Stp

[TsPoet]

Who's doing STP in 2006?
I'll be there, probably on my Bacchetta Corsa, if anyone wants to try it.

[climbingbiker]

I'm doing the STP for the first time this year. I'm a little nervous because I'm a little behind in mileage if I were to follow the suggested training plan. My husband says that though our mileage isn't where it should be, he isn't worried because I'm so stubborn. That's all well and good, but stubborn doesn't make your legs feel any better or your butt hurt less.:)

[salsabike]

My husband and I will be going on our tandem. Two days last year, aiming for one day this year.

Take heart, climbingbiker--the suggested training mileage is the ideal thing, and being a little behind it is okay.

[climbingbiker]

Thanks salsabike! That makes me feel better coming from: a) an impartial party and b) someone who has ridden it before. Good luck with the one day ride.

[Susan Otcenas]

ClimbingBiker,

If you are truly a climber, you'll find STP to be a piece of cake. It's amazingly flat for such a long ride. Not to say it *is* flat, but there are no real climbs either, save a one-mile-ish hill around mile 40 or 50.

I've done STP 3 times. In 2 days on my single, in 2 days on a tandem, and in 1 day on a tandem. If I were ever to do it again, I would try for one day on the single.

You will be amazed by the variety of people riding. And believe me, no matter how slow you might *think* you are, there will be oodles slower. So have no fear about being out there all alone. In fact, after riding in such close quarters with so many others, youll be wishing for a little space to call your own.

Have a WONDERFUL time!

Susan

[Eden]

The hubby and I will be there.

[Joan]

I had all sorts of plans to be in great shape by now. I"m signed up to do STP to raise money for my nonprofit organization. HMMM. I may be road kill at the end of the first day.

Actually, I think I'll do the first day OK, but the second? :eek:

Does anyone know if you can go past Centralia the first day and start up at say mile 120 on day two?

Should be interesting!

Joan Medlen
www.firstgivng.com/jmedlen

[salsabike]

Yes, you can. We did that last year. We arranged to stay with a family (through Cascade) that lived in Vader, at about mile 126.

[Aint Doody]

If the Bethel Church has any room left, it's wonderful. Great food and they have big screen TV's with the Tour on. Plenty of showers, too.

Personally the STP was way too many people for me--espcially the ones who haven't a clue about what they're doing.

[Dianyla]

I'm registered to do this, but am now thinking about bailing out. I think I'm in decent enough shape (well, sorta :rolleyes: ) but I just found out I have a final exam on the Monday following so I should really spend the whole weekend studying. :cool:

I'm going to play it by ear, I think.

[colby]

Who's doing STP in 2006?
I'll be there, probably on my Bacchetta Corsa, if anyone wants to try it.

Wish I could! There's a TON of stuff that weekend that I wish I could be doing, but a friend of mine picked THAT weekend to get married. Sigh!

Have fun, ladies :)

[climbingbiker]

Susan - thanks for the words of wisdom and pointing out that I may have picked a misleading name! Though I don't mind hills, I wouldn't call myself a 'climber' in that sense. Mountaineering, not cycling.

Joan - I'm staying in Vader as well. Everyone I've talked to told me to go as far as possible the first day to make the second day more pleasant.

[TsPoet]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about this ride. I am way behind where I thought I'd be training-wise. My one hope is that slowing down will help me get there - I usually ride about 16-18 mph for about 20 miles. I'm going to ride with a number of people who are planning on 10-12 mph and "no one gets left behind" - if I can go their speed, I'm hoping I can go farther.
Then there are the crowds of cyclists to be nervous about.

Oh bother.

[Bike Goddess]

5 of us from the Bay Area are staying in Vader as well! We are staying at the chruch there (bag drop off point). Heard the food was great as were the accommodations.

I've stayed in Castle Rock the past two years and didn't like the food. So this time a little further from Portland in the hopes that the food will be better!

Am looking forward to a great time! I'll wear my Amici Veloci jersey on Day One so you can spot me on the route. Please say something!!!!!

