hoàn Kiếm Lake</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqpOMcvgCEvYjIR4TKuSOgecvdQ4owiYyiKNgJ8teVZYtngzCThI1XQAp7ip8MptV5ArcTTcwFYrEI8it70UR_JSvGSxWcBiwg8YN2VNu4mtQsGa7oYRJenhfo1l8SjeOsg1zByBVXYIk/s1600/IMG_1048%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqpOMcvgCEvYjIR4TKuSOgecvdQ4owiYyiKNgJ8teVZYtngzCThI1XQAp7ip8MptV5ArcTTcwFYrEI8it70UR_JSvGSxWcBiwg8YN2VNu4mtQsGa7oYRJenhfo1l8SjeOsg1zByBVXYIk/s320/IMG_1048%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%C3%A0n_Ki%E1%BA%BFm_Lake" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Hoàn Kiếm Lake</a></div>
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Our destination was a theatre nearby, to see a water puppet performance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA1nmvDEQR-ZEHW91-73DeYynDtBVQnAnlDu2heO74iTsezKsUTHQOJ6Q_omLSUnzjQel37RbPQ0WIwkv-yLQOfhs8EUTWM5idFTD1XcozdjFKpMV-WWrHRSYAsKeZnsJU-IvMwxqbapf/s1600/IMG_1049%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA1nmvDEQR-ZEHW91-73DeYynDtBVQnAnlDu2heO74iTsezKsUTHQOJ6Q_omLSUnzjQel37RbPQ0WIwkv-yLQOfhs8EUTWM5idFTD1XcozdjFKpMV-WWrHRSYAsKeZnsJU-IvMwxqbapf/s320/IMG_1049%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two puppets, dacing</div>
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<b>Day 4</b></div>
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<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2539857469" target="_blank">Bike from Huyen Gia Vien to Ninh Binh</a></div>
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This was our group's first day of biking. There were lots of sights and sounds, from this agrarian country, as we travelled on a wide range of roads and paths. We saw people working in the rice fields, people herding animals on the same road we were riding on, and lots of impromptu outdoor snack bars.</div>
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We stopped periodically, to take a break and take in the view. In the early afternoon we stopped in Ninh Binh, first for lunch, and then to take a ride in a small boat on the Ngo Dong River to see the Tam Coc (Three Caves).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsvhX2M7yI4H8hjKm63epbuPD5c2k8zM4iutO-SUGTsIhf8KTEuraxGAepMfESsRyZ1ao3yf029CjrVRdovkWMjZn7bJRlV2X3LLIfTKOZF7KLyHIg744Muy8lA80DRR0ePolF0bFUTFr/s1600/IMG_1053%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsvhX2M7yI4H8hjKm63epbuPD5c2k8zM4iutO-SUGTsIhf8KTEuraxGAepMfESsRyZ1ao3yf029CjrVRdovkWMjZn7bJRlV2X3LLIfTKOZF7KLyHIg744Muy8lA80DRR0ePolF0bFUTFr/s320/IMG_1053%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Boats in harbor at Ninh Binh</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRPeVob8v-3fcRAWrDKWhq_ptcm53XjesGRagZAac71Rs2mKbvf-wYIrLWPgM8b5Wzfp4ubyNlss8OyxOEW80Bh-OV7Lxs8UYjeKTTauJ8XCJ7rRz4P_x8inqzi1yYnwezL1o826ir9eB/s1600/IMG_1083%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRPeVob8v-3fcRAWrDKWhq_ptcm53XjesGRagZAac71Rs2mKbvf-wYIrLWPgM8b5Wzfp4ubyNlss8OyxOEW80Bh-OV7Lxs8UYjeKTTauJ8XCJ7rRz4P_x8inqzi1yYnwezL1o826ir9eB/s320/IMG_1083%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Exiting the longest of the three caves</div>
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Then a bit more exploring of the area, before being finished for the day.</div>
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<b>Day 5</b></div>
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<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2542186928" target="_blank">Huyen Nhu Thanh to Langlam</a></div>
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We started the day by driving nearly three hours to Huyen Nhu Thanh. There was a complication during the drive. Both people who had started their malaria medication regimen became quite car sick. The driver and guide, perhaps worried about accidents in the vehicle, then decided we should start biking 15 km before reaching the starting point.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8vwTzbw0fePqWJ7j7v35SYl0vTnBvKGFGoWvhNnpmDbCHeMH8zrAwmcaWa4XRrqZm_LyGj9SzNSnQBp7ABhovVJlCWEdAip-vj8XDrkuSMj9W36ktOCIaQdd4gWEabXZieMdw6cJOk0d/s1600/IMG_1091%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8vwTzbw0fePqWJ7j7v35SYl0vTnBvKGFGoWvhNnpmDbCHeMH8zrAwmcaWa4XRrqZm_LyGj9SzNSnQBp7ABhovVJlCWEdAip-vj8XDrkuSMj9W36ktOCIaQdd4gWEabXZieMdw6cJOk0d/s320/IMG_1091%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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When geese commute (apologies to Gary Larsen)</div>
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This meant we had to bike about 15 more km than anticipated. </div>
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The route was rolling and the region was not very populated. There was lots of rice fields and not so distant mountains.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT15h1zyqWV9DI7daExXiyEb3s84zcghi0cwc7sLTKQcXlgqPxVp5MxtamQXjH3X2M6nAxQTwTSFpon3uEzBHDgWB_UETyxh86UnYP_dN8A23d3e5Ae3AXBdQzwb3XFN9gS9REuoFlLXp/s1600/IMG_1095%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT15h1zyqWV9DI7daExXiyEb3s84zcghi0cwc7sLTKQcXlgqPxVp5MxtamQXjH3X2M6nAxQTwTSFpon3uEzBHDgWB_UETyxh86UnYP_dN8A23d3e5Ae3AXBdQzwb3XFN9gS9REuoFlLXp/s320/IMG_1095%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Golden rice paddies</div>
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The setting was lush and very lightly settled.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1X9RlrfYWcu0WxN6UaVS1R47MrtaiCkjXEPIYmwIHNCeffJEPuSUTFC-8zCEnKxgiqf4xUTPmvbezXbH6Lojv6ykxvm-1YMuYjaHHihwok97WGFlCn9e1glnZoxJfEFhmtoOaJUgDnu_/s1600/IMG_1096%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1X9RlrfYWcu0WxN6UaVS1R47MrtaiCkjXEPIYmwIHNCeffJEPuSUTFC-8zCEnKxgiqf4xUTPmvbezXbH6Lojv6ykxvm-1YMuYjaHHihwok97WGFlCn9e1glnZoxJfEFhmtoOaJUgDnu_/s320/IMG_1096%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rolling terrain</div>
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As on the previous day, the roads were used by a wide range of vehicles and creatures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbq20sgKcRdKkRIf5sUIH64Vx2hEXAK0ZOOkxbNHtqO7modSNN-s4gcSaziF-q378RUkH5ROu6N4YVXVcQFPYBV35l7Nuazc5N9kNmECpeu9E7vHz4Q4_8VaK5QZv_UbLPs4dxdTq4-qw/s1600/IMG_1097%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbq20sgKcRdKkRIf5sUIH64Vx2hEXAK0ZOOkxbNHtqO7modSNN-s4gcSaziF-q378RUkH5ROu6N4YVXVcQFPYBV35l7Nuazc5N9kNmECpeu9E7vHz4Q4_8VaK5QZv_UbLPs4dxdTq4-qw/s320/IMG_1097%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Water buffalo</div>
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Eventually we reached a part of the tour that had very much intrigued us when we studied the itinerary - the Ho Chi Minh Highway (Vietnamese: Đường Hồ Chí Minh). We weren't sure what to expect, recalling the Ho Chi Minh Trail, from the 70s. We discovered a two lane road with an excellent surface and, although hilly, not steep. The lanes were wide and the truck traffic fairly light. There were generally settlements on each side, but actual villages were somewhat rare.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcpU8QWowimTzi8eN6_yPlBtc8xe8JZ-yJY9xrkz3agkkW4PC1AlVcQSyDBOsVKCfZWOfTpYYttLsNScut3ZM9jZ5DTo51wN8RGj6YYpvow2BI5aPBm85dT2_N9KFNFXHMK3XApv7BjbI/s1600/IMG_1098%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcpU8QWowimTzi8eN6_yPlBtc8xe8JZ-yJY9xrkz3agkkW4PC1AlVcQSyDBOsVKCfZWOfTpYYttLsNScut3ZM9jZ5DTo51wN8RGj6YYpvow2BI5aPBm85dT2_N9KFNFXHMK3XApv7BjbI/s320/IMG_1098%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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"Mile" post along the Đường Hồ Chí Minh (Ho Chi Minh Highway)</div>
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After covering 54 km for the day, we drove the remaining 80 km to Vinh. From wikipedia:</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Vinh</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> (</span><small style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.9px;">Vietnamese: </small><span class="IPA" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="Representation in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Vietnamese" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none !important;" title="Help:IPA/Vietnamese">[viɲ]</a></span><small class="nowrap" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.9px; white-space: nowrap;"> (<span class="unicode haudio"><span class="fn"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vinh.ogg" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="About this sound"><img alt="About this sound" data-file-height="20" data-file-width="20" height="11" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Loudspeaker.svg/11px-Loudspeaker.svg.png" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Loudspeaker.svg/17px-Loudspeaker.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Loudspeaker.svg/22px-Loudspeaker.svg.png 2x" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="11" /></a> <a class="internal" href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Vinh.ogg" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Vinh.ogg">listen</a></span></span>)</small><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">) is the biggest city and economic and cultural center of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Central_Coast" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="North Central Coast">North Central Coast</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> of Vietnam. Vinh is the capital of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngh%E1%BB%87_An_Province" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Nghệ An Province">Nghệ An Province</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, and is a key point in the East–West economic corridor linking </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Myanmar">Myanmar</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, Thailand, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Laos">Laos</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and Vietnam.</span></div>
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We had dinner in our hotel. We appeared to be the only people dining. The others were participating in karaoke, on the other side of the dining room, in celebration of International Women's Day. From wikipedia:</div>
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<b>International Women's Day</b> (<b>IWD</b>) is celebrated on March 8 every year.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UN_4-0" style="font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women%27s_Day#cite_note-UN-4" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;">[3]</a></sup> It commemorates the movement for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Women's rights">women's rights</a>.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (March 2018)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup></div>
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March 8 was suggested by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Socialist_Women%27s_Conferences" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="International Socialist Women's Conferences">1910 International Socialist Woman's Conference</a>to become an "International Woman's Day." After women gained suffrage in <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Russia" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Soviet Russia">Soviet Russia</a> in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="United Nations">United Nations</a>.</div>
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We participated in the <b>spirit </b>of the celebration.</div>
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Petrolimex? What <b>octane </b>is this stuff?</div>
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<b>Day 6</b></div>
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We drove 50 km to Huyen Can Loc, there to begin biking. </div>
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<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2543901706" target="_blank">Huyen Can Loc to Yen Binh</a></div>
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At about 10 km we reached Đồng Lộc Junction Peace Shrine. There are several memorials to the troops who fought in the American War.</div>
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Memorial to Those Killed in the American Way</div>
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There is also a shrine to the 10 girls killed in the 24 July 1968 bombing. We placed flowers and incense on the shrine. It was a very moving experience.</div>
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Shrine</div>
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After that we continued biking to Yen Binh. Then we drove a bit, had lunch, then drove to Huyen Minh Hoa and biked on the Ho Chi Minh Highway through Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park</span></div>
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We ended the day at a farm stay in Chay Lap.</div>
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<b>Day 7</b></div>
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We began our day with a short drive to Dong Hoi, on the Sông Côn River. From there we went on a small boat (only slightly larger than could accommodate our group of eight, plus guide). The boat motored a few kilometers up the river to the entrance to Paradise cave. At that point the operators turned off the motor. Then the two people rowed us into the cave and back. Then we motored back to Dong Hoi.</div>
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Waiting for the boat. Slogan describes Vietnam perfectly.</div>
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Strict rules (incl. #4) for would be boat riders.</div>
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Ada Compliance NOT spoken here.</div>
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On the boat</div>
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Entrance to Paradise Cave</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZod1AeaDdEkVxRwW1V99JzJ-yXuwXwiVNubQagIX6v9MetcqRw6wT83EpHl8zwYQ6-hzXFMxLXGwohcuiTtfgtTv2zHIaK2LB4Wx09WuzU9wISOtxmGGQvrbhJetxdfZDePthHZy7Y_/s1600/IMG_1224%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZod1AeaDdEkVxRwW1V99JzJ-yXuwXwiVNubQagIX6v9MetcqRw6wT83EpHl8zwYQ6-hzXFMxLXGwohcuiTtfgtTv2zHIaK2LB4Wx09WuzU9wISOtxmGGQvrbhJetxdfZDePthHZy7Y_/s320/IMG_1224%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Near mouth of cave</div>
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Narrow opening, in distance</div>
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When stalagmite meets stalactite.</div>
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Short section of cave can be explored on foot.</div>
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<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2545751032" target="_blank">Dong Hoi to Ang Sơn</a></div>
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Then we biked through the town, to check it out, and then biked the short distance to the Ho Chi Minh Highway and continued until we had covered 64 kms. Then we called it a day, got in the van, and drove to Hue. At dinner we discovered gender specific alcohol:</div>
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Are <b>you </b>man enough?</div>
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<b>Day 8 (Sunday)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2548258860" target="_blank">Biking around Hue</a><br />
<br />
Today was a relatively short biking day. We biked around Huế, visiting three major tourist attractions. It was our first significant experience biking in an urban setting. No lives were lost.<br />
<br />
The first site we visited was the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. This seven story pagoda is considered the unofficial symbol of the city of Hue.<br />
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The Pagoda of the Celestial Lady</div>
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Next up, we visited the Tomb of Khải Định. It was built from 1920 to 1931. Khải Định was the 12th Emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty in Vietnam, reigning from 1916 to 1925.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Tomb of Khải Định</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Statue of </span>Khải Định</div>
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Lastly we visited the citadel, and the Imperial City (made a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1993) enclosed within. Most of the city was destroyed during the Tet Offensive of 1968.<br />
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Flag tower on the citadel. (Tee shirt: East meets West)<br />
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<br />
Meridian Gate<br />
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<b>Day 9 (Monday)</b></div>
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This was our final day of biking. It was different from the other days because often we were along the water, or at least near it.</div>
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We started biking right from our hotel in central Hue. Eventually we biked along a long, narrow island that paralleled the mainland. It was great to finally see the ocean.</div>
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Wild life, on the beach.</div>
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Then we rode in the van for a while, eventually coming to another long, narrow island. We stopped to have lunch.</div>
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After lunch we got on our bikes and biked up and up and up. The traffic was light because the main highway, which parallels our route, goes under the mountains of ______ via a tunnel. The climb up to Hai Van Pass was work, especially since it was humid (though, thankfully not hot).</div>
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View, during the climb</div>
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Danang, from Hai Van Pass</div>
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We spent a few minutes at the pass, catching our breath, then make the descent and biked into Danang. After a little over a week in what seemed very close to the earth, it was somewhat of a shock to now be in a modern city. Then we got into the van for the short drive to Hoi An.</div>
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Danang</div>
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The beach at Danang</div>
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After getting situated in Hoi An, we went to the old part of town for dinner. Such a contrast, from our past week and a half, to see so many lights at night.</div>
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Bright lights, not so big city</div>
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Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-70421319166853368442018-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:002018-02-06T18:31:39.979-08:00The Full Monte<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Full Monte</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I first met Monte Pasqual on the bus to the start of the
Yakima River Canyon Marathon. We were
sitting next to each other, making the sort of conversation runners do, in
those sorts of settings. So I asked him
how many marathons he ran each year.
