RAMROD (Ride Around Mt Rainier One Day)

I. Love. This. Ride.

RAMROD is perhaps the most scenic, iconic, and challenging recreational ride in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years I have ridden it loads of times and although some years have been harder than others, it's always been an awesome experience. This year I rode it with my good friends John Phillips and John Ospina and a friend of John Ospina's Mark. These guys drug me around the mountain without complaining and waited for me at rest stops. Good friends are great to have.



Prior to the ride this year I was extremely flattered to get approached by the current President of the Redmond Cycling Club (Joseph Matthews) who said he wanted to feature me in this year's edition of RAMROD Stories. We did all the filming and interviews in one afternoon right by my house and through the magic of editing Joseph came up with this. The whole experience was super fun.


The RAMROD Story experience also made me smile as the days of 7:15 are LONG gone but it also proved to me that you can enjoy events across a wide spectrum of fitness levels. Here's to getting outside for yourself no matter what your speed.

These days my friends and I have a pretty reliable RAMROD routine. We start around 6:00 AM, ride relatively fast between aid stations but we also stop at every aid station and enjoy ourselves and the services the volunteers bring to the table. Speaking of volunteers, one of my friends (Tony Callen) was at the Box Canyon rest stop this year serving up my favorite treat in this ride, chocolate croissants.



The weather was perfect! This time in July, the weather is rarely bad, we only needed arm warmers and thin gloves at the start (which were shed in pretty short order) and it never got too hot.

Every section of this course is scenic in its own way. The first 70 miles are very green and you ride past some very pretty lakes. The middle of the ride obviously features Mt Rainier and the last 40 miles are also scenic in their own way.

You know that feeling when you get a new bike? I had it. This was going to be my first long road ride on my new Thesis OB1. It's my first 1x (only a single chainring) road bike and I was excited to see how it performed. The result? Awesome.



There were a few times when I was wishing I had that in-between gear (the cassette is an 11-speed, 10-42) but it was much less than I anticipated. And the bike climbs and descends like crazy.

We started out in a pretty small group and only collected a handful of other riders. That was great and we were moving along smoothly. Then, we started to collect more and more people. Some of whom had different agendas and varying amounts of pack riding experience. I should have known this was going to happen. :(

Soon we are surging like mad when a particular person hit the front. Some people seem to take a very long time to learn that proper paceline riding is achieved by maintaining the speed of the GROUP rather than having every person pull at their own favorite speed... Needless to say, I burnt a few matches closing gaps when these people would sprint off the front.

One such surge was just outside of the second aid station and it was a massive effort for me. Too much in fact, I was just about to let this guy go when I saw the aid station and he slowed down. At that point I was still at least 50' behind him with perhaps 40 riders on my wheel. Argh.

As we rolled out of this aid station I realized right away that I was cooked. Totally. And I was not even halfway into the ride! :( Then we rode up this tiny rise and I was off the back like a sack of bricks. After a few seconds I realized this was not one of those times that anyone was going to wait for me so I just tried to get stuck in at whatever pace I was going to be able to maintain. I also decided to cram some food in my face and chug a bottle.

Wow, I was moving s l o w l y. Nothing to be done except enjoy the scenery. So I did, all the way up to Paradise, and down to Box Canyon.







Which is where everyone was waiting for me and where I saw Tony and had my chocolate croissants.

I was feeling better! But I also knew that I was close to blowing up again so had to walk the line between going hard and making it to the finish. As we rolled out of the Box Canyon rest stop, Joseph came with us! That's right, he's not just the President of RCC, he loves to ride too.



In the ensuing miles, John Ospina and Mark slowly slipped up the road and finally I was just riding with John Phillips. We maintained a relaxed pace, mostly because it was the only pace I could maintain! :) For the first time in ages, people were passing me going up Cayuse Pass. And I gotta say, good for them.

Normally I would have pictures of my massive turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato sandwich but for some reason I didn't have the motivation to pull out my phone so I just at my lunch at the "deli stop" and enjoyed every bite. Sometimes there just is no substitute for a sandwich, potato chips, and a Coke.

