Now on Tumblr

So long blogger. I'm now on tumblr.

Chilly Hilly

Last Sunday I rode Chilly Hilly, a 33 mile ride around Bainbridge Island that includes 2,675 ft of climbing. Organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club, a record setting 6000 plus cyclists invaded the island for the event. The weather couldn't have been any better, a sunny 55-60 degrees with a slight wind at our backs in the finishing stretch.

Thirtieth

At the end of February I went down to the PDX with a bunch of friends to celebrate Joe's 30th birthday. Lately I've been getting into putting together short video clips of random moments since I got my 5D Mark II. The process is pretty simple. I try to film as much as I can without annoying the hell out of whoever it is I'm with. I also try to capture good amount of "b-roll" footage which I'll use letter for things like scene changes, setting mood and pacing. While we were there I felt like I was capturing a lot, but when I started editing, I found myself wishing I had a shot a lot more footage. Anyway, here's the result:

Turn Toward The Sun

Joseph and I recently designed and developed a portfolio website for Heliotrope Architects, a firm based in Ballard, WA. The project itself was quite a change of pace from the things I've typically dealt with as of late. Most significant of which is a personal interest in what it is they actually do.

If I go back and look at all the projects I've done in the past, without a doubt the ones that I am most proud of, or at least enjoyed the most are the ones where I've had a personal interest in what it is the client is trying to do. The clients themselves could of been exceptionally difficult, or the timeline could of been ridiculous, but if they were trying to do or create something that I felt even remotely interested in, that just resulted in a better deliverable from me (us), and a better impression of how the project actually went. Not in the "save the earth" sense, but in the "I just like what they do" sense. Vague I know, but it's that extra motivating layer that can really make a difference in whether I view a project as "good" or not.

Anyway, here are a couple of my favorite projects of theirs, and be sure to check out more of their work.

Resolutions

Last year I made the resolution to commute (roundtrip) at least once a week to work on my bike and I was able to almost stick to it for the entire year. The last week before my time off for the holidays was a shortened week, and I was just coming off a debilitating flu. I was unable to stick to the plan on the very last work week of the year. Funny how things work out. However, I've got plenty of weekend rides and multi-day bike commutes during fair weather times to make up for it. As far as I'm concerned, I kept my resolution.

I logged about 2000 miles the past year, with my longest ride being 100km (~60 miles). Decent, but there's definitely room for improvement. For 2010, I intend on keeping up with my at-least-once-a-week-bike-commute, and riding even more non-commuting rides. There are a few organized rides around Washington State that I've been thinking about participating in, and it would be a good opportunity for me to see where I stand amongst other cyclist since I primarily ride alone.

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone, and here's to keeping those resolutions.

Empire State of Mind

Drafting

I'd forgotten how much a difference cycling with somebody else makes. Late afternoon on Saturday, I met up with Chris at Marymoor Park in Redmond for a ride out to Snoqualmie Falls and back.

Instead of the 14-15mph pace over I would have averaged if I had ridden by myself, we averaged about 18mph. We completed the 38 mile roundtrip in just over two hours of ride time, alternating pulling every mile post marker. One time while pulling I neglected to signal an upcoming pile of rocks at an intersection, so Chris's rear tire blew.

Next time I hope to start a little bit earlier—whoever I'm riding with—so that we we aren't racing to get done before dark. Perhaps stop and get coffee, which in my book, is pretty much mandatory when riding with friends. That, and to make sure whoever is drafting me doesn't run over rocks they can't see.

First Weekend of Fall

This past weekend Rand and I drove up (I drove, he slept) to the Methow Valley for a brief end of Summer getaway. Tara's been in Hawaii for the past couple of weeks so I figured the boys would go on a vacation of our own.



Much of the drive was spent with my mouth open, in awe of the view that surrounded me. The North Cascades Highway carves through the mountains, East to West, and is the only road that runs through the Northern part of the range. It's relatively low traffic volume and mostly wide shoulder make it an ideal epic bicycle route, one that I have committed myself to ride soon...





Hut 1 of the Rolling Huts was our home for the weekend. Designed by Tom Kundig of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects and designer of the Delta Shelter–was a nice alternative to the bed & breakfasts' or roughing it at campsite.






Saturday was ride day. I rode East along Highway 20 to through Winthrop and then to Twisp where I had lunch at the Cinnamon Twisp Bakery. On the return, I took the Twisp-Winthrop Eastside Road. The ride was relatively short, 46 miles in 3 hours, but I wanted to make sure Rand had a chance to enjoy the day outside too.

Tumbling

Over here now.

Taylor Ann Tsuchikawa