Evergreen Tandem Club - Photos - Rides

Sept 29-30: 1st Annual Yakima Valley Wine Country Tour (a.k.a., Inaugural Goathead Run)
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Chalk up another successful ride for Evergreen Tandem Club. Coordinated by Mike & Renda Murphy, this 2 day ride covered about 80 miles of Yakima Valley , with stops at 4 wineries each day. Ken Moller and Steve Truman (not actually club members themselves, but friends willing to volunteer their time and use of a pickup truck) followed the group for 2 days, collecting purchases and safely ferrying them back to the finish each day. Matt Malone and Chris Kooser volunteered as on the road mechanics, and by the end of the first day had perfected the art of speedy flat repair. There were fewer than a dozen flat tires all weekend - not bad for having about 25 bikes participate each day. The most serious mechanical issue was a broken spoke. Larry and Marishka Gill did finish the Saturday ride, and then stayed Sunday, acting as additional SAG support and taking pictures.

Lunches were held at 2 of the wineries: Tefft Cellars had a great barbeque on Saturday; and Dairygold Dairy Fair proved a popular dessert stop on the way to the finish (check out the photo of all the empty tandems…). An independent caterer provided a scrumptious salmon lunch at Covey Run on Sunday. Covey Run had a terrific view from its patio, a nice breeze blowing to keep us cool while we surveyed the Yakima Valley. The temperature was near 80 each day, clear with a light wind. The smells of mint and grapes (and yes, the cows too) were a terrific addition. It was very pleasant riding in a region where the drivers were so considerate of us bicyclists.

Evenings found many of the riders at the conference room of the Best Western in Toppenish, carrying on conversations from earlier in the day, making new friends and just enjoying each other's company. Michael & Bonnie Frederick brought pictures from their bicycle trip to Ireland this past summer and talked about it to the group on Saturday night.

Armond and Diana Anderson drove all the way up from Portland to do this ride with us, and there were tandems from the east side of the mountains who rode with us as well, and who plan to join ETC. There were a few couples who were only able to ride one day, as other commitments kept them from joining us for both days.

Overall, it would be safe to say that everyone had a very good time. The group was relaxed, social, and interested in enjoying each other's company before, during, and after the rides. Sort of what riding a tandem is all about - being with someone you enjoy.

For those of you who missed out on the Inaugural Goathead Run, don't despair… just keep an eye on the club calendar, the last weekend of September 2002.

Submitted by Mike & Renda Murphy

PO Box 23105 . Seattle, WA 98102 . 206.789.8722
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