As Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent planned to ride in Saturday’s Life Cycle Bremerton, a fundraiser in the American Red Cross in Puget Sound, she envisioned herself riding tandem with the Mayor of Port Orchard. That was news to Lary Coppola, who will participate in the event, but hadn’t heard about the bicycle built for two. Asked who would get to sit in front, Coppola said he’d be the gentleman and let ladies go first.
Lent has since visited the plan. Since neither mayor is experienced at riding a two-seater, it’s entirely possible one wrong move could send them both head over teacups, she said. That would be a civic catastrophe. Instead, Lent will ride shotgun on the tandem bike, with another road savvy rider up front.
The Life Cycle, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offers routes for every ability, including a three mile “Ride with the Mayor” (make that two mayors), 10-mile “Family Ride,” 40-mile “Northern Route,” 60-mile “All Cities Ride” and “100-Mile Century Challenge.”
The routes begin and end at picturesque Rotary Evergreen Park, with rest stops scattered throughout the 101 mile route at Evergreen Park, Blueberry Park and Kitsap Lake Park in Bremerton; Long Lake Park and Port Orchard Marina Park in Port Orchard, and Muriel Williams Pavilion on the Poulsbo waterfront.
Although registration closed at noon Thursday, everybody’s welcome to come cheer the cyclists on. It’s not every day you see a couple of mayors on wheels.
Wow – I goofed! I owe Mayor Coppola an apology for not mentioning him in the blog post mentioning tomorrow’s festivities. The only mayor I knew who was riding was Bremerton’s Mayor Lent and I didn’t inquire who else was involved.
Have a super time tomorrow – COPD will be there too!
I owe a special “Thanks” to Jim Baker, who lent me his Cannondale for the ride. I was under the impression I would be riding tandum with Patti, but didn’t find out until I arrived I’d be riding alone. In retrospect, perhaps it turned out best for all involved 🙂
Janet Heath and the rest of the Red Cross crew — including many volunteers — did an excellent job of organizing such a terrific event for a great cause. I was honored to be invited to participate.