RAINY RAIN RIDE IN THE RAIN ON A RAINY DAY

But oh, it was most excellent to be riding Chuckanut Mountain today with Titanium Cowboys Johnny Boy Clark and Grandmaster Glenn Gervais!

 

 

 

MORE 2012 YEAR-END PHOTOS

Besides having my sixth book come out ("75 Classic Rides: Washington") and wrapping my head around our family's upcoming move to Luxembourg (more on that in the coming days), I'll remember 2012 for several things: 1) the new folks I added to my ever-widening circle of cycling friends, 2) the trio of amazing fall gravel grinders we rode, and 3) my foray into the Bellingham cyclocross scene. Here're some pics:

I rode to Artist Point a bunch this summer. This is early August when I rode from Kendall with Reg Norbert, the Legendary Tom Meloy and John Pottle; ...

... and this is two weeks before that with Pat Skaggs and Steve George (himself, also of the Legendary persuasion); ...

... and two weeks before that with Titanium Cancellara. As you can see, the Artist Point parking lot had yet to be plowed clear. (We couldn't wait.)  

Also in July, I had the honor of hooking up for about 20 miles with the Chain Gang, some Atlanta-based riders in their 60s and 70s who were finishing up an 800-mile multi-day bike trip with a ride through Whatcom County to Lynden. Inspiring folks! 

Oh yeah, almost forgot about the super-early (6 a.m.) weekday rides throughout the summer with Grandmaster Glenn Gervais and his crew. Here we are mountain biking on Galby but we also rode Chuckanut Mountain and got in a few road rides too.  

And of course, there was Johnny Boy Clark and late July's Tour de Whatcom.

August brought the gravel grinders. On the hottest day in recorded human history, Brian Ecker, Scott Young (both too legendary to even begin to get into) and I rode an amazing 82-mile Winthrop-Conconully loop that reached heights of almost 7,000 feet. (We gained more than 10,000 feet in all.) 

It was seriously the bomb and probably one of the top-5 most strenuous things I've ever done. 

A couple weeks later, Brian and I ground our way to the top of Slate Peak, above Harts Pass, on the highest road in the state. 

After a 5,500-foot climb fom Mazama, we reached Slate's 7,488-foot summit where we were treated to amazing views.

Speaking of views, check these out from a September gravel grinder to Twin Lakes/Winchester Mountain with Glenn and Steve VanderStaay. 

After pedaling the steep, rugged, chopped-up road to Twin Lakes (passing the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead along the way), we ran-slash-hiked the 1.5-mile trail to the Winchester Lookout. A highly recommended duathlon of sorts.

September was also the Mount Baker Hill Climb. 

The best Northwest summer weather I can remember lasted into October and gifted us with this early fall day on which the Titanium Cowboys headed for Blanchard Mountain above Samish Bay.

When fall finally did hit, I filled it with the dirt and grass and ... 

... sand and ... 

... mud and pain and ... 

... falling of cyclocross.  

December brought more cyclocross, the Deception Pass 25K and more adventures with the Titanium Cowboys. Happy New Year! Looking forward to an amazing 2013!

2012 DECEPTION PASS 25K

Love this photo of a super-happy number 191 finishing the Deception Pass 25K. I don't know who it is or if there's any story to it, but her enthusiasm and excitement are quite inspiring.  

Like the top photo, I shot this as we were heading out. I believe it's Gary Robbins, who's about win the 50K in a smokin' fast 3:57--wow! Which means it took him less than an hour more to run twice as far as I ran--I finished the 25K in 2:58. Still, I'm pretty happy; I took 11 minutes off last year's time and my run training for this year's race was fairly sporadic. 

The Deception Pass 25K is incredibly beautiful. You're forever running cliffside trails with epic bridge- and water-views or through deep, dark forest--not to mention you run across the 180-foot-high bridge twice--and I heard many folks saying that it's the most beautiful race they've ever done. (I assume ditto goes for those who ran the 50K.) It ain't easy either. You climb 2,800-plus feet, and in places the skinny, rocky trail is sehr technical and in several stretches can feel a bit crowded with racers running in both directions.