"Forty," was his reply.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I assumed he hadn't heard my question correctly; perhaps he
thought I had asked him how many he had run in total. So, I repeated my question. "Forty," he responded again. "The first year I did less, but ever
since then it's been forty."
OMG! He continued, "Some
weekends I double up, to keep the travel costs down." Sure.
Why not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cried the remainder of the bus ride (though didn't let him
notice).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've caught a glimpse of him, generally at the same
marathon, though sometimes elsewhere, in recent years, though not had a chance
to speak with him until this past Saturday at the Geoduck Gallop Half Marathon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was in front of me, early on. His running style caught my attention. It seemed to indicate someone who had bashed
his body for thousands of miles. His run
was now little more than a glorified walk.
His left arm swung rather wildly, not apparently contributing to forward
motion. To me he now seemed a broken
shadow of a once great runner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That being said, he gradually pulled away from me, until I
lost sight of him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Late in the run I saw him again. Now I was closing on him. He was running with one other person, a
woman. They seemed to know each other. With about a half a mile to go, I was up to
them. The woman made a humorous remark
about "Fast runner, passing on left."
I assured her she had me confused with someone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ran the rest of the distance with them. Some friends met them, at the finish. I overheard Monte say that he had been
"taking is easy." Ouch! He was asked about his plans for the next
day. "Going to continue to take it
easy; just running 25 miles."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A broken shadow of a once great runner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-12235860490598067052017-10-19T04:11:00.000-07:002019-02-20T00:39:12.182-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cauchemar on Ulm Strasse</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In September of 2017 I took a two-week trip to Europe. My plan was to
go to French school in Waterloo (note: NOT in Iowa!), run the marathon in
Cologne and visit a friend in Germany.
It sounded straight forward. What
could possibly go wrong?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get to Sea-Tac Airport I took
the Rapid Ride and the Light Rail. I was
at the gate with lots of time to spare.
The flight was uneventful. I
arrived at Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) not overly beaten down (which is rare,
for a transatlantic flight). One can
catch trains right at the Schiphol Airport.
I already had my ticket (on my phone).
I found my platform and even got a pasta salad from a shop in the
airport.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The high-speed train ride went
smoothly. I arrived at Bruxelles-Midi (the
main train station in Brussels) still in fairly good shape. Now all I needed to do was</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 51.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li> Buy
a ticket to Waterloo</li>
<li> Find
the platform</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 51.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
After fighting off a scammer, I
found a big room that sold tickets. As I
entered, I was intercepted by a woman whose job it was, among others, to make
sure one didn’t wait in line needlessly.
When I said I wanted a ticket for Waterloo, she sent me to another room
(“The Orange Room,” she said, in English, in response to what was, I’m sure, my
impeccable French.). The room I had gone
into was for buying tickets for intercity trains. Silly me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The orange room had a long line,
for each ticket window, that was moving VERY slowly. I parked myself. In time I exited the room with a round trip
week-end special ticket (4-1/2 euros) to Waterloo. There was no time indicated, other than it
was only good for that day. Then I
started searching for the when and the where.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were screens with departures
times for <i>les grandes lignes</i>
(intercity trains), near those trains’ respective platforms. In another part of the station (perhaps in a
different station, because Bruxelles-Midi and Bruxelles-Sud actually touch
(which is sometimes helpful, sometimes confusing)). There were also screens showing departures
for the shorter distance trains. On none
of the screens could I see mention of Waterloo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next I found large posters with
apparently all departures. There were
pages and pages of these posters. I
searched but could not find Waterloo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I noticed that other lost
souls were turning to the guys with machine guns for answers to their
questions. The guys with machine guns
seemed friendly and approachable. “Waterloo”
seemed to throw a curve ball at the first machine gun toting guy I talked
to. He genuinely wanted to help, so turned
to his buddy in arms. That guy also
seemed confused, though told me that Waterloo was “a la direction de Nivelles.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yay – now I had something to work
with! I found Nivelles on a screen and
now I knew the platform number and departure time!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got on the train, and after
we had departed, I noticed a screen showing the upcoming stops. I became a bit concerned that Waterloo was
NOT one of them. I became even MORE
concerned when the ticket checker pointed out that this train did NOT stop at Waterloo. Prior to that conversation I
had consulted google maps and noted that one of the listed stops, Braine-l’Alleud,
was very near (a relative term, I was soon to find out) Waterloo. When I mentioned this, the ticket checker concurred.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got off the train at
Braine-l’Alleud. It was Sunday
afternoon. Things looked fairly
deserted. I could not imagine another
train coming through … for a week or two.
There were no cabs out front.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I consulted google maps. It showed a 54-minute trip, by foot, to my
AirBnB. I reasoned that, even with my
heavy pack, with a determined effort, I could lop a minute or two off of that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at my destination with a
drenched shirt (it was a warm day), after a walk through quite pleasant
surroundings. A young woman gave me a
quick tour of the AirBnB and then said good-bye.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had made it!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next three nights I did not venture out of the AirBnB. I didn’t want to even think
about another train adventure, much less attempt one. On Monday and Tuesday I went to class, then
went to the store, then spent the night watching French tv, eating dinner, and
working on an on-line computer class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday was a <i>fermeture
scolaire</i>. Darn, I’d run out of
excuses. There were friends in northern
France I wanted to visit. And there was an
architectural pilgrimage I needed to make.
Only three nights in Waterloo remained, and it seemed prudent to stay
“at home” on Friday night, because of the early Saturday start. This left only two nights for evening train adventures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My friends in Lille suggested I
arrive between 4 and 6 p.m. With that as my goal, in the early
afternoon I walked to the Waterloo train station. There was a short line, at the ticket
counter, although some exchanging of life stories appeared to be transpiring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A man who worked in the station
popped his head in the platform door and announced that it was possible to
purchase tickets from the machine on the platform. He offered to hold our hand, while doing
so. I was second in line for the
machine/hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it was my turn, and he’d asked
me my destination, and I had said Lille, he informed me that I needed to go to
Braine-l’Aleud. I hadn’t expected to
ever get back there, yet only three days after my previous, albeit unintended
visit, here I was, going back again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was confusing, of course:
Brain-l’Aleud was south, Brussels was north.
Who was I to question the man. He
held my hand, while I inserted my card into the machine (with my free
hand). The machine did not like my card.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just then he noticed the train
arriving. I held out a bill, he grabbed
it, and ran inside. Just when I was
certain the train was going to leave without me, he exited the station, with
the ticket and some bills. I thanked him
and ran to the door of the train. Just
before I got in, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was him – I had forgotten to take the
coins!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Brain-l’Aleud (by the way, if
you think this name is hard to say, you are right: the locals drop the ‘l’) I
was emboldened, went up to a machine, and purchased a ticket to Lille … for
only several euros. While awaiting the
next train to Bruxelles-Midi (now the center of my train universe), I pondered
how it was possible for the ticket to be so cheap. Perhaps with the help of my phone I learned
there was a Lille somewhere in Belgium (probably kind of close).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I went into the station and
waited in line. When I reached the
counter, the man concurred that I’d purchased a ticket to the wrong Lille. He said that, as my Lille was in another country,
he would need to consult with a co-worker - one specializing in international travel - who was off doing something at the
moment. So I stepped aside, while he
turned his attention to the queue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually this feat of
international diplomacy was undertaken and I was back on the platform, awaiting
a northbound train.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Bruxelles-Midi I found my
platform (full disclosure: I did consult with a man carrying a machine gun). The train arrived 20 minutes late! Lots of people were getting on. I was happy to find a seat in the space
between cars. There was an announcement
that some technical glitch was holding us up.
20 more minutes passed. Then
there was an announcement that, due to a problem on the high-speed line, our
train would not be departing for at least another 1-1/2 to 2 hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had been beaten. Sigh.
There was no point in continuing.
My plan had been to spend several hours with my friends, then make it
back to my AirBnB that night, because I had French class the next day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I returned to Waterloo and repeated
the lifestyle of the three previous evenings, first sending an e-mail to my
friends in Lille, explaining why I was going to be a no show.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Needless to say, my nascent train
travel courage had taken a hit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day I went to class, but
kept thinking about the architectural pilgrimage to Liege. After class I went for it!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things started out well
enough. I had studied the schedule and knew when to catch a train from Waterloo to Bruxelles-Midi. Once in Brussels I studied the departure sheets and
found my train to Liege listed. I noted
the time, waited a bit, then went to the departure display. To my shock, there were THREE trains leaving
at the same time. One of the three had
the letters ‘IC’ after its name. I
recall that my train had those same initials, after its name, on the paper
display. So that was the train that I
got on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After traveling for perhaps 20
minutes, I got an uncomfortable feeling.
So I took out my phone to check my location on a map. Yikes – I was headed in the exact opposite
direction from Liege! I got off the
train, at the next stop, and awaited one heading in the opposite
direction. I returned to Bruxelles-Midi,
without a ticket, found the platform for the correct train, and waited.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now my two hours in Liege could
only be one hour. I arrived at Liège-Guillemins while there
was still light in the sky. This made a
great backdrop for photographing this enchanting feat of architecture. After hurriedly photographing many parts, from many angles, I turned my attention to food and eventually got a sandwich, then sat in the extremely plain plaza to eat it and admire the station.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The train that would take me back to Bruxelles-Midi
arrived at Liège-Guillemins about 15 minutes late. The
connecting time was originally to be 25 minutes. Now it was more like 3 minutes! I would have to quickly find my platform. I did not want to miss the train to Waterloo
because I knew that, especially at night, they ran sparingly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The train to Buxelles-Midi somehow
continued to lose time. When I reached
the station, there was no time to find out what platform. I raced through the station and ran up to the
platform I had come in on, earlier. There
was my train!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An evening well spent – my train
travel courage had received a big shot in the arm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My next train adventure was not
until Saturday morning, when I bid Waterloo adoo. I made it to Bruxelles-Midi without
incident. I checked the departure
sheets, found a train that was arriving in Cologne at the time my train was
arriving there, assumed that was my train, and waited for it. While waiting, one of the machine gun guys verified that I had a valid ticket for train travel. Did I really look like I was just sitting in that chaotic place because it was enjoyable? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it came I got on board a train bound for Cologne and
away we went. This was a high speed
train. At times we hit 240 kph. Things were going well until the ticket taker
scanned the ticket on my phone. Then he
became indignant and pointed out that this was a high-speed train and that I
had paid for a regular train. I was
mortified. I asked, in French (mistakenly using the infinitive for the subjunctive), what I
could do. He was German and seemed
rather exasperated. After some officious hemming and hawing, he finally walked away in a
tiny huff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made it to Cologne.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Köln-Hauptbanhof, I walked to
the AirBnB, an uneventful undertaking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two days later, when it was time to
leave Cologne (the day after running the marathon), I devised a clever
shortcut, to simplify getting out of town.
Although my ticket was for a trip starting at Köln-Hauptbanhof, I
strongly suspected this train had to pass through the Köln-Messe station, which
was much closer to my AirBnB. I found an
on-line train trip planner and confirmed that it was possible to go from Köln-Messe
to Berlin (my destination). I felt so
clever … always a danger sign.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reasoning that I could catch my
train where I was, I went outside of the station and sat on a bench in the
plaza. I did some people watching, I
read a bit from my book. Then, just as a
random act, I decided to take a closer look at that train trip planner. Scanning the details, I noted with horror
that the proposed itinerary had one going from Köln-Messe to Köln-HBH, there to
catch the train to Berlin. My train was
leaving, in seven minutes, from the other side of the Rhine!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ran into the station and raced to
the far side (where the tracks were located).
I got up onto the correct track (I can’t remember how I knew) and caught
the first train to arrive, westbound.
There was no time to purchase a ticket!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got off, in Köln-HBF, I
found the platform number, ran to it, and caught my train! Plenty of excitement for one day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My time in Berlin was <i>merveilleuse
</i>(translation: <i>wunderbra</i>).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the next two days my long-time friend showed me wonderful sights AND sounds (we went to the
Philharmonic!). The time passed rather
quickly, and then it was time for the biggest travel nightmares of the trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was to fly from Berlin to
Amsterdam, via Charles De Gaulle. Then
I’d spend the night near Schiphol. The
goal was to be rested for the 10-hour flight back to Seattle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had rough weather getting to the
airport. Strong winds, in northern
Germany, had caused many flight cancelations.
Standing on a train platform, we had to retreat behind a wall because we
were being pelted with twigs and leaves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we got to the station there was
an announcement that runway operations had been stopped, due to high
winds. My flight was listed as being 15
minutes delayed. I waited in the
somewhat cramped wing. Eventually the
screen at the gate indicated the flight was delayed for 30 minutes. Now it would be nearly impossible to make my
connection at CdG. I went up to the
counter person and mentioned this. She
responded that perhaps my connecting flight would also be delayed, so they were
keeping me with the original plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I waited some more, and the screen
kept indicating increased departure delay.
It was with sorrow, while waiting, that I noted the flight leaving from
the adjacent gate was going directly to Schiphol.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually the counter person
announced that people with connections could come up to be accommodated. I was informed I was now booked on a 7:20
a.m. flight out of Charles de Gaulle. So
much for my plan to start the long flight back with a good night’s rest. I was also told that Air France would be
putting me up in Paris - they couldn't put people up in Berlin because all of the hotels were filled due to all of the flight cancelations. And I was given
a 10 Euro voucher.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I exchanged the voucher, at a food
counter, for some food and drink. The
woman had informed me that there would be no change, but she made up the
difference by giving me a pile of Haribo candy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The flight to Charles de Gaulle
finally took off, three hours late. We
arrived at a quiet airport, where most everyone had gone home. I wondered around, looking for an Air France
counter with the lights still on. I
ended up at baggage, where I got in line.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I reached the front of the
line I immediately put the Air France person at ease by assuring her that I did
not lose baggage! I merely asked where
to go. “Embarcation,” she informed me,
“Niveau un.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately I remembered that the
French call the second floor “Level One.”
