If you get a lot of requests from people who would like you to knit for them, here's a knitting time calculator that you can send to them, so that you can be recompensed adequately for your time.
(Preview below, click on the knitting time calculator to see the whole thing properly.)
By the way, yes, this is a joke. However, if you want to see what people are submitting, the form results are here.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Spock hat (free knitting pattern)
A friend's teenage daughter has been asking for a "Spock Hat" for over a year. Since she asked (very nicely) again at Christmastime, I figured it wasn't a fad that was going to go away, so I thought I'd make one up for her. (It takes me back to being a huge Spock fan when I was her age.)
Note: If you want elf "hair" rather than a Vulcan hat, substitute any other colour for the black yarn.
Links to images for a look at the ear shaping.
* costuming
* neural stimulator
* Quinto ears
________________
The Hat (Knit from top down)
Yarn: Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Superwash (worsted weight), Colour 30 (black)
Needle: US 6 (4 mm) circular needle
Turkish cast-on two stitches on each needle. (Or use your favourite way to start a top down hat.)
Note: Images of the cast-on below are with the yarn I used for the ears, as it's the same beginning, and it's much easier to see light-coloured yarn than black yarn in photos.
Create a magic loop, then, using both ends of the yarn, knit all 4 stitches. (4 stitches around)
Because you used both ends of the yarn, you'll have 8 loops on the needle. Knit all loops as stitches (8 stitches around).
Place a marker at start of round.
Knit 1, YO, all around (16 stitches around)
Knit 1, KTBL the YO (16 stitches around)
(Note: KTBL the YO means knit through back loop of that yarn-over stitch)
K2, YO, all around (24 stitches around)
K2, KTBL the YO (24 stitches around)
K3, YO all around (32 stitches around)
K3, KTBL the YO (32 stitches around)
Continue increasing until you're at K10, KTBL the YO (88 stitches around)
Note: it's easy to manipulate the stitch count if you're using thinner or thicker yarn, or knitting for a child. Just increase to 64, 72, 80, or 96 stitches, instead of 88 stitches around.
Knit for 3 inches (2–2.5 inches if you're making this for a small head or a child)
___________________
Ribbing the front of the hat for the "bangs"
Here's a side view of the bangs.
**
Two stitches before marker, K1 P1
From marker, K1 P1 for 25 stitches
Place second marker
K1 P1, then knit rest of round to two stitches before first marker.
Repeat from ** for one inch
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Bind off the bangs (see note on experimental bindoff below)
After one inch of front ribbing:
Two stitches before marker, K1 P1
From marker, bind off 25 stitches, ending at second marker.
Remove both markers.
K1 P1, Knit to two stitches before end of the row, P1 K1.
From here, you'll work the back of the hat as a flat piece, not in the round.
___________________
Knit the back of the hair
And here's a closeup of the back of the head, showing the shaping of the hairline.
**
P1 K1, Purl to last two stitches, K1, P1
K1, P1, SSK, knit to last four stitches, K2tog, P1, K1
(The "hair" angles backwards, with two stitches being decreased every other row.)
Repeat from ** for two inches. You will have 49 stitches on the needle.
___________________
Begin ribbing for bottom of "hair", to reduce stockinette curling
K1, P1, SSK, ** P1 K1 ** (repeat between ** ) to last 4 stitches
Last 4 stitches are K2tog, P1, K1
P1, K1, repeat to end
K1, P1, SSK ** K1 P1 ** (repeat between ** ) to last 4 stitches
Last 4 stitches are K2tog, P1, K1
P1, K2 ** P1 K1 ** (repeat between ** ) to last 3 stitches
Last 3 stitches are K2, P1
Repeat ribbing stitches for one inch (approx 6 rows)
Bind off.
One more side view photo of the hat.
___________________
Stretchy bindoff
You can bind off normally, or if you'd like to try a stretchy bindoff, here's my experimental bindoff for this project. It's a combination of the regular bindoff and the lace bindoff.
