Potential women-only ride in/near Seattle - help wanted!

[El Hombre]

El Hombre,

Thank-you for a most enjoyable ride. I hope that I was able to contribute something even in some small way. Like I mentioned before, I don't know what I can offer. I don't have the marketable skills required in making this happen, but I would definitely like to help out in anyway I can. Also, Mr. KiltTiger may have some useful contacts for you, especially regarding the Naval base.

Side note: I'm kinda slow so it took me awhile 'til I got your handle. I was halfway home when I was thinking I got to meet "the man," then... well, you can guess the rest. Hehehe. Clever!

That was fun. Thanks for the ideas. I haven't ridden in the rain since BikeMomma and I's hammerfest with the Sierra Nevada boy and the gimp gang from Cali. At least there was no 45 mph decent in a downpour with a nice crosswind blowing us into oncoming traffic

WARNING: GRAPHIC photo of the this rides carnage






all that slug bits and goo got all over the bike. I'm not even gonna look up under the fender. After about a mile I gave up trying to avoid mowing them down.

Thanks for the idea about the Naval base! Now what we need to do is come up with a couple of routes in the area by November 1st. Does anyone know of any good 35-70 miles loops in the Everett-Sno area?

Maybe in two weeks we can do another ride. This time ending at McMenamins in Mill Creek. That way we can all warm up with a tasty adult beverage.

[salsabike]

So...what's the Naval Base connection?

Slug goo will either really help your traction or...come to think of it..huh. OK. Never mind.

I may be able to get some Everett-Snohomish route suggestions from someone, but it'll take a couple of weeks, I think.

[El Hombre]

Slug goo will either really help your traction or...come to think of it..huh. OK. Never mind.

No, go ahead



I may be able to get some Everett-Snohomish route suggestions from someone, but it'll take a couple of weeks, I think.

Well, my simple brain forgot that we're gonna need a TON of parking and room for this and then I remembered that the Cinderella uses a .mil base for it's operation. Sgtiger mentioned that Boy in a Kilt might have access to Everett Naval and that they often rent out mess halls etc to the public. I've been scoping out routes up around Snohomish and the CT but maybe we should be lookng around Everett? Maybe somewhere between the two?

[sgtiger]

I've done a modified version of this route. I like the parts through Snohomish and the Everett Marina (takes you past the Naval Base). But the last part is though the Interurban Trail. Yuck! Parts of the trail is essentially sidewalk and there's some awkward manuvering through traffic and the mall parking lot.

The only drawback for many is that it's not very hilly. I'm sure that many will want something a bit hillier.[Not me BTW, I'm the BIGGEST hill wimp.] Of course, the part through Snohomish could be rerouted to the hillier roads. Maybe for the longer route?

Anyhow, I got the cue sheet off the Seattle Bicycle Touring Club website. The last links on the website list some great resources for route ideas. Don't forget the Rondonneur's website for routes too.

[Trek420]

Well, my simple brain forgot that we're gonna need a TON of parking and room for this and then I remembered that the Cinderella uses a .mil base for it's operation.

Used to, this year they used the county fairgrounds. Cinderella never said why the mil base did not renew the agreement and it was down to the last minute. Maybe they feared all us militant women on bicycles would be a security threat.

[mimitabby]

omigoodness. people rode! SGTIGER, you're amazing!
I sat in my warm dry little house and drank tea with Raleighdon's cousin.

but i rode today... on the cleaned roads.

[sgtiger]

Mimitabby, don't be too impressed we didn't ride for very long. I think just under an hour and the Centennial Trail is in great condition. Well, other than the squished slugs. Icky!

It was wet but I was ready for it. I had on layers of wool and rain gear of course. Some of the rain did get through, but the layers of wool kept me nice and toasty. I should have changed out of my wet shoes and socks afterward, because they felt sloshy on the drive home. But the toes were warm nonetheless. Maybe some shoe covers are in order. Know of any good ones?

[Eden]

Maybe some shoe covers are in order. Know of any good ones?

Sugoi ones are great!! (neoprene ones like gator skins are nice too, toasty, but they don't keep your feet dry). Of course NO shoe cover will keep your feet dry unless you can seal up around the cleat on the bottom.

[El Hombre]

Mimitabby, don't be too impressed we didn't ride for very long. I think just under an hour and the Centennial Trail is in great condition. Well, other than the squished slugs. Icky!

It was wet but I was ready for it. I had on layers of wool and rain gear of course. Some of the rain did get through, but the layers of wool kept me nice and toasty. I should have changed out of my wet shoes and socks afterward, because they felt sloshy on the drive home. But the toes were warm nonetheless. Maybe some shoe covers are in order. Know of any good ones?

