Aug
08
Jul
22
STP 2011 – Red Team Ride Report
Our ride started off almost like clockwork – people got their streamers and their much valued wrist bands. We left at 6:20am and the remaining color teams left roughly on schedule with the yellow team rolling out at 6:40am. At Kent, we saw some of the teams start to come in and our team (red) took off again. The flourescent streamers really helped us stay together. Thanks to Dan for a brilliant and colorful idea!
The next stage finished off at the Puyallup hill. I teased Daniel H. that the hill was coming up when it was still about a half-mile off. My stoker and I started the climb – it was slow but steady and we managed to try to keep up with Daniel H., but he left us in the dust! I think he was a sandbagger all season or he had a lot of adrenaline, or he’s a young kid , or all of the above. Whatever the reason, he was the first IJM jersey to the top of “The Hill”.
At McKenna – I checked in with Jeff in the white pod. He said Eddie was going pretty fast at 20+. Kary (blue)rolled in and said, “We were looking for you!” Club Dred(pink) rolled in with some of club Dred on singles. Renee said keeping up was pretty hard! Someone else told me the green pod had stopped to fix a flat or two, including one external to team IJM. Mikkel (purple) had the same look that a dog has after it’s been chasing rabbits. If Mikkel had a tail, it would be wagging pretty happily. We just started seeing the
yellow team come in when it was time to roll.
We arrived at the Tenino stop only to find…no cars! We out rode our support! We waited 5-10minutes or so and our stokers, Karen and Frances started talking about Creamsicles then Daniel started talking about how it would be nice to have something cold. Doug agreed and so we rolled out of Tenino to Centralia.
Was it my imagination or did Daniel and Doug lead the pack going into Centralia? Frances said they did. We got our Creamsicles in Centralia and as we waited for the other teams, Daniel started on his second. He said I should get another, and I thought I’d hold off. But then I saw Doug going for his second…and it
looked so good, I had to get another. Now my daughter has a sweet tooth and when it comes to sweets and who eats what, she keeps an accurate count. I thought everyone had just two Creamsicles, but she later told me that Doug had three! I think that’s a record! I wonder how many Creamsicles they go through
in Centralia?
We regrouped at the Peppermill. What a pleasant surprise to see our luggage all decked out – a testimony to our excellent support crew. In addition, they had a self-serve sandwich station going. Support keeps raising the bar on every STP. The overnight at the Peppermill gave everyone a chance to catch up with the other groups and swap entertaining bike stories.
The second day was a little more challenging – half of the animal pack (the purple/orange/lime green team) did just the first day so I had Rocky go to the remaining animal team. We took on Aaron in place of Daniel.
Just before getting into Longview, we got swept up by the re-energized green group and club Dred. There was an entertaining dash as we headed toward Longview – I think we had three tandems going at it.
Going over the Longview bridge, the water bottle of the person next to me popped out and lodged under her front tire – she managed to keep upright, but a guy crashed into her from behind. It’s a good thing they were going slow and had not yet started the fast descent.
Coming out of Longview, I noticed Aaron was having a tough time. I finally stopped to examine his bike and found that his front brake was fully on – no wonder he was struggling! He had ridden over 130 miles with his brake full on! At one stop I got Aaron a candy bar. He gave it back to me at St. Helens saying I might be able to use it. Little did I know that I would.
Somehow, Doug missed St. Helens so we weren’t sure where he was. Leaving St. Helens, we passed the green team and caught up with club Dred at the Scapoose stop. I thought I could keep up with them since Renee was on a single and I thought Ed wouldn’t push on the gas. We stayed in a pace line for little while and then they just kept going faster. Soon, club Dred, Renee, Justin, Jon, Nicole and the others were way ahead of us. Renee had really improved since our first ride. It helps to be young!
As we hit a hill going into Portland my chain broke. Jon helped me get the chain back on, but after the top of the bridge, the chain seized again. I had to break it and put it on one more time. I had joined Victor’s club – it’s one club I really didn’t want to be in. Rolling the last few miles I was running
out of gas from fixing the chain and then I remembered Aaron’s candy bar – I made good use of it;
thanks Aaron! We finally met up with the main group at the Rose Garden and there was Doug! We rolled in to the finish at around 4pm – over 40 riders in a mass of blue IJM jerseys!