1. Knit two, slip both stitches back to left needle, K2tog
2. Knit 1, Pass rightmost stitch on left needle over the first stitch
3. Knit one, slip both stitches back to left needle, K2tog
Repeat 2 and 3 above
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Pointy Ears
Yarn is Purelife organic wool, in "onion", or equivalent feltable wool. This is a DK weight yarn as I wanted the ears to be a little lighter weight. You can substitute worsted weight yarn but the ears will be just a wee bit heavier on the hat. You may also have to fudge your row count by one or two rows, or felt the yarn a little bit more.
Needles I used: US 6 (4 mm)
**Pattern**
Using the Turkish cast-on, make 4 stitches, 2 on each side of your circular needles.
Basic principle: increase to 11 stitches on back of ear; increase to 20 stitches on front of ear
There are 32 rows from the bottom to the top tip of the ear.
It takes 12 rows to build from the bottom to the middle of the ear, then 12 rows to decrease for a regular human ear shape, then 8 rows to build the pointy tip.
The extra stitches in the "front" of the ear are to create extra fabric for shaping into an ear whorl.
My increase chart (yours may vary depending on your row gauge. Remember, your goal is just to get a lot more fabric on the front of the ear, and let the back of the ear control the shape.)
| Row | Back # of stitches | Front # of stitches |
| 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 6 | 11 |
| 8 | 8 | 14 |
| 10 | 9 | 17 |
| 12 | 11 | 20 |
| 14 | 10 | 18 |
| 16 | 9 | 16 |
| 18 | 8 | 14 |
| 20 | 7 | 12 |
| 22 | 6 | 9 |
| 24 | 5 | 6 |
| 26 | 4 | 4 |
| 28 | 3 | 3 |
| 30 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | 1 | 1 |
RIGHT EAR
Increases on front are K to one stitch before end, M1, K1, on most rounds. You can also M1 in the middle of the ear after row 4.
Increases on back are K1, M1, K to end (no increases on alternate rows).
Here's the back of the year, at the midpoint.
And here's the front of the ear. You can see all the extra fabric bulging upwards.
Decrease rows on front for rows 14-24 are:
SSK, K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K
Decrease rows on back for rows 14-24 are:
K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K
As you get past row 24, alternate k2tog or ssk to shape the final point.
Here's the back of the ear, so you can see the shape.
And here's the front of the ear, with a little shaping of the ear whorl.
LEFT EAR
Increases on front are K1, M1, K to end, on most rows. You can also M1 in the middle of the ear after row 4.
Increases on back are K to one stitch before end, M1, K1 (no increases on alternate rows)
Decrease rows on front for rows 14-24 are:
SSK, K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K
Decrease rows on back for rows 14-24 are:
K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K
As you get past row 24, alternate k2tog or ssk to shape the final point.
___________________
FINISHING
After bindoff, baste the ear shaping into place.
With fingering or lace weight cotton or acrylic yarn (not sewing thread, which may cut the yarn, and not wool yarn, which may felt itself to the wool of the ear), sew the edges together to secure the ear shaping.
Then manipulate the extra fabric in the front of the ear into a whorl that approximates the inner shape of an ear, and baste that shape into place with the cotton yarn. (See above photo. You only need to build up about 1/4 inch of ear whorl.)
Make two ears, one which mirrors the other. Learn from my mistake and make them at the same time if at all possible, as it's much easier to remember your construction.
Put into hot laundry wash and dry to felt the ears. Bonus points: Ask your husband to "find your ear" when he brings up the laundry basket.
Here are two ears together, one pre-felting, and one that's been felted down.
Put hat on, and then attach ears to hat in approximate location of your own ears.
Sew in ends.
Wear with geek pride.
Friday, August 5, 2011
hangover
Yep, I am suffering from a Sock Summit hangover. I'm a little out of sorts. There's stuff all over the place and chores to be done but all I want to do is crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.