I had my Carnac covers on. Pretty much any neoprene covers work wonders but your feet will still get wet. I drilled a couple of extra holes in the bottom of my cleats to let water out. I also throw in a hand warmer or two into them if it's really cold

[BikeMomma]

... I haven't ridden in the rain since BikeMomma and I's hammerfest with the Sierra Nevada boy and the gimp gang from Cali. At least there was no 45 mph decent in a downpour with a nice crosswind blowing us into oncoming traffic

Was that really the last time you rode in the rain? Geeeez, Dan the Man! You need to get out and ride more often! That WAS a fun ride, er - I think. Except for almost getting blown off the road about 50 ba-jillion times and feeling like I was in a hurricane with rain-driven sheets of rain pelting my frozen cheeks, plus having to squeeze water out of every last piece of clothing I was wearing, sure -- it was fun. Ah, fond memories....

Used to, this year they used the county fairgrounds. Cinderella never said why the mil base did not renew the agreement and it was down to the last minute. Maybe they feared all us militant women on bicycles would be a security threat.

Thanks for mentioning that Trek...'ya beat me to it. So, that's another idea, just in case the naval base doesn't work out: fairgrounds. There was plenty of parking for all the participants down here at the Cindy, and the hall they used had plenty of room for the after-ride eats. The horseracing track on the fairgrounds was an added personal bonus. Bikes & horses together in one place -- made BikeMomma very happy.

Another idea El Hombre: get local sports/hiking/bike shops, Pearl Izumi or Nike etc. outlets, frame builders (i.e. Vanilla), nutrition bar & other sports-oriented vendors (ahem....TE??) together and have a mini sports/bike expo. Also, bike jewelry makers are a hit at these things. All you need to do is set aside an area for all the sales tents, give them power for their cash registers, laptops, and credit card swipers, and let 'em have at it.

~BikeMomma

[El Hombre]

Was that really the last time you rode in the rain? Geeeez, Dan the Man! You need to get out and ride more often! That WAS a fun ride, er - I think. Except for almost getting blown off the road about 50 ba-jillion times and feeling like I was in a hurricane with rain-driven sheets of rain pelting my frozen cheeks, plus having to squeeze water out of every last piece of clothing I was wearing, sure -- it was fun. Ah, fond memories....


Thanks for mentioning that Trek...'ya beat me to it. So, that's another idea, just in case the naval base doesn't work out: fairgrounds. There was plenty of parking for all the participants down here at the Cindy, and the hall they used had plenty of room for the after-ride eats. The horseracing track on the fairgrounds was an added personal bonus. Bikes & horses together in one place -- made BikeMomma very happy.

Another idea El Hombre: get local sports/hiking/bike shops, Pearl Izumi or Nike etc. outlets, frame builders (i.e. Vanilla), nutrition bar & other sports-oriented vendors (ahem....TE??) together and have a mini sports/bike expo. Also, bike jewelry makers are a hit at these things. All you need to do is set aside an area for all the sales tents, give them power for their cash registers, laptops, and credit card swipers, and let 'em have at it.

~BikeMomma

My favorite memory of that ride was after we turned around and began the LONG SLOW slog back up hill. I was so cold I remember very seriously wanting to just lay down and take a nap. I'd probably still be out there. I remember getting home, pouring water out of my cleats and drilling drain holes in the bottoms


A local shop has been contacted and we'll work on a few more vendors.

[boy in a kilt]

I'm not sure how good of an option the Naval Station will be.

There isn't really a big, empty lot we could use, particularly now that the Lincoln has moved back in from PSNSY.

I can find out what National Guard Armories are in the area and see which, if any would be suitable.

The questions we probably need to answer are

1) Realistically, how many riders can we expect?
2) What are the local regulations regarding permits, coordination with local authorities?
3) Insurance requirements? Where can we get it, how much will it cost and who will foot the bill up front?
4) Schwag. Can't forget that
5) Advertising
6) What sort of ride will this be? Competitive or just a fun ride? (probably should be question number 1).

[Eden]

I might be able to help you with the insurance requirements. I've found out recently that you can get event insurance if you register as a club with USACycling and it is extremely resonable $2 per person (can be rolled into the registration fee) and $25 for the event. It sounds implausible, but they make it work. That is for a race - it might even be less, considering that it is a fun ride. You do have to register a club with USACycling, but that is fairly simple and only costs $150. I can look up more information on this if you'd like.

[El Hombre]

Anyone up for a ride and planning meeting on Sunday?

[MM_QFC!]

Is this ride still in the works or has it bonked already?