Jul
13
2011 STP – Yellow Team Ride Report
I will be writing up about our wonderful STP ride in the next few days, but in the meantime, please enjoy these pictures.
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For those of you who like data, here is our ride stats- just click on the map to see more.
Jul
13
July 4 “Animal” Ride Report
The call for this ride to Northbend went out right after Tour de Donut. When I heard that Richard set it up, the only word that came to mind was, “hills.” When I heard that Ed was on it I thought, “hammerfest.” Ed said he’d be riding tandem with a mystery stoker. I was a little nervous about that, but I figured I’d do the ride.
I showed up at around 8am at Sunset with my Cannondale. My stoker said she didn’t want to ride a hilly hammerfest. Janine and Elden were there and soon Rocky rolled in. He was already sweating from riding
from his house. Soon Steve S., Mikkel, Richard, Ed and the mystery stoker – Kary!
After we prayed, we rolled out and as expected, Ed and Kary blasted off – I wasn’t going to get sucked in this early in the ride so I hung back. As we neared Costco, I saw a searing yellow light. I wasn’t blacking out – it was Dan with his famous headlight.
Richard led us through the little known trail behind Pickering Barn and up to the Highlands hill. Mikkel took off on an early lead. I followed, but didn’t really want to crank it this early.
After we regrouped at the top, we rode down the stair step into Snoqualmie Valley but not before I missed a turn at a “T”. I had to ride back up hill a little ways 
We gradually made our way over toward Snoqualmie Falls. Again, Mikkel took off on the hill climb. Steve S., Rocky, and I followed. As we started climbing Steve S. said, “I know what you’re thinking!” I told him I’d be interested to know what I was thinking. We made it to the top and took a break, but Dan kept going. Only after a while did he finally rejoin us.
We then started off toward Northbend. Ed and Kary rode past and shouted to join the ride. I swept in behind them and told them I’d draft them until they dropped me. I kept my front wheel an inch or two
from their mud flap. I thought I’d pass a couple of times but I knew I couldn’t keep up that pace plus I didn’t know the way.
We pulled into QFC in Northbend. Ed bought animal cookies since this was definitely a ride for animals.
Heading back we faced a bit of a headwind. Ed and Kary took off and Mikkel lead the pack for a while. Then Dan started to ride outside the line a little. I wasn’t sure what he was doing, so I decided to go for the lead. I didn’t stay ahead too long before Mikkel caught and passed me.
We made our way back up the stair step – Ed and Kary really took off. I tried to catch up, but they were able to keep a good pace. As I started up, I could see the bright yellow light right behind me. Dan is getting to be a stronger climber. Every so often I could hear Mikkel calling out passing cars. His voice kept getting louder so I knew he was catching up.
As we passed the Issaquah-Pine Lake intersection Dan rode off toward the Highlands and we started our descent off the plateau. But on reaching the Costco intersection, Ed and Kary took off again. I tried to catch them, but I got held up by a light. I figured I’d take whatever speed I could. Then Richard zipped by me saying something about catching them. I poured out what I had left, but was not able to catch them.
We finally all met up at Sunset – the end to a pretty intense ride. It was my first real ride on the Cannondale this whole year. It felt pretty good!
Jul
13
Tour de Donut 2011 Ride Report
This was a delicious ride. Our first stop was Krispy Kreme*. Dan and William picked out a dozen or so. I wolfed down a couple 1/4 size pieces and my stoker took one as well.
We next went up East Lake Sammamish Pkwy – I found that I was pulling a bunch of people so I decided to slow down a bit and wait up for Alanna. We headed into Marymoor park – my stoker was having a lot of fun with the handset. You’ll likely be hearing that on the STP.
Our next stop was at Sunrise Espresso & Donuts** in Redmond. Eric picked up a dozen or so treats. A 7/11 was next door and Alanna mentioned getting a Slurpee. As I thought about it, it sounded like a very good idea since it was a little warm.
