Easy PNW Century-ish type ride

[MM_QFC!]

What about the Chuckanut century? There is a flat route that goes north of town into the county, and the hilly route that goes south of town onto Chuckanut. Full 100 mile rts and shorter ones.
Edit: here it is http://www.mtbakerbikeclub.org/Chuck...nutCentury.htm I'm bailing on the Danskin, but I'd really like to do the Chuckanut in memory of my dad and in thanks for the Whatcom hospice.

I agree - this is a beautiful ride and a well-run one too; besides, how can you beat starting from the brewery?? Doesn't that mean you finish at the same place?

Also, each route isn't a century though (I think that they're 50 or metric, max; you'd have to combine a couple in order to get to that century mark, if that's what DH wants, Teigyr. Also, Chuckanut Drive is a spectacular ride and, if I could do it and enjoy it on my first organized ride - ever - he surely will too.
Heck, maybe I'll be riding again then (and have another Seven aka Dreambike II too)...it'd sure be a fun ride to work towards...
Mary

[teigyr]

Thank you

I am liking the looks of the Chuckanut Century and the cause is certainly good. Anyone who knows DH knows that starting and ending at a brewery is a definite selling point.

I am very unfamiliar with the area. How long does it take to get there? Is it better to stay there the night before? Are all the loops relatively flat or is one flatter than the other? (ie which one is recommended?) We've decided that neither of us would probably be ready for a century but a metric or 70 mile would be perfect.

Mary, it would be SO great if you could ride by then!!! Knot, I got the impression you were out for the Danskin (could it be the mention of selling your wetsuit?!) but this ride would be fun.

Salsa, yours looks good too. I'd almost be game for both though one week before Danskin might make me nervous. I'm not sure if people taper for sprint tri's but a big ride might be excessive I'll have to look up to see where Tenino is.

[KnottedYet]

It's just B'ham, so about 1 1/2 hr north.

The drive up the morning of the ride won't be bad.

I'd rather do the Chuckanut than just about anything right now.

[MM_QFC!]

I agree - it's about a 1.5 hr drive up to Bellingham and the brewery.
http://www.bbaybrewery.com/

Since you're not planning to ride the century, it'd be an easy day trip (maybe you can magnanimously offer to be the designated driver for the homebound trip, so that your DH can enjoy the post-ride brewery experience?!

I don't think that either route has anything other than rollers, so it's a toss-up as to which is flatter...I'm with Knot, though...that the Chuckanut (south) route is slam-dunk perty!
Mary

[mimitabby]

I thought chuckanut was hills! I remember riding it; narrow windy roads...?

[cyclinnewbie]

Chuckanut drive is major hilly, isn't it? Up north out in the county is much flatter. I was looking at this ride...I need a nice tame ride for my first one. I think this may be the one. B'ham has a ton of rides this summer/fall. I'll try to dig out my brochures I picked up at Ski to Sea.....now that i mention it, I can't remember where I put them all. Anyway, there were a few that sounded right up my nice straight easy alley.