16819 miles already?

I have been a total slacker this year. By this time last year, I’d been to Portland, Victoria, Tacoma and a whole bunch of other places, racking up the miles like nobody’s business. Even though I ride to work almost daily, Joe at Big People can no longer tease me about needing service visits every other week.

Animals.y2u.co.uk

I’m going to (sort of) make up for that this weekend. The SOBs (that’s Scooters of Bellingham) will stage the third renewal of their famous Hamster Run rally. The itinerary includes a long ride to La Conner on Saturday, though there’s no Lummi Island ride on Sunday, as was the case the previous two years.

You should go. Or at least ride up. The world-famous Scootin’ Old Skool map gives you three options for gettin’ outta Dodge, er, Seattle on a route that’s kinda 50cc-friendly. Well, except for the part where you run next to I-5 crossing the bridge from Everett to Marysville.

Our friend Chuck will lead a “fast” ride, via Whidbey Island Highway. Meet at Fremont Coffee, 459 N 36th Street at 10:00 am Friday, the idea being to catch the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry at 11:00 or 11:30. He’s figuring on a 4:00 pm arrival in the ‘Ham. Yes, people call it that. The ‘Ham, where residents are known as “Hamsters.” Get it?

Since the PX is not up to the challenge of staying with GTs and GTSs (and since I couldn’t get the day off work), I will lead a “scenic” ride. Diva Espresso at 80th & Greenwood is the meetup point, departure will be 3:30-ish. Get there sooner if you need a caffeine fix. Yes, we’re doing 99 to Everett because I want to make sure we get to B’ham in plenty of time for a libation or two at Chuckanut Brewery on E Holly. Plus, on the way I’d like to get my Steve Williams on and take a few pix of the PX set against the scenery around Stanwood and the Skagit Flats. Hey, you already know what Bothell looks like, right?

Check in through the weekend for special on-scene reports and pix. The Kinko’s in Bellingham is closed on Sundays (in a college town?) so I’m bringing the iBook. The hotel has wi-fi…

Bookmark or share this article:

Del.icio.us :: Digg :: Newsvine :: Facebook