The last 40 miles of this ride is best in a group, the bigger (to a point) the better. For some reason our timing must have been off as there were no other riders moving when we decided to make our exit. Oh well. I probably pulled about 10% of the time during this section, I was running on fumes and the smallest rise would have me drifting off the wheel in front of me. I hate it when that happens. But here's to good friends! Every time it did happen, they waited for me or slowed down. We finally got to the Mud Mountain turn off and then I knew I would make it to the finish.



Just before the finish we got one last shot of the mountain.



And then we were riding into the school.



And then we were eating ice cream!



Huge thanks to John, John, and Mark for towing me around all day. And to Redmond Cycling Club for putting on this extraordinary ride year after year. I have so many memories of this event, both great ones and painful ones, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. Here's to doing it all again in 2020!

Here are all of my pictures and videos.

Nutrition (before)

• water

Nutrition (during)

• 4 large bottles each with 1.5 scoops Perpetuem, 1 scoop Endurolytes Extreme Powder, .5 scoops Fully Charged, 1 Race Caps Supreme, 1 Anti-Fatigue Cap, 1 Endurance BCAA+ Cap
• 1 Hammer Bar
• 2 large bottles each with 2 Endurolytes Fizz tablets
• lots of fruit (melon, grapes, orange slices), 2 chocolate croissants, chocolate chip cookie, half of a peanut butter and jelly bagel, turkey & cheese sandwich, potato chips, 12 oz Coke
• 1 cup coffee
• water

Nutrition (after)

• large bottle with 3 scoops Recoverite
• 50 mg Hammer CBD
• 1 beer
• fruit
• sparkling water

Gear

• Thesis OB1 bike
• stock Thesis road wheels and tires (30 mm tires with maybe 45 psi)
• Hammer Nutrition socks, bib shorts, short sleeve jersey, wind vest, cycling cap
• gloves

RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier One Day) on a tandem

Nice! It took a few years but I finally got to check the "ride RAMROD on a tandem" box. Thanks to Jeff Reed for his persistence in making this happen, for being an A #1 stoker and to the Redmond Cycling Club for consistently organizing the premier ride in the Pacific Northwest. I have done this ride scores of times and always want to come back.



I always seem to connect with old friends at this ride. This year I got to ride with John Ospina. Back in the day, we used to ride and race together and it's been ages since we have seen each other much less ridden together. He's still as fit as ever and because of his presence prevented me from playing the old guy card. Thanks for still being older than me John. :)

Long ago I always tried to finish this ride as fast as possible. Boring! These days the only goal is to have a good time and take lots of pictures. I suppose "good" is relative and if I'm fit "good" equates to a relatively fast pace but that's just natural, right? As it turned out I have been cycling more than usual lately due to an injury that prevented me from running early in the year and we had an incredibly compatible (and fun!) group so we scooted right along. And I gotta say, going fast is NOT boring, but I am over the desire to keep posting a PR here. Way over.

A first for me was never not being on the front. That's just what happens when you are the only tandem in the group, everyone else is drafting. It was okay, it gave me the opportunity to look around more as I was not concentrating on holding a wheel.

Although there have been one or two wet years, I always associate RAMROD with heat, Lots and lots of heat. I recall one year where lots of people didn't even start because the forecast was for 100 degrees and the mere thought of climbing Cayuse Pass in those conditions broke their will. I did develop some pretty big salt stains on my kit that year.

This year it was unexpectedly cool! I was standing at the start in my short sleeved jersey with no arm warmers or vest shivering and watching the mist collect on car windshields wondering if I had made a big mistake... In the end Mother Nature bailed us out. Lucky!

We rolled out and right away the roads were wet. Not rooster tail wet but what do I know, I was in the front. :) We quickly ramped the speed up to 25 ish mph and pretty much kept it there. I am always surprised (although I shouldn't be anymore) how well a tandem rolls and climbs with two experienced people on board. I tried to find a pace that I could maintain and Jeff took pictures.



Seriously though, if not for Jeff 90% of these pictures would not exist. Thank you Jeff!

For the first 30 (40?) miles my hands suffered a little. They have pretty poor circulation these days and although my core was fine, my fine motor dexterity was shit. I was very careful not to drop my bottle each time I took a drink. Then we entered the park. And the clouds parted. And the sun came out. Yeeeessss.