If it is windy or cold, I'll be wearing a bright yellow windbreaker or my Benicia Bicycle Club jacketalso bright yellow). I have a Scott bike. Not too many of those around (yet).

[climbingbiker]

Today was supposed to be a nice casual 80 mile day - around Lake WA with an additional South Lake loop. Started off great... my bike computer decided to quit out of the parking lot and I was truly free! I was really enjoying the ride because I wasn't so focused on the numbers. I never realized until today how much attention that little thing received.

It was such a gorgeous day! I love riding Lake WA Blvd and the Arboretum was a nice shady treat. We picked up the Burke at UW with no issues until Kenmore. A little boy jumped out in front of DH and I didn't stop in time. Clipped his back tire and it sent me sailing into the right fence. I am now the proud owner of 10 lovely stitches right below the knee cap and a sore neck.

I still have hope that I'll be out with y'all. Send the good healing vibes my way :)

[TsPoet]

I still have hope that I'll be out with y'all. Send the good healing vibes my way :)

I'm riding with a group "the Bent Brigade". My understanding is our plan is for a very leasurely pace. There are enough of us, that I suspect we will break up into smaller groups depending on pace. A DF-riding friend of mine is also part of this "brigade".
Which is all my long way of saying - I bet you could join us if you need moral support. My longest ride ever is still only 82 miles! I'm getting up early tomorrow and going to try and ride a metric.

[salsabike]

Am busy sending the good vibes, climbingbiker. No kidding.



Today was supposed to be a nice casual 80 mile day - around Lake WA with an additional South Lake loop. Started off great... my bike computer decided to quit out of the parking lot and I was truly free! I was really enjoying the ride because I wasn't so focused on the numbers. I never realized until today how much attention that little thing received.

It was such a gorgeous day! I love riding Lake WA Blvd and the Arboretum was a nice shady treat. We picked up the Burke at UW with no issues until Kenmore. A little boy jumped out in front of DH and I didn't stop in time. Clipped his back tire and it sent me sailing into the right fence. I am now the proud owner of 10 lovely stitches right below the knee cap and a sore neck.

I still have hope that I'll be out with y'all. Send the good healing vibes my way :)

[KnottedYet]

Good vibes coming your way, CB. Kudos to both of you for not hitting the kid. (Kids on the BG scare me):eek:

[climbingbiker]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes.

You are 110% correct Knotted. That's why I'm kicking myself right now. I knew it was going to be a zoo and I should have been paying better attention. Ugh.

[Eden]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes.

You are 110% correct Knotted. That's why I'm kicking myself right now. I knew it was going to be a zoo and I should have been paying better attention. Ugh.

Don't beat yourself up too much - you aren't the first and won't be the last to be felled by a kid (or another adult for that matter) on the BG. Sometimes its just unavoidable. I asked several groups of people who were just stopped on the trail (and around a corner to boot) to please move off the trail if they were intending to stay stopped yesterday. Some people just have no sense!
Take care of that knee - hope to see you out there at the STP

[Bike Goddess]

Dear Climbing Biker- I do hope you can come. You'll be well taken care of by the Bent Brigade. Slo Joe is simply the best!!!!!!

At least you have a couple of weeks to recover, which will help! Now just heal fast and try to get some riding in!

Did you see my post on the bent brigade forum about the hills in Oregon? Didn't realize that was you who posted the question!

[Bike Goddess]

Dear Climbing Biker- I do hope you can come. If you ride with TSPoet,you'll be well taken care of by the Bent Brigade. Slo Joe is simply the best!!!!!!

At least you have a couple of weeks to recover, which will help! Now just heal fast and try to get some riding in!

TS Poet- Did you see my post on the bent brigade forum about the hills in Oregon? Didn't realize that was you who posted the question!

[TsPoet]

TS Poet- Did you see my post on the bent brigade forum about the hills in Oregon? Didn't realize that was you who posted the question!

Same Nancy - small world :p
It was more a snide comment than a question, but thanks to you and Joe and all for answering.
I'll see you at STP!

TS

[salsabike]

Oh, man---keep that cool weather rolling on in here! Pray for 70 degrees.

[mimitabby]

yeah, after 3 hot days in Corvallis, OR; I REALLY appreciate our cool blanket of clouds protecting us from the heat!

[salsabike]

Yeah, Chris was shaking his head about the Corvallis location. Do we know where the NW Tandem Rally is for next year? Lucky that STP never moves east of the mountains!

Deenie the Heat Wienie

and Admirer of Riders in the Heat


Climbingb, how are the wounds doing?

[climbingbiker]

You guys are the best :)

I was seriously blue on Tuesday. The last two days have been amazing - thank goodness! The swelling is almost gone and the wound finally stopped hurting. I'm going to get the stitches out on Sunday. If I'm walking normally, I'll get on the trainer and do an evaluation. Things are looking up - Yippee!

[Bike Goddess]

8 days countdown for Climbing Biker! Cmon girl you can heal fast!!!!

Keep us posted!

[Kano]

So, it sounds like this StP thing is next weekend?

Best wishes to ALL who are riding!

Here's my question: How many of you will be following the StP almost immediately with a PtS?????

:p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

[Bike Goddess]

Kano- hah, hah, hah, hah!

[Shiraz]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this forum. I am riding the STP with another friend and realy excited that it finally here. I really appreciated being able to read the posting from last year to have something to base it on. Living and riding in Idaho is a lot different than the city. I am a little nrevous about riding with so many other riders and riding on the busy roads. I would love to chat with others after the ride.

Anita:D

[Bike Goddess]

Shiraz- This will be my 3rd time riding the STP. It's mostly a very fun ride!!!!! Bring some cash with you as there will be community rest stops with all kinds of homemade goodies that you'll want to try along the way. The STP is the biggest event in Western Washington to go by all of these small towns and they raise money for school programs from this ride.

Don't worry too much about the others. You'll find your own pace. Just be sure that you let people know you are passing them. Most of the riders will be single file, occasionally a few who aren't. The big thing to be careful of is the pacelines. They are generally pretty good about telling you when they are coming by but you don't always know how long they are.

I'll be wearing the Amici Veloci jersey on Saturday (if it's cold in the AM I'll have a yellow Benicia bicycle Club windjacket on- can't miss the color). On Sunday I'll wear the Bike Journal jersey- blue and orange.

What do you plan to wear and where are you staying?

[mimitabby]

Yeah, Chris was shaking his head about the Corvallis location. Do we know where the NW Tandem Rally is for next year? Lucky that STP never moves east of the mountains!

Deenie the Heat Wienie

and Admirer of Riders in the Heat


Climbingb, how are the wounds doing?

Deena, next year's rally is in YAKIMA! but it's memorial day weekend so maybe it won't be so horribly hot yet.

[salsabike]

Deena, next year's rally is in YAKIMA! but it's memorial day weekend so maybe it won't be so horribly hot yet.

Yeah, I saw! Hoping that Yakima at end of May will still be bearable, since I'd really like to go.

In the meantime, am checking the Komo 4 website weather report for Saturday, obsessively. Now predicting sunny/77. Hmm. No hotter!!

Girls, see you all there--even if I don't know it's you. Reminder--Chris and I will be on a bright blue Burley tandem with a plastic Gamera toy, complete with fireball in mouth, on the back. Probably in yellow (Brazil) and red (Wales) soccer jerseys. Sing out!

[Shiraz]

Bike Goddess,
Thanks for the encouragement and advise! My plan is too have a really good time and enjoy the company and scenery. I have been riding plenty of miles with double days so I feel that I am ready for the challenge.
We are staying at hotels with our husbands (who will not be riding). I kind of wish we were staying with the crowd to get the "whole" affect, but I will definitely get a better night sleep. We are staying in Centralia the second night? How about you?
My girlfriend and myself are meeting up with some friends at 0500 sharp. I ride a Trek5200 wsd black and red. I will have a screaming yellow pearl jacket on and probably my white with black shebeest jersy the first day. Not sure for the second.

Anita:D

[Bike Goddess]

So I'll be looking out for you! We'll start around 6:30 or so I figure. By that time it's a little warmer and we won't have to carry so many outer clothes.

We are all staying in Vader, about 25 miles south of Centralia.

Don't worry about missing anything in Centralia. When you come in, it's a big party! Music, ice cream, entertainment, you name it! Hard for those of us who are going further to leave, BUT dinner yonder will be calling!

I'll be wearing a blue and orange jersey on Sunday that says Bike Journal on it. If it's hot, I'll be changing into a sleevless yellow jersey. I have a black Scott bike, but that's hard to see which is why I'm more interested in what people are wearing as we can see our clothes from a distance.

[Shiraz]

Hope to see you but ...I understand from the others that we are going to meet at 0500:eek: A little early for me but it will all be great. I had some bike repairs to contend with today. So I made a mad dash back to the bike shop to have a repair on my shifter. I had taken it in and thought all was good and decided to take it out one more time and glad I did. We go back tomorrow to pick it up. Hey I will be wearing a Terry butterfly jersey with red and lots of other colors Sat and a blue pockadot jersey on Sunday. I would love to say hi!! If not hope you have a fun, safe ride and meet lots of wonderful people.

:D Anita

[Quillfred]

I want to wish all the participants in the STP ride all the best of luck. May you have a safe and enjoyable ride with the wind always at your back. :)

Hope to join you in a couple years.

Quillfred

[salsabike]

Thanks, Quill! Much appreciated.

I would like to second that, too---that is, good luck, y'all. See you at the Finish Line Festival!

[climbingbiker]

I've been out of town since Sunday, so I just took my first spin since the crash. Except for a little bit of tightness and some instability out of the saddle, I'm good to go. Woo-hoo!

This morning I went to the Dr. to get the stitches out. When I told her that I was riding in the STP, she said I had to keep them in until after the ride. I still have one big patch that hasn't filled in yet.

See y'all on the road! I'll be the one with a small bandage below my right knee cap.

[salsabike]

Yay!! Good for you!


I've been out of town since Sunday, so I just took my first spin since the crash. Except for a little bit of tightness and some instability out of the saddle, I'm good to go. Woo-hoo!

This morning I went to the Dr. to get the stitches out. When I told her that I was riding in the STP, she said I had to keep them in until after the ride. I still have one big patch that hasn't filled in yet.

See y'all on the road! I'll be the one with a small bandage below my right knee cap.

[mimitabby]

well it looks like the STP'ers will be getting perfect weather. I have to drive to
Portland to pick my son and his girlfriend up, they plan on doing it in one day.

good luck to you all, i want a full report. I should be at the finish line at about 630 saturday evening with my camera, and 3000 other people with cameras!

[mimitabby]

well, my son discovered that his girlfriend wasn't ready for a 1 day STP
so 20 miles before i crossed the state line to Oregon, he called me up from Tenino! We met in Centralia, where she was done in. They did a nice 100 mile ride, no mechanical problems, just too many stops and not enough training.
I seriously believe he could have made it (he did it last year and the year before) but there was no way he was leaving his sweetie behind.
So after their 100 mile trek, they took a little nap in the car while i drove on to portland, then they showered and went out to dinner and then a movie doubleheader... Ah, to be young again. They got back at 130am. This is after
a 100 mile bike ride (STC :D ) that started at 5am!!

[salsabike]

We crossed the start line somewhere around 4 am or a little after (forgot to actually look at our watches). We found a riding buddy from San Jose early on who liked our pace and stuck with us for 30 miles or so, a really nice guy named Andy. Had done lots of other rides, was a Team in Training guy. Eventually he joined a paceline and was gone.

The first 100 miles were great, actually. With the exception of one long hill, they are mostly flat. And the weather couldn’t have been better for our purposes: 60s with a cloud cover till about mile 100, and a slight tailwind as well—unusual for us, since the prevailing winds here are often southeasterly. Susan Otcenas, oddly enough we matched your one-day tandem time for the first 100 miles, getting to the Centralia stop at 11:00 am, with a 16.7 average.

We got a front flat at mile 106, stopped to fix that. Then...the rollers started. Funny, I loved that section last year, when we did it in two days, and started the rollers on the second day with fresh legs. This year, I still found the scenery beautiful—from about mile 110 to mile 150—but man, it’s a lot harder to do rolling hills when you have 110-mile legs! Then we got a front flat. Our average slowed to 16.4, and by mile 170 or so, about 16.1. Also, the sun came out from behind the clouds, so started having to put on the funny bandana-type thing soaked with water under our helmets. By the way, we also did start taking one Endurolyte capsule an hour at that point—we decided to risk doing a totally new thing by taking them against the surer risk of getting overheated. Neither of us had a bad reaction to the capsules, luckily, and took them for the next six hours or so.

Then we got a stiff chain link, so had to stop and fiddle with that. Also, in Longview, we saw a SCARY car-bike accident. Several riders not far in front of us got caught between one car and a car behind it that was being towed by a strap. The cars were turning left out of a lot on our side of the street. The cars didn’t see the riders and the riders didn’t see the strap. Two riders fell and one was half under the car, while the drivers took a few seconds to figure out what had happened and to stop. Neither was more than scraped, I think, but it was an awful sight. And the drivers were both pretty freaked out too. One of the riders was carrying his helmet on his handlebars rather than his head when this all happened. Stupid.

The last 50 miles or so were flatter but on the not-very-friendly Route 30 that goes to Portland. We did okay right up until 8 miles before the finish line when we got—yeah!—a rear flat. Got lots of rueful, sympathetic smiles from riders who went past us at this point while we fixed it. Ugh! What a time to get a flat, when you’re so close and so tired. So we didn’t actually get to the finish line until about 9:50 pm. Final total average speed about 15.7, with 13 hours 45 minutes on the bike. Would have been nice to get in earlier, but, you know---we DID IT! And even though the Finish Line Festival closed at 9 pm, Cascade Bicycle Club still had volunteers there to hand out One-Day Rider badges, AND kids and adults cheering people across the finish line. Don’t ask me why, but the kids were just cheering everyone wildly as they came in and it was just delightful. Call me a cornball, but I liked it. I almost cried, just like last year, but didn’t. Too tired and too hungry!!

This ride ends in a park across the street from a Doubletree Hotel in Portland. We made room reservations many months ago when we decided to try for the one-day. They have a big underground garage-type space where they have a bike corral and where the bags are delivered. We dropped our bike, got our bag, exchanged a few quips with the Cascade Bike Club guy guarding the area, marched into the hotel, checked in, ordered room service, took showers, and got into bed. What a brilliant thing, to be able to just go upstairs to a really nice room. We ate their buffet brunch this morning, spent a hour or so at the Finish Line Festival buying ride shirts and watching two-day riders come in. It really is COOL to watch other riders come in. They are so happy and it is such an achievement. Spouses, parents, kids, and dogs come to meet the riders, and it’s just a ton of fun to watch.

We are thrilled that we were actually able to do it in one day this year. We are also really appreciative of what a well organized and supported ride this is. Congrats to all other STPers! Let us hear about your rides.

And, mimitabby, I could NEVER have watched a double movie feature after 100 miles. Good for them!

PS I should also report that after about mile 50, I stopped at most of the pee stops, having a very small bladder that also seems to have the magical ability to actually multiple water molecules once they get inside. It was just stop-pee-go, an advantage to being a one-day rider, since you miss the 15-20 minute Porta-potty lines that the 6,000 or so second-day riders suffer with.

[mimitabby]

wow, Salsabike
you had QUITE a ride!

I was informed that they only saw a single feature movie which started at 1030 but how come they didn't get back until 130am? well, never mind, i don't want to know.

what time does the line close in Portland? seems to me 2 years ago it was 9pm!
you must have been SO HAPPY to get to portland.

and hey, how about our Seattle weather? I shouldn't say it too loud,
the entire southwest might relocate!

[climbingbiker]

Salsabike - Thanks for the trip report. I had heard rumors about a car-bike incident. I hope that was the only one.

Mimitabby - I understand your son's girlfriend's pain. Read on...

My STP experience was overall pretty good. First, I'll start with an apology. I am new to the group riding thing and I didn't know all of the "rules": hand gesters for slowing, pointing out road obstacles, yelling out "car back" or "slowing", etc. If any of you saw me, I hope I didn't make you too mad. By the second day, I was pro :o

Our goal was to get into the parking lot by 5:30am. Since this was our first STP and my first organized ride, we had no clue what 9000 riders really means. It took us 30 minutes to get into the parking lot. We started in the 6:20am wave.

I really love the ride down through the Arboretum and along the Lake, so the morning was super fun. The REI mini-stop was crazy busy! That's when I realized how huge this ride is. The "big hill" wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Luckily, there was room for 2-3 deep riders, so everyone could go their own pace.

Things starting breaking down for me at around mile 75. That's when it felt like I was growing new bones in my butt. Then I bonked at mile 85. We dropped from 19mph-ish down to 15mph. I couldn't ride any faster. After the Centralia stop, my energy recovered in time for the Napavine hill. Wow - that will hit you hard in the gut. For the ride between Centralia and Vader, it was a mental game for me. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it to the full extent like Salsabike. We pulled into Vader at 4:30pm and we were very happy to be done for the day.

We stayed at the Vader Lions Club and camped outside. The ladies who run the fundraiser there are very nice. They provided us plenty of food and good showers. I'm sure I was fully zonked out by 8:30pm. My only complaint about Vader is that there are trains that run through all night long.

We were on the road by 7:30am on Sunday. I absolutely loved the ride between Vader and Castle Rock. It was a nice morning and the rollers were fun on fresh legs. I was having a great time.

The Longview bridge is when things starting going a little sour for me. The Longview bridge was great, though. We were at the back of our wave and it was so cool to see a huge sea of riders going across the bridge. The rest of the ride - yuck! That constant uphill grade on the highway was no good. At about mile 180, I was very glad to have stayed in Vader rather than Centralia. I believe I would have had difficulty talking myself through to the end had it been a 100+ mile day.

We pulled into Portland at 1:30pm and it was neat to see all the people cheering. The organizations that put the ride on did such a great job! I definitely liked riding in an organized ride - very little route finding. It's nice just to ride and not have to constantly route find.

I do have a ton of questions now - I have to go post in the other forums. Thanks again everyone for the support after my crash. I had no problems with the knee during the ride.

[mimitabby]

I have heard that the guy who rode the whole way on his big wheel plastic bike finished, as did the guy on the skateboard!!!

[salsabike]

Climbingbiker! Glad it went as well for you as it did. We did it on the tandem in two days last year and I also found that crossing the Longview Bridge in a sea of riders was just such PAGEANTRY; it was really cool. I am really delighted you got to go. Looked kind of warm Sunday afternoon, though, so glad I was done by then, being the heat wimp that I am.

Mimi, I think they now keep people in the park until midnight Sat. for handing out the one-day badges. Mercifully. It must be really hard to do a one day, and get in too late to get the badge. I WANTED THAT BADGE, BY GOD. Thanks for being part of the cheering squad at any time! It actually is really nice. Although I am not sure I will ever be able to smile for the Marathon cameras when all I'm thinking is, "Please let me get my A** off this bike!"

Still hungry, still tired. But the spa massage and bath thing this morning sure was a good idea!

[salsabike]

AND, so it says on the Cascade boards, a guy with one arm. No legs. One arm.

BTW, mimitabby, seen the weather forecast for this weekend here? ugh. They might as well stay in the southwest this weekend.

[Eden]

I saw the guy with one arm only, not this year, but last year so I can confirm that he has done it. Last year there were two big wheel guys, but I only saw one this year, plus a skate board, a scooter, and at least one unicycle. At the place where we stay on Saturday was a family that rides a 3 person bike.

[salsabike]

Last year at the Finish Line Festival, we saw a five-person bike! It was a sight to behold. And the unicycles! Amazing.

[Bike Goddess]

Well, I didn't see any of you who have reported in so far, but I sure had a good time with the Bent Riders at the end!

6 of us from the Bay Area did this ride. (5 from Napa- the Eagles- and me)

It did take forever to get into the parking lot. We had planned to start around 6:30 ish, but plans changed the night before due to our SAG person needing to get to I-5 from the U (not easy). She was going to drop off 4 riders somewhere on the course. I went with Cheryl, the 6th rider, to the parking lot. We didn't leave until about 7:30ish- amongst the last to go.

After making sure Cheryl made it to the first rest stop on Lake Washington, I ramped it up and hustled over to the REI rest stop to see if I could find the other 4 riders ( I had no idea where they were on the course). Just before the REI stop, I encountered a bike accident. Evidently a rider had gotten caught in the RR tracks. I heard he was pretty seriously injured. I'm glad I didn't see that happen. (I understand there were a few more accidents along the way both Sat and Sun but I didn't see them)

Since the other 4 weren't at the REI stop, I grabbed the last of the food (it was getting late and they were closing up) and hit the road. I finally saw them at the lunch stop. Now at least I knew our group was on the road and safe! The best parts of Saturday's ride were: the bike trail-fab, Tenino food, and the banana bread ladies in Napavine! Yum yum!

We stayed at the church in Vader. The kids did bike valet, and helped me with my bags. I slept outside (yes, near the trains, but I have trains across the river from me at home, so I am used to them).

The food at the church in Vader is the best of the best! We had spaghetti dinner, salad, bread. Two tables of homemade desserts are what gives this place its reputation! Fresh fruit pies, pastries, brownies, you name it. I went around and took a sampling of all the different pies. What a treat after a long day!

Sunday morning our breakfast was the usual eggs and bacon, etc. AND homemade cinnamon rolls- no icing- just yummy and fresh! What a way to start Day 2!

Left Vader around 7:30ish and made a dash for the bridge. After I got into Oregon, pretty much drafted with a few others the whole way. That was lots of fun! Got to Portland at 12:45.

Day 1- 127.99 miles
16.2 MPH
Day 2- 76.23
17.7 MPH

My best double metric and metric times ever!!! Yahoo!

[Eden]

Well, I didn't see any of you who have reported in so far, but I sure had a good time with the Bent Riders at the end!

We left a bit earlier than you on Sat - but I did see some other Bent Brigaders down on Lake Washington Blvd.


Just before the REI stop, I encountered a bike accident. Evidently a rider had gotten caught in the RR tracks. I heard he was pretty seriously injured. I'm glad I didn't see that happen. (I understand there were a few more accidents along the way both Sat and Sun but I didn't see them)
He's OK - theres a posting on the Cascade board. His front wheel came out of the dropouts over the tracks so he took a pretty nasty header. Knocked out a tooth and got numerous cuts on his face, plus some road rash, but it wasn't as bad as it looked at first - I guess he was knocked cold and then had some convulsions when coming to -scary, but he's alright now.


Left Vader around 7:30ish and made a dash for the bridge. After I got into Oregon, pretty much drafted with a few others the whole way. That was lots of fun! Got to Portland at 12:45.


We may have passed you sometime out on the road (or were at one of the food stops around the same time). We left Chehalis around 6:30 ish and got to Portland right around noon.

[mimitabby]

they sure picked the right weekend for STP this year!