I made it home in one piece with Gladys' luggage and her shiny new shoes plus a stroller that got left behind in Portland. It was a leisurely drive home with a stop in Centralia for the outlet stores (didn't buy much), a brief stop in Marysville for a late lunch, and long break in Bellingham to pick up a spinning wheel, a split bearing for my Traveller (which I ended up swapping with the Traditional because the new one was a smidge too big), and a little Finn fiber.
I'm sure you're dying to see what I bought.
I shopped for other people and this is their loot:
This is my yarn purchase plus a set of carbon fiber dpns:
And this is my fiber haul (approx. 3.5lbs):
Most of it is Polwarth except for the Sheep2Shoe kit which is superwash merino and the pencil roving. The white blob is the Finn. On the far left was my biggest splurge - 50% camel/50% silk. I couldn't resist - it's sooooo soft.
My door prize:
And here's the spinning wheel that I picked up for my niece:
It's an Edammertje and a Dutch made wheel. From what I understand, it's a competitor to Louet. The company is no longer in business so if it ever needs repairs, etc., I will have to use parts from other spinning wheel makers. I've cleaned it up and oiled it. It treadles very smoothly but 4 out of the 6 bobbins are incredibly noisy.
There are a few things missing from the pictures like my Sock Summit swag, a coupla t-shirts that I bought hubby from the Saturday market, See's candies, goodies from my Fabric Depot trip, and some clothes that I bought. I didn't exceed my duty free limit ($750) but I was pretty darned close. Phew!
I made it home in one piece with Gladys' luggage and her shiny new shoes plus a stroller that got left behind in Portland. It was a leisurely drive home with a stop in Centralia for the outlet stores (didn't buy much), a brief stop in Marysville for a late lunch, and long break in Bellingham to pick up a spinning wheel, a split bearing for my Traveller (which I ended up swapping with the Traditional because the new one was a smidge too big), and a little Finn fiber.
I'm sure you're dying to see what I bought.
I shopped for other people and this is their loot:
This is my yarn purchase plus a set of carbon fiber dpns:
And this is my fiber haul (approx. 3.5lbs):
Most of it is Polwarth except for the Sheep2Shoe kit which is superwash merino and the pencil roving. The white blob is the Finn. On the far left was my biggest splurge - 50% camel/50% silk. I couldn't resist - it's sooooo soft.
My door prize:
And here's the spinning wheel that I picked up for my niece:
It's an Edammertje and a Dutch made wheel. From what I understand, it's a competitor to Louet. The company is no longer in business so if it ever needs repairs, etc., I will have to use parts from other spinning wheel makers. I've cleaned it up and oiled it. It treadles very smoothly but 4 out of the 6 bobbins are incredibly noisy.
There are a few things missing from the pictures like my Sock Summit swag, a coupla t-shirts that I bought hubby from the Saturday market, See's candies, goodies from my Fabric Depot trip, and some clothes that I bought. I didn't exceed my duty free limit ($750) but I was pretty darned close. Phew!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sock Summit Day 3
Today was my last day of classes. I had sooooo much fun in my CSM (circular sock machine) class. We made straight tubes, short row heels/toes, and learned how to get the ribber working and switch the needles around. I did not end up with a wearable sock but I couldn't resist trying on my practice piece.
As it happens, two of my practice heels are exactly the length of my foot so I may actually be able to salvage a sock out of my 5 ft long tube.
The CSM wasn't scary to use. A bit tricky at times but not unmanageable. By the end of the 3 hour class my hands were covered in black machine oil. My finger nails look like they belong to a grease monkey rather than a knitter.
I realized this morning that I didn't have my picture taken with any knitting celebrities (aside from Gladys). So I tracked down someone famous and begged for a picture.
This is Caro from splityarn. She's an awesome crafter. I know Caro before she became famous. We used to work together back in the day when we both had desk jobs.
In the afternoon, I showed up at Gladys' lecture with my cow bell and I'm still alive to tell you about it. The lecture was a lot of fun. Many people were inspired and I believe there was a mini stampede to several booths to stock up on pooling yarn. I might've been one of them even though I said I wouldn't do it again.