Climbing toward Paradise the rest of our group scampered up the road but that was okay. Jeff and I settled into our respective zone 3 efforts (170 bpm for him, 140 bpm for me - vive la difference) and we could still chat and take pictures.



Turns out my hot weather jersey is so thin my camera can film right through the material. Who knew?





The ride really starts here. It's all about the climbs and descents(!) after all. We regrouped after the first climb and continued to enjoy spectacular views.



I LOVE THIS RIDE. Mountains, scenery, epic climbs, and descents, fantastic food, what's not to like? And boy does the tandem like to descend. Contrary to popular belief, these roads are not super steep and on a single most people struggle to achieve 40 mph going down. We had no trouble coasting at 42-45. And the bike feels so planted! Cornering was a dream. Near the bottom are four 20 mph corners and we easily took them at 40. Never. Touched. The. Brakes.

At the bottom we topped off our bottles and headed up to Cayuse Pass. Once again the singles in our group rode ahead but it turns out we were only cresting the summits about five minutes behind. Not too shabby. And just when I was feeling pretty macho, Thomas Sumter (on his pimped out Ritte bike) and his friend passed us. Oh well, no shame in that.

ASIDE - speaking of pimped, I saw a lot of deep carbon wheels today. I guess folks didn't want to bring the proverbial knife to a gun fight on this ride. I guess I don't blame them, at least half of going fast is feeling fast.

After more climbing and more descending, you finally leave the park.



Did I mention this ride has great food? It sure does. At the Box Canyon aid station they always have chocolate croissants! I approve. Usually twice. And the last aid station, dubbed the "deli stop" is over the top. It's like walking into a Subway where volunteers make you a sandwich to order. with your choice of two breads, three meats, two cheeses, mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles! The veggies are kept on ice for crying out loud. Don't forget the potato chips, cookies, fruit and freezing cold cans of Coke. OMG. I have been known to approve of all this twice as well but I managed to control myself and just have one sandwich. Awesome.



The amount that you enjoy the last 40 miles of RAMROD can vary hugely on so many things. Did you leave something in the tank? Do you have a group to ride with that will help you deal with the inevitable headwind? Today our fate had been cast. We rolled out and got down to business. And in spite of the wind that was sometimes fairly strong, the slope was usually sufficient to let us ride at 25+ mph all the way back to Mud Mountain. Whew. I didn't cramp or blow up or bonk. As we turned left onto Mud Mountain everyone came up and sincerely thanked us for pulling, that was very nice.

At the finish there were just two things left to do.

Take a group photo.



Eat ice cream.



Okay, three things, I also took a shower. I have said it before and I'll say it again, kudos to event organizers for staging the finish at a facility where you can clean up, be it an elementary school gym or a shower truck or a river, the ability to get out of your nasty clothes and clean yourself up is huge.

In retrospect this year had perhaps the best conditions ever for climbing Cayuse Pass. It was relatively cool, there was a tailwind; it was rather enjoyable. Type 1.5 fun perhaps? And our group was fantastic! We were very compatible, everyone had the same agenda (enjoying the ride!) and we were never more than perhaps five minutes apart. Thanks to everyone and again especially to Jeff for keeping the faith that we would both get into this ride the same year and then for providing the horsepower during our ride.

Here are all my pictures and videos.

Nutrition (before)

• Water

Nutrition (during)

• 4 large bottles each with 2 scoops Perpetuem, 2 Endurolytes, 1 scoop Fully Charged, 1 Race Caps Supreme, 1 Anti-Fatigue Caps, 1 Endurance Amino
• 2 large bottles each with 2 Endurolytes Fizz
• 1 Hammer Bar
• Scone, 2 chocolate croissants, roast beef and turkey sandwich, potato chips, lots of fruit (grapes, water melon, peaches), 2 cookies, 12 oz can of Coke

Nutrition (after)

• Oreo ice cream bar
• Potato chips, 2 12 oz cans of V8 juice, grapes

Gear

• Co-Motion Robusta tandem
• Hammer Nutrition Cycling Socks
• Hammer Nutrition Bib Shorts
• Craft sleeveless undershirt
• Hammer Nutrition Hot Weather Cycling Jersey
• Cotton cycling cap

Seattle to Portland

In a way, I feel like I've come full circle. :)

Long ago, before I ever started racing bicycles, some friends and I rode the Cascade Bicycle Club Seattle to Portland bike ride. For many recreational riders in the Pacific Northwest, this is the pinnacle, the ultimate challenge to train for, and at the time I fell squarely into that category. This year I fractured my Fibula in February and since my leg was able to tolerate riding earlier than running, I ramped up my miles as much as I could. One thing led to another and suddenly I did a century, then another and suddenly I'm signed up for STP and RAMROD.