I went upstairs, found a counter with lights on AND with personnel … and
got in the slow moving line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided it would be prudent to
not show the boarding pass for the morning flight. When I got to the counter I produced the
original boarding pass, for the evening flight to Schiphol. It probably didn’t matter. They informed me I was booked for a flight
out in the morning. They gave me another
boarding pass, a box of food, a pouch with toiletries, and some vague
directions for how to get to the hotel – “Vous passez par securité.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t quite sure what this
meant, but I also caught that I was supposed to go down a level. Once down I saw the guys with machine
guns. Perhaps they were being referred
to as security. Remembering that, at
Bruxelles-Midi, the guys with machine guns were fair game for asking
directions, I went up to one and said I was looking for the hotel. I showed him the piece of paper on which the
Air France person had written “L2.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He responded that he did not know
where L2 was, nor where hotels in general were.
There was a rare open food counter, nearby, and he asked the guy running
it if HE knew where the hotel was. He
seemed aware of the hotels and said that one needed to take the train to reach
them. He pointed me in a direction. I thanked both gentlemen and headed off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ended up walking all of the way
to the end of the terminal, occasionally seeing signs for shuttle to
hotels. I found a place to catch a train
that ran between terminals. I figured
that L2 was one of those terminals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not long after the train had
departed, I read the small print on the hotel voucher. It indicated that the Yotel was located in
the terminal I had just left! I got off
at the next stop. Fortunately it was not
so late that the trains had stopped running!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in Terminal E2, I proceeded to
retrace my long route. I kept looking
for maps. Whenever I found one, it was of
no help. There was no mention of the
Yotel (the term printed on the voucher).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went back and forth a few times,
near the middle of the terminal, feeling completely stymied. Then I read the small print again, on the
voucher, and discovered a phone number for the Yotel! I phoned and asked for directions and was told, as the
Air France person had told me, to pass by security. I asked for the level and was told Level 1. I was told to go to “Porte L.” This jived with the “Halle L,” on the
voucher.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once upstairs I found a sign that
said KLM, with an arrow. I had no way of
knowing if it meant the airline, or halles (portes) K, L and M. I couldn’t find any of them, anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I noticed the security that
one must clear to get to ones gate. All
of the lights were off, and all of the booths were empty … save one! I went up to the woman and said I was looking
for the Yotel! She asked if I had a
passport. When I produced it, she
immediately stamped it, pointed in a certain direction, and told me that I had
to hurry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ran in the direction she had
pointed. To my surprise I discovered
another train system. This one
circulated completely <b>within </b>the terminal.
There was only one problem – it had stopped running for the night because
it was after 12:30.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I walked back to the security
kiosk, doing my best impersonation of a tourist who had been beaten down by
circumstances. Fortunately the
gentlewoman took my case to heart. I
first asked her if there was a way to walk to the Porte. She said it was very far. I responded that that would be no problem (as
I didn’t have much choice). She phoned,
she radioed, she pointed to some stairs and said I needed to go down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There I was met by an employee who
was transporting a wheel chair to near my destination. We proceeded to walk through the bowels of
Charles de Gaulle, in the middle of the night.
We had an enjoyable conversation, in French. He told me this little junket would allow him
to go home early.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually he reached his destination. He gave me directions to the Yotel. Was I ever relieved to find the front desk (humorously labeled <i>Mission Control</i>). I reached my room at 1:15 a.m. I knew of these Yotels, but had never
experienced one. I opened the door … and
was practically in bed already! Hiding
in my room, safe within my womb, I touch no one and no one touches me (except
for TSA personnel).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.SzkXNrxNHPhZtxIWZEmo_wEsEs&pid=15.1&P=0&w=300&h=300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ubiquitous Candy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It had been an altogether way too
long day from hell! I opened the food
box. It too contained, among its
selection, Haribo candy! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got 3-1/2 hours of sleep, took a
shower, and managed to find my departure gate without finding the internal
train. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was an amusing incident, just
before reaching my gate. It started just
before reaching security. A plane had
arrived and a wave of people swarmed into the hallway. Everyone was black (my guess is their plane
was arriving from Africa). After
clearing security, many of them, and I, continued to a wing of the terminal. Being the only white face, in a sea of black
faces, I must have caught the attention of one of the guys with assault
weapons; he gave me a subtle gesture, as if to say “Dude … butt over here!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I approached he asked “Parlez-vous
français?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to respond “Do I speak French!? Is the #$%&ing pope Catholic!? What do you think I came all of the way over
here for!?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, instead, I meekly responded “Oui,
monsieur,” with just a <i>soupçon </i>of irony in my voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He asked for my passport and then
asked where I was coming from. “Bair
len,” I responded, trying to give it a French accent, so I wouldn’t seem like a
<i>poseur</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This surprised him, until I
explained we had arrived the previous evening, <i>en retard</i>, because of the
weather.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">“Ah, vous avez passé la nuit ici!” </span>I nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He returned my passport and wished
me good trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the trip home went
smoothly, but the accumulation of nightmarish ordeals had left my confidence
with my ability to navigate the pitfalls of public transportation somewhat
shaken.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRur6J1EjsRWqTcFTbBBW9Ooh0BBJxW41J4ytRSEdFOTAY5mqAK0H4VFR2fn2qJqV3IB2gt4l25lfq-jYG-czYlzDNC3W1qkIH8ax8ZwmfNo0i4vciWC2zQj44wK7tmr480LP5jjzT_RUO/s320/web-art-academy-john_henry_fuseli_-_the_nightmare.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nightmare</td></tr>
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Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-32236331234482083582016-10-27T04:34:00.001-07:002016-10-27T04:34:31.383-07:00Indoor Cycling<div class="MsoNormal">
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THEY say THEY don’t ride indoors because it is agonizingly
boring. Don’t get me wrong, indoors is
NOT my first choice of where to ride. In
fact, let me be completely honest here: indoors is my LAST choice of where to
ride. That being said, I do occasionally
ride indoors.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Why would one do that?” you might ask. Two reasons:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Sometimes the weather outside is so bleak that the
indoors is the obvious choice<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A lot of training regimens are so involved that you wouldn’t even
THINK of doing them outside, especially if there are ANY cars around<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
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Let me again be clear, there is no way I could just sit on a
bike, indoors, and crank the pedals, even for 15 minutes. I need to be doing something, while on the
bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Workouts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The perfect solution is this book with indoor cycling workouts:<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The Heart Rate Monitor Book for Cyclists: A Heart Zones
Training Program” by Sally Edwards and Sally Reed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These workouts vary in duration from 20 minutes to an hour,
and in difficulty from beginner to advanced cyclist.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For me, a big reason they remove the boredom from indoor cycling
is the authors never have you doing the same thing for more than three minutes
(in fact, two minutes is much more likely).
At very short intervals, you will be changing heart rate or cadence, or
standing up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trainer<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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You will need to set your bike on something, in order to
ride indoors. I’ve found that trainers
which have some combination of fluid and weight resistance feel the most
similar to riding outdoors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you want to have an experience that is even more like the
great outdoors, use rollers. They have a
learning curve, but are not all that complicated. They’re also much faster for putting your
bike on and taking it off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>It’s about the bike<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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It is very important to protect your bike from sweat. From about the middle of the top tube,
forward, wrap pipe insulation (eg.) around the top tube and down tube. Put a rag over the front brake. Put another rag over the top of the headset.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If the floor under the bike needs protection from sweat, a sheet of plastic can do the job.</div>
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<b>Display Device<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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One *could* prop up the workout book, say above the
handlebars. That’s a lot of work and you
will get sweat on the book. I like using
a Garmin GPS bike computer. You can
recreate the workout in Garmin Connect (<a href="file:///C:/Users/Meadowbr00k/Cycling/connect.garmin.com">connect.garmin.com</a>)
and download it to the computer. When
you run the workout, the device will automatically display the current
activity. You can do the same thing with
a Garmin watch, but there’s a lot less visual real estate (read: much smaller
screen size), which makes it harder to see the current step in the workout.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With any of these Garmin bike computers (or other workout GPS
devices), you can record your workout, to see how you did. Note: since you're not really going anywhere, you can turn off the GPS on the device! To show your cadence (if the workout you have chosen calls for that), you will need a cadence sensor that is compatible with your Garmin device.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Music<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A big tool, in the fight against boredom, is music. It is important to be able to adjust the
volume because, as the cycling intensity increases, so does the ambient noise. I use an iPod and clip it to brake cable, where it comes out of the brake lever. There it is fairly safe from sweat, yet easily accessible enough to control the selection and volume.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Controlling the
indoor environment<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Unlike riding outdoors, there will be no convective heat loss
… unless you use a fan. Before talking
about the fan, also consider riding in a room with a lower temperature (perhaps
in the basement, or garage, or a room with its own temperature control (eg. where
you can open a window)).<o:p></o:p></div>
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I use a fan with a remote control. It is very helpful to be able to adjust fan
speed while riding.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Parting thoughts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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You won’t need to dress for the elements. I generally only wear bike shorts, a cotton
tee shirt and a head band.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-19140063008811874902016-06-22T02:36:00.000-07:002016-06-22T02:37:41.097-07:00Cannonball: Still Crazy 25 Years Later<br />
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<b>Blogger’s note</b>: <i>The Cannonball bike race, begun in 1988 (?)
travels from Seattle to Spokane, mostly on the shoulder of Interstate 90. The ride crosses Lake Washington, then passes by the southern shore of Lake Sammamish, eventually winding its way up into the
foothills of the western slope of the Cascade Range. It crests these mountains at Snoqualmie Pass, elevation
3,022’. It is not unusual to have rain
on the climb; one is still on the wet side of the mountains, afterall.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>As one moves into the
dryer eastern Washington, the skies clear up … and the monster tail winds
hopefully begin. There are two climbs
before the descent into the Columbia River Gorge. The second, Rye Grass Summit, is on the
southern edge of a large wind generator installation.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>The 10 mile descent
into the Gorge can often be faster than one cares to go on a bicycle. Then one crosses the Columbia River. The climb out of the gorge, on the east side,
is mercifully only about two miles long.
Then one is in cropland, seemingly forever.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>One gradually ascends
and, a bit before reaching Spokane, the landscape changes to Pine Savanna. And so in one long (or perhaps very long) day riders have had a picture of the variety
of scenery the state has to offer.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>I rode my first Cannonball
in 1991, a year of amazing tail winds resulting in terrific finish times. Somehow I got hooked by the whole experience. Since then I’ve maybe only missed two years.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Starting in ~2001, the
<a href="http://www.redmondcyclingclub.org/" target="_blank">Redmond Cycling Club</a>, long time sponsor of the event, “volunteered” me to run
the thing. So, in addition to riding it,
I was always busy with the organization thereof. At its peak, the turnout hit 41 riders. In recent years there have generally only
been a handful of hearty souls. Most
ride with support, though there were generally a small subset riding
unsupported.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>A few years ago
(2013?) was the last official running of the event. This probably coincided with my last
finish. But I still love the event, so for
the past three years, I’ve put together some sort of version of it, generally
just with a friend or two (until this year, when I rode alone). It hasn’t even involved going all of the way
to Spokane: I just like to do enough to reminisce.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">2016: 25 years after my first
Cannonball</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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I had put “Cannonball” on the calendar, knowing it did not
mean I’d actually ride to Spokane. But,
as the date drew near, I hatched a plan: I’d have a hotel reservation at Moses
Lake (Mile 179) and a car reservation the following day in Spokane (Mile
276). To simplify return logistics, I’d bike to
the start.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so it was, on a wet looking morning, with a wet forecast
to the pass and beyond, I set out from my house, some ten miles away from the
traditional start line. The ride had always
begun at 3:00 a.m., so I told myself 2:00 a.m. would be a good time to start
from home. As it turned out, I got
rolling at 4:31 a.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rain had arrived the previous evening, which made me
think that perhaps it was done I wouldn’t get rained on.
Hah!<o:p></o:p></div>
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By the time I reached the “start line,” there was plenty of
light. This would definitely be a
different sort of Cannonball, hitting points at a much later time of day than
usual. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The ride follows the I-90 bike trail, with riders not
actually getting onto I-90 until about 13 miles into the course, at
Issaquah. When I reached that point, it
had already begun to rain. Not only was
the forecast wet, for the early part of my ride, but this would also be the
COLDEST Cannonball on record! The high
in Easton was 44 degrees! The low there,
on Friday night, 37, tied a record!<o:p></o:p></div>
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While still in the western foothills, I eventually stopped
to put on some additional rain gear. A
hiker pulled over, in his car, to see if I was alright. He was driving to the Mail Box Peak trail head
to hike to the top. I wished him luck
with the weather. Maybe he got some
views, but I suspect not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I did my usual detour at Mile 38, onto a parallel road along
<a href="http://parks.state.wa.us/555/Olallie">Olallie State Park</a>. This gave me a two mile break from the
traffic sounds of I-90 and avoided a small climb.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was surprisingly cold climbing the pass, though this
might be because I was wet (in spite of having fairly decent rain gear). Finally the top came (one counts the
miles!). I stopped at the Rest Stop there
and got a bag of Sun Chips and a bottle of Odwalla juice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQYt_HWuT1Q70VRsqLgh-wOB_vjkEQjws0elBjFbO7RUjDeNuPonHZuIAdW4ub1Ve_ku0tOnyF5Er-AAyHg09FQJS9nwgtdivhTAnOKIltkYq9orVXku9Y_9dkcuHW6Wa-9VQfblWL0Lm/s1600/Snoqualmie+Pass+Rest+Area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQYt_HWuT1Q70VRsqLgh-wOB_vjkEQjws0elBjFbO7RUjDeNuPonHZuIAdW4ub1Ve_ku0tOnyF5Er-AAyHg09FQJS9nwgtdivhTAnOKIltkYq9orVXku9Y_9dkcuHW6Wa-9VQfblWL0Lm/s320/Snoqualmie+Pass+Rest+Area.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There wasn't still snow at this time of year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Mango Tango®" src="http://www.odwalla.com/assets/products-med/mango-tango.png" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fond memory on bleak pass" width="68" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fond memory on bleak pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Then I was off to hunt for the <a href="http://parks.state.wa.us/521/Iron-Horse">Iron Horse State Park Trail</a>,
which is the official detour for cyclists around the construction on the
highway east of the pass. I’d ridden
this unpaved trail once before, when it was hard and bumpy. Now, with all of the rain, it was soft, and I
occasionally had to stop and put my foot out, so as now to fall over. A couple on loaded touring bikes passed me heading west. I kind of wanted to stop and talk, and I suspect they would have appreciated a break, but a big ride like this weighs on a person, so we just smiled and said 'hi.' I suspect they were camping. It's possible to make a several day tour of this trail. After 8 miles I was back on I-90.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rain continued, but it seemed lighter. Then it stopped. A few blue patches appeared in the sky. There were even moments of sun. I was still a bit wet, but this warmed my soul.</div>
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As I approached Cle Elum I recalled the Weigh
Station, a few miles before the first exit, with its famous metal
porta potty (hey, I don't make these things up). The timing was right, so I
stopped. It also seemed like a good
occasion to take off some rain gear. As
I started to bike away, I discovered a flat rear tire. I laid the bike down and addressed the
situation. The flat was caused by a thin
piece of wire from a radial tire. There
is a LOT of this along the shoulder. I
used my trusty mini-pliers to pull the wire out of the tire, then I replaced
the tube. Before I could complete this
job a shower arrived. I was scrambling
to get everything put away, and to get my rain gear back on, when the shower
ended. And that would be it for rain on
this trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back on the road, I wrestled with the decision one can make
at Cle Elum: taking old Highway 10 all of the way to the crossing of the Columbia River Gorge, or sticking
with I-90. The map at the start of the
Iron Horse Trail detour implied there would be another detour for cyclists at
Cle Elum. As I came upon the first Cle
Elum exit, I saw no detour signs but I did see a sign saying that the next Cle
Elum exit was only a mile away. I
decided to go for it, instead of the first exit, because I didn’t need to stop
for anything in Cle Elum and in this way could avoid traffic, lights and stop signs. Once committed
to missing the first exit, however, the shoulder shrunk to about two feet
wide! Yikes! This was to be the longest mile in the
history of imperial measurement! I was
happy when I could finally escape that somewhat dangerous situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So circumstances had made my decision for me: I’d ride old
Highway 10 all of the way to the small town of Vantage on the shore of the Columbia River. By doing this, one avoids the first climb on
I-90 – Indian John Hill. There is not
the terrific view of the Enchantment Range which one gets from Indian John Hill
but the proximity to the Yakima River is quite nice. It’s also very quiet, especially once past
where the traffic turns off for Blewett Pass.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A bit before reaching Ellensburg I was having trouble
staying awake so took a rather pleasant ditch nap. At Ellensburg I stopped at Pizza Hut and had
a lemonade and a medium Premium Garden Veggie and ate almost the entire thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LMS3iDHbs9DNergqX5F5Df1a71ImUA9gSlQdZEmuzBkWC3ps6zgms4rL8OxjApY8NnF9-1FT8TjRNHqnIct7LkXmkf4Oj_WncjDG6ACCbGavA0Pcl_TZU4wDngskcqowBQH5NncfkXA9/s1600/A+pizza+supreme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LMS3iDHbs9DNergqX5F5Df1a71ImUA9gSlQdZEmuzBkWC3ps6zgms4rL8OxjApY8NnF9-1FT8TjRNHqnIct7LkXmkf4Oj_WncjDG6ACCbGavA0Pcl_TZU4wDngskcqowBQH5NncfkXA9/s1600/A+pizza+supreme.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pizza supreme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I continued east on Highway 10. For a few miles there was light traffic, then
almost none. Then the road climbs up to
the wind farm. Not too steep, but I was
happy when I crested it (2,612’). The
turbines were all rotating and the tail wind was healthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Shortly after starting down I came across a great shot of
the moon rising behind some wind turbines.
