hurricane ridge i must be out of my mind

[mimitabby]

okay, i have agreed to some foolish things in my life...
when DH said he was going to ride on the peninsula and climb Hurricane ridge; i thought; cool, i can do this one too.
bwahahaha

then last night, i saw the elevation chart. picture this _/\_ that's it!
70 miles, and 5000 feet Straight up and then straight down.

"average" climb is 8%
and just two days ago I was crowing about doing 12.2 grade for .3 miles!!!!

HELP!!!

[jobob]

Is this out around Port Angeles? Sounds neat. I bet the view is fabulous.

Is this an organized ride or just something RD has a hankering to do?

[mimitabby]

It's organized in that 3 of us will be doing it. DH, a 5 foot powerhouse gal I know that has already done several ramrods and cannonball (a race across washington) and me

[jobob]

There's someone on the list who lives around Port Angeles (can't remember who it is at the moment), perhaps you could see if she'd like to join you for companionship & moral support ? :)

ed to add: Starfish, are you the one who lives out around P.A. ??

[SouthernBelle]

Hmmm. I've often thought that Mimitabby is out of her mind. :D

[mimitabby]

Thanks SouthernBelle, i needed that validation. Now I don't have to worry. :p
since shifting is the hard part, i'll just stay in granny gear. then it should be easy; right?

[nicole309]

I'm not saying it isn't tough, but I did it in granny gear the whole way and took lots of breaks. It took me the whole day, but I did it. I had just started riding, and it was hard. I think it would be a whole lot easier now. It actually isn't as bad as it sounds, I promise.
Good luck and I would love to hear how it went. My BF and I would have loved to join you if we weren't in Victoria this weekend.

[mimitabby]

thanks Nicole! I plan to do it at my own speed and take breaks. THANKS!

[SouthernBelle]

Mimi, you haven't gotten your new ride yet, have you? Hope I haven't missed anything.

[mimitabby]

no ma'am. last I heard vital frame parts were being shipped from England. On the Nina, Pinta or the Santa Maria. not sure which boat.

[teigyr]

:eek:

Mimi, you're a stud. I can't wait for the ride report.

[mimitabby]

I'm so glad i'm not a stud! i'd hate to have to sit on those things :eek: :eek: :eek:

[teigyr]

you now owe the company a new keyboard :D

[mimitabby]

we have lots of them at Big B's surplus store, right down near where you work!

[salsabike]

My, my. We'll have the JUG-size bottle of wine at that dinner.

Chris wants to know, is the 5 foot woman named Susan?

When are you doing it? We will send our best "just keep grinding, Mimi, and you'll get there" vibes.

We are very impressed. You're intrepid.

[mimitabby]

no, her name is RUTH. The other baby goat (as in climbs like a goat) named Kristie has a cold, so for certain, it will just be the three of us.

[salsabike]

Go Meem!!!

[Susan126]

I have agreed to some foolish things too, Mimitabby (I think we all have) But yep you're right Hurricane Ridge is a killer of a climb. :eek: I've never done it myself but a good cycling friend of mine lives in Poulsbo and rides it weekly with her husband. She is constantly cajoling me to come out and do the climb with her. She and her hubby are animals.

I wish I could HELP you out with this one but you've gone and done it good this time Mimitabby, :p you'll just have to let us know how you do on the ride. You will probably do fine. Stick to your plan, granny gears, your own pace, and as many breaks as you need!

We will be your cheering team. Let us know what day to be ready to cheer on! :D

Sue

[short cut sally]

Good luck Mimi, my body is aching already for you...yikes..let us know how you make you and enjoy..maybe you'll do better than you expect.

[RolliePollie]

You can do it, Mimi! One thing you shouldn't have to worry about is heat...so that's a good thing, right? And although you'll have elevation to contend with once you get up there a bit, at least your starting point isn't already high. And just think how fun it will be coming back DOWN the mountain!

I'm going to be in Port Angeles in a week to visit my parents but I'll be bikeless. Which is probably a good thing because I might be tempted to try Hurricane Ridge...or at least the first few miles. Not sure when you're going to be there, but if I see someone on a Bianchi, I'll wave!

Good luck! :D

[mimitabby]

I did it! full report tomorrow. almost 7000 feet of climb, from sealevel to 5400 feet and 51 miles total. When we got to the top it started to rain, and it mostly rained all the way down. It was very very hard. I'll tell ya all about it tomorrow though.

um. yeah.

I have to go to bed.

[jobob]

Congrats, Mimi! :cool:

[snapdragen]

Good job mimi! I'm looking forward to your report :cool:

[colby]

YAY! What an awesome accomplishment. Looking forward to the report. ;)

[SouthernBelle]

I wanna hear about it. Have you got an elevation profile?