James Varner and Rainshadow Running  doing a great job and host races that have a really cool vibe, as well a bountiful post-race spread. (Those chocolate chip cookies were friggin' amazing!) But, hmm--and I don't put on races myself so I don't have a clue as to how difficult an undertaking (I'm sure it's hard as hell)--an awful lot of people seemed to have gotten lost or off-course yesterday. I personally didn't, probably only because I ran it last year (when I did get off course) and was extra vigilant to keep it from happening again. Late in the race at the top of Goose Rock, lots of folks had no idea where to go. I remembered that last year  a photographer (Glenn T.?) was set up here, so this year I knew to run straight across and back into the woods. But I heard tales of 10 or so racers up there, turning 'round and 'round trying to figure out where to go. Again, I know it's difficult as heck to come up with volunteers who'd be willing to stand around all day in the cold and wind, but just something to keep in mind for next year. 

All that said, the Titanium Cowboys (below) had a great time yesterday--another super fun adventure! Lookin' forward to Orcas Island 25K in the New Year!

DECEPTION PASS 25K APPROACHETH

No race this weekend and as the above pic attests, I had no idea what to do with myself. Actually, that's not true. I knew I had to run (literally) because I'm signed up for the Deception Pass 25K on December 8. So that gives me two weeks to get some run training in. (That should be enough time, right?) Fingers crossed that all the CX riding and racing I've been doing has some carryover. If not, that's fine. It'll be great fun to hang out with the Titanium Cowboys (both of whom are real runners) and as I found out last year when I did the race, the DP 25 is a really cool event. (Except that it's hard. And really far. And you're not allowed to use your bike.)

Speaking of the Ti Cowboys (Scott Young and John Clark), we got out on a 2-1/2-hour run in the Chuckanuts yesterday. Great fun, cool to check out the new section of the Two-Dollar Trail and to meet a young feller named Tai (or Ty?) who joined us. Only bummer was my Garmin 500 which, for whatever reason, seems to lose satellite signals whenever I trail run in the woods. Is it because I'm going so much slower when I run than ride? (It never loses the signal during mountain bike rides up there.) Am I such a slow runner that the damn thing just loses interest? (Glenn G., if you read this, I'd appreciate your two cents.)   

Lastly, I wanna give a shoutout of thanks to all the terrific folks at the Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club (below) who came out for last week's slideshow. Had a great time!.

BLANCHARD MOUNTAIN RIDE

View from the Samish Overlook Hang Glider Launch: Samish Bay, Samish Island and Mount Erie in the distance.

With Galbraith, Chuckanut and Lookout mountains so close to Bellingham, we don't ride Blanchard Mountain nearly as often as we should. It's just that little bit farther from town and to really explore its charms--of which there are many--it'd end up being a six-hour day, which we can't always do. 

John checks out some of our road-riding routes: Chuckanut Drive, Colony Road, Bow Hill, Samish Island and more. 

So early on Saturday, we loaded up John's truck with bikes and gear (including Darrell Sofield's way-useful Amazing Map of the area), drove to Lake Samish (where we parked) and pedaled toward the Summerland Road entrance of the Pacific Northwest Trail. (C-c-c-c-o-l-d too, like 30s.) From there it was following white blazes on trees and rocks up, up, up, up, up via mix of dirt road and singletrack, eventually hitting the way-steep-in-spots British Army Trail which delivered us to Lizard Lake.  

A lovely bench on the Lily Lake trail offers  the opportunity to swim a few laps.

 From there we traversed the mountain, picked up way-fun Max's Shortcut and Larry Reed trails and made our ways to the Overlook. The view was absolutely breathtaking (a huge plus of leaving really early--7 a.m.--is that morning sun is perfect for photos): islands, water, fingers of land poking this way and that and it seemed we could see the curvature of the earth. Wowzer!

Tight squeeze in John's truck.

 Return was gravel road B-2000 to the Lily and Lizard Lakes Trail which has got to be one of the longest sustained singletrack climbs around here. We got off the mountain via Alternate Incline, one of my all-time favorite descents and one on which I put my new carbon 29er  fork to the test. (It'll be interesting to see how my upper body feels in the upcoming days.)

 A super-amazing day!

Here's our route: 

2012 TOUR DE WHATCOM

John Clark and host of others exit Fairhaven at the start of the Tour de Whatcom.