All l had was my DumbPhone, with a lens that needed cleaning, but I
stopped and took a shot anyway. <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2"
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaZwe4MJ_dUDlD1Wv8isCt2HYTTsgZq7SmYnlk1HJ5f1Tcz1jXFTEuGNF9N8X96TnRP2KXPzNsAAHjdSJ6U0C5CS3TT6odxtL3IJo9jHuZkoWtCFTKau8lunBZFs_lz_7D_C7ZkaQmnFj/s1600/160618_0000+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaZwe4MJ_dUDlD1Wv8isCt2HYTTsgZq7SmYnlk1HJ5f1Tcz1jXFTEuGNF9N8X96TnRP2KXPzNsAAHjdSJ6U0C5CS3TT6odxtL3IJo9jHuZkoWtCFTKau8lunBZFs_lz_7D_C7ZkaQmnFj/s320/160618_0000+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note full moon rising behind turbines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the descent was a screamer! I hit 37.6 mph. The sun was getting low behind me and I was
hoping to NOT cross the Vantage Bridge in the dark because there is only a two
foot shoulder. I arrived while there was
still a fair bit of light and was also pleasantly surprised to see that traffic
was allocated to the left lane. I
correctly guessed that I could get around the barriers and have the right lane
all to myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things went well until nearly the end of the bridge, where a
large construction related truck was taking up the entire lane. I dismounted, waited for a break in traffic,
hoisted my bike over a surprisingly tall Jersey Barrier, jumped over the
barrier, got on my bike and started to pedal.
Three cars total overtook me before I got to the end of the bridge. Not bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then the climb OUT of the gorge was upon me. As mentioned, it is “only” two miles long,
and not killer steep (though does get ones attention). And after the two miles, one continues to
climb, though at less steepness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From here it was 10 miles to George. There’s a mini mart, with a Subway, just off
the freeway. In the distance I could see
fireworks over George. This light show
lasted almost all of the way there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a sandwich at Subway.
The high for the day in George had been 64 degrees. When I went back outside the wind was blowing
very strongly and it felt COLD. I put on
my jacket and reflective vest and booties. This was the coldest Cannonball I had ever experienced. Only once before had I ridden an entire Cannonball while wearing tights. That time it got warm enough that I could have taken them off, but didn't have to, so did not. This time it was NOT a choice!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was 30 miles to Moses Lake. The time was 10:45 p.m. I was moving well for about 7 miles and
suddenly drowsiness hit me very hard. I
was carrying no caffeine (which is not unusual: caffeine and I do not agree
very well). Now I fought mightily to
keep moving. I also tried to keep away from
the rumble strips, partly because of how uncomfortable they are, but also
because of what’s on the left side of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I struggled for a few miles and arrived at the Winchester
Wasteway Rest Area. The wind screens
around the picnic tables were promising.
Without them it would have been too cold, due to the wind, but I was
able to take a short nap, then set out again for the final 18 miles to my
hotel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to greatly struggling on this last stretch, I
started to lose my appetite for pushing on to Spokane after some sleep. I had dreamed of getting to Moses Lake before
midnight! That was without factoring in
my late start, of course. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I somehow made
it to the heart of Moses Lake. There is
a frontage road for about a mile, then one goes back onto the freeway. My hotel was three miles on the far side of
the town, in a peculiar cluster of hotels and restaurants, sort of isolated
from the rest of town. That was the
world’s longest three miles!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To my horror, I arrived at the hotel at 2:38 a.m! I was happy to discover my package had
arrived before me!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just before collapsing on the bed, I checked the yellow
pages: there was a Budget car rental at the Moses Lake airport!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did NOT recall stirring during the “night.” I awoke at 8:00 a.m., wondering where I
was! It was quite bright outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I phoned Budget and they adjusted my reservation so I could
pick up a car at the Moses Lake airport (or so I thought).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I showered, had “breakfast” (a euphemism, if ever there
was one: they were out of a surprisingly high number of the very few items
generally available), put on fresh bike clothes, packed excess items into the
box (which I would leave at the hotel) and was just about to bike out to the
airport when I decided to go to the computer in the lobby and check the
confirmation e-mail. To my shock, it said
I was to pick up the car at the Wenatchee airport!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I phoned to confirm this and was told that Budget had no
location at the Moses Lake airport (contrary to what it says in the Yellow
Pages). I phoned the few other rental
car places in Moses Lake: all were closed on weekends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I set off for Wenatchee, retracing my route back to
George. It was easier now: I was NOT
struggling with drowsiness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stopped at the rest area, though only very briefly. As I continued on, I found a cell phone, in
great condition, along the shoulder.
This too was a Cannonball tradition!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I started to have that <i>out
of gas</i> feeling. I realized I had not
replenished my bag, using the supplies I had in the box back in the hotel. There were two bars still with me from
yesterday, so I scarfed them down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kept thinking about the time: if the wind was too much
against me, or if the hills were too difficult, I might not make it to the
Wenatchee airport before Budget/Avis car rental closed!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I left I-90 and turned north toward Quincy. The sign said seven miles. It seemed prudent to get something to eat
there, but I would need to be fast. When
I got to the turn, in the heart of Quincy, I saw a McDonalds. The medium strawberry shake and small fries
did the trick.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back on the road, I was now headed west again, toward the
Columbia River. Eventually there is an
impressive two-mile-long descent to the river.
From here the route is along the river, a bit rolling, and quite scenic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a brush fire up in the hills. There were fighters in place and a helicopter
with a water bucket, loaded from the river, was assisting them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally I reached the tiny community of Rock Island, near
the dam of the same name on the Columbia.
Pangborn Memorial Airport is on a shelf in the hills above the
Columbia. I was anticipating a tough
climb … and was NOT disappointed. One
leaves the highway on Batterman Road, to make the climb. The name was appropriate: by the time the
grade leveled off, I was one battered man.
This was the only time on the entire trip that I used the granny
gear. (Yes, I’d even climbed Snoqualmie Pass
in the middle ring.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This climb was a real scorcher. For quite a while there was no air movement
and I was roasting in the heat. As I got
nearer to the top, a slight breeze mercifully picked up. Finally the road leveled off and the last few
miles of the day went passed farms and orchards. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got to the airport.
It was quite small. I biked right
up to the door near the rental car counters (both of them!). It was 4:35 p.m. when I got in line! My worries were over: now I had a car.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I put the bike in the trunk and drove back to Moses Lake, picked up my box, and headed
toward Seattle. As I approached
Ellensburg, the freeway info radio station said there were major slowdowns
between Cle Elum and Easton. I stopped
at Ellensburg for a burrito and hoped this break would let the traffic thin
out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back on the road, I had fairly smooth sailing to the pass
and beyond.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once back in the metropolitan area, things went smoothly
until I-405. From there, to I-5, at
least one, and sometimes two right lanes were closed for maintenance. The traffic moved very slowly, but there was
a spectacular sunset to keep us entertained.
On the bridge across Lake Washington, I was reminded how far to the
north the sunsets at this time of year!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It had been one incredible weekend, a tribute to the memory
of Cannonball. I had covered 255 miles, 21 miles short of an actual Cannonball.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Garmin data can be found here:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1221110294">https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1221110294</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_877999327"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1221110313">https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1221110313</a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-24988238421581861912015-12-08T23:27:00.001-08:002015-12-12T06:57:04.324-08:00Qualifying and Training for Paris-Brest-Paris 2015<div class="MsoNormal">
In the world of randonneuring – an obscure sport,
originating from France, of long distance cycling – the big event happens every
four years. It is a 1200 km ride, from
Paris, to Brest, and back, aptly named Paris – Brest – Paris. Since encountering this sport, in the mid
90s, each P-B-P year has consumed perhaps seven months of my life. After four successful PBPs, my luck ran out,
in 2011. At that time I assumed this
would be enough (AND that, sadly, I was getting too old and slow, if not for
this sport, at least for P-B-P). But
then 2015 arrived and I found myself again consumed by the desire to qualify to
return to France.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Qualifying consists of completing a “series” – four events
(200, 300, 400 and 600 km), in the allotted amount of time (equivalent to a 15
km/hr minimum speed). P-B-P takes place
in late August. One must qualify by
early July. For those of us residing in
the northern hemisphere, this generally means one must start preparing in the
winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me winter means running.
Qualifying for P-B-P therefore involves segueing from running to
cycling. This is NOT how most
randonneurs approach it. They start
riding fairly seriously in the winter, increasing the distance as the
randonneuring season arrives. For me,
after having discovered long distance running (midway through my randonneuring
career), a lot of it is about avoiding burnout.
I feel fortunate to have the two sports.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My approach would be to do nearly my usual amount of
running, throughout the winter and spring, while easing into cycling near
winter’s end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In late January I ran three half marathons in 14 days. On February 15 I ran the Birch Bay
Marathon. The year had begun!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In early March the randonneuring season began. March 7 was the 100k (this is NOT a
qualifier, but is a good ride to do, none-the-less, to ramp up to the longer
rides). The ride began at a park near my house, so it was easy to bike to the
start. It was a gorgeous day, the course
was NOT obscenely hilly (unusual for Seattle International Randonneurs). I rode it on a fixed gear. The ride finished at a pizza place; this
added a nice social touch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On March 14 was the “spring” 200k. There was LOTS of rain in the forecast. As luck would have it, the ride began near
where I live, so I was able to bike there.
Everyone was sporting serious rain attire. After three hours it miraculously stopped
raining. If someone had told me, at that
moment, that that was the last rain I would encounter, on ANY of my
randonneuring events this season, I would have told them they were stark raving
mad. I would have been wrong!! This ride was reasonably hilly. It took a lot out of me. With about two miles to go I actually stopped,
put some electrolytes in my water, and took a very brief break to restore my
spirits. I finished with a minute to
spare.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next came the first of several gutsy feats: two marathons,
six days apart. This first was in
Oakland, CA; the second was the Yakima River Canyon Marathon. I had NEVER done two marathons this close
together before. Throughout the entire
second marathon my legs reminded me of why it is prudent NOT to run two
marathons so close together!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On April 5 I rode a 200k on fixed gear. It ended in Bainbridge. I felt quite tired, at the end, and could NOT
refuse Duane Ishihara’s generous offer of a ride home from the ferry terminal
in downtown Seattle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two weeks later it was time for another gutsy feat. April 19 was the Wenatchee Marathon. It went well.
The next day the Redmond Cycling Club had a 40 mile ride,
starting/ending in Leavenworth, finishing via Tumwater Canyon. It too went well. The next day just involved killing time in
Wenatchee (though I ran five miles in the park). The next day was the 300k of Northwest Crank
Brevet Week. The winds were favorable;
the weather was gorgeous (though a bit hot by midafternoon). The course was not obscenely hilly. I finished with over an hour in the
bank. I returned to Seattle feeling
inspired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then came the 400k on May 2.
The weather was good. There was
sun. It was even warm in the
afternoon. It wasn’t obscenely hilly,
though there were some wicked hills near the midpoint (just before some
additional climbing on the east flank of Mt. Baker). There were friendly volunteers and good food
at the midpoint turn-around. I left
feeling inspired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the sun went down and the temperature dropped. It was fortunate that I had read the forecast
and brought just enough clothes to make this tolerable. The Garmin showed that it hit 30 degrees. One expects the cold to keep one awake, yet I
struggled to do so during the long night.