[mimitabby]

Ride to Hurricane Ridge and Back
http://www.sersale.org/bike/hurricaneride.htm

http://www.sersale.org/bike/madeit.jpg
Hurricane Ridge; makes you think of soft valleys and gentle slopes... NOT! WHY were we planning on riding our bikes up Hurricane Ridge? I asked myself this, because seriously, it seemed like a genuine breach of sanity to me. I was doing it because Donald and Ruth were doing it. Donald, my dear husband, and Ruth, a wise, sensible person that I really like to be around. And Donald said that he thought I'd do just fine. We got up before 5am, and by 615 we had Ruth's bike on the top of the car and we were heading towards the ferry. We really had a nice slow start.
I was fed a lot. Even though I had a BIG breakfast, Donald bought me a huge muffin. Next he gave me 1/2 of a banana. I think we started riding at about 9:30.
Since it's usually chilly on the peninsula, I was dressed in wool kneesocks, wool knickers, top base was a wool jersey topped with a wool 3/4 sleeve undershirt. I had a lightweight wind shell on top of that and carried goretex rain pants, booties, a wool hat and my Rainy Pass raincoat. I carried two pairs of gloves and should have had 3. Remember, going up you are fairly warm, but going down it gets COLD!
The ride started in Sequim (pronounced SQUIM) right off Kitchen **** Road. We passed Ain't No Way, and turned onto a busy hilly highway between Sequim and Port Angeles. Once we got to Port Angeles, we started ascending. at first it was easy and gradual, but once we passed the Forest Service Ranger Station, we began an 8% grade that continued for 5 miles. At the 5 mile point, was a campground. After that, I was told, it was going to get a lot easier.


please go to my full report..
http://www.sersale.org/bike/hurricaneride.htm

[tprevost]

MIMI!!!!!!!!! :D

WOW!!! Fabulous report and even better ride! Well done! I bet you are SO proud of yourself!!!! YEAH :D :D :D

[mimitabby]

I just spent 15 minutes on 'mapmyride' to make a ride profile and it got blown away. Maybe later.
here's the ride profile: __/\_

:)

[snapdragen]

Awesome ride mimi! You get a standing ovation!

[Kano]

I am absolutely positively impressed beyond belief! Not only did you get UP that hill, but you got DOWN!

Something I couldn't help but notice as I read your tale: seems like we hear of "Don" and "RaleighDon" -- he got called Donald in your story, maybe a little bit like we might call our darling Xander "Charles Alexander" when we're not entirely delighted with him?????

I can imagine how I'd be calling Earl every name under the sun while riding something like that, at least until we were done, and then after about four good sleeps and five really good meals, maybe THEN, I'd be delighted with my accomplishment as if it were all my idea in the first place!

Congratulations, Mimi! Take a very well deserved rest day or three!

(this makes me want a nice spaghetti dinner in your honor!)

Karen in Boise

[mudmucker]

Wow for you. Impressive and excellent accomplishment! About 16 years ago I did a trip to the Olympic Penninsula - so so beautiful. I did the Hoh Rainforest and as a part of my trip I drove up Hurricane Ridge but in my rental car - I repeat, wow for you. I remember this road vividly. Yup, just went back and checked my pictures, January '91. Loved your story, your pictures and I just chuckle at your humor.

[Crankin]

Very impressive, Mimi. I don't think I could have done that descent, especially in the rain! Beautiful scenery.

[RolliePollie]

Congrats, Mimi! I am very impressed! And in the rain too? Wow. I have yet to ride in the rain (and I plan to avoid it if at all possible). I can't imagine coming down that mountain on wet pavement. I hope you are having a nice restful recovery day today! :D

[mimitabby]

Yes, I am having a nice restful day. I did the elevation and map my ride thing:

http://www.sersale.org/bike/chart.jpg

[crazycanuck]

Mimi, you're such cool chickie :) I hope when i am your age ( i feel so young around you ladies :o ) I'm busting me behind up beeeeeg mountains!~!!!!

:)

YAYAY!!

C

[roguedog]

Mimi.. congratz. That's amazing..

I think you deserve a new bike for that ride :) You've really earned it!

[7rider]

Omigosh, Mimi.
You da bomb!!

That is an amazing ride profile and an amazing ride.
Congrats on quite an accomplishment and a great big Attaboy to Don for being such a trooper, too!

[Torrilin]

Riding in the rain is fun... if you're dressed for it. It's miserable if you aren't.

Good job Mimi, that looks like a helluva ride.

[maillotpois]

Great ride Mimi! What a beautiful place - although I have to say looking at the photos made me feel COLD!!!

Very well done!

[mimitabby]

Going up, we were NOT cold, trust me.
Going down... well, then it was pretty cold.

[SouthernBelle]

Man, that elevation profile is impressive. There is a hill I've been contemplating, but thinking might be beyond my ability. But now I just feel wimpy.

[East Hill]

Great job, Mimi! I shall have to try to drag Mr. East Hill on such a ride.

I have been snowed on every month of the year. The August snowfall was at Hurricane Ridge about 8 years ago :) .

East Hill

[SouthernBelle]

Mims, do you know your max grade on that?