So that's it for classes. I'll head back to the convention center to pick up my spinning wheel and my door prize!!! Wonder what I won.
As it happens, two of my practice heels are exactly the length of my foot so I may actually be able to salvage a sock out of my 5 ft long tube.
The CSM wasn't scary to use. A bit tricky at times but not unmanageable. By the end of the 3 hour class my hands were covered in black machine oil. My finger nails look like they belong to a grease monkey rather than a knitter.
I realized this morning that I didn't have my picture taken with any knitting celebrities (aside from Gladys). So I tracked down someone famous and begged for a picture.
This is Caro from splityarn. She's an awesome crafter. I know Caro before she became famous. We used to work together back in the day when we both had desk jobs.
In the afternoon, I showed up at Gladys' lecture with my cow bell and I'm still alive to tell you about it. The lecture was a lot of fun. Many people were inspired and I believe there was a mini stampede to several booths to stock up on pooling yarn. I might've been one of them even though I said I wouldn't do it again.
So that's it for classes. I'll head back to the convention center to pick up my spinning wheel and my door prize!!! Wonder what I won.
Friday, July 29, 2011
postcard from Sock Summit 2011
We and IT are here.
Sock Summit has officially started. Gladys is having a great time teaching and I'm having a great time learning. We definitely feel like we've been transported to another world:
If you don't get the reference, look it up! BTW, the show - in all it's incarnations is filmed just a few kms from where I live.
We are both enjoying the shopping ;) I will take photographs of my stash when I get home but just trust me when I say, "WOW!". As you can probably guess, most of it is spinning fiber :) While I did bring my spinning wheel, I do not have it to try out my new fiber. It is with one of the Fleece to Foot teams and it was be participating in Sunday's competition.
Tomorrow is my last class and Gladys' lecture. My supplies are packed for class and so is my cow bell for the lecture. She is going to KILL me.
Sock Summit has officially started. Gladys is having a great time teaching and I'm having a great time learning. We definitely feel like we've been transported to another world:
If you don't get the reference, look it up! BTW, the show - in all it's incarnations is filmed just a few kms from where I live.
We are both enjoying the shopping ;) I will take photographs of my stash when I get home but just trust me when I say, "WOW!". As you can probably guess, most of it is spinning fiber :) While I did bring my spinning wheel, I do not have it to try out my new fiber. It is with one of the Fleece to Foot teams and it was be participating in Sunday's competition.
Tomorrow is my last class and Gladys' lecture. My supplies are packed for class and so is my cow bell for the lecture. She is going to KILL me.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
finished
I've crossed the TdF finish line!!! A purple jersey (don't like yellow and I look horrible in it) for me :)
This is a little skein of some mystery stuff that Gail gave me. I've only got 228 yds so I'm not sure what I'll make with it.
After many weeks of wheel searching, I think I've found one for my little niece. Hopefully, it will still be avail on my way back from Sock Summit. Only 4 more sleeps!!!!
Ricky sez, "zzzzzzzzz".
This is a little skein of some mystery stuff that Gail gave me. I've only got 228 yds so I'm not sure what I'll make with it.
After many weeks of wheel searching, I think I've found one for my little niece. Hopefully, it will still be avail on my way back from Sock Summit. Only 4 more sleeps!!!!
Ricky sez, "zzzzzzzzz".
Friday, July 22, 2011
6 more sleeps
... til Sock Summit 2011!!!
So there's a flurry of activity here. I'm finishing up the Tour de Fleece. One of my goals was to spin thicker and fiddle with my wheel settings a bit more.
This is 4ozs of Falkland spun up into 230yds of 2 ply. Very soft and skwishy.