At the control in Mt. Vernon – Haagen’s Foods – I had some Pepsi with
caffeine. The got me to the Centennial
Trail, but then I struggled again. I
made it to Arlington and had some coffee at the 7-11. Nothing happened!! This was a bit of a shocker because I never
use caffeine! I struggled along the
remainder of the trail, at one point taking a break to lay on a bench.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the sun rose I was gradually resurrected. Still, I finished 25 minutes in the hole and
was not given credit. I reasoned that
I’d handled the distance OK, so would continue with my plan to attempt the SIR
Tahuya Hills 600k, at the end of May.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The weekend after the SIR 400k I went down to Oregon for a
double header. On Saturday I did the
Covered Bridges 200k. I finished with an
hour in the bank, in spite of getting lost trying to exit the metropolis of
Scio (this was a harbinger). The next
morning I got up at 0:dark:00 and drove to Eugene in time to pick up my packet
for the marathon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The marathon went well, although my legs indicated they had
NOT forgotten I had biked 200k just several hours earlier. So, things went a bit slow. At the 18 mile mark a very pleasant female
groupie gave me chocolate, then ran with me a bit, then gave me more chocolate,
then gave me a kiss! This was my 66<sup>th</sup>
marathon, and don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed the attention – but I don’t know
if I have 66 marathons left in me for more chocolate and a kiss. In any case, <a href="http://www.people.com/article/boston-marathon-runner-finds-mystery-man-kissed-married">Barbara
Tatge</a> has nothing on me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The end of the month arrived and I attempted the SIR
600k. We were again blessed with great
weather. Early on I settled into my
usual position: dead last. I don’t mind
biking alone; just knowing I’m part of an event is helpful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day one route is somewhat hilly and then there’s Skate
Creek. This is not a killer steep climb,
along the southern flank of Mt. Rainier, but it does go on for a while. On the way up I developed pain in my right
knee. It had been showing up for several
weeks, most notably on a 45 mile somewhat hilly training ride I did
occasionally, on fixed gear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made it to the crest and expected the knee to recover a
bit on the descent into Packwood. I was
surprised, during the descent, when a woman on a bike slowed down to chat with
me. She had just climbed up to lodge on
Mt. Rainier. She noticed my 1995 SIR
jersey and told me her husband, Tom Lawrence, had just done the climb with her
but taken a different way down. Of
course I remembered Tom from my early days of randonneuring! I stopped at the inn, in Packwood, and said
‘hi’ (and even had him sign my control card!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it was off in a westerly direction on US 12. This was a flat stretch and the headwind
wasn’t excruciating. Occasionally there
was a slight hill and my knee reminded me that hills were now quite
painful. As I neared Morton I didn’t see
how my knee was going to handle the Tahuya Hills on day two of this ride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started to hatch a bail-out plan. I had a room reservation at Centralia (right
next to the control). This was NOT the
official sleep control but that was too far into the ride for me. I would fill up with water at Morton and push
through the hills to Centralia. Then I’d
call it quits at my room. In the morning
I’d bike to Olympia and catch the express bus north.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I pulled into a mini-mart, to get water, I saw Bill
Gobie, a fellow SIR rider, seated inside.
I stopped to chat and learned he had pulled the plug. He said that Millison was driving down to
retrieve him. He suggested I give myself
a break and accept a ride also.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I tweaked my plan and decided I’d take a ride to
Centralia. But Millison and his wife,
both very pleasant people, suggested I come back to their place in Olympia for
some hospitality. I succumbed to the arm
twisting (rather rapidly!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the morning Bill’s wife picked him and me up and took us
back to Seattle. All in all, considering
how far away from the start I was when I pulled the plug, this had been a
surprisingly successful bailout.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I was left to deal with the reality of how my PBP
qualifying attempt was going: I’d failed at the 400k and at the 600k. It seemed like I’d reached the end of the
road. Then I noticed there was a 600k
the very next weekend, down in Oregon!
I’d only ridden 162 miles of this 600k, so recovery wouldn’t be an
issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next weekend I went down to Oregon and stunned myself by
successfully completing the <a href="http://bikingandrunning.blogspot.com/2015/06/kings-valley-600k.html">Kings
Valley 600k</a>! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was an SIR 400k the very next weekend. That was too soon, however – that wouldn’t
give me the necessary amount of recovery.
Plus, it was gratuitously hilly.
This would put my back against the wall: a few weeks later there was a
400k out of Tumwater (Olympia). It was the
last weekend, anywhere in North America, that one could find a 400k.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The weekend arrived with a forecast for high heat. The route was a narrow figure 8, going down
to Vancouver, WA and back. There were
some hills, before getting to Vancouver.
One, Green Mountain Road, the organizers had referred to, in a pre-ride
write-up, as “puketastic.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I biked to the start, from my room in downtown Olympia, a seven
mile warm-up. I discovered I had no pump! Luckily Albert was there, with his van, and
loaned me a pump from his stash.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The group took off with a vengeance and I was soon all by my
lonesome. I did catch Ron Himschoot
leaving, as I arrived at the control in Kelson.
“We’re about to find out what ‘puketastic’ means,” I said. “Oh, I *know* what ‘puketastic’ means,” Ron
responded, with a hint of sorrow in his voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Puketastic Hill I caught up with Peg and we suffered our
way up together, in the high heat, on a climb that seemed like it would NEVER
end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a majestic view from on top, stretching east to
the Cascade foothills, and south and west to the Columbia River.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I lost Peg on the descent, and then I double flatted. The second was shortly after the first, and
both were in locations with almost no shoulder to use to work on the bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got going again it was extremely hot. It hit 98 in Vancouver. By about 8:00 p.m., at the control coming out
of Vancouver, I encountered Ron, Peg, and Albert. I hung with Albert for a short distance,
though made a terrible navigational error near Woodland. I chose to follow the GPS instead of the cue
sheet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I finally got back on course, it was clear that I would
have to stay very focused to finish on time.
I took maybe three ditch naps, during the night, and one around
dawn. The rest of the time it was pedal
to the metal. I finished with about 15
minutes to spare.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had done it. At 63
(nearly 64) years of age, I had qualified for Paris-Brest-Paris. Now I waited to see if I could get in. I didn’t have to wait long. By Tuesday RUSA had the data up. There were still a few positions available,
in the late starting corrals of the 90 hour group. I was in!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now to stay in shape for another seven weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two weeks later was STP.
I had not ridden it in one day since 2008. I left my house at 3:30 a.m. and finished
just before 10:00 p.m., some 208 miles later.
Compared to my randonneur rides, it was very nice to have company on the
route!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five days after STP there was a night start 400k out of
Tumwater. The ride started
simultaneously with a 1000k ride. I felt
like kind of a light weight, planning to ONLY ride 400k.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A bit after dark a cable broke. This was a brief test of my resolve. I replaced it, using the light on my helmet,
and continued. During the night I took
at least three quick naps in the woods.
Around dawn I approached the Astoria Bridge. The route didn’t actually go over the bridge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A bit later I took a nap, behind a post office, in the small
town of Chinook.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the afternoon I went into a restaurant for lunch. This seemed slightly decadent but I was up on
the clock, so decided to indulge. Also,
an army travels on its stomach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it got warm. At
Montesano I had my traditional hot weather snack: Ice Gatorade and an ice cream
sandwich. A bit later, in Alma, I took a
nap on a bench on the main drag.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I pushed to the finish (which seemed like it would
never come).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I finished with an hour to spare. Albert was handling the control, at a pizza
parlor. He was a gracious host, while I
ate my pizza and drank a beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it was to bed for me, at the Motel 6 where the ride had
begun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the morning I was up early. I headed to downtown Olympia, where I ran the
Lake Fair Half Marathon. When I finished
I felt like kind of a monster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A week later I ran the B&O Half Marathon on Saturday and
pre-rode the Brevet Weekend 200k on Sunday.
It was a hillaceous course, with ~8,800 feet of climbing. Ridiculous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following Saturday I rode the Brevet Weekend 300k. It had lots of gratuitous hills, was hot, and
a group that was faster than me insisted on adopting me. When I finished, with 1H40 in the bank, I was
really beat. There’s a reason I ride at
the pace I do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then it was time to taper. Two weeks until PBP.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-92054395359024392442015-11-21T20:02:00.000-08:002015-12-12T06:56:18.982-08:00Le Petite Voyage à Oregon en Train<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
(Note: Ce voyage a eu lieu dans 40 heures au total. Je voyageais par Amtrak.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>Le Pac-12 match
de volleyball. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">L'arène Matthew
Knight, le campus de l'université de l'Oregon. 20 nov 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="background: darkblue; padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SET SCORES </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: darkblue; padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: darkblue; padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: darkblue; padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: darkblue; padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4 </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: darkblue; padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt; width: 15.0pt;" width="25"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: darkblue; padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TEAM RECORDS </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt; width: 52.0pt;" width="87"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">Washington </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt; width: 16.65pt;" width="28"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">(3) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">19 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">25 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">29 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">25 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">26-2, 16-2 Pac-12 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt; width: 52.0pt;" width="87"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">Oregon </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt; width: 16.65pt;" width="28"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">(1) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">25 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">21 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">27 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">21 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt 1.2pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">14-13, 8-10 Pac-12 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">L’équipe Oregon a
créé une avance tôt dans chaque set. Ils
en ont gagné le premier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Dans le deuxième
set, Washington a rattrapé Oregon et a en fin gagné.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Dans le troisième
set, Washington a rattrapé Oregon. Ensuite, ils ont créé une avance, mais Oregon
a réussi à lier le score à 24. Oregon n'a pas été en mesure de gagner,
cependant, faisant trois erreurs du service.
Washington a en fin gagné.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Dans le quatrième
set, Washington a rattrapé Oregon et a en fin gagné pour gagner le match.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Pour le match, Oregon
avait plus d’attaques réussies, une meilleure pourcentage d’attaques, plus de passes
d'attaque réussies et plus de récupérations.
Comment est-il possible qu’ils ont quand même perdu le match ? Washington avait 28 contres, Oregon en avait
juste 14. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Voici quelques
photos d’Eugene :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8169895@N03/collections/72157659135381433/"><span lang="FR">https://www.flickr.com/photo</span><span lang="FR" style="color: windowtext; mso-ansi-language: FR; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span><span lang="FR">attaques
réussiess/8169895@N03/collections/72157659135381433/</span></a><span lang="FR"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Notes : <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">L'arène Matthew
Knight a couté $227 million. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Senator Morse et
moi allions au même lycée. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>21 nov, 2015</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Un peu d'exercice:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=1543368">https://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=1543368</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Portland Center Stage</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ellyn Bye Studio<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Sex with Strangers"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">J’avais assisté à
plusieurs pièces du théâtre à Portland Center Stage mais toujours dans la
grande salle. Ellyne Bye Studio était le
meilleur choix pour cette pièce. C’est plus
petit et plus intime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Il y a juste deux
acteurs pour l’histoire. Il y a des thèmes
de la confiance et du compromis artistique.
Il y a des thèmes aussi des relations sexuelles entre deux personnes qui
viennent juste de rencontre l’une l’autre, et aussi de l’influence de
technologie sur le monde de la publication.
Je croix, pourtant, que l’histoire peut exister sans ces deux derniers
thèmes. C’est-à-dire que l’histoire pourrait
avoir lieu dans un autre temps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">À regarder ce piece était une expérience très engageante. Les
rôles étaient très bien faits et il y avait une bonne quantité de la tension et
du drame. Il y avait des moments de la
colère, de la joie, de l'amour, de la réconciliation. Il y avait beaucoup d'humour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Après la
conclusion, il y avait une session des questions et des réponses, avec les
acteurs. Je les trouvais très drôles et très sympas. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Voici quelques photos de Portland :</span></div>
<span lang="FR"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; widows: 1;">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8169895@N03/albums/72157659274798163">https://www.flickr.com/photos/8169895@N03/albums/72157659274798163</a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-26168431889569332462015-09-04T03:22:00.000-07:002015-09-07T19:04:10.550-07:00Paris-Brest-Paris 2015: My Ride<div class="MsoNormal">
There are three start time groupings for Paris-Brest-Paris:
80 hours (the fast riders), 84 hours (the pretty fast riders), 90 hours (the
rest of us). Most riders choose a 90
hour start time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 80 hour riders departed at 5:00 p.m. Sunday. 15 minutes later were the tandems and misc.,
which probably included recumbents and elipcycles. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After that came the 90 hour riders. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., and for every 15
minute thereafter, through 8:00 p.m., a corral of ~300 riders was sent
out. I was in the 7:30 p.m. corral. I definitely got a feel for what it must be
like to be in the stock yards (although the slaughter part, however unpleasant,
was a bit more metaphoric).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three or four kilometers after we had started the entire
corral was in front of me (though generally someone remained in view). At about 8:20 p.m. one of the official
motorcyclists came along side me and slowed to talk. He said something about the next group
arriving soon but was rather vague. I
ventured a guess: should I turn on my lights? He said ‘no’ - he just wanted me
to know that they were fast (as opposed, I assumed, to MY speed). This ticked me off a bit; I was happy when he
continued on his way. Sheezes, I paid
just as much for this event as they did.
Besides, they should be good enough riders to be able to pass me safely
(which of course turned out to be the case).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first control, Mortagne, is at 140 km. On the way out, however, it is only an
optional food stop. I stopped but didn’t
go inside. I filled my water bottles,
ate a bar, and continued.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwlCRL53S5NQd_2rgxmKygI0u9_Yu07-Mq5_6n86DTW7O8nUwuv_N6HcW2ibJBg24g0TxxZItcd7O8dcoBsc0MyLC2gSyFS4vN_hPahauLuhSt6WXeSJsYa_faqzx2oDQLaaJ36UuQpHc/s1600/27527076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwlCRL53S5NQd_2rgxmKygI0u9_Yu07-Mq5_6n86DTW7O8nUwuv_N6HcW2ibJBg24g0TxxZItcd7O8dcoBsc0MyLC2gSyFS4vN_hPahauLuhSt6WXeSJsYa_faqzx2oDQLaaJ36UuQpHc/s400/27527076.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding on the first night (i.e. this is looking fresh!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at Villaines (220 km), the first real control, at
7:13 a.m. Monday, with nearly three hours in the bank! In general I was to find the lines at the
controls nonexistent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I pushed on to the next control. There were always other riders around. Monday was sunny and warm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at Fougères (309 km) at 1:47 p.m., 2:17 in the
bank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The afternoon I had several naps by the side of the
road. These generally lasted somewhere
between 5 and 9 minutes. I only took
them when I was becoming drowsy to the point of losing efficiency.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at Tinténiac (363 km) at 6:11 p.m., 1:45 in the
bank. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the early evening the first of the 84 hour start riders
overtook me (incl. two very large and very fast pace lines). They had started at 5:00 a.m. and hadn’t
taken long to catch me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at Quedillac (389 km), an optional food/sleep stop
and decided to sleep. I asked to be
awaken in an hour but awoke after 45 minutes and was on the road again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This stretch was tough going: hilly, dark, no fog line,
occasionally iffy pavement, hard to distinguish where the edge of the pavement
was. My morale slipped at this time and
I pondered quitting (though did not have any particular good excuse).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now the very fast riders started showing up, on their way back. This is a mixed morale boost, but did help to keep me awake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at Loudéac (448 km) at 2:12 a.m., 0:12 in the hole. Sleeping at Quedillac, and slowing in the
darkness, had eaten up my time reserve.
I ate quickly and pushed on.
