Project Sunrise
Best of Project Sunrise 7
Best of Project Sunrise 6
Best of Project Sunrise 5
Best of Project Sunrise 4
Best of Project Sunrise 3
Best of Project Sunrise 2
Best of Project Sunrise
CBC CTS G5 #4
Cascade Bicycle Club Cascade Training Series Ride #4: Absolutely amazing!
Pacific Coast Bikepacking Day 1
Olympic National Park
Spokin' Spokane
Bucket List Rides: North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is inarguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. Why not bike it? This could be done as a 60 miles one-day trip, dropping off at Washington Pass and stopping at the Visitor’s Center. It could also be done as a 153 mile/3-day bike camping tour from Mazam to Bellingham. Either way, this ride would probably be the most amazing in September.
Bucket List Rides: Olympic National Park
The only way to ride Olympic National Park is to Ride the Hurricane! This has been on my back burner for years. Will it happen in 2021? Will the Century ride happen?
Dayum! Grand Coulee Dam
Keeping safe from COVID-19. Avoiding the Seattle rain that won’t stop. Feeling moved by the signs of social unrest with every escape from the home. I felt the need for some variety, something to make significant the day-in and day-out I’ve gotten used to. So, out we adventured to the lovely town of Wilbur, Washington.
Wilber, about 6 hours away from Seattle, enticed me to two reasons. One, the area, being east of the Cascade range, promised sunshine and warm weather. Two, this area, with lots of open space and a small population, had far fewer confirmed cases of COVID-19 than the rest of the state.
Wilbur delivered. I rode out to Grand Coulee dam, and had a wonderful time. The quiet roads were traveled by few, and most who passes were pleasant and mindful of my presence. I got to enjoy an amazing descent. There was a bit of a cross-wind, enough that it pushed me on the descent. to get the most out of my downward momentum, I tucked into my handlebars as tight as I could and coasted. The road kept descending. I felt so safe on such a calm, straight road and I let the bike go as fast as it wanted to. I coasted so long that my heart rate dropped to my resting rate. I coasted so long that my arms and legs got stiff from being tucked in for so long…three times! I think this was the longest free coasting downhill ride I’ve enjoyed since Tour de Blast.
It was not so much fun going back up. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
Wilbur to Grand Coulee Dam Out and Back
The next day I rode a short way out, just 15 miles to keep the muscles fresh and the mind awake. It’s not exciting enough to recount here, but it was fast. I rode 16.4mph, which is the fasted average I maintained thus far on my new bike. It felt good to know the new bike and I could succeed at these speeds.
The third and last day I rode to Sherman, a ghost town. Once a thriving mill town, all that remains now is an old church and a cemetary. The town is literally dead. I also passed by another cemetery and some farm art. Most important of all, however, is that the ride finished with a perfect iced latte at the local coffee shop in Wilbur that planned it’s grand opening right as the town locked down for COVID.
Wilbur to Sherman Out and Back
Photo Highlights of the Whole Trip
Ride Time Capsule: Lady Wooleaters Ride Orcas Island
The Tuesday Ride Time Capsule captures images, thoughts, and notes about rides that happened some time ago that haven't been posted on SheRidesToday before. Here's to saving treasured memories!
This trip dates back to May 13-17, 2017.
Fall time riding
The leaves are nearly all fallen. The color was amazing this year, each leaf’s hue deeper and more vibrant than years’ past. I took a brisk, crisp ride out with Cascade Bicycle Club. This series is called the SNOCO; one that takes place in the fall around Snohomish county. I enjoyed the group quite a bit last year. I forgot how much. This group include a larger percentage of women that usual, many who are in the vicinity of my age. There’s even one who rides with the same socks I do. Pretty good time!
Scooter Bike Campout
The gif(t) of Bike MS
Team F5
source video credit: Zach @ F5
I had so much fun riding with team F5. Because f5 was the biggest fundraiser in 2018, our team had the honor of starting the ride. Here we are, the first team to cross the start line. All the cheering made it so much more fun.
Bike MS Deception Pass 2019
Team F5 is the first team out of the start line chute!
