CYCLING PARASOL

As Seen on Whitman Campus

MONDAY MURAL--Carrying on the Bicycle Theme

Enjoy the Ride Wine

This building used to house a bicycle store, but when it outgrew the space, it moved across the alley to a larger storefront. The subsequent tenant is a  wine tasting room, hence the subtle change in the last word. Hopefully, the sign does not condone drinking and riding (in that order); instead, riding first and then drinking and enjoying wine.

MY NEIGHBOR, MY COLLEAGUE, MY MENTOR, MY FRIEND

In keeping with the City Daily Photo August 1 'Bicycle' theme day, I offer this extended blogpost that has special meaning to me. I took up road cycling in 1996 as a way to get fit and lose weight. My neighbor down the street and fellow middle school teacher was already a passionate road cyclist, and over time became my cycling mentor. Her enthusiasm and encouragement helped me to traverse the continent on my bike in 1998 as well as ride up and over several of the mountain passes in Washington in addition to Mt. Hood in Oregon, many of which we did together. Sadly, in 2004 she was killed in a senseless and tragic accident while on her bike. I still think of her often and miss seeing her butt riding ahead of me up a hill. This is for you, Ann Weatherill, and the wonderful memories I keep. 


It is summer now, the time when sunflowers grow, and I remember Ann.

We rode our bicycles together, she and I, and this rear wheel was often the view I saw of her as she eased away from me, she being the stronger rider.

We rode up and down mountain passes, across wheat fields, and through pine forests talking about school, kids, and life.

She lived three doors down from me, and this is how I'd see her bike in the vestibule when I'd come in her front door--helmet, gloves and vest always at the ready for a ride.

Now they wait in bronze as a testament to Ann and her love of cycling.

This bronze memorial by artist Robert McNealy is located on the campus of Walla Walla University in College Place, the little town next to Walla Walla. 

As a result of her death, the Ann Law was passed in Washington state which prohibits motorists from passing when oncoming bicyclists, pedestrians or equestrians are approaching.

AUGUST 1 CDP THEME DAY--BICYCLES

It's a Family Affair

This dad and four kids are all decked out with helmets and waterguns as part of the Bad Ass Bicycle Club's annual Water War. Havin' fun in the summertime!

This is part of Theme Day at the City Daily Photo blog. Click here to see more photos by bloggers from around the world.

REVOLUTION MULTIPLIED

This was to be my theme day photo, until I had another "happy accident" leaving Walla Walla on Monday, April 27. So I'm posting it on my blog because why waste two perfectly good photos?

The . . .wheels, gears, pedals, chains, legs . . . go round and round, round and round . . .*

  The racers in a criterium go round and round, round and round . . .*

*Sung to the tune of the classic children's song "The Wheels on the Bus."

2015 TOUR OF WALLA WALLA

"Racers, start your engines."

Walla Walla is a great place to ride a bike. With miles of rolling country roads surrounding the town, the biggest choice a road rider has is which direction to go. And if you're a mountain biker, the Blue Mountains are in our back yard with endless dirt roads and single track trails for all levels of bikers. And there's even an annual USCF event for the serious racer--the Tour of Walla Walla which draws competitors from all the Pacific Northwest states and California.

The Tour of Walla Walla is what's known in the bicycle racing world as a 3-day, 4-stage race. In layman's terms that means over the course of three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) riders compete in two road races, one time trial, and a criterium--resulting in one champion.

These photos are all from the criterium race on Saturday morning where I volunteered as a corner marshal. The start/finish line is on Main Street in downtown Walla Walla.  Racers ride on streets closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic in a circular course the equivalent of 0.9 miles which includes eight corners. Depending upon the racers USCF category, each criterium race lasts 30, 40, or 70 minutes. There are eight separate races with the first race starting at 8:20 AM and the last race starting at 1:45 PM.

Here the pack of Men's Category 3 riders race down Boyer Ave which bisects the campus of Whitman College, a private liberal arts college.

For more information: http://www.tofww.org/