After the Slurpee and a couple of donut pieces it was off to do some climbing to the next donut destination – this time it was Westernco Donut*** near Crossroads. We got some donut pieces plus grabbed a small Subway sandwich. If you think that all we did was eat on this ride, you’re right! After this tasty stop, we headed over to our next destination in Bellevue. But not until we had done some serious climbing up NE 24th St.
Our final donut stop: Top Pot**** We snagged some great donuts there. William, Ed and a few others fueled themselves up with coffee as well.
We rounded out our donut tour by climbing up the infamous Honda hill and dropping back down to Sunset Elementary. We had great weather and some really great donuts. Thanks to all who bought the donuts, and special thanks to Dan – who organized the ride and provided sweep.
Doughnut stops:
*Krispy Kreme
6210 East Lake Sammamish Parkway, Issaquah, WA
** Sunrise Espresso & Donuts
7299 West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast, Redmond, WA
*** Westernco Donut
1412 156th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, WA
**** Top Pot Doughnuts
10600 NE 9th Pl, Bellevue, Washington
Jul
01
2nd Annual Tour de Donut (Eastside) Ride, July 2
Hi riders!! Want to carbo load before the big ride next week? Well, we are having our Second Annual Tour de Donut (Eastside) ride!!! What is this ride you ask? Well click here to read about last year’s 2010 Tour de Donut ride.
Date: Saturday, July 2, 2011
Time: Meet 7:45 AM, Depart 8:00 AM
Meeting Place: Sunset Elementary School (4229 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE, Bellevue)(click for map)
Distance: 42 miles round trip
Pace: Steady to Moderate (click here for what this means)
Terrain: Fairly flat 1st half, Somewhat Hilly 2nd half…Long steady hill (up over Eastgate)(click here for what this means)
Expected Ride Time: 4.5+ hours (We’ll need to manage our Donut times)
Cancellation: Steady or heavy rain
Ride Leader: Dan Ko
Ride Leader Comments:
Starting from Sunset Elementary at 8am (meet at 7:45am), we must leave on time to insure there are still quality donuts left at the last stop! No need to pre-carb….first stop is only 3 miles from the start. This will be a 42 mile loop around Lake Sammamish…to Redmond, thru Kirkland (this will be the training portion of the ride), back to Bellevue….finish by going up Bellevue Honda hill and cruising down Newport Way. We’ll make 4 stops to enjoy donuts! It will be a combination training ride, pre carb loading for STP riders, and just pure enjoyment for donut lovers….
mm…. mm…. mmm….Krispy Kreme glazed, Sunrise apple fritters, Westernco French crullers, Top Pot old fashioned…..
FYI…. Westernco has Danish pastries for the more refined palate!
Route:
- Go east on West Lk Sammamish Pkwy (becomes NW Sammamish Rd)
- Right at East Lk Sammamish Pkwy, 1 block then left to Krispy Kreme
- Right, heading north on East Lk Samm to Marymoor Park
- Continue through Marymoor, go onto Sammamish Trail
- Exit trail at Leary Wy NE, Go right
- Cross West Lk Samm Pkwy to Sunrise Donut
- Return to Samm Trail heading north about 3+ miles
- Exit trail onto NE 124th. heading west. 1.5 miles
- Left at Slater/132nd Pl NE, then left at NE 120th
- Continue up hill NE 120th becomes 132nd NE
- Left at Old Redmond Road, then right at 140th NE
- Left at NE 40th, Right at 156th NE
- Westernco Donut 2 miles down on the left
- Backtrack north to take left at NE 24th
- Continue straight thru onto Northup Way
- Left at 116th NE ,Right at NE 10th, ..TOP POT!
- Right NE 10th, Right at 112th Heading south
- Left SE 8th, Right at 118th NE, I-90 trail to Factoria
- Up Honda Hill, thru 150th NE, Right 154th,
- Bike route to Left at Newport Way
- Left at Lakemont, back to Sunset Elementary
Jun
27
Crystal Mountain
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The weather started out gray, and cool with a little bit of drizzle. We made an early pit stop. I didn’t realize that Gail likes taking pictures. You can ask her about what pictures she took some time. Jon had a flat on the ride up to Greenwater, but otherwise it was pretty uneventful – the only question was how far up was Greenwater? I had about 21 and other people had 18 or 19. Richard slept in, but caught up to us at Greenwater. He averaged about 18 or so catching up – a nice warm up ride.
