2017-06-14 Did I kill the wind?

2017-06-14 Did I kill the wind?

WTF?  We got up and read Timera's forecast.  No wind today, no wind tomorrow, and maybe no wind until Monday or Tuesday.  I guess I should have gone for that second session yesterday when I had the chance, even though I was hurting and exhausted and cramping ......

It was a lazy morning.  Al and I waited for Ross to do his hour of Yoga and then we walked downtown and had breakfast at the Gorge Hotel.    From there we headed to some of the shops to look at shiny items as per Andreas's training program.

Big Winds has taken on a line of E-Bikes, so we had to check them out.  I took two of them for a test drive.  Extraordinary!  You set the level of "Boost".  It does nothing until you start to peddle.  Then the harder you push the peddle, the harder it helps you.  You feel like Superman.  You are just peddling along - but you are going way faster than normal and not working hard.  You get to a hill - you (and the bike) just keep peddling.  There are some serious hills in Hood River - no problem.  I saw a guy on a regular road bike pumping hard to climb up main street.  I turned to follow and passed him without even starting to sweat (which for me is something).  I probably looked like Kermit the frog - just peddling normally while I whizzed passed him.  It felt great.  I NEED one of these..... (No Louise - I didn't buy it - the sticker price is about $4,000US - but I think we will enjoy the E-Bikes we have rented in Scotland!)

Ted trying out the E-Bike

From there we went to the offices of the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association where we met with their distinguished director, Bart!  Who would have thought that Bart could have a regular job with a salary and benefits.  When we interrupted him, he was working on an application for a relaxation to environmental regulations related to repairing bank erosion adjacent to the Swell City parking lot.  Bart???    He says he is having a blast and raising the bar with respect to Windsurfing, (probably Kiting), and sports in general in the community.  There is a big Windfest the weekend after next - unfortunately, most of us will head home before the competitions.  (We don't want to show up these Gorge guys too much).

Bart - Director of the CGWA - working hard!

Al and I went to Sailworks in the afternoon.  I wanted to drop off a sail and mast with them, and it is always great to chat with Jim, Dale and Bruce!  They are totally stoked about this foiling thing.  Dale says he has had 70 days of foiling this year, and only 4 of windsurfing.  They say it totally opens up the sport for the low/no wind days.  Talk about a sales pitch - I almost bought one on the spot until I realized that there are weeds in my lake - so it wouldn't work.  Let's see - Dale has had 70 sessions to get where he is at.  If I get 7 sessions a year (which is optimistic), then I will be ..... WTF.......

Anyway, we went down to the Event Site around supper time to watch.  They certainly seemed to be having fun as shown in the photos below.  Note the lack of wind indicators (i.e. whitecaps).

Dale Cook

Bruce Peterson

Ross managed to get himself assigned to a sailing crew, so participated in the Hood River evening sailboat races.  Sorry - no photos - but it sounds like he had a blast!

Al and I ate at the Mexican Restaurant at the top of the hill.  The service and food was great as usual.

We have heard from Kent and Rene, as well as Brad and Blaine - all of whom are on their way and arriving tomorrow.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone! (so we can sit and watch the rain together)

Early to bed - more adventures tomorrow.