ODDS 'N' ENDS

(OK, I know, it makes no sense--a photo of Mount Shuksan right under a photo of Mount Shuksan. But it's a purty pic, innit? All black-and-white-like 'n' all.)

Anyway, I was up at Mount Baker Ski Area Sunday taking photos for an upcoming Times story. Always beautiful up there. Saturday, Mellow Johnny Boy and I ran--yes, ran--for over 90 minutes on the winding up-and-downsy trails toward Lost Lake. Should've been riding, I know, but I needed to get in a couple long-ish runs if I was going to do the Orcas Island 25K in early February like I'd been kinda, sorta, was thinkin' about planning to do, maybe. Possibly. But then Monday, I read on the R.D.'s facebook page that it's full. So I'm not doing Orcas.

What I am planning on doing is a few of the BuDu Racing mountain bike races (www.buduracing.com/) in February and March. I'll try at least one on the single-speed and keep my fingers crossed that I don't embarrass myself too much. Hopefully, they're like the Indie Series (www.indieseries.com/) which I thoroughly enjoyed last summer. Great spirit; great people; great fun.

A few fun performances coming up: Cody Rivers on Thursday, Ryan Stiles and various UpFronters on Saturday, me own thing with Chuckanut Radio Hour next Tuesday.

EARLY SEASON SNOWBOARDING

Headed up to the Mount Baker Ski Area to give snowboarding another shot. 'Til now we hadn't quite dialed it in yet as a family. I board, Jen boards, and Baker liked to think of himself as a snowboarder but betwixt you and me, he'd not quite gotten there yet. Still way too frustrating for him. Until ... yesterday!!!

Great time had by all--that's Bake in the lower right, Jen way up in the upper left, me behind the camera, Mount Shuksan livin' large there in the middle. Bake's a fifth grader (fifth graders ski and board free at Mount Baker), almost 11, and I think now has the strength and patience needed. Hung out mostly on Chair 7 with some blue run forays off Chair 8 and Chair 5. Super cool, super fun, super cold.

Below is the view just off Chair 5.

And this is the Nooksack Ridge, also in view from up there.

 

Today, the Clark Man, Glenn Gervais and I were going to ride to the top of Lookout Mountain just beyond Galbraith, but when I woke to 30-degree temps and 30-plus mph winds--and a high wind advisory for the next 24 hours--I wimped out with nary a second thought. The Assaulting Alder incident is still less than a month ago and I'm real tentative right now about heading back into the woods when it's windy out.

FIRST MOUNT BAKER HIGHWAY RIDE 2009

Team Unattacked made its first 2009 appearance on the flanks of Mount Baker today when Scott "Titanium Cowboy" Young and I did the Glacier to Mount Baker Ski Area jaunt. "Mellow Johnny Boy" Clark couldn't join us as he cavorting in Europe 'til sometime after St. Smithens Day. Beautiful day, no wind, temps in the 50s and 60s.

Above, the Cowboy, sporting his new Belgian cyclocross champion jersey, rides my favorite stretch of the road, just past the ski area's White Salmon Day Lodge with its terrific views of the Nooksack Ridge to the right. (That's what's on the video.)

Below, Scott and I just past the upper lodge, at the 4,400 foot mark, where we had to turn around because of snow. Scott, as you can see, is a tad taller than I. Strong as a frickin' horse, he creates a fantastic draft which I took full advantage of on the way back. Forty four miles in all with 4,400 feet of climbing in about two hours fifty.

Shout out to our homey, John--we miss you; hope you're having a great time!

Oh, and a late shout out to Glenn Gervais too, who rocked Ironman Coeur d'Alene in 12:27, including a 4:06 marathon--SMOKIN'!!!