We decided to split up at Greenwater letting the faster riders go ahead. The ride to the base of the climb was only about 15miles beyond but it seemed longer. My stoker and I kept up with Eddie for a little while and then he dropped us – all I could see was him going on in the distance and soon he was just a speck on the horizon.
We regrouped at the base of the climb at about 11:30am. We started the climb at around 11:40am. We started off as a group, but after that it was every cyclist for him or herself.
Part way up I started to feel hungry and that was not a good sign. I should have stopped earlier but kept going until about a mile from the top when I told my stoker I had to get off the bike. I could not go any further unless I had something to eat.
Eddie caught up to us and worked out a cramp. He moved on and we finally got back on the bike. We couldn’t catch Eddie but at that point I just wanted to get to the top. It was a very bad bonk.
Lunch at the top was very good – the best part of the ride. We then got back on our bikes and rode down – chip seal, potholes, and all. We regrouped at the base and started the ride back to the high school.
Now I had done this ride a few times on my road bike and each time it was a lot of work getting back because you are normally in a headwind. But on a tandem, it was a lot different. I had not realized that there was an almost constant 1-2% grade going up to the base. But coming back it felt good. On a roadbike, you do have to work – but on a tandem it was a lot easier.
We stayed pretty much with Eddie and Heli. Heli got a flat going back, but we handily fixed it and regrouped at Greenwater. We then got into a group with Heather, Eddie, Janella, and Eric. Eddie pulled for a while, then Heather, and then Janella – she took on the headwind and pulled us up the last 1-2% (yes – there was a slight grade going up just before the Mud Mountain turnoff). A great pull from Janella!
The descent on Mud Mountain Dam road was as expected – William led the pack, though he later told me he was trying to “behave”. We lost Eddie, Daniel, and Doug on the flats; but they managed to get back to the main group. Eric and William had gone out to grab them and we managed to regroup at the high school. All in all, a good ride and a strong showing by all who went.
[And now for some stats...]
Jun
27
Basic Bike Maintenance Day
Boy we were blessed with a wonderful day yesterday. Colin and his son showed up with all kinds of bicycle tools that we got a chance to try! Colin is an avid biker of all terrain, and once held a Beacon Hill bike shop. Some of the repairs/adjustments we made yesterday were tire change, tire truing, derailleur adjustment, stem adjustment, and chain removal.
Colin showing some of the finer points of rim truing.
Typical… very few workers.
They sure have been working on that tire for a long time, and it wasn’t even flat to begin with!
I think our bikes are ready for the STP, not sure about ourselves though…
Jun
24
Upcoming: Crystal Mountain
Date: June 25, 2011
Status: Planned
Start location: Enumclaw High School, 226 Semanski Street Enumclaw, WA 98022-209
Start Time: 7am < — note the time!!!!
Finish Time: about 6pm
Distance: about 84miles
Ride Leader Comments:
Ride Description: We start at the high school and wind our way onto Highway 410 (Chinook Pass Hwy). This is a real highway with logging trucks and all, so be careful. Bring a head and tail light, food, extra water, and dress appropriately. It’ll be cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon.We should get to the top by around 12:30 or so, just in time for lunch. Bring cash or credit card since we’ll hit the restaurant up there. I checked and it’ll be open.
For those who just want to hit the “hill” you can meet us at the entrance to Crystal Mt. Blvd. from 410, we should be there at around 11 – 11:30AM.
Additional notes: This can be a challenging ride. We want to be able to get up to the top by 12:30 or so. The ride from the high school to the base is about 36 miles which includes some rollers plus wind then we’ll hit the climb which is 6 miles long at about a 4-6% grade. There will be one water stop at Greenwater at about mile 25. It should take at most 1.5 hours to get to the top so that leaves about 3.5hrs to do 36 miles including a stop which really means about 3 hours to do 36 miles. Be careful on the ride down. It is basically riding on chip seal with potholes.