Heading out of town I noticed a train station (and made a mental note!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a secret control at St. Nicolas which I hit at
6:48 a.m. Tuesday. By now there was
light in the sky. The long night of
riding was behind me and I started feeling better about my endeavor.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2ahiXokhWLjUWWXQJ1jVs-j245mhl5lQ7-8gdN51KJCLnkVh-HNit0zhdvMwglXJjE96Oz0ZaG6cT8G5LDB5MHe7GezIV9x0LAMXGAodFVsGDZyFCVsz6Duq9WYNhsI3tzVnEG4mDCCx/s1600/27561472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2ahiXokhWLjUWWXQJ1jVs-j245mhl5lQ7-8gdN51KJCLnkVh-HNit0zhdvMwglXJjE96Oz0ZaG6cT8G5LDB5MHe7GezIV9x0LAMXGAodFVsGDZyFCVsz6Duq9WYNhsI3tzVnEG4mDCCx/s400/27561472.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When morning comes to Morgantown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at Carhaix (526 km) at 8:50 a.m., 0:47 in the
hole. I ate quickly and pushed on. This was the final segment to Brest but it
required going over le Roc Trevezel (563 km), the most conspicuous climb on PBP.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Approaching Le Roc, there was a steady stream of riders
heading back to Paris. It was inspiring
to see them (though I tried to keep my eye on the pavement in front of
me). On my descent from Le Roc (elev.
332 m) I spotted the tandem of Toshio and Makiyo Goto. I called out and I *think* Makiyo heard
me. This was another morale boost.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the route nears Brest, there is a slight loop, so
eventually one no longer sees the riders headed back to Paris. Finally we crossed the Pont Albert Louppe
(608 km). I stopped to take a photo and
chatted a bit with a woman rider from Scandinavia. It is always a profound moment to cross this
bridge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once across the bridge, there’s some congested riding, on
busy city streets, though also some escape from it via bike lanes. Eventually I was at the control, Brest, (614
km), at 2:40 p.m., 0:13 in the bank! I
had covered half of PBP, in 43H10.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q4yO9YZbGNbLETouRSMy4NrMnJKY4kfJl-SUhcObX8SMMjWmj-4V7BQpYnAQql3dpdLxRGpnYSYCCgJ_LfZJzbeiyO-C47Hc6bZD06QubEzBe4KRRTL9ZaKMBjspQY7gDZmYiN_Ua6Y7/s1600/27578499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q4yO9YZbGNbLETouRSMy4NrMnJKY4kfJl-SUhcObX8SMMjWmj-4V7BQpYnAQql3dpdLxRGpnYSYCCgJ_LfZJzbeiyO-C47Hc6bZD06QubEzBe4KRRTL9ZaKMBjspQY7gDZmYiN_Ua6Y7/s400/27578499.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toshio and Makiyo Goto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>The cafeteria had a line.
I needed to eat and wasn’t sure if I’d pass any opportunities on the way
back to Carhaix. It was frustrating to
wait but the line moved fairly quickly and the volunteers loaded my tray with
food. I saw Mark Roberts and chatted a
bit. At the table where I sat to eat I
saw Fatima (from the Seattle Randonneurs).
She was struggling with her morale.
I encouraged her to push on. She
was still there when I left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was diligent on the ride back to Carhaix (which includes
going over Le Roc for the second time). I
only stopped three times on this stretch: once for my only ditch nap of the
day, once to tweak something on the bike, and once to simply sit on a bench, to
eat an apple (from the lunch at the Brest control) and take a break.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After closing the loop, I was surprised by how many riders
were still heading OUT to Brest. Perhaps
all (or most) were 84 hour riders, meaning they didn’t need to reach Brest
until 11:30 p.m., so they were fine. If,
on the other hand, they were 90 hour riders, probably most would be DNFing
soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived at Carhaix (698 km) at 9:30 p.m., 0:21 in the hole. I was a bit surprised (and disappointed) to
be in the hole because I’d ridden prudently and there is 15% more time allowed on the
return.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This control was completely out of food. I decided that would be a time saver! My big meal at Brest would probably serve me
well. I mixed a bottle of Perpetuem and
Hammer Gel. Then I went to the sleep
area and asked to be awakened in an hour and 15 minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a major shock to be awakened a bit after 11:00
p.m. It took a great deal of focus to
get on my bike and back out onto the road.
Although this was my third night of riding, the darkness seemed somehow
darker than I recalled it. Perhaps this
was because by now I was very near the back of all riders. Occasionally a rider would pass me but, in
general, this was a new and particularly lonely experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was literally painful to be out on the road at that
hour. I was aware that I was moving
very, very slowly. My legs felt very
beat up. Loudéac seemed an
insurmountable distance away (78 km).
Now all I could think of was to somehow make it to St. Nicolas, the
optional food/sleep stop. I was not
having trouble staying awake but knew that my very slow pace was caused by
extreme mental fatigue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 10 minutes after midnight I came upon a secret
control. I was happy for the brief
interlude, but then it was back on the road and more creeping toward St.
Nicolas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At around 2:15 a.m. I arrived at the optional food/sleep
stop at St. Nicolas. The 36 km had taken
me nearly three hours (with my only stop being the secret control). Here again they were out of food. I found the dormitory. When they asked when they should wake me, I
told them I was going to abandon the ride, so they did not have to wake me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a bit cold on the cot in the large sleeping
room. I was only given a somewhat heavy
sheet to use to cover myself. I
discovered empty beds around. From the one
next to me I took a sheet. Adding that sheet
to my original sheet made me warm enough.
I fell into a deep sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I awoke a bit before 6:00 a.m. There was light in the sky. I was restless, so off I went.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My legs felt surprisingly sore and beaten up. I rode in a more relaxed fashion, savoring
the experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Descending into Corlay (745 km) I had my one amusing
mechanical experience. The downhill to
the stop sign, at a busy highway, was the end of the line for my rear brake
cable. When it snapped it became obvious
that I could NOT stop in time for the stop sign. Fortunately there was a gravel area off to the
right, where I found enough distance to bring the bike to a stop with only one
brake. I replaced the cable and
continued.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the heart of Corlay I spotted a Boulanger Pattisier with
a small park in front. It was time for
several pastries and a beverage. I could
not have been this relaxed if still on the ride. Pushing myself that hard was a level of
effort which was now behind me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I continued, covering the 35 km to Loudéac without
additional incident. When I got to the
control, all of the volunteers were busy packing up. It was 10 a.m. and I was nearly six hours in
the hole! I intended to announce to the
control staffers that I was abandoning.
Then I’d surrender my car (which would eventually be returned to me, by
mail). Alas, the data sensor and the
card stampers were long gone. There was
no one to give my card to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I retraced my route slightly to get back to the Loudéac
train station. The somewhat run down
looking building appeared as if it might not be open. How wrong I was! When I opened the front door … the place was
full of cyclists, busily packing their bikes into boxes! I joined in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-87818385735595006582015-08-24T05:30:00.003-07:002015-09-07T19:04:26.723-07:00Paris-Brest-Paris 2015: Some Notes<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I knew this would be my last PBP; that influenced how I
mentally approached the event. Most of
the qualifiers I had finished with not too much time in the bank, so it was
foreseeable that if push came to shove, time would very probably be too scarce.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The start/finish had a new location (though still within St. Quentin-en-Yvelines), the new national velodrome.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGRFK_CRKxRh7uGdLkdcjmRpIp7TTEm2FXhlLo0WxkSy0M7TFLwIW9rJ4a7uCKAUmqnb2HrAQOqIxAiUn7mTGbDwwTNo65eBUNdaQD-jqKvJG21SSBDrhXjW2VH3GU30Zm4KYew3tWY1c/s1600/National+Velodrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGRFK_CRKxRh7uGdLkdcjmRpIp7TTEm2FXhlLo0WxkSy0M7TFLwIW9rJ4a7uCKAUmqnb2HrAQOqIxAiUn7mTGbDwwTNo65eBUNdaQD-jqKvJG21SSBDrhXjW2VH3GU30Zm4KYew3tWY1c/s320/National+Velodrome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The National Velodrome at St. Quentin-en-Yvelines</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This worked out quite well for packet pickup.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSq3NDJ1KwrSfeZQ1xkmXyl4oLftU2jvt6nfAw0I25CKpAL7SMWJdcYPPjU7TFVAnqb2FBdpl351Sg23cmJ2VLNiw_uDPAOT6FaWGGYrSvecehN73e4Ev1A04GQVO01hR-PLxRqkzJiYH/s1600/Packet+Pickup+inside+Velodrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSq3NDJ1KwrSfeZQ1xkmXyl4oLftU2jvt6nfAw0I25CKpAL7SMWJdcYPPjU7TFVAnqb2FBdpl351Sg23cmJ2VLNiw_uDPAOT6FaWGGYrSvecehN73e4Ev1A04GQVO01hR-PLxRqkzJiYH/s320/Packet+Pickup+inside+Velodrome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Packet pickup inside the velodrome</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new venue also provided the necessary space (including outside) for handling the large number of returning riders.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJdsNRtMd_SpblH4Efbf3TSDgcE9mK3RGLmklM82e9iUMVaOHet2LbYs3YH0t023WSbMUNXOxsiX9VeuNg5FLvkNwuYK9Yhds3pQD8EJfkk2Yivm1lIEKJJyAtwWMdyyYlzng00dKCtaS/s1600/Site+Map+for+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJdsNRtMd_SpblH4Efbf3TSDgcE9mK3RGLmklM82e9iUMVaOHet2LbYs3YH0t023WSbMUNXOxsiX9VeuNg5FLvkNwuYK9Yhds3pQD8EJfkk2Yivm1lIEKJJyAtwWMdyyYlzng00dKCtaS/s320/Site+Map+for+Finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Directions for returning riders</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The mix of countries’ participation this time included a
huge increase in riders from Japan, Korea, China, India, Thailand and Taiwan. These riders often had very colorful jerseys
and in spite of their suffering (including from what was, to them, cold temperatures),
always looked impeccable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drew Buck, the Brit famous for always showing up in some
period piece (with matching very old bicycle) was on a Raleigh from the 1930s.
This time he was not to finish, however.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were several people on <a href="http://www.elliptigo.com/">elliptigos</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were at least six enclosed bikes (i.e. the ones that
look like small cars).<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
This year the organizers had taken the start to a new level, sending riders out in 15 minute pre-selected waves. Here I am, about to depart:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaYCchdbsMua2fRKxb-PThMm2CblAyJI5nW8T-klA2HSZIO7QnThYWskmDt0iHxQOvEtbgjbTbiKg_JQ_J48m_iVuLI9UClCcmxpOPUJGe-zraFf2WI95YyOIbzLGzGrQLNSmWx7ixWjd/s1600/start+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaYCchdbsMua2fRKxb-PThMm2CblAyJI5nW8T-klA2HSZIO7QnThYWskmDt0iHxQOvEtbgjbTbiKg_JQ_J48m_iVuLI9UClCcmxpOPUJGe-zraFf2WI95YyOIbzLGzGrQLNSmWx7ixWjd/s320/start+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Random French groupie offers me advice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(photo courtesy of Eileen Kirkpatrick)</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The weather was ideal for most riders. Not too much sun, never hot, a bit chilly
only on one night (Tuesday), no rain until Thursday morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a rider with one arm and a rider with one leg plus
prosthesis. On the climb over the big
hill, a bit before reaching Brest, the man with one arm was right behind
me. At the crest he did not hesitate: he
descended like a bullet! I do NOT want
to think about how hard it is to control a bike using only ONE hand. Nor do I want to think about how sore that one
hand must get. I used TWO hands and the
left one was so sore I would often merely set the side of the hand on the
handlebar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brest was the first control where I encountered a
significant line at the cafeteria. The
next control, Carhaix, was completely out of food. The next food stop (not technically a
control), St. Nicolas, was also completely out of food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, did I mention that I had purchased a ticket to eat
BEFORE the start, and … .ah … they were OUT of food when I arrived, nearly an
hour before the end of the serving time window.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were no lines at the three dormitories I slept in. I also took maybe 6 to 8 total naps at the
side of the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On two different occasions I saw fixed gear riders taking
their feet out of the pedals and putting them on top of the fork crown for a
descent! One, a woman, greatly impressed
me when she put her feet back onto the pedals at a fairly high speed! I will NOT be trying THIS at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very few riders had fenders.
They would have had no problems until Thursday morning; from then on it rained
fairly hard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Almost everyone wears a helmet now (NOT required!!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the ride wears on, it becomes more common to encounter
slower riders, who are weaving. The
occasional nice person, when passing, pauses to chat a bit, to help the person
wake up some. The occasional nasty
person, when passing, says something snide.
