Quote Originally Posted by mimitabby View Post
Starfish, 8 miles and 1000 feet of climb is QUITE a ride!
I live in a little town sandwiched between salt water and glaciers. I live on a hill, and I can either ride down, or ride up, or put my bike on the car and drive it 20 miles to where there are some flat areas. So, if I only have time for a little ride out my back door, choices are limited.

I have a road out the back door that climbs 5000 feet in less than 18 miles, up into the Olympic National Park. It is beautiful, and handy, but it climbs 1700 feet in the first 5 miles. (I have a triple AND a 32 on the back!)