I've also been spinning on Marilyn, my vintage double drive wheel. Another one of my TdF goals was to make friends with her. I finished filling one bobbin and when I had to switch it out, I couldn't get the whorl off until I remembered that it's lefty tighty, righty loosey. I filled the second bobbin and plied it today. I need to wind it off before I take a beauty shot. The fiber is a mystery as it was a gift from my friend, Gail. So what to spin next? I don't want to start anything new on Clementine or Matilda because all 8 bobbins need to be empty for Sock Summit so that leaves Marilyn. Guess I'll have to toss the stash.
What I really should be doing is getting all my Sock Summit bits together. It's supposed to be summer hot in Portland. None of my summer clothes are out because it's been so cold here. Really - I was wearing long pants last week. I had on wool socks the week before. What I have been doing is working on my shopping list and boy, is it looooooong! Must remember that my duty free limit is only $750 (and I already had stuff shipped to Portland so I have even less to spend at the marketplace). My list so far is a sweater's worth of Socks That Rock Heavyweight (leaning towards one of the Raven colourways). I want to make something like Cassis or Redhook. I might buy a little bit of sock yarn. I mostly want fiber for spinning and a few spinning accessories like a spinner's control card, and a split rear bearing to update Clementine a little. So little time/money, so much to buy.
So there's a flurry of activity here. I'm finishing up the Tour de Fleece. One of my goals was to spin thicker and fiddle with my wheel settings a bit more.
This is 4ozs of Falkland spun up into 230yds of 2 ply. Very soft and skwishy.
I've also been spinning on Marilyn, my vintage double drive wheel. Another one of my TdF goals was to make friends with her. I finished filling one bobbin and when I had to switch it out, I couldn't get the whorl off until I remembered that it's lefty tighty, righty loosey. I filled the second bobbin and plied it today. I need to wind it off before I take a beauty shot. The fiber is a mystery as it was a gift from my friend, Gail. So what to spin next? I don't want to start anything new on Clementine or Matilda because all 8 bobbins need to be empty for Sock Summit so that leaves Marilyn. Guess I'll have to toss the stash.
What I really should be doing is getting all my Sock Summit bits together. It's supposed to be summer hot in Portland. None of my summer clothes are out because it's been so cold here. Really - I was wearing long pants last week. I had on wool socks the week before. What I have been doing is working on my shopping list and boy, is it looooooong! Must remember that my duty free limit is only $750 (and I already had stuff shipped to Portland so I have even less to spend at the marketplace). My list so far is a sweater's worth of Socks That Rock Heavyweight (leaning towards one of the Raven colourways). I want to make something like Cassis or Redhook. I might buy a little bit of sock yarn. I mostly want fiber for spinning and a few spinning accessories like a spinner's control card, and a split rear bearing to update Clementine a little. So little time/money, so much to buy.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
two months
It's been pretty close to 2 months since I last wrote up a decent post. There is sooo much that I need to get caught up on that this'll be a quick & dirty update.
FOs
Cinnamon Grace - totally ran out of yarn despite using an overweight skein. Ended up making a 2 hour round trip to buy a 27g leftover from a fellow Raveller. Still ran out of yarn. The lace edging should be wider and have a picot bind off.
Another pair of Monkey socks - my 60th pair of socks
Currently knitting on this:
Swirl skirt from the latest IK. Totally in love with this pattern.
Spinning
The Tour de Fleece is moving along. While the nieces were in town, they insisted on "helping" me so I ended up spinning a lot of junky fiber (included in the purchase of my wheels). But I've had the opportunity to spin some nice stuff, too. This is sample of what I've accomplished so far:
We're leaving for Sock Summit in less than two weeks. I have so much to do to get ready. I'm excited!!!!
FOs
Cinnamon Grace - totally ran out of yarn despite using an overweight skein. Ended up making a 2 hour round trip to buy a 27g leftover from a fellow Raveller. Still ran out of yarn. The lace edging should be wider and have a picot bind off.
Another pair of Monkey socks - my 60th pair of socks
Currently knitting on this:
Swirl skirt from the latest IK. Totally in love with this pattern.
