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PSI;CH'O was a killer time!
First, let me apologize. It seems every year that I get some minor point not quite right, like the meeting point (2006) and this year the ride was described as being around Sinclair (rather than Dyes) Inlet. I seem to be geographically challenged, but my ride leader checklist always begins with me shaking my head at myself, and that was true again this year. Leo just laughs, and that is always a good thing to hear. Emma (co chair again) made it, just in time, and they led us off.
The third, fourth or perhaps fifth annual West Sound Cycling Club Halloween Ride was great. We officially started it at noon13 from the Silverdale Albertsons and did several donuts in the parking lot while restroom and other errands were completed (Bill needed his coffee). A host of costumes got underway toward Tracyton and Bill (I am their leader, which way did they go?) soon followed. I believe that there were about fifteen of us including Doug, the Austads, Sarah, Connie, Alan (and his family) who also invited a friend Carol. Paul Dutky and Linda Brown let me ride with them a lot of the time. Thanks. .
No one seemed to be in much of a hurry. It was the kind of a ride where everyone just wanted to extend and revel in the atmosphere that defines Fall. Courteous drivers, people raking leaves, and gardening. We all witnessed the water, the joggers, and fishermen actually playing a salmon as we rode along towards Lions Park. A smiling Bob Newbill enviously waved encouragement and shared a few moments with us as we either glided or toiled uphill. He'd been unable to go play on bikes Sunday because of a family lutefisk eating contest or something, but he still wanted to join the festivities.
A defining moment for a couple of us was a turn we made side by side off of Kitsap Way. The leaves were thick and crisp, they crackled and shoosed under our wheels. The Paul said he loved that sound, recalling rollerblading through them another time, another place. It is the kind of sound that creates and brings back brilliant memories. Ahhh. The blues were sharp and giddying as was the color pallet of Kitsap during a key season. This was the world through a polarized filter of fun; for me it was just plain vivid.
Leo and others led. Jillie took pictures. I ran into an old friend, Guy Scrivner, (his wife is a member that we have not seen in a long, long, long, time). Someone mentioned that we had gone past three cemeteries so we met that Halloween Ride criteria.. We went places that many of us had never ridden before. We ended at 2:30-2:45 or so, and then repaired to the Silver City restaurant for electrolyte replacement. That was another check on the HR checklist.
I think that it was an afternoon of friends. And well spent. Checklist complete!
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