The beginning of the ride was great....got into a pace line and stayed with it, we were cruising at 25/26 MPH for about 20 miles. It was so much fun, I didn't feel like I put forth any effort, saving my legs for the big climb ahead.

At the first rest stop, hit the port-o-potty, ate a banana, some pretzels, some gel and refilled my water bottle. Got back on the road as soon as I could. From that point, it was pretty much uphill for the next 2-3 hours!
I had to pee after a while, and so I pulled off onto a little road and took care of that, felt much better! Of course in about three miles, came upon a rest stop, so just kept on going without stopping, as I had plenty of water still and was not hungry.

Lots of people were passing me on the climb, but I didn't really care, as I knew the downhill on the way back was where I would make up time. :) I do like the downhill! There was a point after climbing for 15-20 miles straight (no kidding!) where we came around the corner and suddenly, there was Mt. St. Helens and trees were blown down as far as the eye could see. It took my breath away with the scope and breadth! From that point on, there was a lot of up and down as we went along the ridge toward the top. I hit a rest area with 6 miles to go, ate a half bagel-thing with pb and a banana, refilled water, took some pix, and got back on the road.

About 4 miles up from there was Spirit Lake, again, truly spectacular. I stopped and took some photos there. Then at the top was Windy Ridge, spectacular view of the volcano. Took a video, some pix, and had a guy try to figure out why my on-board video camera was not working. I am not sure if I actually got any footage or not, have not tried to see that yet. Let's hope I got some....but am doubtful. I really should have tried out the camera before the big ride, but ran out of time!

After the top, it was quite a lot of miles of down and up as we went along the ridge again. I didn't recall going down as much as the climbing back out indicated.....but I just persevered. I saw my group of friends going up as I was going down. Smiles all around.

Finally, we hit the big downhill, not sure how many miles it was, but it was sooooo fun! The road was sketchy in some places, so had to be a bit cautious, however, I do love downhill! One guy on the way up, as he was passing me uphill after I had passed him downhill, asked how I go so fast. I said it was weight, fearlessness and good wheels. :)

After we got back to the point where the first rest stop was on the way up, we were directed to go onto the forest service road....it was about ten miles of really crappy roads....slightly uphill, chip seal, a gravel section, bad condition....really beautiful out there, and very isolated. I didn't see many riders for a long time! Finally we came out of that onto a larger road, and then it was a very long uphill, felt like a million, but maybe 8 or 9 until a fun downhill at last. My feet were killing me, and would continue to hurt until the end. I stopped at the last water stop and got some water, but wasn't hungry. I didn't eat much besides gels and bananas for the whole day, but I drank a ton of nuun and was definitely well-hydrated.

Eventually I found someone to ride with, as the last 20 miles was on the highway, slightly uphill, no shade. A guy and I took turns pulling, and it was grueling no matter what, I was ready to be done! At the last couple of miles, a big group came by and said to hop on the pace line, everyone was doing one minute pulls, so I did, and that really helped the end of the ride go faster!

Went through the finish line, about 25 minutes too late to get the Gold medal, but was happy to have a silver medal, and to be done!

Climb faster, weigh less. That's what I always say. Someday maybe it will actually happen!

Went to my car, took off shoes and helmet and socks and gloves and blasted the AC for a while to cool down. Drank a coconut water and just chilled out. Eventually changed my clothes and packed up the bike. Went and had some cold drinks, talked to some of the other bikers, and ate the sausage that was provided to us. About an hour after I finished, my friends all came through the finish, so I hung with them for a little while and then got back on the road to go collect the kids and drive home.





I will do this one again, no question. It was such fun, so lovely out there. I rode most of it all by myself, and really enjoyed just having the time to think, to push my pace, and to enjoy the scenery. It was hot, for sure, but only the last 20 miles felt HOT. The rest had plenty of shade from the trees, and it was early in the morning so hadn't gotten brutal by the time the climbs were done.