Days 1 and 2!

I've finished two days of the Big Ride!!!

Day 1 (yesterday) - Seattle, WA to Easton, WA - 95.2 miles, 7:42I got to the start line at the UW by 6:30 am. I loaded my bags on the truck, took pictures, and watched the other big riders arrive. At about 7:00 we left, pedaling north along the Burke-Gilman trail. Mike rode with us, and Pat joined us a little ways north. They rode with Barb and I until Marymoor Park. (Mike's on the left. Pat's on the right.)


Once we left Marymoor, Barb, Clifford (from Arkansas), and I took the scenic route (AKA we got lost). Instead of following the route, we ended up riding along Lake Sammamish to Issaquah. From there we took I-90 eastbound for awhile, until Sharon (ALAW staff) guided the poor lost souls back to the real route. Fortunately, we only went an extra 3 or so miles. It could've been worse.

Then, it was time to scale Snoqualmie Pass. For those who know Vancouver, it's not any steeper than Lakeshore, but it goes on and on forever! At exit 47, we were able to get off the freeway and ride Denny Creek Road to the summit. I rode with Tracy (from North Carolina) for this part of the ride. There was snow alongside the road, which wound up through the forest. Beautiful!
Lake Keechelus is just east of the summit, and I remembered how pretty it was from when I used to drive over the pass to Whitman. It's even more beautiful when seen on two wheels.


After the summit, it was a mostly level or downhill ride to Easton. We camped at Lake Easton State Park, which is nice, but VERY close to I-90. Those truckers must never sleep!



Day 2 (today) - Easton, WA to Vantage, WA - 74.7 miles, 5:20

5:00 comes awfully early, but I was up and ready to go. After I packed up my tent, it was off to the "kitchen" for some oatmeal, milk, hardboiled egg, and bagel and cream cheese. After loading my bags on the truck, Barb and I headed east.

Most of the early part of the day was flat or downhill. There was one short steep hill between Easton and Cle Elum, and my thighs were complaining. "We worked hard yesterday! What's up with this?"

It was beautiful, though.

After riding through Cle Elum, we got on SR 10 to Ellensburg. If you ever are driving east along I-90, get off and take this road. You won't be disappointed.One nice thing about this ride is how they take care of us. There are 4 support people in three vehicles. They set up two or three checkpoints along the route, sometimes just long the side of the road, where they provide water, gatorade, and snacks. They also check off who's been there, so that they know where everyone is. It's nice.

The only rough part of the ride was between Ellensburg and Vantage. It was a slow uphill for me (Barb raced well ahead of me), then a fast, long, scary downhill. I don't like going fast, and all I can think of, when I'm going above 30 mph, is, "Man, it would hurt if I fell!"

Tonight we're camping at a nice place in Vantage, and there's a view of the bridge and hill that we'll be crossing tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone for all the positive comments and support. It's great to read those.

So far, this ride has been wonderful. Everyone is so nice, the weather has been perfect, the hills haven't been too steep, and I can really see that it's going to be a great adventure!