Spinning
The Tour de Fleece is moving along. While the nieces were in town, they insisted on "helping" me so I ended up spinning a lot of junky fiber (included in the purchase of my wheels). But I've had the opportunity to spin some nice stuff, too. This is sample of what I've accomplished so far:
We're leaving for Sock Summit in less than two weeks. I have so much to do to get ready. I'm excited!!!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Dear Canada Customs
Dear Canada Customs,
If the label on the package says "Wool Yarn" …
Do you really think that you should be charging customs on Women's Clothing?
On the bright side, the yarn (Wollmeise in Raku Regenbogen and 0-Rh-negativ) was gorgeous, and I've already filled in the refund form so hopefully I'll get it reclassified and refunded.
If the label on the package says "Wool Yarn" …
Do you really think that you should be charging customs on Women's Clothing?
On the bright side, the yarn (Wollmeise in Raku Regenbogen and 0-Rh-negativ) was gorgeous, and I've already filled in the refund form so hopefully I'll get it reclassified and refunded.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
drive by post
Crazy busy... The nieces are in town so I'm barely home. Still managing to spin a little each day for the Tour.
I've been spinning this Corriedale. It's all done now - 8oz of 2 ply and I'm hoping it's fingering. I still need to wash & whack.
My youngest niece is completely fascinated with my wheel(s) so I'm having to spin up a bunch of junk fiber to keep her happy so I'm spinning a lot but most of it is throw/give away.
I am sad because I went out on Mon and planted a ton of pansies and then wham - heat wave. The poor plants are totally crispy fried. Not sure they'll survive.
I've been spinning this Corriedale. It's all done now - 8oz of 2 ply and I'm hoping it's fingering. I still need to wash & whack.
My youngest niece is completely fascinated with my wheel(s) so I'm having to spin up a bunch of junk fiber to keep her happy so I'm spinning a lot but most of it is throw/give away.
I am sad because I went out on Mon and planted a ton of pansies and then wham - heat wave. The poor plants are totally crispy fried. Not sure they'll survive.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
the Tour
I'm participating in my first Tour de Fleece this year. Today is day 1 and my sister & nieces are in town so I was hauling my wheel around. My youngest niece (aka the knitter) was completely fascinated. She tried drafting but was content to work the treadle while I did the drafting.
We spun a bobbin full of mystery fiber and then plied it up.
I've promised my oldest niece that I'll spin her some yarn, too. And then they're coming over for an afternoon of Kool Aid dyeing. It's either going to be a total disaster or a lot of fun.
We spun a bobbin full of mystery fiber and then plied it up.
I've promised my oldest niece that I'll spin her some yarn, too. And then they're coming over for an afternoon of Kool Aid dyeing. It's either going to be a total disaster or a lot of fun.
Friday, July 1, 2011
O Canada!
Well of course I had to answer Dotty's post with this one. It's pretty cool.
The youtube description says,
"I found the BEST rendition of O Canada - the True North Strong & Free's wonderful National Anthem on an old VHS tape in my basement. An initiative by broadcaster Ross Carlin of Orangeville, Ontario, this was apparently produced for distribution to over 14000 schools across Canada. Sung in both official languages, the clip features over 240 voices representing the musical & cultural diversity of Canada. Made over 15 yrs ago, you might recognize a few faces- like: Rita MacNeil, KD Lang, Murray MacGlaughlin(sp), Luba, Fresh Wes; Tommy Hunter, Gino Vanelli, etc."
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Markus: Kelowna to Merritt
We interrupt this knitting blog for a quick trip into the world of a crazy cyclist. Comments in italics belong to me - wife of said crazy cyclist.
ETA: All photographs courtesy of Jacek Kaim (official R2S photographer) except for the last one which is from Gladys' camera.
