SEATTLE TIMES SHOULDER SEASON STORY

Above, Mount Baker overlooking Bellingham, Lummi Island and lotsa water--the view to be had from the top of Orcas Island's Mount Constitution. See today's http://www.seattletimes.com/ for my story on things to do this time of year, including mountain biking on Orcas. It's in the Travel/Outdoors section and includes a cool photo of Team Unattacked's Mellow Johnny Clark.

PADDEN MOUNTAIN BIKE DUATHLON VIDEO

Here it is, the RunningShoes.com Duathlon vid. Funny, how there're very few bikes still around by the time I get going. Wonder where they all went. By the way, this is the same course as is used on the Padden Mountain Pedal races. Enjoy!

Found these pics of Team Unattacked members John Clark and myself on themickeyd's photostream on www.flickr.com. Lots of duathlon photos there.

PADDEN MOUNTAIN DUATHLON PHOTOS AND HELMET CAM VIDEO

Here're a few quick pics (photo credit: the lovely Jen McQuaide) from yesterday's RunningShoes.com Duathlon. Great fun, great friends, great workout esp. on the 29er single-speed. Above, check out my shirt. Fetching, huh? Below, Johnny Boy Clark heads out on the ride. Speaking of the ride, I shot video with my helmet cam but can't seem to post it here. So here it is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LpoHSLL7gk.youtube.com/watch?v=_LpoHSLL7gk
Team Unattacked including the Titanium Cowboy complete with new scaphoid McNugget cast. Great to see the boy.

Again, the shirt. Actually, Tammy Bennett told me that John and I each won pint glasses for our attire. Sweet!

TEAM UNATTACKED NEWS

This past Wednesday, Team Unattacked strongman Scott "Titanium Cowboy" Young underwent surgery on his broken scaphoid on his left hand. As you can see from the photo above, in which his hand bones resemble Chicken McNuggets, they put a screw in that big McNugget on the left. Always thinkin', Scott texted me that he made sure it has an Allen head so that he can use his bike tool to tighten it on rides if he has to. Get well soon, Scott!

Meanwhile, Mellow Johnny Boy Clark and I scouted out a locale for a future training camp. Yesterday, we went mountain biking on Orcas Island which, come Sept. 15, opens up about 20 more miles to the fat tire crowd. The trails are really nice--mostly wide and smooth with long, long descents (and climbs) and, on sunny days, probaby the most spectacular views around.

Above, John rides the Little Summit Trail, just below the top of Mount Constitution. That's Lummi Island, Bellingham (and Bellingham Bay) and Mount Baker in the distance. The weather and views were terrific and it felt like we had not only Moran State Park, but the whole island to ourselves. (Perhaps one of the few advantages of a tanking economy.) While John was shirking his responsibilities I was actually working, as this ride will be part of an upcoming story I'm writing for The Seattle Times. 

Riding Orcas Island reminded me of what a great place it is to run too. I'm considering running the Orcas Island 25K in February. (There's a 50K too for the John Clarks and Scott Youngs of the world.) Below, John and I strike a pose behind his Niner Air9. (I had my own bike, really I did.)

Sunday is the RunningShoes.com Duathlon in which I'm planning to ride (and push where necessary) my 29er single-speed. May wear my helmet too.