#7 The Parade - 1/1/00

I swear we rode our bikes down Colorado Blvd escorted by motorcycle police. Just 'cause the major networks started their Rose Parade coverage at 8am and we started at 7:50am doesn't mean we didn't have a fantastic time waving to the people gathered along the route. Many responded warmly & enthusiastically, especially when I yelled "Go Badgers." One thing though, we were standing at Orange Grove & Colorado Blvd for an hour before pedaling slowly for the better part of another hour. It was 45 degrees with us wearing nothing warmer than our splendid blue rose jerseys and shorts. We started envying people holding coffee, even if I think coffee is one of the foulest smells ever created.

I was on the outside (camera side) of the third row, so if anybody taped coverage which started earlier than 8am PST, YOU might rewind your tape to see me riding a bike wearing a JERSEY for the first time. Of course, at the first opportunity, I covered the gorgeous jersey with a cheap nylon aloha shirt. Life has priorities. Like the night before, at the New Year gala dinner where some people dressed up, I wore, over a cotton aloha shirt, an old bathrobe. People were impressed. People have no taste. People emptied the place starting at 10pm. Next year, when we have just 5 miles to ride the next day, we'll finish our year together with an intensely emotional rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Even if we aren't covered by Kathi Lee.

Happy Trails,
Bruce