How did it go? It’s an easy question to ask, but there are so many ways to answer when “it” is a 23 hour day that started in Kelowna and ended in Delta and you spent most of the day on your bicycle. And this year, there’s a new way to answer, how it went compared to last year…
I got up before my alarm went off. It was about 2:08am, I was in a room in the basement of a church which on most other days functions as a day care for small children, but currently served as a dorm for myself and about 5 others. I turned off the alarm, gathered my toiletries in the dark and headed off to see which of the washrooms was available. When I returned, it was still not the 2:30am I had set my alarm for, but the lights were on and everyone was up and preparing for the day.
After breakfast, I brought my overnight bag upstairs and handed it off at the trailer. Then I went back down and brought up my day bag, the one which would be available at each rest stop which I had stocked with all the things I might need during the day. Then I went back to get all the items I was going to wear or carry to start the day and my bicycle. Its really strange to see a church with bicycles lining every possible wall. This is when I discovered that the two gloves I had set aside were in fact both right hand gloves. So out to the trailer and inquire of the volunteers as to whether I can get to my bag. Fortunately it was at the front only under a couple of bags, since they were attempting to pack the bags in the order they would be put out. Each rider has a number, your bag is tagged with your number, and at each rest stop the bags are set out in numerical order. While Tony took pictures and ribbed me about being “that guy” I was able to quickly locate the ziplock containing my gloves, and pull out a left.
After the mayor said some kind words and rang the bell, we were off. At 3:30am, we were leaving half an hour earlier than last year, and with a police escort right at the start, we headed straight for the highway, as compared to the previous year when we turned onto the highway shortly before the bridge over the lake. I was looking back for a nice sunrise, but it was a bit early, and the clouds were not cooperating. A quick spin, and we were already at the first break. Refill a bottle, a couple of things to eat, an “emergency” banana for my back pocket and I was ready to go on.
The road to the next break, takes us a little further south along the lake, then we turn inland to the west. There is a gentle rise, then the road makes a dip across a small valley, and we start up the hill to the Pennask summit.
The dirt road right behind the riders is a runaway lane for trucks going down the hill.
The next break is a chain up area about half way to the summit. I was wearing the same as last year, jersey, vest, and arm warmers, but had decided over the last hour and a bit that wasn’t quite enough. So in my 10 minutes, I managed to strip all the way down, add a wool base layer, put everything back on top, fill my bottle, and eat a couple of things. One of my busier stops.
Markus is in the neon vest on the left pushing the rider in the middle.
The next stop is just past top of the climb. I didn’t remember the road as well as I thought, so I was thinking, around this corner a bit of a straight stretch, and we’re there. And we weren’t. And the next half hour became a series of here? No. There? No. Shut up and spin. Are we there yet? Just spin, you’ll get there. So much of getting through the day, is keeping your head straight, and this was one of the times it got away from me.
The stop at the summit is extremely short, essentially just water and gear. The pullout is too small to accommodate the whole encampment. I added a jacket, and tights. From here to the next break, its rolling terrain at altitude. The jacket is definitely zipped up for the downhills, and things start to unzip as we go up the hills. At the next stop, I don’t add any more clothes, but neither do I take any off. As always, get a couple things to eat, fill the water bottles. Still haven’t needed to use the washroom. Some people say if you don’t need the washroom at every stop, you’re not drinking enough!
Caught drinking and cycling!!!
The next stop is Merritt, our lunch break, even if its only 10am. More rolling terrain between here and there, but the last few km, our following vehicles block both lanes and we have the whole road for our descent to the Information Center. I’m reminded by a ride captain on the way down to keep right if I’m going slow. Perhaps he didn’t see me pass him a ways back… perhaps he doesn’t realize he has the whole lane to my left. Water under the bridge. I move to the right, finish my rest, and when I’m ready to pump down the hill again, move left again and practice my tuck. Two lanes, good pavement, dry roads, an absolute blast. At the information center a police officer and his motorbike have the intersection closed, he’s waving us in, and a cheering crowd!
Markus is busy shovelling food into his face.
ETA: All photographs courtesy of Jacek Kaim (official R2S photographer) except for the last one which is from Gladys' camera.