This year I rode with good friends John Phillips and Frank Colich, both HUGE engines and perfect companions as they are steady, safe and over 6' so a pleasure to draft.



We had a perfect day! At the start it was in the upper 50s and it never got hotter than 80. Plus, we had tailwinds for most of the last 50 miles. I'll take it.

I have not raced bicycles in four years. Since I quit I've slowly been selling my "race" bikes (TT bike, track bike, road race bike, cyclocross bike, etc.) and replacing them with "fun" bikes. Currently, my only geared road bike is this Niner RLT 9. So that's what I have been riding all year. And it's what I rode on during this STP.



The bike solicited numerous comments during the ride, here are a couple.

Guy on a carbon everything bike riding with his similarly equipped friends, "Nice bike! Although I wouldn't want to ride it for 200 miles..."

Guy on a similar randonneuring bike, "Nice setup!"

The extra weight is noticeable when I go uphill but I gotta say, this bike is a dream! And with some Extralight Compas Bon Jon Pass Compas tires, the ride can be described in one word: deluxe.

Our goal was just to complete the ride at a "moderate" pace so we would finish in 12 hours or less which would let us could catch the evening Amtrak passenger train back to Seattle. We were going to stop at every aid station but not dawdle. Mission accomplished. Of course "moderate" is 100% subjective. This fact was hammered home just seven miles from the start as Frank ramped up the pace to 27+ mph heading south on Lake WA Blvd. I began to get concerned...

Our group was quick. As such we attracted other strong riders. This was usually okay unless that rider was inexperienced. Several times one of us would pull off of the front and the next guy would promptly drill it and jack up the pace very suddenly. One repeat offender was this guy in a "Speedy Bike Club" jersey that finally needed a gentle talking to.



After that we all got along.

I carried much of my nutrition and it worked really, really well. But this sustained effort at this pace was a bit beyond my current level of cycling fitness and in the last 50 miles I started to fade. Then, with perhaps 30 miles to go, another super strong rider that we had collected punched it on an incline and I was off the back. Ouch.

Thank goodness my friends are awesome and John dropped back to collect me and pulled me back after the summit. With perhaps 20 miles to go this happened again and this time it was Frank that brought me back to the group. Phew, I was just barely hanging on.

Going up the last climb to St. John's Bridge I felt like I was moving at about 5 mph. I suspect this is only a small exaggeration. From there to the finish is all urban riding with lots of traffic lights so it was no problem keeping up.

Here I am at the last aid station trying to get up the motivation to get back on my bike.



The finish line festival was incredible!



First of all, shower trucks! Can I just say I have no idea how some people hang out in their gnarly chamois for HOURS AND HOURS after a ride? Two words: Petri dish. #amiright

Here is a very refreshed Martin.



After getting cleaned up we headed into the Fremont Brewing beer garden. And then we got some food. We had our priorities straight. Plus, you can't bring beer to the food but you could bring food to the beer, just sayin'. Our event number included a meal ticket good for one entree from any of the attending food trucks. Oh yeah. Long story short, we ended up with some extra drink tickets AND meal tickets. In short order, I was moving very slowly.

Finally we hopped on the commuter train which took us to the train station.



I love leaving the "driving" to someone else. Be it handing the keys to a friend or taking public transportation, not having to deal with traffic is a freaking dream. And the seats on the train were very comfy since I had upgraded to Business Class. I listened to podcasts, zoned out, snacked, and continued to relax all the way back to Seattle.

Where Shelley, who had just finished working an evening shift, picked me up from the station! Do I have it easy or what. That's obviously rhetorical.

