Seattle Area Distance Climbing Routes

[nicole309]

until I found out that someone else who did that had a dog taken by a cougar! I have to admit, I always wonder about that when I'm huffing and puffing up some steep road at about 3-4 mph!

Edit: Oops...I did not mean to put in the big smiley face for that...I meant the big EEK face!

That is funny, whether it be hiking or biking, whenever I slow down my boyfriend always threatens to leave me behind for the cougars!!
I try not to think about it.

[Starfish]

So, Susan and others...what are the road conditions like right now for these climbing routes, especially the ones you mentioned, Susan?

I am having a lot of challenge with our roads currently. Really sandy & gravelly and wet, still (wet with that sludge of sand and mud).

Anyone getting in any decent outdoor climbing rides in the Seattle area? If so, I am thinking of coming over a couple times this month for some climbing training. Maybe looking for 40-50 miles with maybe 2-4K' climbing?

Thoughts? Wanna ride, too? Curious about the roads.

[Susan126]

Starfish, the road from Enumclaw to Greenwater and to the park entrance on 410 had snow on it on January 30th. Joe, our daughter, and I took a drive up that day. Check out the picture from that trip:



I haven't been up that way since January 30th but if I do take a drive up there again I will report back on the road conditions.

I've been trying to ride on weekends when the weather is nice. Mainly in the lower surrounding areas. I can tell I am out of shape because those hills I climbed last summer so easily are killing me right now! I sound like a steam engine on those climbs. Huffing and puffing and wheezing my way up! LOL Hopefully by late April my old legs and lungs will return and those hills will once again be easy.

When the road to the park entrance is nice again I would love to lead a ride on it. I'll post it here and anyone who would like to ride it with me . . . . welcome! The more the merrier!

I'm thinking the first of May. April is busy for me. The first week I am flying home to visit my parents in Pittsburgh. The second weekend of April I want to do the Daffodil Classic. The weekend of the April 26th Joe and I will be in Leavenworth and riding in the Alefest Bike Ride in Wenatchee. So yea, May!

[Starfish]

Hey, great picture! And, although I need to start climbing, like, yesterday...certainly in May I will also need to!

Hey, did you happen to come over for the Olympic Cycling Classic here last May, by any chance? You look an awful lot like a woman who passed me rather handily on a hill. She was riding alone. Was it you?

[Susan126]

Starfish, you and me both regarding "the need to climb like yesterday"! Are you training for some big HILL event this summer? At this point (March) I am so behind the curve as far as my fitness goes. I hate to admit it but I am at the lowest fitness level I have ever been in going into a season. Yes I have been going to my gym all winter but it's just not the same for me. My legs are strong, thanks to spin class, but my lungs and endurance on real outdoor rides has been terrible!

Regarding the lady who passed you last year at the Olympic Cycling Classic, I wish I could say it was me but it was not!

And please tell me Starfish what big climbing event are you training for? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Starfish]

Susan, I am going to attempt...no wait...I am going to do the Shasta Super Century on August 3rd. Last year, it was a big deal for me to do the Shasta Summit Century. This year, I want to go back and do the whole shebang. It is an awesome event. Several distances/elevation gains.

http://www.shastasummitcentury.com/

I need to get in a couple 50 milers (or more) this month, and they should have quite a bit of climbing. If there is any kind of ride where you are that fits that bill, with decent road conditions right now, let me know. If you want to go suffer through some early season climbing riding together, let me know. I warn you, I am slow as molasses. Seriously.

[Susan126]

Wow Starfish, that is a beautiful ride and it looks like a ride with some BIG hills and challenges! Good for you! I have a big ride too! I'm training for the RAMROD on July 31st! It looks like we both have our work cut out for us!

I do have a ride that is 45 miles long with some pretty decent climbs in it. And I can always add another 5 miles easily. If you would like to give it a try the weekend of March 15 or 16 let me know. I start this ride at the Enumclaw High School's parking lot. From there I pedal through the back roads of Enumclaw and then take this steep steep hill down into the valley to Flaming Geyser State Park. From there you climb out of the valley and then climb again until you get into Black Diamond. From Black Diamond you head back towards Enumclaw by traveling down into the Green River Gorge. Then you have to climb out of the gorge and then it's pretty flat the rest of the way back into Enumclaw. If the weather is nice that weekend I would love to do it. I am a fair weather rider on my road bike. If it's nasty out Joe and I will opt out and do a mountain bike ride. Speaking of hubbies, I don't know if my sweetie is up to 45 miles yet. He's in worse condition than me. But I think I need a push to increase my mileage. I've been hovering around a max of 35-37. Time to push it up?! And molasses is my middle name these days!