| Click on any photo for an enlargement
 Once
in a blue moon, the Friday riders are treated to a fifth Friday
which requires them to select a new venue (only the first
four Fridays have identified starting points). Ed Ellington
arranged for this month’s fifth Friday to begin
at Korbel Winery with the thought that all of us Friday riders
could party in honor of several birthdays – Janice Eunice
turned 60 in October, Dan Brown 70 and Ed, well Ed likes to
party so this is the first of several for his 80th which is
later in the year. The pictures that follow memorialize this
first event.
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 Yes,
we did ride. Some of us went out towards Duncan Mills (including
the birthday boy, Ed; Janice and Dan had other commitments and
couldn’t join their own party but we celebrated for them)
and some of us headed towards Westside Road and Sweetwater Springs.
Out on Sweetwater Springs, Doug’s seat clamp bolt
broke. After realigning his seat bag and assorted goodies, Doug
had a flat and other tube problems, ending with his not getting
to the party. Not to worry Doug, there will be another opportunity
in December. Ed also had a flat. Gordon graciously fixed this
in a jif. Speaking of Gordon, check out his headgear. (Picture
2) Yes, it was cold at the beginning of this ride. Gordon obviously
wanted to avoid frostbite and set a new standard in ear and
head protection!
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 Getting
back to the party, Ed treated us very well – not only did
he buy a case of champagne but he also poured for us! What a
guy. Martha Barton was his able assistant. Martha had just gotten
off duty as a tour guide for the Elder Hostel bicycling tour
here in Sonoma County. As Martha recounts the week, she spent
a great deal of time pouring wine for the participants, maybe
even as much as leading them on their bike tours. Thank you
Martha!
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Here’s a table full of happy riders – left to right
Colin, Kathy, Alice, Bob, and Phil. |
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 Janice
may have not been able to attend her own party, but her husband
Michael (second from the left) saved her a place between himself
and Jim, father to Gordon. Jim stokes for Gordon and the two
of them can really move on that Specialized tandem! Bob joined
the Friday riders last year and is seated to Michael’s
left.
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|
 Rolf
is entertaining a couple who were here on vacation from Maine
and joined our Friday ride at Korbel and also the previous
week in Healdsburg.
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Well here’s a table of the usual suspects. Richard is
seated at the right. Friday was Richard’s second ride
since his accident this summer when he ended up in the hospital
with pins sticking out of his arm and casts and all sorts
of other medical accessories (he rode 10 miles with the last
Thursday night ride of the summer just the day before). Fortunately,
his legs were unscathed in the accident and he was able to
spend the summer doing speed sprints on his trainer out on
his deck overlooking West Dry Creek Road. Jim is to Richard’s
right. Jim also turned 70 but he did that in September with
his wife in Paris. Continuing on in this counterclockwise
direction, Dick Cantor is standing against the railing. Dick
had surgery earlier this year and has just recently rejoined
the Friday rides. We’re all glad to see Dick back on
the rides. Bill, Brian and Chris Cleveland complete the semi-circle.
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This table of folks was most accommodating to the photographer,
moving their chairs and enduring not one, not two, but three
pictures. Thank you Linda, John, Joanne, Robert and Gary. |
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 Brian
must like to have his picture taken because here he is again
with Eric, Lynn and Paul.
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 Chris
and Bill have one last Happy Birthday picture with Ed.
All in all it was a great day for a ride and a wonderful
way to spend time afterwards. Thank you Ed for hosting us
to celebrate your birthday. We’re all looking forward
to doing it again in December, closer to when you really will
be turning 80. So between now and then, ride often and ride
safely. |