This ride was great! Having such ideal conditions sure didn't help. At the start AND finish, I ran into David Douglas who has done more for cycling in the Pacific Northwest than most. I saw a few friends along the way including lifelong cycling advocate Ed Ewing and witnessed the usual variety of cycling rigs and cycling attire that one tends to witness when a group this large assembles for a ride. Yes, we saw the recumbents and the hybrid bikes with platform pedals but I'm sure we were spared some of the choicest views as the two-day riders started after us. Here is one of my favorites.



This look is straight up vintage ENA Couriers from back when all they did was deliver by bicycle and were the only bicycle messengers to use road bikes. Note the cutoff jeans shorts over the cycling bib shorts (a staple!) and note that the bibs are not even over his shoulders to maximize the airflow under his 100% cotton Planet Rock tank top. And of course he's got his phone in one back pocket and his wallet in the other. For 200 miles! Also, Sidi Dominator shoes (there are no others) and cantilever brakes on an old cyclocross frame. Did I mention crochet cycling gloves? It was like finding a time capsule.

Thanks SO much to John and Frank for getting me there, I had a blast.

Here are all my pictures and videos.

Nutrition (before)

• Nothing. Are you kidding me? We were rolling at 4:45 AM and I had to ride to the ride. Plus, eating while riding is one of my favorite things.

Nutrition (during)

• 6 large bottles each with 2 scoops Perpetuem, 2 Endurolytes, 1 scoop Fully Charged, 1 Race Caps Supreme, 1 Anti-Fatigue Caps, 1 Endurance Amino
• 1 Hammer Bar
• 2 large bottles each with 2 Endurolytes Fizz
• 2 ham & cheese sandwiches, 1 peanut butter and jelly sandwich, potato chips, lots of fruit, 1 cookie, yogurt, slice of some ham roll-up thingy
• 1 12 oz. can of Coke
• Plain water

Nutrition (after)

• Large bottle with 3 scoops of Recoverite
• 3 beers
• 1.5 burritos
• Nuts
• Plain water

Gear

• Niner RLT 9 with all the rando nerd accessories
• Hammer Nutrition Cycling Socks
• Hammer Nutrition Bib Shorts
• Craft sleeveless undershirt
• Hammer Nutrition Hot Weather Cycling Jersey
• Cotton cycling cap

Cascade Bicycle Club Flying Wheels Summer Century

Holy. Crap.

This happens every year, where my mind tries to convince my body that it still races. And the answer is it doesn't. And I suffer. This year it was at the Cascade Bicycle Club's Flying Wheels Summer Century.

But I got a boatload of sun, didn't completely blow and in the end it was a huge case of type 2 fun. Meaning it was tough but I'm glad I did it.

I rode with my friend John Phillips who is at least as game as I am when it comes to chasing fast wheels. I should have known.

We rolled out at about 7:30 and after a few miles along Lake Sammamish the course heads up a pretty stout hill. Every year there are people taking breaks on this hill (which is just five miles into a 104 mile ride) and walking their bikes. Ouch.

At the top of this hill we encountered some triathletes, it was three guys all on the VO2 Multisport team. As is typical of triathletes, these guys were hammers! Later on we would encounter many more triathletes and they were all fast.

Here are some highlights.

• about 25 miles into this century going about 27 mph I'm barely able to draft a couple of 20 something young bucks (your guessed, it, triathletes) when one turns to the other and says, "Did you get your swim in this morning?" #mindgames
• With maybe two miles to go a woman (triathlete!) flew past us like nothing. Of course John jumped. I tried...
• I drank six 24 oz bottles and was still dehydrated when we finished. I started in a sleeveless jersey and needless to day I was never uncomfortable.
• I have not eaten this many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in years. They just tasted good.
• I almost cramped three (four?) times.
• We pulled this guy in the last 20 miles. He was so grateful he bought both of us a beer. "A draft for a draft!" Thanks!
• It was such a nice day that when I got home I hit the deck. Turns out even I have a maximum amount of sun I can absorb and I got that during the ride... after maybe 30 minutes I went back inside. I should have jumped in the lake.

Here are all my pictures and video.

Technorati Tags: Cascade Bicycle Club,Flying Wheels Summer Century

bike commute

Took the long way home today, the weather has been outstanding! I had hoped to take the extra long way home but ran out of steam. Oh well.

I like the sun.

Technorati Tags: bike commute,single speed

core | bike commute

I finally felt up for commuting on my bike. I'm a bit tired but it was not too bad.

Hit the gym for my second core workout, it's good to be back at this. I can tell my back needs it.

Technorati Tags: bike commute,single speed

showing some friends new bike routes

Some friends and I decided to sign up for and train for RAMROD so each weekend has included a nice, long ride.

Today a new person was added to the mix and the result was a subdued pace but the conversation and company was excellent. And once I accepted the social nature of the ride I still had a great time. Not to mention that we had a super weather window and by the end of the ride my vest, arm warmers, knee warmers and gloves were off. Nice.

It's been so much fun showing Nick and Barbra cycling routes! Many of the roads that I have ridden numerous times are brand new to them and each time we cover a new route they are both so impressed and appreciative. It has made me re-appreciate some of the roads and scenery I have taken for granted. That's a good thing.

Nick Dey

Barbra Dey (on the left in the white jacket)

The roads were a bit damp at the start and it was only 50 degrees so I test drove my brand new Sealskinz Oversocks. They rocked!

And my matching(!) Sealskinz Merino Sport Gloves were perfect as well.

Technorati Tags: Sealskinz

bike commute

Last night I thought about taking a zero today as I was kind of tired. Instead I just turned off the alarm and slept in. It was just what I needed.

The weather never really cleared up today but it was still dry, just a little windy. So for the first time in ages I wore a long sleeve shirt on my ride home. No biggie.

I saw Frank Colich on the way home, nice of him to say hi.

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<iframe src='https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/1185856397' title='commute home +' width='465' height='500' frameborder='0'></iframe>

Madrona loop (with Justin Angle) | bike commute

OMG, today was my first time running back-to-back days after my kidney surgery and it felt okay. There was one point where I thought my hip was complaining but in retrospect I suspect it was just the power of suggestion... When something has hurt for a whole year you can't help but think you feel it coming back I suspect.

Justin Angle was in town and we got the rare chance to run together - it was a blast! We took a few dirt and stair detours on the usual route for variety and scenery and I was huffing and puffing on all the stair climbs big time. Justin said it looked like I was moving pretty good so there's that. It was great to catch up.

The run felt harder/faster than it was. Perhaps I'm still a bit weak (read: I know I am still a bit weak) as it's just two weeks out from surgery.

After work I had planned to go long on my commute but work stress and perhaps these two runs flushed my vim and vigor down the toilet. I just rode straight home.

Technorati Tags: Justin Angle,bike commute,single speed

Madrona loop | bike commute

Hit the bricks this morning for what is just my third run since surgery and my second outdoor run.

It felt good and so I inadvertently went a bit faster and subsequently found the limit of my current fitness. Whew, I have a ways to go. But running pain-free is pretty freaking awesome. Here's hoping it continues. right?

On my way to work I saw my kidney surgeon for my follow-up visit and confirmed that my tumor was benign and that no additional scans would be needed. All I have left is the usual/protocol Renogram after three months to ensure kidney function continues to be normal.

I am feeling pretty good! Here is what I looked like three days ago when the Steri Strips came off..

Technorati Tags: Renogram,bike commute,single speed

bike commute

My legs were petty tired today, stands to reason I guess.

Technorati Tags: bike commute,single speed

Carnation Valley with friends

Nice! Just 10 days out from kidney surgery I manage to pull off a century ride. I wasn't setting any PRs on this ride but hey, that was not the goal. I was with friends, on my rain (read: heavy) bike and the weather cooperated in brilliant fashion. Goal of having a good time accomplished.

This route is relatively flat but it was awesome to finally log the big miles/hours. Thanks to John Phillips, Nick Dey and Barbra Dey for the company.

Food always tastes better when you are famished.

Technorati Tags: Old Issaquah Fall City Rd,Carnation Valley,Highbridge Rd,Nick Dey,Barbra Dey,John Phillips

Passport2Pain

Oh man, My edition of Passport2Pain really should have been called "Passport2Pain++" or "Passport2Pain plus More Pain plus Even More Pain" because upon arriving at the finish I realized I had lost my car key somewhere on Vashon Island. This meant I had to ride 10 more miles (mostly uphill) to the ferry and then 10 more miles (with two more hills) from the ferry dock home. Ouch.

