MDW - Saturday

Saturday morning, Clint and I excitedly woke up to head to the bicycle shop to buy ourselves some new bikes! I've been thinking about buying a new bike for quite a while now. It should be a fun way to get a workout, and going on bike rides will be something fun for Clint and I to do together. Clint is also racing in the Seafair Sprint Triathalon, so he has another reason to get into the sport.

We headed straight over to the Montlake Bicycle Shop. Clint had already done plenty of research and test rides, so he knew exactly which bike he was getting. I hadn't started the looking process yet, so I got the run down on the different bikes from the sales guy. After hearing what I wanted to use the bike for, he showed me a few that I took out around the neighborhood to test out. It was easy to pick my favorite...it was the most comfortable to ride, the cheapest, and of course the cutest. We were so excited with our new purchases that we headed straight over to the Burke Gilman trail to break them in.

pretty new bikes, the colors even match!

We parked in the UW parking lot right next to the trail, and set out for our first ride.

Make shift bike rack

We weren't quite sure how far we were gonna go (hence the jeans). We just wanted to be out in the sunshine riding our new bikes. Our first stop was at a teriyaki shop just past U Village before we got out too far. After getting ourselves fed, we were back on the trail. Before we knew it, we were in Kenmore (about 10 miles). We rode by what looked like an old nursery, but they had a live band playing and people outside drinking beer. This quickly got our attention and we pulled over for a pit stop.

192 Brewing Company

Clint locking up the bikes with
the rest of the biker gang

cute outdoor seating

bike ride fuel

What we had stumbled upon was Kenmore's first micro brewery on opening weekend. We grabbed a couple beers and found a stump outside for a table and listened to the band while we took a little break. We decided we weren't quite tired yet, and since we had come so far, why not continue all the way to Redhook brewery? Looking back, this is probably the point in the day where we should have just headed home...but alas, off we went.

8 miles later (for a total of 18), we made it to Woodinville! We locked up our bikes at the brewery, and headed to the outdoor patio. The place was swarming with people. Some bike riders like ourselves, plus everyone and their mom just out for a Memorial Day weekend brew. We found a bench to sit on and sipped on our Redhook Blondage Ales. It was the perfect day to sit in the sun and drink beer, we were in heaven. It also felt like quite the accomplishment to have ridden all the way out there...but now we had the ride back ahead of us.

Redhook Brewery!

more fuel

We headed back to the bikes and got ready for the ride home. As soon as I sat back down on that seat, I knew I was in for it. A hot sunny day + wearing jeans while riding a bike for 18 miles = unhappy lady parts. I was hating life. I tried to keep my complaining down to a minimum, but don't think I was doing so well. On the way back, Clint was up ahead of me (probably tired of listening to me) which made me want to ride even slower...I would show him. Finally, after riding for about 6 more miles, we pulled over. Clint had a proposition for me. I would wait here at Wayne's Golf Course and drink while he rode his bike back to the truck by himself and would come drive back to get me. He kept trying to sell me on it. Saying that even though it could be about an hour wait, I could play on my cell phone, see if any friends were near to come by, have a snack...but there was no convincing to do. I would wait there for 10 hours if it meant not having to finish the ride. So off he went, and I found a sunny spot to sit on the deck and ordered myself a cheeseburger and Mac and Jacs.

take your time Clint, I'll be just fine

My burger came out, and the waitress said it was the 2,000th burger sold and wanted to take a picture of me with Jimmy, the owner. I just wanted to eat, but sure, why not. He later came back and said it was just a ruse to get a picture with a pretty girl...creepster. He also used the photo to put on his Facebook page to promote the 3,000th burger (but didn't you just say 2,000?). He then proceeded to check in on me every 10 minutes, sometimes sitting at my table to chat. Clint couldn't get back soon enough.

me and my new friend Jimmy

Clint's truck pulled up and I was saved. He sat down and ordered a beer, and Jimmy wasn't as friendly after that. We enjoyed the nice evening for a bit, then headed home.

my savior, from long bike rides and creepy old men

We got home, rented a Redox, and called it a night. I definitely slept well after an exhausting, but fun, day. I'm already looking forward to recovering from the soreness to go on another ride! This time with padded biking shorts...