RAMROD this year (or next)?

[LisaB]

Anyone here riding RAMROD - or ROABSAMR (Ride out and back somewhere around Mt. Rainier) this year? I'm volunteering on Wednesday at the high school, so say hi if you come in early to pick up your packets!

I'm hoping the route will be back to normal in time for next year's ride, and that a year will be enough training time. I've got the base miles, it's just training for that pesky 10,000+ elevation gain!

[Susan126]

LisaB,

Hey I am volunteering this year too! I am working at a rest stop 18 miles up hwy 410 on Thursday from 11 - 7. I will also be there on Wednesday to pick up my jersey. I ordered that beautiful jersey with the awesome design on it. I love it! I'll look for you on Wednesday!

Have you ever done the RAMROD before? I did it in 2004. I would like to do it again but not next year. I have so much going on next summer. Maybe I will attempt it again the year after next. That would be summer of 2009.

Hey, if you ever need someone to ride with let me know. I live in Bonney Lake.

Sue

[orcoz]

I'll be at the high school (but I work for the School District)....
When is packet pickup and where?
We're not riding in it this year - my backside is still recovering from STP. :-)

[salsabike]

Say howdy to my cool spouse, Chris--he'll be volunteering at the high school next Wed. night.

[LisaB]

Packet pickup is at the high school, so I'll be there, plus loading the truck Wednesday night. Come say hi!

[Susan126]

LisaB,

I'll try and find you to say, "Hi!" I will be there to pick up my jersey. How shall I recognize you?

I will be working on Thursday at the "deli" stop. The sandwich and food stop! It will be a long day! I am supposed to meet everyone on Thursday morning at 8:30 AM and then we are driving up to our position. The deli will close at 7:00 PM. It's going to be a long day!

Oh boy!

Sue

[LisaB]

Hi Susan - I'll be the short, loud one with red hair. I start at noon, and was told to be "flexible" - which means they'll be plonking me down wherever help is needed. I'll watch for you!.

They just posted the map/elevation profile - looks like as long as the riders make it past mile 50 they'll be golden. ;-) http://http://www.redmondcyclingclub...ourse_Map.html

[Susan126]

I will definitely look for you tomorrow! I'll probably be there between 4 and 5 PM.

It looks like it's going to be a nice day for the ride. I was kind of worried for a while with all the wet stuff this past week. But it sure cleared out nicely today!

See you tomorrow!

Sue

[mimitabby]

I'm going to be a ramrod widow for the next four days. DH leaves tomorrow morning and won't be home until friday. he's volunteering AND Riding.
and he says that the chocolate croussants will be at the top of the last hill for you riders that like stuff like that.

[Susan126]

Seeing as I am working the deli stop tomorrow and seeing as today was such a gorgeous day . . . I rode part of RAMROD this morning/afternoon. I started from Enumclaw HS and rode up 35 miles before turning around. Just short of the park entrance. I skipped all the "BIG" climbs (Sunrise and Crystal)! But it's a climb from the start. I passed the "fire house station" where the deli will be set up tomorrow and a handful of men were working on the building. I saw men on the roof and on ladders on the side of the building. On my way back down I stopped in Greenwater for water and a potty break. I noticed three sani cans on the side of the Greenwater grocery. I bet they are for tomorrow. The young gal at the register asked me how far I had come. We started talking. She told me how she wants to start cycling. I told her I love it and that she should start out slow and build up. I told her about RAMROD coming through tomorrow and she said she knew. She was very nice. After a brief rest I headed back down towards Enumclaw and hit a hell-a-ish head/side wind! Wouldn't you know! But I'm glad I got out and rode today. When I arrived back at my car the RAMROD people were setting up in front of the high school. I am trying to cool down right now before I shower and then I am going back to Enumclaw to meet LisaB and pick up my jersey.

Tomorrow will be just as gorgeous! And to think last Thursday it was gloomy, wet, and chilly! What a difference a week makes! I'm happy the weather turned nice!

Oh there were a lot of those double trailer trucks on the road. Be safe and ride single file! They do not move over!



Sue

[Starfish]

I definitely want to do RAMROD one day...when it is back to the regular route. I've never done that kind of ride before, but next week I am doing the Shasta Summit Century, so that will tell me where I'm at. I think I could do the climbing of RAMROD, but I don't know about the whole distance.

Is anyone considering RATPOD for next summer? Same distance as RAMROD, but only about 7500 feet of climbing, and I'm told the climbing is easier. Also, not nearly the numbers of people involved, and the area (Big Hole Valley, MT) is GORGEOUS.

http://www.ratpod.org