That said, this ride was everything I imagined it would be. We practically rode up every hill on the entire frigging island! I'm so glad for 1) the perfect weather, 2) some great company and 3) the outrageous (read: totally excellent) amount of support on this ride!

I had heard about this ride for years and the organizers really do a good job of promoting the event with humor. Like this here.

And in this case there is truth in advertising as my elevation profile shows.

it seems this year is when I finally start checking off items on my bucket list so when I heard about the ride again I finally thought, why not? Boom. I'm so glad I did. This is also a year for turning virtual friends into actual friends. Case in point, Ed Rosenberg, who I have known for quite some time on Facebook and who rode with me today which was the first time we met in person. Thanks Ed.

Getting to the ride is easy and with an 8:00 AM start time I got plenty of sleep and there was no need for any extra clothing. Bonus! They start you in waves of 2-4 riders spaced roughly 60 seconds apart to help minimize road congestion which seems super smart as the roads on Vashon can get a little narrow.

Some of the roads on Vashon are also not in the greatest state of repair and/or totally covered in a blanket of moss! Just another reminder that this is NOT a race and that you DO need to exercise some caution on the descents. We encountered grades up to 23% and 15% was very common so if you are not careful you will pick up some serious speed there was more than one instance of me being vary grateful for awesome stopping power that is a dual-pivot brake caliper. Let's just say that I like to descend and that there were a couple of times where my heart rate got at least as high going down as it did going up. :)

When you check in you get all the usual swag (t-shirt, water bottle) and they also give you a real passport that you get stamped at each aid station.

These stations are either at the top or bottom of a major hill and as you can see from the other passport picture above, with 18 stations you get a clue about what you are in for. The stations are roughly five miles apart but some are even closer so you are WELL tended after. Not only do they all have various kinds of food and drink, they each have a unique theme! Two of my favorites were a bondage/dungeon theme

and a Hawaiian theme.

How was the ride? The first half was nice. I was even able to find humor in the grades were climbing and marvel at how useful it would be to have a compact crank (I did not). At 50 miles in I thought 80 would be no problem. Somewhere around 60 miles in it seemed like a bit of a problem. Around 70 miles in it became A BIG GIANT PROBLEM. Suffice it to say that having switched from cycling to running as my primary activity has left me just slightly under trained for events like this. The handful of longer rides I have done this summer didn't exactly equate to the race training I used to bank.

In spite of the fact that my legs were failing me, my attitude never did. That, and Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes saved my bacon.

Seriously, this was a good time! But just as seriously, if you are contemplating riding the 80-mile route, please 1) put in some training and 2) bring some low (lower than you think you need!) gears. At the finish I heard one guy say this was harder than RAMROD. At the time, I was in no position to argue. Look at all those hills!

Once you do finish you are in for a treat! This ride boasts a genuine BBQ, beer (Manny's Pale Ale), ice cold cider and man did it all hit the spot.

And the finish line venue at the Vashon Island Crew house is so slouch!

Even the extra credit miles and the associated hassle of having to retrieve my car could not dampen this day. I had an excellent time would absolutely return for another assault on the island.

if you like a challenge, this is the ride for you!

Here are all my pictures and video.

Sleep	6
Waking HR
Body Weight
Body Fat
Breakfast	nothing
Lunch
Dinner
Nutrition	2 large Water Bottles each w/2 scoops Perpetuem and 2 Endurolytes, 2 more bottles with Endurolytes Fizz, about 6 more Endurolytes, various fruit, cookies, nuts and a PB&J from the aid stations
Recovery	pulled pork, BBQ chicken, coleslaw, Manny's Pale Ale, more pulled pork, some water
Injuries
Therapy
Time of Day	8:00 AM
Workout Type	epic hill workout
Weather	60 at the start, 80 at the finish, clear sky, sun
Course	"The Idiot" (the 80-mile route)
Results	A sense of accomplishment! A full stomach!, Sore legs!
Time	roughly 6:30
Distance	80 miles
Pace
Equipment	Ti Cycles Hyak 39/53 chainrings, 12-27 cassette
Clothing	bib shorts, sleeveless undershirt, sleeveless jersey, cap

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