Lance invited me to join team F5 with him and his fellow work buddies. I rode Bike MS Washington once before and decided I would only do it again with a team. Well, being part of team F5 made it better than ever. F5 went above and beyond as a host. I felt welcome, cozy, and well-appointed. One of the team captains commutes to work from near where I live. The other team caption made his famous “loaf”. This “loaf” comprised of some 15 or more boxes of rice crispies, cocoa crispies, chocolate chips and a year’s supply of marshmallows. It sat in a large plastic tub, bigger than you would wash your dishes in. One sliced off what they wanted with a long knife. The treat was both delicious and strangely satisfying. He also made tasty (and strong) margs’ for everyone. Many F5’ers rode with their teenage children. Three other riders had white Specialized Roubaix’, just like mine.
Team F5 crossed the start line first in 2019 among cheers from riders and rumbles from the Harleys. Team F5 raised more money than all other teams in 2018, so everyone really had something to cheer about!
Day 1 Recap (more day 1 details below):
Highlights
Starting the ride first, as an award for being on the “number 1 fundraising team”. Hearing all the cheers and the Harley’s roaring for us.
The cheerful cheerleaders at the Deception Pass stop, “5-6-7-8-who do we appreciate-THE BIKERS-THE BIKERS”
The really friendly “Disney VoluntEAR” wearing Minnie Mouse ears who told us all about the route for the rest of the day in pro tour-guide fashion.
Watching birds crack open clamshells by dropping them on the bike path right in front of me.
Riding through crops with identifying signage; potatoes, wheat, cover crop.
The cornfield that advertised, “We have big EARS” and pictures of Alfred E. Neuman’s bastard children.
The lone beer drinkin’ dude on a truck at the Chuckanut Brewery’s nuthouse cheering us on.
The couples sitting out on their porch overlooking Padilla Bay and waving Pennsylvania style.
Aussie Bites at the rest stops.
The numerous volunteers who watched traffic for us and were fun and cheerful
The chapter president met us and remembered my name.
The large number of other white Roubaix bikes like mine.
That massive flock of birds that took flight right as we passed, turning the sky all around us black for a moment.
Stopping traffic to cross the Deception Pass Bridge, creating a massive backup and nobody went road-rage about it.
The flocks of people cheering their brains out at the finish line. This is how the rides should be!
Watching cyclists do the “I Ride with MS Victory Lap” and not turning into a sobbing mass. Although someone was cutting onions nearby.
The coolest SAG wagon; a federation starfleet jeep.
Riding past Lake Erie. I was born in Lake Erie. Who knew I was a west coast native?!
Weather:
The forecast called for 75 degrees and overcast, in line with the weather the whole week leading up to the ride. I felt pretty confident we would be treated with the same pleasant temperatures. It was the last minute that I decided to toss in a rain jacket and a fender. I didn’t bring and sleeves, legs, or any of my numerous warm weather gear. Murphy’s Law, perhaps? I could have easily worn more. Temps barely rode above 65 Saturday, and the waterfront routes ensured it felt cooler than it was. It wasn’t too cold by any means, it just could have been warmer. I wore my rain jacket the second day, mostly for warmth. Turns out I felt plenty warm, and the heavens blessed us by making the rain part of the jacket unnecessary. The best treat of the trip was the lightning and thunder storm. Lance and I got to enjoy the storm of the century from the comfort of my van. Lightning and thunder- an unusual display for the Seattle area, lit up the skies for hours Saturday night. Other Bike MS campers oohed and awwwwed at each magnificent flash. The soft rain puttering on the roof put us right to sleep. Then the magnificent bright flashes woke us up again.
Seattle lightning credit: reddit.com
Mechanicals:
None! Can you believe it! Lance rode his ebike and it performed like a dream! My bike gave me no complaints. It may have helped that a certain live-in-barista cleaned my bike up for me before the ride.
Roadkill:
This ride showed us unique roadkill, especially for Washington state. I rarely see any roadside death here: Opossum, rabbit, frog (belly up!)
Day 1 Details:
Day 2 Details:
Photos of the Ride:
