Chilly Hilly 2010

[bikerHen]

The wise women of TE have spoken. We're going to try and get a room on the island, if it's not too late. Sounds like getting an early start is the key to avoiding the crowds. Plus we have to drive back to Spokane after the ride. I'm excitied! My first organized ride of the year. We're going to have to go ride some practice hills and see how we do. bikerHen

[evangundy]

We did Chilly Hilly 3 times way back when we first started riding (before recumbents) - always enjoyed it. We would drive up from Portland on Saturday morning, getting a room at the Best Western two blocks from the ferry terminal. Hung out downtown Seattle for the day, good dinner within walking of hotel. Checked out before heading out for the ride. The hotel let us leave the car in their parking garage for the day (driving back to Portland after the ride). Would catch the first ferry that is bikes only - no cars.

On the island, I would wait a few minutes before starting my ride. Let the majority of the riders get out ahead of me. I was always (and still am) one of the slowest uphill riders around. I didn't want to be in front of everyone just to have them all try to pass me. Yes Virginia, 2.5 mph really is a speed and I don't fall over! You start your first climb within a couple blocks of the ferry. Food at the rest stops is good and I remember there being some private stands set up in driveways, selling hot chocolate, baked cookies, brownies, Gatorade, etc.

By being slow, the crowds all pulled away from me and I had a very pleasant, quiet ride, enjoying the views and sounds. Could tell when the next ferry had arrived and the next wave of riders passed me. Then got quiet again. I always just rode the 18 mile loop while DH did the 36 mile. We ended up back at the ferry within 10 minutes of each other.

Might be good to do this ride again, now that I am a stronger, better rider. See how the bents handle it. Though I do still climb slowly, just at 4-5mph now instead of 2.5 :-)

Have fun and I hope you have clear weather. The views are awesome!
Edna

[MM_QFC!]

here's the link to the update in today's Seattle Times...caveat: take note of the photo in the article and you can see that a number of riders are on the wrong side of the road when climbing that hill and they are close to the crest of the hill too. The roads are open to traffic during the ride and I'd caution riders to remember that drivers cannot see up/over the hill from the other side...please stay right and have a safe, fun ride everyone!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ghlight25.html

[bikerHen]

OMG! That hill sure looks steep! Hope we're ready for this. bikerHen

[jdubble]

OMG! That hill sure looks steep! Hope we're ready for this. bikerHen

assuming that's Baker Hill, it's 8.5% grade but only 341 ft in elevation. So short and steep - you can do it that's what i'm telling myself at least!

(off to map my usual local hills on mapmyride to see how high/steep they are for comparison's sake!)

[XMcShiftersonX]

Good luck everyone! I hope you have fun. I, however, will be at work But I'll be thinking about ya'll!

-Jessica

[MM_QFC!]

assuming that's Baker Hill, it's 8.5% grade but only 341 ft in elevation. So short and steep - you can do it that's what i'm telling myself at least!

(off to map my usual local hills on mapmyride to see how high/steep they are for comparison's sake!)

this link has all of the details: cue sheet, route elevation, Google map, etc.
http://www.cascade.org/EandR/chilly/CH_details.cfm

Actually, I'm not sure it's Baker Hill...I think it's earlier in the route; it looks more like Peterson Hill rd shortly before the Battle Point Pk rest stop...coming from Manzanita and turning to see it. It's all in view ahead of you, so you have time to get and keep a smooth cadence, with as much room in front of you as you can...pace yourself and you'll be fine.
Also, I think that the picture makes it look tougher than it really is - as it's taken right up at the top and that's a steep angle, with lots of bikes - for effect and all. There is a steeper pitch up top and you can see how many bunch up, start walking, swing way wide left to cross the double yellow and reflectors... I always try to stay away from those types!
You're going to have good weather and a great time, for sure!
Mary

[bikerHen]

I've been afraid to check the weather. Good to hear it's suppose to be good. We decided to get a room on the island. If the weather is decent we will get an early start and hope to beat some of the crowds. Sounds like they are expecting a big one! We'll have fun, I still haven't met a hill I can't walk! I just hope I can unclip in time. bikerHen

[jdubble]

What a great day for a great ride! We stayed with friends in Lakewood who cooked us a fabulous curry feast last night, then we got up and drove to the island this morning. Got on the road around 8:45, just as the 1st ferry disembarked, so we were stuck in a crowd for a bit before it thinned out. Finished up around 11:30 and had a delicious bowl of chili down by the water at a picnic table in the sun and now we're heading back to Lakewood to change and drive back to Portland.

Looks like the local Kiwanis club is holding a summer, sunny, and warm version of the ride at the end of August. I'll definitely think about coming back up for it!

[bikerHen]

I agree it was a wonderful day! We spent the night on the island and started just before 8AM. My gosh, three of those hills were monsters! But I made it up every one. And those downhills were screaming fun! My friend had to do a little walking and had a flat tire in the last 5 miles. But we both had a great time. jdubble you must have passed us along the way, I was the one riding sleeveless, with sparkling streamers on my helmet and loud tunes playing to get me up those hills. Excited to hear about the summer version. We were talking about going back late summer/early fall and doing it again on our own. Got back to Spokane around 8PM. A long but fun day! bikerHen

[jdubble]

jdubble you must have passed us along the way, I was the one riding sleeveless, with sparkling streamers on my helmet and loud tunes playing to get me up those hills.

oh if only'd i'd known it was you! i do remember seeing you. i had nothing so memorable or recognizable about me i'm afraid. fairly standard issue helmet/knickers/white vest (once the sleeves came off early in the ride)/green torelli bike. i was envious of the few people i saw with sound systems - mine was provided only by the singing in my head. i tend to sing "you spin me right round, baby, right round, like a record, baby, right round, round round" over and over and over again when climbing.

oops time to clean the house before a meeting tonight. glad you had a good ride too!

[bikerHen]

- mine was provided only by the singing in my head. i tend to sing "you spin me right round, baby, right round, like a record, baby, right round, round round" over and over and over again when climbing.

Great minds think alike! That's one of the songs I was playing to helped me up those monster hills. bikerHen

[evangundy]

I just found this posted on BikeJournal.com - cool video of Chilly Hilly 2010. Guess I was always slow enough that I never had to ride in crowds like this on CH. Hope y'll had a fun time :-)

http://vimeo.com/m/#/9816679

Edna

[jdubble]

I just found this posted on BikeJournal.com - cool video of Chilly Hilly 2010. Guess I was always slow enough that I never had to ride in crowds like this on CH. Hope y'll had a fun time :-)

http://vimeo.com/m/#/9816679

Edna

Edna, thanks to the wonderful weather last weekend, they had a record-breaking 6000 some odd people on the route! So yes, it was pretty darn crowded at times, though we got an early enough start that it thinned out fairly well fairly quickly. And we had a great time!

Thanks for posting the link to the video! I'll have to show that to my parents and in-laws so they can see what I was up to