Author: James

I rode out along the west side of the river to Lake Chelan with most of the group. We had a double paceline going into the wind which made good time. Then we fragmented once we turned into Navarre Coulee road for a nice climb on quiet roads up to the lake. I arrived there over an hour ahead of schedule, for meeting Susan and the kids, so pottered around at the SIR food stop for a while until they arrived. Then headed into a nearby campground with a play area for the kids to run around and explore.

Eventually left to ride back by myself along the way I’d come. Unlike last year, this year I actually had a tailwind all the way back which made the ride much more pleasant than the slog at the end of the 200K last year.

All in all, a good way to end 4 days of riding in the sun.

Lake Chelan

Mileage: 76 miles

Average Speed: 15.8 mph

Elevation Gain: 3860 ft

A shorter day today as we were all going to go to the carnival in the afternoon. I followed the same route up Badger Mountain that I rode last year (after omitting a 20 mile loop at the start before the main climb).

Susan and the kids met me near the summit and then we all spent some time hanging out at the top before a speedy descent back down to the Inn.

Near the summit

At the summit

Mileage: 52 miles

Average Speed: 12.3 mph

Elevation Gain: 5558 ft

All of the group were heading out on the same route today and we picked up speed taking advantage of a light tail wind (and Chris Ragsdale pulling the group along). I was on my regular road bike today which made sticking with the group easier. Gradually the lead group whittled down as we kept going at about 25mph.

Once it was down to 5 people I got dropped on a hill and settled down to riding with a couple of other people as they caught up and we formed a second group. Legs felt good up the first main hill but felt the distinctive feel of a rear puncture towards the top. Stopped and took a while to fix it only to get on my bike and ride around the corner to find the SIR support stop nearer than expected. Would have walked up and fixed it there if I’d known!

Thankfully that was my lot of punctures over for the trip.

Had a nice long climb up Stemilt road and then decided to do the “bonus” climb up the Mission Ridge ski area to test the legs. That climb was reminiscent of Mt. Baker, except at a steady 10% rather than 6% grade. Then it was all downhill back to the Inn and a nice Italian dinner.

Mileage: 78 miles

Average Speed: 11.7 mph

Elevation Gain: 9631 ft

I rode my fixed gear for its first extended ride (I’d ridden it a couple times commuting last week). I don’t have clipless pedals for it yet so I was braking more than should be necessary on the down hills and had a hard time staying with the group on the descents. As the bike will only go as fast as my legs will go around and I didn’t really want my feet coming off the pedals and getting hit by the pedal continuing its rotation I kept it at around 25mph max.

It was a pleasant enough ride and the bike handled well on the climbs. It was an out and back route and there was a really strong headwind coming back which was a bit of a slog. You know it’s a strong wind when you’re going downhill, standing, and only doing about 8 mph.

5 miles from the finish back at the hotel there was a loud clattering from my back wheel and I stopped to investigate. I’d run over a large nail which had gotten jammed between my tire and brake and torn my tire side wall.

I got the wheel off and booted the tire with a dollar bill (with the help of Steve holding my bike while I worked and providing morale support). It all held together to get me back to the Inn and the end of a successful first day.

Faster than the girls, just …

Mileage: 61 miles

Average Speed:14 mph

Elevation Gain: 4162 ft

Today it rained, snowed and shined (multiple times) but we still made it up to the school for a couple hours of bike riding practice. This time Caitlin got one of the smaller bikes as well and gave it a try without the pedals. She quickly wanted the pedals back on as she felt that would be easier but by the end was practicing gliding with them off again.

Ashley’s gliding really came along and she had a brief try with pedals on. She went for the best part of 2 hours and was enjoying herself for the whole time (had to be dragged away). Tuesday, the next session, should see the breakthrough to actual pedaling!

Ashley on bike

Caitlin on bike

Dad on bike

Helping Caitlin

Ashley solo

The pedals go back on!