Jun
18
Maltby Cafe-Paradise Lake
Daniel and I have not had a chance to really get out on a long ride for about 4 weeks so we were looking forward to doing this 44 mile Tour de Cure loop. I was not sure how the ride would go. Would have have to stop early? Make frequent adjustments? Get lost and take a long time to get back? Given these very real possibilities, I needed to have a co-leader and Bart kindly volunteered to help me lead the ride.
Never having planned an entire ride before, I nonetheless planned out the route by mapping out the Tour de Cure 44 mile loop. Unfortunately, there was no time to do a dry run — but how hard can it be to just follow the map? Besides, I had the route downloaded into the GPS.
Meeting at Marymoore, I only expected 6 riders at most since it was a Friday — but we got a nice group of 11!
At the start, Heather suggested that we not start off on the first part of the Tour de Cure route since it was quite hilly to start the ride off. She recommended that we start off by going on the Sammamish River Trail to the Maltby Cafe. We could pick up the rest of the course from there. We were now officially off -course from the very start, but we would get back on shortly.
The ride to Maltby Cafe was quite nice. Low traffic, a nice warm up before we hit the Woodinville-Duvall hill.
Everyone was nice and happy and by the time we got there it was apparently still too early to eat a nice big cinnamon roll. Not sure why time would have anything to do with eating, but maybe thats just me…. While there, we did get to admire some nice red bikes.
Continuing on our ride, we (okay, I) make one wrong turn, but it was quickly corrected. The ride on Yew Way, Downes Road, Fales Road, Elliott Road and High Bridge Road was a beautiful ride with smooth rollers and wonderful scenary.
Unfortunately, we had a rider go down while turning onto Elliott – a few cuts, but fortuately nothing serious. It did give us some time to take in the scenery though.
Continuing down Elliott and High Bridge Road, we stopped at near th Snoqualimie River on the bridge on Crescent Lake Road.
There Daniel went to find the boat launch…
While Phoebe contemplated ee cummings…
Despite the nice scenery, we were running out of water and there were no restrooms for our co-ed group. Hmmm good reason to do a dry on to find out where these amenities were. I assumed that it would be there, but I guess it was a bit too rural.
Regrouping, we continued on down to take a right onto Woodinville Duval. This was not a great road with lots of traffic and big trucks. And it was a very big and long hill. As we were climbing, I realized that I had missed a turn — near the bottom of the hill. We were spread out so it was difficult to correct this error, but all that climbing will pay dividends right?
Now we were off course a second time but I saw on the GPS that we could take Paradise Lake- so we did. Hmmm no water or restrooms on this road either. Starting to get some unhappy campers here… luckily for me we stopped to regroup a an alpaca farm. The alpacas having just been sheared were pretty cute and looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.
It was here that Dan kindly shared the last of his water. Interestingly, just over the next hill we found a coffee shop! With restrooms! I was saved from the crowd!! (I wonder though if the whole purpose of this ride up to this point was just to provide Dan with an opportunity to share…)
Talking to the shop owner it turns out that if we wanted to actually get back on the route, we would have to go back on Paradise Lake. Not good. But…. we were only a few miles from Maltby Cafe so we could just go home the way we came! Which we did much to everyone’s relief.
So, lessons learned:
- The roads in this area are quite scenic and we should come here again.
- When planning a route, the rural parts of Washington can in fact be quite rural so consider that for co-ed rides.
- Do a dry run. If you noticed, the post name has changed — it did not turn out to be the Tour de Cure route afterall. I did a dry run afterwards so I know the turnoffs, restooms and water stops now. We should try to ride this again– any takers?
- Wait to name a ”new to you” route if you are the ride leader. Don’t name a ride until afer you have done it — it may in fact turn out to be a different ride then planned and will need a new name.
- Enjoy the “opportunity” to explore. If we did not take a few wrong turn, we would not have seen the alpacas.
Thanks everyone for sharing this new route with me!
–Tailwind
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