At the start is it cool and rainy. We are early. People trickle in. Many past riders show up to be part of the group as we ride out of town.
I am excited to see Steven, Chris and Eric Chessler all people I remember from last year. I really enjoy talking with Steven and Chris after having met them last year and being able to show that I am here now.
Knowing Eric is riding is huge for me. Last year I knew him to be one fo hte strongest riders and in the lead group. However he would slow down and ride with slower riders through out the ride to encourage them and really embrace the whole community aspect of the ride. He was a hero to me for that reason and it was such a pleasure to get to ride with him.
After getting cold during the requisitive thank yous from the Chairlady we were off. As we left a Bald Eagle was soaring jsut 40 or 50 feet over the lake right there and it was such a corny yet really moving American Experience.
We head out, and I am happy to finally after a week of no bike to just be pedalling again!
I ride my ride and play my game and am passing folks left and right. I am trying to catch up with Eric who is up front. I catch up on I-90 bridge and am glad to be withteh leaders and am still in my speed range and feel good to be moving comfortabley with the leaders.
A skill I suddenly need and haven’t anticipated is needing to read a guide sheet. I can Read. I can ride. But reading and riding at the same time is a huge problem. We all get lost a few times and get off course - aka we get some “Bonus Miles”.
We get things figured out and progress pretty comfortably. It is myself, Stephen McCloskey (another 2007 rider) and Eric and Baby Lucas who are both 2006 ride alongs.
We have our firt PB&J along the Lower Snoqualmie River. A great little spot. We cruise throughthe midway Checkpoint and are first through. This is the first time that it hits me that we are fastest and may commonly be the speed leaders in the group.
The next sections of ride are out on I-90 and the shoulder is smotth but littered with all kinds of road debirs. Iti s really amazing the amount and kind of stuff you find on the shoulder.
Bits, parts and pieces of tires, bolts, tools, shoes?, bananas. Weird stuff. We get off theI-90 and take a secondary road up to Snoqualmie pass. No traffic and okay. It is however in the shade and damp and wet and I finally get tired of being cold.
I want to stop. To sit down. Whine a little, but Baby Lucas is a champ and stays slow with me everystroke of the way and he gets me up and over the hill and teaches me one of many very valuable lessons. I make the top. I am glad to have just survived. And actually I am not to bad off after a bit of a rest.
Alison, from Las Vegas arrives shortly after us at the top and the group changes. Eric and Lucas drop out for the day, so Alision, Stephen and I head downhill from the pass on I -90.
As I lead the draft line, I point out EVERY drainage grate. They laugh at my attention to such dtails but after my crecent crash it seems justified.
We stop for some pictures along the lake right next to the freeway. The mountains are still snow capped and absolutely beautiful and as we get further east over the pass, we have more and more sun. It feels so good.
Stephen falls back and eventually flats (gets a flat tire) so Ali and I pull away. The road is really bad and we come through a section where there are a thousand metal disks that seem like the lid off a tennis ball can. In the middle of this seem of tire land mines, I realize I might flat at 35mph. I say a prayer to get me through unscathed. Alison and I manage to get through without a problem. Others are not so lucky. 4 flats result among the whole group from the disc and a couple tires are shredded.
Day 1 Camp
We camp at Lake Easton and learn why it is not advantageous to be early into camp. As soon as there are 4+ riders in camp, those early riders unload the truck. 50 people x 2 overstuffed duffel bags each, averaging 70 lbs per person is way to much lifting and carrying after riding 80 miles. Especially when you are carrying and walking in your cycling shoes, because your camp shoes are still in your own luggage, which is undoubtedly packed into the middle of the pile.
Early riders do however get their pick of campsites. What makes a good campsite? For me it is one near enough to the truck to not have to carry my bags very far, yet far enough to not have lights or conversations keeping you up at night. It really is a skilled art that I am still developing.
We setup camp. For many this is the first time setting up their tent, arranging the sleping bag etc. Advice is given, mistakes are made, however no one loses an eye due to a wayward tent pole, so all is good.
I take one fo the early showers, and don’t have hot water yet. This is THE coldest shower I have ever taken. We have tokens for the shower. Each token is good for 3 minutes. I try to only use 1 token. If properly prepared for, it is possible to take a less than 3 minute shower, especially when the water temp does not invite you to linger.
Quiet hours comes around at 8:00p.m. and 50 people are all too happy to go to bed so early and rest. Just remember tomorrow we have to do it all over again starting a 5:00 a.m.
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