I had a book signing scheduled for 1 p.m. in the Village Green and with the Tour de Whatcom's 105-miler starting at 7:30 I knew there'd be little to no chance of me getting back in time. I admit that I'm pretty whimpy when it comes to putting pressure on myself, to pounding out the miles, gettin' 'er done, as it were, in order to be back by a certain time. So I figured I'd just cut my TdW short, maybe turn left on Enterprise Road between Lynden and Blaine and head back to Fairhaven that way. I'd make it to my book signing with time to spare!

Sean Fields, Scott Alexander, Ryan (?) and Dennis Weeks somewhere in the southern portion of TdW.

But ... heading out Old Samish in the early miles, the lead group--Rusty Dodge, Scott Alexander, Logan Wetzel, Dennis Weeks, etc.--were right there, I mean right there, seemingly reach-out-and-touch close. So after some backing and forthing, should I or shouldn't I-ing, I figured what the heck. Since I'm not riding the full century I might as well hook up with them. A goodly sprint or two later and there I was, lanterne rouge on the Great Tour de Whatcom Express Train. I hung on for dear life as later, the diesel engines up front pulled us along at 26-, 28-, even 30-miles an hour. I was dangling off the back like a tin can tied to a newlywed's car. 

Riders approach the Chuckanut Drive bump just south of Fairhaven.

We'd blown by the first aid station at mile 20 and the only reason I was able to hang on was because I was planning on getting off the Express (probably 20 to 24 riders) at the Nugent's Corner aid station at mile 40. I'd figured some other folks would stop too and that I could hook with a smaller, slightly less rapid group. But the Express Train slowed not at all for aid station 2 either.

Unfortunately, I'd assumed we'd be stopping so I put on the brakes, started to pull in to the parking lot and then realized I was the only one. For a few moments I watched as the Whatcom Express began to disappear down the road. After about a second or two's consideration, I stood and sprinted as hard as I could to catch back up with them, not exactly easy when they're motoring along at 25 miles per hour. But I caught back on, tried to ignore the 180 registering on my heart monitor, took my seat in the caboose and figured I'd try to hang on 'til the Lynden stop at mile 55.

Tête de la course.

This was the seventh annual TdW and I've ridden probably five of them. I rode the first one in 2006, which seemed to be made of up myself, John Clark, Stacy Moon and maybe 3 other riders. I'm exaggerating, I know, but it's been pretty cool to see this ride grow and become such a destination event for folks in NW Washington and Lower BC. Good on ya', Todd Williams!

That's a long way to get to my next point which is, since I've done this ride so many times I know the course pretty well. (It's the first route in my book!) So, when the Express Train reached Nooksack, took a right and began heading north on Highway 9, I knew immediately that we were off course. But I'm not going to raise a fuss with folks pulling me along at 25 miles an hour so I just smiled, nodded my head and assumed they'd figure out a way to get us heading west again toward Lynden. Which they did.

The Great Tour de Whatcom Express Train.

Thankfully, at Lynden everybody stopped; here's where I was getting off the Express. I'd made great time 'til this point (my Garmin 500 told me that we'd averaged 23 mph to this point--smokin' fast for me; we'd done 55 miles in two hours 26 minutes)--so with my amended shortening of the TdW route, I knew that with ease I should be back in time for my book signing. 

Between bites and munches of various sweet and salty aid station offerings, Richard Kiene asked if I wanted to ride the next section with he and Sean Fields in a smaller group at a slightly slower pace. Sounded great to me. Just then though, Richard eyed the head engines of the Express Train getting back on the road so he sprinted to his bike to get back on and I pretty much did the same.  

After riding the 50-miler to Birch Bay and back, tutu-wearing Mary from Everson peruses my book on the Village Green.

But this lasted for only five miles or so. Rusty, Scott, Logan, et al., were just too strong and fast and at mile 60, there was a definite split. I gave one or two chases to get back on, but there was no way. But I had what I'd wanted along: a small, still fast but slightly slower group--Richard, Sean and Ryan (?) from Australia--and we got busy, continuing west toward Blaine. Approaching Enterprise Road, my intended turn-off, I did some quick calculations. I was so far ahead of schedule--so far ahead of where I couldn't even imagine I'd ever be--that I had no reason to cut it short. And truthfully, at 50 (I'll be 51 in less than a month), how many more chances will I get to finish a century in--if things continued to go well--close to four-and-a-half hours? I was all in, and the four of us worked well together. We clicked off some crazy-fast (for me) splits: 60 miles in 2:39, 80 miles in 3:38, etc.

