RAMROD updates?

[malaholic]

I think this was the first ride where I've ever been sweating before even getting on the bike.

DH and I were riding with "Team Boeing" - 3 other guys who he knows from work with whom we've done several training rides. This was the first RAMROD for each of us and we planned to try & pace ourselves, as we didn't quite know what to expect later on. We started riding around 5:10 am. Once we got moving and got the evaporation effect, the first 55ish miles up to the Ashford/Wildwood rest stop were downright pleasant.

I was disappointed this year that the route had to be altered to eliminate the climb to Paradise due to damage coming down Stevens Canyon (and even more so to learn that they were reopening the road THAT DAY, just not til evening.) The rider intro packet described the alternate route and had a statement something to the effect of "We think you will find Skate Creek Road a very pleasant place to ride..." NOT! The first 11 miles were fine, but the road for the last 9ish miles (all descending) was in terrible condition. Lots of holes, very uneven surface, and several places where there was no longer any asphalt - just stripes from maybe about 3 ft. wide to the largest of maybe 25 ft. wide across the road where the gap between the asphalt was filled with large gravel. Luckily there was good signage in those areas, and a volunteer parked before the first pit to tell us what to expect so that we could slow down in time. Too bad, because if the road had been smooth, that would have been a really fun descent.

By this time it had really started heating up. We did the little "warmup climb" to the food stop at mile 85-or-so, where we were given the ice-filled tube socks. Those are a terrific invention, and we are so grateful to the support team for providing them - they *really* helped keep us going for the climbs.

A few more miles, and then Cayuse Pass, which I'd always heard is an oven. As salsabike posted there was a little shade, but really only small spots to stop & rest - there was no part of the climb that had constant shade to ride in. According to my Garmin, it's a constant 6% grade over 8 or 9 miles, with one water stop a little past the halfway point. I have done climbs of objectively greater difficulty before, but subjectively, it felt like the hardest climb I've ever done. It was probably just a combination of the heat, not getting much sleep the night before, and having already put in a lot of miles. (Oh, and of having to ride on my heavier wheelset because one of my climbing wheels was damaged a few weeks ago.) DH was feeling strong though, and he actually beat me up Cayuse Pass and later Crystal too - that *never* happens! It's the first time this season that he's outclimbed me. I'm super-proud of him but I told him he better not get used to it.

The descent from Cayuse was a blast and we were down to the deli stop in no time. We filled up our now melted-out socks with new ice for the climb to Crystal. There was more shade on that climb. 3 miles of so of constant 6% grade, then it flattened out a bit, then went back to 5 or 6 % to the top. But the best part was knowing that it's all downhill from there!

The Crystal descent was in pretty good shape and you could feel the temperature rising as you went back down. Another deli stop, then off to battle the headwind and finish the ride. Although I was slower than usual climbing, I still felt pretty strong and I spent most of my time in front of the draft line on the way back. We were treated to one last super-smooth descent on Mud Mountain Dam road, then the finish line! And ice cream, which really hit the spot.

The scenery was nice, especially those "window" spots along the route where you catch a glimpse of Rainier. If I ever do this ride again (which I said yesterday I wouldn't, but today here I am already planning it out...) I hope it will be the standard route that climbs to Paradise. I think that route would be gorgeous.

Finally, we all really appreciated the efforts of the onsite volunteers and the crossing-guard policemen - it can't have been fun for any of them to be out in the heat all day, but they did, and they were quick to offer words of encouragement along with the food & water. We also appreciate the pre-ride volunteer work that went into coordinating the ride, especially given the extra supplies and new water stops. And the ice socks which saved the day! So, for those of you whose husbands or friends volunteered, please pass our thanks along to them!

[malaholic]

Hey! Salsabike, I just noticed, in the photo you posted, that is one of my group in the blue & white jersey in the background! cool. I like the sock on the head -it pretty much sums up how everyone felt.

[Biciclista]

wow, what a ride report!