There is SOME comradery in the sport, but it’s not universal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The turnaround point, Brest, is as welcome a sight as always.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjxRAKgfn3NJ1j6UdHI_G8yexQr9kDFMs4XvIyqw3yiyQA366Z4s6Dwh29i5Q2eQvBYkNXcUUBJuswpbtuNY68izatHnoj01-4w045JTi9qXmY74L2forFGfU4zl-FVGjJsqqtkS7WBaH/s1600/Brest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjxRAKgfn3NJ1j6UdHI_G8yexQr9kDFMs4XvIyqw3yiyQA366Z4s6Dwh29i5Q2eQvBYkNXcUUBJuswpbtuNY68izatHnoj01-4w045JTi9qXmY74L2forFGfU4zl-FVGjJsqqtkS7WBaH/s320/Brest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Riders cross a car free bridge into Brest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ran out of mental stamina after Carhaix (on the return). This was disappointing, but an inescapable reality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gh55gDIeuHkfKR79Fd1XxcCUrePueZSG-fjrLQL4foNHOY4IXWKwi96ijgjOHd2MjSuTptFUuP9uB9ZJWEvCpoN2UkABWu-NCxfmL5kcCKKTllBbxhjGlx2i8JEwRnz5Pe1S5fzmWryx/s1600/PBP+2015+time+in+bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gh55gDIeuHkfKR79Fd1XxcCUrePueZSG-fjrLQL4foNHOY4IXWKwi96ijgjOHd2MjSuTptFUuP9uB9ZJWEvCpoN2UkABWu-NCxfmL5kcCKKTllBbxhjGlx2i8JEwRnz5Pe1S5fzmWryx/s320/PBP+2015+time+in+bank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Things fall apart for me at around 700 km.</div>
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I limped on to Loudeac (the next control) where I joined about 10 other riders catching a SNCF bus to St. Brieuc to begin the return to St. Quentin-en-Yvelines. With a bit of time to kill at Saint-Brieuc, several of us visited a pub across the street from the train station.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgtxwLU85N3PFSJG7bLLHHtIAuyOIJffZ-W4oUZQqteMqtajyImqYcEb5VsfUaliKFbiynFMuVr1Uf_6Vjxs9E-zMwMRttHpF7LAj4x1x3pbZDH2o3r1incp6FQcdIUO4zTZKsNrm9Z1F/s1600/Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgtxwLU85N3PFSJG7bLLHHtIAuyOIJffZ-W4oUZQqteMqtajyImqYcEb5VsfUaliKFbiynFMuVr1Uf_6Vjxs9E-zMwMRttHpF7LAj4x1x3pbZDH2o3r1incp6FQcdIUO4zTZKsNrm9Z1F/s320/Martin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Martin (from London) at pub in Saint-Brieuc</div>
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For a day or two after the end of the ride, there were cyclists, generally near hotels, packing up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CtztpmAYqUkwISdY_KcrkaR51WT46PLEbhd-VKL3WoKBi-GqJMhS_xvRqdJZIh5RtQHYk0Wyo5lOrC8cNkOx-UcNLONR-4Y8n2jb6szG8tpd8G2o3TcM9bhhKYGw1NeZj5AaRTSWMkno/s1600/Handlebars+removed+from+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CtztpmAYqUkwISdY_KcrkaR51WT46PLEbhd-VKL3WoKBi-GqJMhS_xvRqdJZIh5RtQHYk0Wyo5lOrC8cNkOx-UcNLONR-4Y8n2jb6szG8tpd8G2o3TcM9bhhKYGw1NeZj5AaRTSWMkno/s320/Handlebars+removed+from+bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Removable handlebars do not have to go inside of</div>
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tight bike box. (packing by Andy Speier)</div>
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So ends my 20 year affiliation with Paris-Brest-Paris, incl. four completions (the final one on fixed gear) and two DNFs. It's been a wonderful experience but now I am ready to step aside and let the youngsters take over.</div>
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Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-53653621709656805092015-06-13T04:25:00.000-07:002015-06-13T04:25:15.540-07:00Kings Valley 600k<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I got an early start driving
down to Newberg, OR. I left my house in Seattle at 12:45 in the afternoon. This
was a full two hours before I had left, a few</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">weeks earlier (also on a Friday), to go down for
an OR brevet. This earlier departure paid off. Traffic was only horrendous through
Fife. Later, when I crossed the Columbia on</span> <span style="background: white;">I-205, it was stop-n-go for about nine miles, but by
then it was the heart of rush hour.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Ron H had contacted me
a few days earlier. He'd found a room at the Notel (not far from the
start/overnight/finish of the 600k). After</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">I'd been there for a few
hours, I figured Ron (who as it turned out wasn't able to leave Seattle until after work) had
had a change of heart/plans. Another</span> <span style="background: white;">reason I drove alone was because I had a sore knee and it was an unknown
parameter going into this ride. I figured if I DNFed VERY early (as Ron</span> <span style="background: white;">H would suggest!), it wouldn't be necessary to wait
around until 3:00 a.m. Monday (which was when Ron planned to drive back).</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Eventually I hit the
sack. About 1:00 a.m. I found myself awake, so decided to check
e-mail. While sitting at the computer, who should arrive</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">but Mr.
Brevet himself (Ron). He hadn't been able to leave work until 7:00 p.m.
(though that had meant he dodged a LOT of traffic).</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We woke to sun (as
forecast). We got to the start early enough to do some schmoozing.
Mike Bingle was there (doing the 200k, which shared some</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">of the 600k
course). He mentioned having done the OR spring 200k (his 22nd
consecutive, going all of the way back to the early Marvin Rambo RBA days).</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The veteran Del Scharffenberg
was also there (also doing the 200k). Why were all of these heavy hitters
doing the 200k? What did THEY know?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And then we were off. It
was flat, or gently rolling, for a while. Then eventually we were working
our way into the Coast Range. At one point</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">a cue said 3 miles to the
summit. Once there, the route descended. But NO, we hadn't actually
crossed the Coast Range yet, so we had to go back</span> <span style="background: white;">up. Near the actual summit, the heat was
oven-like. This was due to exposure to the sun and shelter from the
wind. Sigh. Sweat poured into my</span> <span style="background: white;">eyes (and burned!).</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">On the way down there was a
control. This would be the last time I'd see other riders until the next
day.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nearing the coast, the wind
picked up, mercifully giving a break from the heat. We hit US 101 at
Lincoln City and headed north. But then, for</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">reasons NOT
known to me, we ended up having to climb once again, back up into some big
hills. In terms of distance, this was totally</span> <span style="background: white;">unnecessary. So, the climbing was definitely
gratuitous. We went all of the way up to the elevation we would later
cross the coast mountains at</span> <span style="background: white;">on our
return! This is the sort of thing I dislike about randonneuring.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I was back down to the coast
for sunset (and an info control). Then I followed the Little Washtucna
Road to climb back over the coast range.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Eventually I was out of the
mountains and came to the Casino at Grande Ronde. There is a minimart/gas
station there, so I had a snack and</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">continued. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">My pedaling went fairly
smoothly during the night. To my surprise, I NEVER became drowsy! </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I made it back to the room, in
Newberg, at about 4:30. It was fairly light out. I believed the
control closed at 5:20. Imagine my delight when</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">I looked at
the cue sheet and it said 6:20!!!! So I got about an hour of sleep.
I had some breakfast and then I told Ron (who was almost, but</span> <span style="background: white;">not quite, ready) that I needed to hit the road and
that he would catch me shortly.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">When he caught me, later, en
route to St. Paul and Salem, he said a brief word ... and then passed me
like I was standing still.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I had a nightmare of a time
getting out of Salem. I did about six extra miles (I think) and lots of
unnecessary climbing. Then I was back on</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">route, following the
Willamette River. Looking at the cue sheet, NOW, I see a horrendous
error!!!!! Sigh. Another thing to dislike about</span> <span style="background: white;">randonneuring. And I think the Garmin could have
been more helpful but was NOT.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I somehow managed to arrive at
the first control, Independence, just before cut-off. I finally saw a few
other riders, leaving.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">From there the course took us
to a very short ferry crossing of the Willamette River. The temperature
was already scorching so another rider</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">(who would leapfrog me this
day) and I both were pleased they sold ice cream bars on the vessel. This
was one of the few things I could get</span> <span style="background: white;">myself
to eat in this heat.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">From the far side I set out,
for what would be a mostly flat stretch, to the nadir of our loop,
Waterloo. I thanked God that my last name was</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">NOT
Bonaparte. The other rider, whom I had not seen since leaving the ferry, somehow arrived at the control AFTER me.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Waterloo was a fairly
nondescript place. It did have a nice park. Not much retail was
apparent. The store which was the control did have ice</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">cream
sandwiches and cold Gatorade. No public restrooms. That always sort
of offends me. But the young woman behind the counter was quite</span> <span style="background: white;">pleasant and even said something about enjoying all of
us cyclists stopping in.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now we headed north from
Waterloo, into the headwinds. They seemed to roar at times, probably
something that only happens on very hot days</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">(like today!).</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And now it was time for my
second nightmare of the day. Nearing Scio (the last control before the
finish), there was a 7.9 mile section on</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">Richardson Gap Road. To
give myself psychological assurance that eventually I would actually arrive at
my turn, I zoomed out, on the Garmin,</span> <span style="background: white;">until
I could see the next road. And then I pedalled, and pedalled, but the
little dot that represented ME did not seem to move. For a while I</span> <span style="background: white;">thought it was because I had zoomed out so far.
Eventually I realized the device had frozen. I rebooted and the course
would not come up!</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Eventually the road I was on
started to bend in the correct direction (which didn't feel particularly good
because it had become incredibly</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">steep). I walked the
bike. At least there was shade. Eventually I came upon Ridge
Drive. Yeah, you don't get to a road with a name like that</span> <span style="background: white;">without a lot of climbing. Or, in my case, a lot
of unnecessary climbing. I headed the correct direction. Then I saw
a young woman getting out</span> <span style="background: white;">of a car
and I asked her for directions to Scio. I was indeed headed in the
correct direction. And, I had indeed done some unnecessary</span> <span style="background: white;">climbing.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">After Scio the cue sheet said
Stayton would be the last place to get provisions. You guessed it: time
for another ice cream sandwich and a large</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">bottle of cold Gatorade.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And now it was the final
push. Looking at the clock, hors delai looked possible. Finishing
on time also looked possible. Eventually the route</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">crossed
I-5. The sun had finally dipped below the horizon. I changed to
clear lenses. It was too hot to put the official SIR reflective vest</span> <span style="background: white;">on.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The route touched Champoeg
State Park, then got on SR-219 to cross the Willamette River. After
crossing what seemed like a never ending series</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">of bridges, there was a sign
that said "Welcome to Newberg" but WHERE were the bright
lights!? The course worked its way back to the start via a</span> <span style="background: white;">few backstreets. And then I scrambled to find a
place that was open so I could get a receipt. I found a Circle K:
22:43! Heck, I should have</span> <span style="background: white;">still
been out on the course.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I sat on the curb, nursing my
bottle of cold water (purchased to get the receipt) and reflected on the
ride. During the ride, perhaps even</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">before, I decided this would
be long enough for me, that I didn't want to go to PBP and torture myself over an even longer distance.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now it is two days later, and
even though my body still feels bruised and battered, I'm again wrestling with
doing the final qualifier (I still</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">need a 400k). Such a
stress free existence we lead!</span></span></div>
Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-81850878322522521792014-07-11T04:51:00.001-07:002014-07-11T04:51:19.829-07:00The Quad (aka Northwest Tandem Rally 2014)The Northwest Tandem Rally has been held nearly annually since 1986 (the exception being 2013, reason for cancellation unknown). It it almost always in Oregon or Washington (with the exception of once in Boise and twice in Victoria). Tandem enthusiasts gather to ride their long bikes, eat communally, and swap stories. And tackle a few brewskis.<br />
<br />
The 2014 rally took place in Pendleton, OR, a community whose main export is probably HEAT. When it is NOT hot there, you can buy wool goods to keep warm.<br />
<br />
One fun aspect of tandem rallies is seeing the <b>longer still</b> bikes (triplets and quads). We spotted a quad early (in fact, the night before the first day of riding, when we were at a pub). The team was one member short, though I didn't rule out that person simply couldn't make the evening meal at the pub.<br />
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The next day, after riding, we again spotted the quad. We spoke a bit with the captain and I helped him install his new rear wheel (OK, so I just held the bike steady). Somewhere the idea of riding with them started to form. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8CxfhI8YtOUUvuQL0J0kw_j9mJfwt74BTeONXzTj8nqZSNqTg6kgzdjGNNIZFup4-9qf540Zy9XtkIFNiOavrM2ICvK33v1GbPbEFvy-NeCoUGW8-ijesC1YoqfJScP04LhkYnKv2oHZ/s1600/14599270491_020b729ab8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8CxfhI8YtOUUvuQL0J0kw_j9mJfwt74BTeONXzTj8nqZSNqTg6kgzdjGNNIZFup4-9qf540Zy9XtkIFNiOavrM2ICvK33v1GbPbEFvy-NeCoUGW8-ijesC1YoqfJScP04LhkYnKv2oHZ/s1600/14599270491_020b729ab8_z.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quad awaiting new rear wheel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFWXYqCwj6Onm8Aq1l6EN0VejBLCH8UIJwPKL_bb3c6IGZTXvg8pnbx9kNjAbInOBGqacFWCb1J691ONejN9tvlJCmmbYGuE4PVihdo0llcCtqZD3NQqNght81kz0OEDGdwPjAadJ9v28/s1600/14622608933_65abf04cd4_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFWXYqCwj6Onm8Aq1l6EN0VejBLCH8UIJwPKL_bb3c6IGZTXvg8pnbx9kNjAbInOBGqacFWCb1J691ONejN9tvlJCmmbYGuE4PVihdo0llcCtqZD3NQqNght81kz0OEDGdwPjAadJ9v28/s1600/14622608933_65abf04cd4_z.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mass start, morning of Day 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the big climb of day one, and before the barbecue that evening, the stoker informed me that her union said she got one of the next two days off. My thought was to convert the 8-Ball tandem to a single (it's big feature) and ride solo on that day. I also mentioned my fantasy of riding on the quad. At the barbecue my stoker noticed the quad captain and suggested I talk with him. To my surprise, he was fine with the idea!<br />
<br />
We met the next morning for the mass start. I had the rear stoker position. In the middle were the captain's two daughter, both small enough to require Kid Back Crank converters.<br />
<br />
We moved along fairly well, able to keep up with a good portion of the participants. The two girls were a constant source of entertainment, chattering and sharing general observations of the world rolling by.<br />
<br />
There were three routes to choose from on this day, all staying together for about the first ten miles. Being somewhat of a rarity (though there were three other quads at the event), lots of other participants talked to us during the ride.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHPz_CXc0gpjqiEElug62vvKVCEpMEp69Z2XxXOSdfiLmRSCY17YoCt-LR1-saNr82vp6M4IW0Zc9Wk24RahZtCkqcATaiC3wpTyvYAbRJIEau88F-eU0MeivshfVBMBjLC-2h6B33lpr/s1600/14415898850_649be913d1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHPz_CXc0gpjqiEElug62vvKVCEpMEp69Z2XxXOSdfiLmRSCY17YoCt-LR1-saNr82vp6M4IW0Zc9Wk24RahZtCkqcATaiC3wpTyvYAbRJIEau88F-eU0MeivshfVBMBjLC-2h6B33lpr/s1600/14415898850_649be913d1_z.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Shade of silos proves popular!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was forecast to be a hot day (heck, it was warm at the 8:00 a.m. start). We were happy to find shade at the first food stop. <br />
<br />