Speed-wise, the four of us maintained a more humane 20-, 21-mph pace and wind-wise, she seemed pretty accomodating. Maybe a slight tailwind from east to west. However, we knew the real Wind would be from Birch Bay back to B'ham. Every time I've done this ride, that homestretch wind at the end of a long day in the saddle feels like a baseball bat whack to the face. But I almost didn't get there.

Highway 9.

Riding so hard for so long isn't easy. And even though I'd spent much of the day hanging on for dear life at the back it's extremely strenuous sprinting like hell everytime there's an acceleration after a turn or a set of railroad tracks. The accordian effect can be a beeatch. So I wasn't super surprised when at mile 77, shortly before the Birch Bay aid stop, my left leg seized up mid-pedal in one giant mega-cramp. I pulled off and sort of fell over onto the grass at the side of the road. Luckily, I'd just finished a pull and was slightly off the back so I didn't take anyone down with me.

Usually, I can stretch these things out and make the excruciating pain disappear but it wasn't happening. The downside of being at the back was the others had no idea anything had happened and as I limped and hobbled around attempting to get the pain to stop, I watched as Richard, Sean and Ryan rode on, turning left on Harborview toward Birch Bay.

At the Village Green Tour de Whatcom riders get ready.

Eventually the pain disappeared, I got back on my bike and began pedaling gingerly hoping that at the Birch Bay aid station, maybe I could hook up with some other riders for the epic Wind Battle back to Bellingham. But lo and behold, I'd not pedaled 50 yards when I saw Richard, Sean and Ryan riding back toward me and wondering what had happened. I was stunned! Grateful as hell too. I didn't really know these guys per se, had ridden with Richard once or twice, maybe Sean once (?) and none of us had ever met Ryan before. (I'm still not sure if that's even his name.)

That's one of my favorite things about these rides: you always meet new people and you end up working together to help each other have the best ride possible, and to have the most fun. Even if you ride with your regular mates, you usually end up adding one or two (or five, whatever) new folks to your list of friends. Love it!

Chuckanut Drive.

Thankfully, the rest of the ride was pretty uneventful. They had Cokes at the fun, well-stocked Birch Bay aid station and to stave off further craps I ate a banana and gobbled down every salty thing I could find including a couple Slim Jim-type items. Sean had given me one of his Enduralytes as well. (Thanks, dude!) We were seranaded by a high school marching band playing, among other songs, "Poker Face" by Lady Ga Ga.


Perhaps making the return ride most uneventful was the fact that apparently the epic Wind Battle had been cancelled. It wasn't bad at all. Last year, I remember taking pulls at the front of my group and being embarrassed as hell that I couldn't pedal faster than 12 mph. This year, it was fine and we cruised it on in able to maintain our 20 to 22 mph. And guess what--I made it back for my book signing with 15 minutes to spare! We got back to the Village Green so early that the finish line cheerleaders hadn't even arrived yet. (Only bummer of the whole day.)

Mucho thanks for an amazing ride to the Great Tour de Whatcom Express Train as well as to Richard, Sean and Ryan (?)!

Here're some geekmeister facts'n' figures: Total ride distance/time: 105.7 mi./4:56. With stops, 5:16.
Our 100-mile ride time was 4:33; with stops, 4:53. Crikey! I've never ridden 100 nearly that fast before.

After the ride, I spent a couple hours selling copies of "75 Classic Rides: Washington" out on the Village Green with Christina from always-supportive Village Books. Thanks VB! And everyone who stopped by! 

As for most of these photos, I tried something new by mounting my Go Pro Hero on the seat mount. Kinda cool. Sorry most of the pics are dark; it was cloudy much of the ride.

Rolling through Fairhaven at the start.

The great John Clark gets ready to rock.

The Mount Baker Bike Club won the Tour de Whatcom trophy.

Country roads down in the Skagit County stretch.

Me. Stuffing my face at the Lynden aid station.

Sun is out for a little bit on Highway 9.

Just south of Blaine, Ryan heads toward Birch Bay.

Me 'n' my books.