[nicole309]

Mimi,
I loved your ride report. The photos were great. I feel for you, the downhill is always the scariest part. Hope you are feeling well after a day of rest.

[mimitabby]

Mims, do you know your max grade on that?

I don't think it ever got up to a 10%. so maybe 9%. but it was so relentlessly steep. It never flattened out below 5% once we got started. and those 5% parts went VERY quickly.

The thing i was originally afraid of was that i read a report that said the average grade was 8%. I thought that meant there's lots above and below, and if there was any downhills, that reduces the average grade. But there was no downhilll, nor even any gentle slopes.
almost the whole ride was between 6-8%

[Susan126]

Congratulations Mimi! I think I might have to do this ride! Don't know when but I will definitely put it on my "to ride" list! Wow, that is totally awsome! And in the wet cold rain! Even more amazing! I know the feeling of cold wet rain coming down a hill. A true accomplishment!

[mimitabby]

You know, once you get to the top of a mountain, where it's cold and windy and scary, you want to get down. There's really no choice.
We didnt think it was going to rain or we might not have attempted the climb.
so it didn't take a lot of courage to go back down..

[Susan126]

You're just being humble! Forgot to say how much I enjoyed the pictures (and the story). My favorite photo has to be "Ruth and Mimi" relaxing on the ferry ride home! Priceless. ;)

[Starfish]

Mimi, my life got wild this week with the estate sale...I didn't see your post about this until today! This is one of my back yard rides, but I only did the entire ride for the first time a couple months ago...I KNOW how miserable it can be in crummy weather! You did great!

One of the things I love about this ride is that up toward the top, you can look back down on the road and feel really proud...it looks like classic stage-race climbing with the curves 'n stuff.

Sara: you mentioned doing the first few miles of the road...in my opinion, the first 5 up to the park entry station are among the hardest. You can also drive your bike on your car up to that point and park there, and get a little easier start, plus better scenery, if you just want to do part of the ride.

[RolliePollie]

Sara: you mentioned doing the first few miles of the road...in my opinion, the first 5 up to the park entry station are among the hardest. You can also drive your bike on your car up to that point and park there, and get a little easier start, plus better scenery, if you just want to do part of the ride.

Thanks, Starfish...unfortunately, I'm not going to have a bike this trip. Unless I can borrow one from my parents' neighbor, but I have no idea what kind of bikes they have so it's a very slim chance that would work out. I'm not bothering to bring my pedals or saddle or anything. But I may have to drive up there again just to check out the road.

I remain very impressed by you Hurricane Ridge Girls! :)

[Eden]

Good Job Mimi! Read your report and it sounds like you did wonderfully. If that Chinese restaurant is the one across from the Ramada down there in Sequim, we ate there before a race this spring (part of which was run on Kitchen **** road btw :D ) and it was suprisingly AWESOME. Somehow I just didn't expect to find such good Chinese there.

[pooks]

Am I the only one having way too much fun filling in the **** after "Kitchen?"

Mimi, I am agog, amazed and in a state of adoration.

You rock!

[SouthernBelle]

Am I the only one having way too much fun filling in the **** after "Kitchen?"



No, you're not.

[mimitabby]

YOu know, that's why i did a webpage instead of just putting the story on here.
I didn't want it to say Kitchen ****. I wanted it to read Kitchen D I C K that's what it really is! and i think that's a silly censureship rule.

[SouthernBelle]

Well, that's not what I thought it was at all!

[mimitabby]

Southern Belle, what WERE you thinking???? :eek: :eek: :confused:

[SouthernBelle]

Southern Belle, what WERE you thinking???? :eek: :eek: :confused:

I'll never tell. :cool:

[cosc]

Mimi, you did good girl! I would have to recuperate the whole cycling season after a major ride like that. I'm sure the uphill was tedious, but the beautiful scenery would help you keep grinding. I can feel my cramped up arms and hands on my little descents so I'm in awe of miles done in rain. Thanks for the wonderful ride read and pic.:D

[Starfish]

Am I the only one having way too much fun filling in the **** after "Kitchen?"

Minor hijack...

For ever and ever, that road was just called Kitchen Road, after a local family. The addition to the name is a relatively new development, and caused a small local furor, more because of the jimmy-come-lately (or perceived jimmy-come-lately) issue of the addition (I don't want to get flamed if any opinionated locals read this! LOL), than for the name itself!

[pooks]

Which still doesn't answer the question -- what does **** stand for?

:eek:

[Starfish]

Which still doesn't answer the question -- what does **** stand for? :eek:

D i c k

[maillotpois]

Yeah, you can't even say "Charles ****ens" or, better still, "**** Cheney" on the forum. :rolleyes:

[mimitabby]

Which still doesn't answer the question -- what does **** stand for?

:eek:

Hey Pooks, it's in the story!
http://www.sersale.org/bike/hurricaneride.htm

[pooks]

I read the story and that slipped right by me. How did that happen!