Pendleton is in the Palouse, an area denoted by rolling hills. I had wondered just how we would approach the downhills. As it turned out, in an effort to help us get up the next uphill, we always HAMMERED on the downhills. I'd do my best to tuck (to the degree possible with cow horns). With my nose on the stem, I'd mostly just see the fog line whizzing by!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NNAlB0y98rU1pyjUjnC63qcyNq4wO-HJwUhp9vHgx7infdxvTTEC_3nK09QHQNtQiAqiRrJPJ0Dfu0IgPDIXGU8e3sUB_HKL9u9oDxq8N59T2g45DJ87V4HUzeIcDPMVYT3UlFyUDFN4/s1600/14415960599_c6918d8836_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NNAlB0y98rU1pyjUjnC63qcyNq4wO-HJwUhp9vHgx7infdxvTTEC_3nK09QHQNtQiAqiRrJPJ0Dfu0IgPDIXGU8e3sUB_HKL9u9oDxq8N59T2g45DJ87V4HUzeIcDPMVYT3UlFyUDFN4/s1600/14415960599_c6918d8836_z.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew take a break to examine the wheat crop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This area of the Palouse is particularly beautiful. In addition to its signature undulations, there are golden fields of wheat. We climbed as we went north from Pendleton, leaving the Umatilla River valley. From up here the views were great!<br />
<br />
The other thing that struck me about riding the quad was that the shifts generally occurred under a somewhat serious load! Of course, with a couple of seriously heavy hitters in the middle two positions, shifting would be even MORE impressive. I did NOT think to see what rear derailleur was being used. The hubs were Hadley.<br />
<br />
Eventually we got our reward for having climbed so much. As we approached Pendleton (curiously hard to locate, until were were quite close, due to the aforementioned undulating nature of the landscape), there was one particularly long downhill. We passed a fair number of shorter bikes!<br />
<br />
Back at Pendleton I said good-bye to the quad team. I'll be looking for them at the 2015 Northwest Tandem Rally in Bellingham, WA!<br />
<br />Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-71232358466919158582014-03-28T04:47:00.001-07:002014-03-28T05:02:12.779-07:00Speedplay FrogsSpeedplay Frogs constitute chapter three in my lifetime cleat history.<br />
<br />
I cut my teeth on slotted cleats. That's dating me, for sure.<br />
<br />
And them came Looks. They attracted my attention because they offered float, something occasionally lacking with slotted cleats. They required less precision with the placement of the cleat, so were more forgiving.<br />
<br />
After many years of using Looks, the temptation to try something more walkable caused me to take a look at Speedplay Frogs. I chose them ... simply because there was a pair lying around the house.<br />
<br />
After using them on my commuter for several days, here are my thoughts:<br />
<br />
I notice the smaller platform. Perhaps this isn't completely a factor of the size of the platform but also the flexibility of the sole of the shoe. I SUSPECT this causes a slight loss in power transfer to the pedals, though maybe it's not a huge issue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
A brief note on the shoe: it is quite comfortable. Easy on/easy off, with a toggle to draw the lace through. Just don't forget to put the lace through itself, so it doesn't flop into the chainrings.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0Zj2BluwzCitPkkeOyjpYcmh8iwn7WeEovxrQVsr50JFZSshyphenhyphen47hYAMUHI5kzVWlqevCqQGwneVfLBZ4bRnWgepXy-QuFr58g9jhjUYI29PMJGo7h21hSyop3rsXdstnyfxLBvpbMBkc/s1600/Shoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0Zj2BluwzCitPkkeOyjpYcmh8iwn7WeEovxrQVsr50JFZSshyphenhyphen47hYAMUHI5kzVWlqevCqQGwneVfLBZ4bRnWgepXy-QuFr58g9jhjUYI29PMJGo7h21hSyop3rsXdstnyfxLBvpbMBkc/s1600/Shoe.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Izumi X-Alp Drift II MTB Shoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Riding this setup, compared to Looks, feels a tad like now being barefoot. Just a tad. I have yet to do a long ride, so will learn more ... soon.<br />
<br />
Now the big question: what is getting in and out like? The clicking in motion is fairly similar to Looks: place foot on top of pedal, slide forward until something catches.<br />
<br />
In contrast, the click is quite small. With a Look pedal, there is a snap that can be felt through ones entire skeleton. With the Frogs, the connection is so subtle that I find myself wondering if I'm actually in. A slight pull back will confirm, however, so no need to be uncertain.<br />
<br />
The double sided feature is necessary because, unlike Looks, which always have their connection surface facing back, these can be in any orientation. Stepping down on them, however, causes one or the other of the two connection surfaces to be in the same plane as the sole of the shoe.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJea62Zi8kdujDkvhlf2J6X1NSOaOVhBuqFsdj4QdJ2NDIRdvb5m4myjXzqfhc29ZrtPsltF9DdTjyPOhPV-sJQpNdGty4AxAfyXKPuFH19y1GYPTHYDBzzSIuV8GYRaQuRtva-4mFrl1/s1600/Sole+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJea62Zi8kdujDkvhlf2J6X1NSOaOVhBuqFsdj4QdJ2NDIRdvb5m4myjXzqfhc29ZrtPsltF9DdTjyPOhPV-sJQpNdGty4AxAfyXKPuFH19y1GYPTHYDBzzSIuV8GYRaQuRtva-4mFrl1/s1600/Sole+02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The configuration of the sole helps guide the shoe onto the cleat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The release is just like with a Look: rotate your heel to the outside ... and viola! This too is quite subtle, compared to a Look: there is no spring to work against, in order to release. So, in a sense, you can just "float" out. The inward float is limited by a ridge on top of the pedal. The cleat installation instructions suggest aligning the cleat so the inward float stops just before ones ankle hits the crank arm. This works out quite well.<br />
<br />
The next question: how are they in traffic? This is another way of asking how are they to get in/out of quickly. As mentioning, getting out is so easy that I find myself worrying I might come out during riding. This has NEVER happened however, so confidence builds over time. Getting in quickly involves NOT looking (IMHO), but instead placing the foot on the pedal, moving foot back (if necessary, to have the cleat behind the pedal), then sliding the foot forward. The design of the sole of the shoe assists with the alignment, prior to the engagement, making the process surprisingly smooth. Sometimes it feels as if there is a magnet pulling the two surfaces together!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5VgdpNi7oiM_WxPRHXsyYpCNvM5QH7O2UALfFUNia_AxlSJLWCd5hOlxEXbMIlKOAz_n2QEP-D_gQxUF_ZZjnKunaHYCKx5kmqzcLc6_p5FH3WvJvTp9SN1nz6ZiAwj0M8HkDbwyuB8N/s1600/Pedal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5VgdpNi7oiM_WxPRHXsyYpCNvM5QH7O2UALfFUNia_AxlSJLWCd5hOlxEXbMIlKOAz_n2QEP-D_gQxUF_ZZjnKunaHYCKx5kmqzcLc6_p5FH3WvJvTp9SN1nz6ZiAwj0M8HkDbwyuB8N/s1600/Pedal.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mating surface of the Speedplay Frog pedal.<br />
Note ridge (upper right corner of pedal (in photo)).<br />
This limits inward float. Also note grease port on<br />
outside edge of pedal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The float is nearly frictionless, which is a slight contrast to Looks (even without factoring in the spring that limits the float).<br />
<br />
In summary, so far so good. Next step is to put them on the front of the tandem (which was the main reason for this investigation). In the world of tandeming, MTB shoes are generally recommending. The reason is to have a more secure footing WHEN putting the captain's foot down. That being said, after nearly 20 years of captaining tandems using Looks, I can say that it's not that big of a deal: just use the BRAKES to stop the bike! :-)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDYGV3gE0j5fhI4VVI6wmSArpi_xIaC1SIfcgkPhh-Nl9snNGPH2wavGOAWSwpq-G5zDK3QLJzZKMYBqW0nlLHycUdbvxaKahAl1AY3UQ6kcwgi2IYKbyv6HjxQh32T91CuNp1XGgqpiM/s1600/Cleat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDYGV3gE0j5fhI4VVI6wmSArpi_xIaC1SIfcgkPhh-Nl9snNGPH2wavGOAWSwpq-G5zDK3QLJzZKMYBqW0nlLHycUdbvxaKahAl1AY3UQ6kcwgi2IYKbyv6HjxQh32T91CuNp1XGgqpiM/s1600/Cleat.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the cleat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So now the big question: how are these beasts for walking (which is supposed to be their forte, compared to Looks, eg.)? The shoe is a compromise. The sole is NOT as flexible as a regular walking shoe. If it were, it would be TOO flexible for pedaling. So, for walking, one is still not quite using ones normal gate. I find I don't walk nearly as fast as I would in a regular walking shoe. But then again, normally I'm not trying to get particularly far.Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-27237706731782164752014-03-25T04:42:00.001-07:002014-03-28T04:56:06.332-07:00FrankenwatchI've had my <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=31859" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #3669da; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Garmin Forerunner 405CX</a> for three or four years. It has been a workhorse (it has had to be). There have been some repairs along the way.<br />
<br />
About a year and a half ago the battery died. I found a youtube video showing how to do the replacement oneself, but in the end I opted to mail it to a guy who advertised on ebay. There was an option to go for a battery with a bit longer life than the original. I went for that and have been happy: the watch truly does have a longer run time now. Whoever did the repairs was a bit brutal however: both halves of the wrist band came back cracked. If I were to send the watch out again, I'd first remove the wrist band. Some time later (more on this below), when I opened the watch, I discovered that the threads for one of the screw holes had been stripped. There's probably no way to protect oneself from this.<br />
<br />
A few months ago, as the rainy season in Seattle set in, the watch became fogged up. So I took it apart and blasted it with a hair dryer. When I put it back together (if not before), it had lost the functionality on the right and left sides (Training and GPS). Working with this loss has been a challenge:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I must now go into Simple Training Mode via touching the bezel on the bottom and going in via the extensive menus, it can't be done via touching the bezel on the right side. Then it is necessary to set the duration (distance, time, or whatever) to match the run. In the case of a marathon, eg., however, I put in 27.0 so as to be able to watch whole miles accumulate. There is a horrible down side to this situation: if ever the watch decides to move from this mode (while none-the-less still running in the background), it is impossible to get back in without killing the run. So, all you can do is run along and if you happen to glance at the watch at the end of a "lap," you'll catch the lap summary.</li>
<li>It is now impossible to enter GPS Mode, via touching the bezel on the left side, to turn off the GPS. So, even if you're training INDOORS, the GPS is on. At least I now have the longer run battery. None-the-less, you can't actually go into the GPS mode to use any GPS-specific functionality (i.e. can't set waypoints, etc.).</li>
<li>It is also now impossible to turn on the back light. Fortunately I almost never run at night. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm more of a morning runner.</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKnro7UTAAuCj1dwYKbBg-b-hIZGFw4EW__7trhmPpV5N3jQjMlY00yYvPlgBjl81Sn9VdWmMjaj2ew4pIbaZdNfzVwrVyyozkn0JqZ95xZFl3MRp83_88waO_7ANzzdKwH7SlZ1p1Znr/s1600/Garmin+405CX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKnro7UTAAuCj1dwYKbBg-b-hIZGFw4EW__7trhmPpV5N3jQjMlY00yYvPlgBjl81Sn9VdWmMjaj2ew4pIbaZdNfzVwrVyyozkn0JqZ95xZFl3MRp83_88waO_7ANzzdKwH7SlZ1p1Znr/s1600/Garmin+405CX.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
During a recent 10 mile run in the rain, the watch fogged up again. So I took it apart again to zap it with a hair dryer. The O-ring seal was broken in one spot. If I take it apart again, I'll hunt for a replacement. If you know where I can get a replacement O-ring, please let me know.<br />
<br />
The other problem that has always been present, in rain, is the watch's tendency to start cycling through its displays (or, in the case of Simple Training mode, to completely leave the mode). I finally discovered the way to prevent this is to lock the bezel. Works like a charm.<br />
<br />
So there you have it, Frankenwatch takes a licking ... and still kinda sorta keeps limping along.<br />
<br />Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752926618546990748.post-79965139107690215652014-03-24T05:32:00.001-07:002014-03-28T04:50:47.663-07:00DNFing on the BRR (Big Ring Randonée)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The day
started out a bit iffy: I turned on the Garmin … and the course was NOT
there. Turns out I had merely downloaded
it to my computer, but not to the Garmin device itself. Sigh.
Oh well, the cue sheet looked pretty impressive … so HOW could anything
go wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My other
issue was lack of training. I’d actually
been riding frequently, of late, but had kind of omitted the distance
thing. My longest ride this year was the
previous Saturday: 38 whopping miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Somewhat to
my relief, things were going OK. It was
a fairly flat course and there is a LOT to be said for that. My cruising speed, which has started to suck
in recent years, had not improved, but it hadn’t got much worse, either. I was staying ahead of Rando pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All of this
changed at mile 52 when I arrived at a T and encountered these cues:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 552px;">
<colgroup><col span="2" style="width: 79pt;" width="105"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 12507; mso-width-source: userset; width: 257pt;" width="342"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="25" style="height: 18.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="25" style="height: 18.75pt; width: 79pt;" width="105">0.4</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 79pt;" width="105">52.0</td>
<td class="xl66" dir="LTR" style="border-left: none; width: 257pt;" width="342">Continue
straight onto Sweet Rd</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 18.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="25" style="border-top: none; height: 18.75pt;">1.7</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">53.7</td>
<td class="xl66" dir="LTR" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 257pt;" width="342">Continue onto Hughes Ave</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 18.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="25" style="border-top: none; height: 18.75pt;">0.2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">53.9</td>
<td class="xl66" dir="LTR" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 257pt;" width="342">Turn left onto Bell Rd</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 18.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="25" style="border-top: none; height: 18.75pt;">0.4</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">54.3</td>
<td class="xl66" dir="LTR" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 257pt;" width="342">Continue onto US-99/WA-548 S/Blaine Rd</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Continue” –
an interesting choice of words. Left
FELT correct; right made more geographical sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I opted for
left. I crossed I-5 without seeing any
signs for Hughes. Immediately after I-5
was the correct turn. I don’t recall
noticing it, however, nor any sign for Bell Rd.
I continued on, shortly arriving at US-99/WA-548 S/Blaine Rd. Sadly, it WAS signed: Peace Portal Dr. Sigh-o-rama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">All of this
convinced me that I had turned the WRONG way at the T. So, I biked all of the way back (uphill) and
continued in the other direction (very STEEP uphill). Then the road turned left (unsigned) and
continued UP. I wondered about doing
THIS in the big ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Eventually
the road Teed at H Street, which was a big descent into the heart of
Blaine. This did NOT do my morale much
good, especially because it had now started to rain. I continued west until I hit the water. I knew I need to be south, so I turned that
direction. I stopped at a store and
asked directions. They told me to
continue south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I came
across Hughes, I came across Bell. I
arrived at the control: 10 extra miles (and not FLAT ones, either, sigh). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="apple-tab-span"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/466640890" target="_blank">http://connect.garmin.com/activity/466640890</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I was ~25
minutes in the hole. I had a quick snack
and continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">By the next
control, to my disappointment, I had only gained TWO minutes. My legs were feeling tired, and my cruising
speed was not what it needed to be to overcome the deficit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A bit
before Ferndale it was time to turn lights on and put on rain gear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">At the
Loomis Trail Road info control it was time to advance to the last page of my
cue sheet. But wait: somehow that page
was gone! I phoned Dan Turner,
explaining I was going to be the big Hors but could he please dictate the cues
for me and I would write them down. Dan
graciously complied, then suggested he come and get me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I pondered
his offered … especially thinking about having to drive home, get a little bit
of sleep, and get myself to Mercer Island for the half marathon. I accepted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I biked on
and Dan and I encountered each other in Lynden. I had put in 122 miles and felt OK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I got home
at 00:20.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The next morning I made it
to Mercer Island OK, having taken two buses (getting to the start of this run, by ANY mode, truly sucks, so busing isn't too bad). </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">My legs were tired, at the gun, but they were moving. It wasn’t until ~ mile 10.5 that they seemed
to have turned into lead weights. But, I
finished. And, it was a gorgeous day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/466522201">http://connect.garmin.com/activity/466522201</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">And a
pretty good weekend!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mr. wRighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441608817823880609noreply@blogger.com0