How did it go? It’s an easy question to ask, but there are so many ways to answer when “it” is a 23 hour day that started in Kelowna and ended in Delta and you spent most of the day on your bicycle. And this year, there’s a new way to answer, how it went compared to last year…
I got up before my alarm went off. It was about 2:08am, I was in a room in the basement of a church which on most other days functions as a day care for small children, but currently served as a dorm for myself and about 5 others. I turned off the alarm, gathered my toiletries in the dark and headed off to see which of the washrooms was available. When I returned, it was still not the 2:30am I had set my alarm for, but the lights were on and everyone was up and preparing for the day.
After breakfast, I brought my overnight bag upstairs and handed it off at the trailer. Then I went back down and brought up my day bag, the one which would be available at each rest stop which I had stocked with all the things I might need during the day. Then I went back to get all the items I was going to wear or carry to start the day and my bicycle. Its really strange to see a church with bicycles lining every possible wall. This is when I discovered that the two gloves I had set aside were in fact both right hand gloves. So out to the trailer and inquire of the volunteers as to whether I can get to my bag. Fortunately it was at the front only under a couple of bags, since they were attempting to pack the bags in the order they would be put out. Each rider has a number, your bag is tagged with your number, and at each rest stop the bags are set out in numerical order. While Tony took pictures and ribbed me about being “that guy” I was able to quickly locate the ziplock containing my gloves, and pull out a left.
After the mayor said some kind words and rang the bell, we were off. At 3:30am, we were leaving half an hour earlier than last year, and with a police escort right at the start, we headed straight for the highway, as compared to the previous year when we turned onto the highway shortly before the bridge over the lake. I was looking back for a nice sunrise, but it was a bit early, and the clouds were not cooperating. A quick spin, and we were already at the first break. Refill a bottle, a couple of things to eat, an “emergency” banana for my back pocket and I was ready to go on.
The road to the next break, takes us a little further south along the lake, then we turn inland to the west. There is a gentle rise, then the road makes a dip across a small valley, and we start up the hill to the Pennask summit.
The dirt road right behind the riders is a runaway lane for trucks going down the hill.
The next break is a chain up area about half way to the summit. I was wearing the same as last year, jersey, vest, and arm warmers, but had decided over the last hour and a bit that wasn’t quite enough. So in my 10 minutes, I managed to strip all the way down, add a wool base layer, put everything back on top, fill my bottle, and eat a couple of things. One of my busier stops.
Markus is in the neon vest on the left pushing the rider in the middle.
The next stop is just past top of the climb. I didn’t remember the road as well as I thought, so I was thinking, around this corner a bit of a straight stretch, and we’re there. And we weren’t. And the next half hour became a series of here? No. There? No. Shut up and spin. Are we there yet? Just spin, you’ll get there. So much of getting through the day, is keeping your head straight, and this was one of the times it got away from me.
The stop at the summit is extremely short, essentially just water and gear. The pullout is too small to accommodate the whole encampment. I added a jacket, and tights. From here to the next break, its rolling terrain at altitude. The jacket is definitely zipped up for the downhills, and things start to unzip as we go up the hills. At the next stop, I don’t add any more clothes, but neither do I take any off. As always, get a couple things to eat, fill the water bottles. Still haven’t needed to use the washroom. Some people say if you don’t need the washroom at every stop, you’re not drinking enough!
Caught drinking and cycling!!!
The next stop is Merritt, our lunch break, even if its only 10am. More rolling terrain between here and there, but the last few km, our following vehicles block both lanes and we have the whole road for our descent to the Information Center. I’m reminded by a ride captain on the way down to keep right if I’m going slow. Perhaps he didn’t see me pass him a ways back… perhaps he doesn’t realize he has the whole lane to my left. Water under the bridge. I move to the right, finish my rest, and when I’m ready to pump down the hill again, move left again and practice my tuck. Two lanes, good pavement, dry roads, an absolute blast. At the information center a police officer and his motorbike have the intersection closed, he’s waving us in, and a cheering crowd!
Markus is busy shovelling food into his face.
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