SIR 2002 300 km Ride Report

SIR 2002 300 km Ride Report
Due to family and business conflicts, I had missed the 200 km, so I was surely not going to miss the 300 km. I stayed up the night before till 11PM and was up at 4AM for the drive to Bainbridge, but even with little sleep I was feeling quite chipper. The wind was howling in PT as I loaded the truck and when I got to the Hood Canal bridge I knew we'd be in for some serious adventure on this ride. I got to the Island at 6AM...too early, but it gave me time to ride around in the rain and warm up. I chatted with Ed Hustad for a bit and he loaned me some shoe covers which came in very handy later on! (Thanks Ed!) There were lots of riders at the start, all sufficiently equipped for nasty weather. I met two riders down from Victoria who were interested in seeing SIR's 300k course. Being from Vancouver Island, they have similar hilly routes...I wonder how this Hood Canal route compared? The skies were lighter now, and it began to clear as Bill Dussler sent us off at 7:02AM. I started off slowly, soon shedding some layers and saying hi to Max and Bob as they went past. I was determined to save some energy early, knowing that the last 80 km were the toughest. The temps soon climbed into the high 50's and soon there was shafts of sunlight beaming down as we cruised onto Little Valley Rd. I saw Mark Thomas fixing a flat and the camel was calmly eating in the coral as I went by. The south wind became very noticeable as we got near the Hood Canal bridge. In a moment there were a string of riders slowly making their way across, some riding, some walking and every so often a wave would crash over and send spray flying over the bridge deck. My main goal was to get over it as fast as possible and I passed a number of riders in my dash to the west side. It was a hairy section and later on found out that Ken Kreichman and his recumbent had gone down and he suffered a broken finger...thankfully, that was all, because the traffic and narrow lanes could have offered a much worse fate. Soon after taking the turn onto Paradise Rd. Tom Brett came up and we rode together up to the Hadlock control, just two guys on fixed gears enjoying the spring. It was a pleasant stretch and felt like we were on a nice tour! At the control (9:30AM), Tom opted for the QFC and I took the usual Texaco stop, grabbing some water and a turkey sandwich and getting out in under 5 minutes. The fast squad was already there and I knew I'd be seeing them somewhere down Center Rd. soon. A few headwinds, but with the rising temps and sunshine it was a nice stretch to Quilcene. Even though I ride these roads all the time, I still love them and have gotten to appreciate the fine massage quality of chipseal. In Quilcene at Peninsula Foods, I took a longer stop, chatting and removing layers for the long pull down 101 to Hoodsport. Terry, who had done the pre-ride was turning around to head back (I think he just wanted to ride the bridge again). I figured there would be lots of wind on the Canal and generally that was the case, but not as bad as I anticipated. Climbing Mt Walker was fairly easy and the trees gave some good shade on the way up. The Hood Canal views were wonderful as we came down at Whitney Point. I played tag with a number of riders all along the Canal and then saw a bunch of riders at the Eldon store, but decided to press on. The control at Hoodsport was just in time due to hunger and thirst and I grabbed a big British hoagie and some green tea and refilled my bottles. It was 1:30PM. To the southeast I could see a wall of black clouds that enveloped precisely where we were headed... Turning onto 106 to Union the weather started to turn, but we were shielded from the wind along here till Belfair. Tom and I were still riding together off and on and he decided to pick it up a notch, but I was content to save some energy. Tom is very good at time trial-style riding and can slowly pull away with apparent little effort. I couldn't have followed him if I'd wanted to! In Belfair I still had half a haogie and just grabbed some water and a chocolate Powerbar and headed to the control at Kay's Corner. I saw a slew of riders at the QFC in the rain as I passed onto North Shore Rd./SR 300. Now the rain had really picked up and I decided to just keep going and put on rain gear later. Within a couple km of the control I had to stop and put on my jacket and booties, one for warmth and two for visability. Kent whizzed by and asked if all was well and I motored after him at a distance. Everything was wet. My shorts were chafing and my jerseys were drenched, but I was so happy they were wool! As long as I kept riding I stayed warm.	Made it to control #4 at about 4:30PM while Kent was just heading out and Jan and Bill were sitting around chatting. Tom pulled up soon afterwards. We all enjoyed some treats that Bill had and Jan let us know that historically we were turning back the clock on geared bicycles as it was the early randonneurs who proclaimed that gears were the way when racers all were running fixed gears. It was baffling to him that we'd want to turn the clock back. He had a good point, as one of the great joys of freewheeling are downhills...and they're just not the same pedaling at 180rpm! After riding this stretch on fixed with Kent and Mark two weeks before, I felt good about getting through the "Tahuya Hills" or "Kitsap Alps" as they are known around here. A few struggles here and there, but with rain cascading down and no sound but rain hitting the trees all around it was rather magical. Tom came by at one point and then Jan, but I just kept a comfortable pace. After a bit I realized that my computer had died; while climbing a hill it said my current speed was 37 km and figured that wasn't right. I tried to fix it, but to no avail. Then I started hearing this sickening creaking and clanking sound every time I stood to climb a hill and thought my chain or hub were disintegrating...turns out it was just the two toe straps I use to hold my jacket on my Banana Bag had simply come undone and were smacking my fender. After that, it was just the sound of my breathing and the rain. At one point I looked back and saw Wayne's green vest and somehow may brain said "Green means go" I soon had this rush of energy and bolted for control #5 at Seabeck. Did I mention the rain? It was if the clouds were bursting with moisture and every square inch of atmosphere was inhabited by a water drop. I was breathing rain. Fortunately it was not too cold yet and I like inclement weather, so it was just a matter of keeping the pedals turning and getting to Seabeck. I finally made it around 7:00PM or so. Tom was already there and Peter and Wayne came in within minutes. Everyone was soaked from head to foot. The temps were dropping rapidly and darkness was coming soon, so after some battery changing and food, we all headed out together to battle the last few climbs before the finish. Last time I rode Anderson Hill and Olympic View Dr. I walked a few bits, but not this time. I was determined to ride them all and I did. Slowly mind you, but I did it. After 270 km I was thankful to have enough energy saved to feel pretty sprite for the last three hours and the four of us soon turned onto SR 3 and the dark rain storm. With the high speed traffic and spray and lights, my rain speckled glasses were of little use and I simply used instinct to stay within the wide lane. It was nice to cruise in at a good clip, but I kept looking out for junk and grates in the road...if there was every glass, I would have never seen it. After dropping onto SR 305 we noticed that Tom was not with us, but by then we could "smell the barn" and I just wanted to get some dry clothes on! At the parking lot, Ken Stagg was waiting and signed us all in, I made it by 9:30PM, 14.5 hours. On hour and 10 minutes slower than last year, but with a fixed, the rain and the wind, I felt really pleased. Wayne and Peter went to the terminal to warm up and wait for a ferry and Ken and I chatted for a bit before I started getting chilled and rode back up the hill to my truck. Some public nudity routine ensued in the mini-mall lot as I attempted to get on some dry clothes. I felt good and tired and enjoyed the drive home listening to the Stranglers play "Sweet Smell of Success". It was a fine day of riding! 193.75 miles (310 km) in 14:30 hours (overall average speed 13.36 mph/21.3 kph) SIR 300k Description/Route Sheet Lessons learned: Get a better fitting pair of gloves. On the steeper climbs my palms were getting worn raw from the abrating movement of wet loose gloves. Need to find a little plastic bag that covers my computer but isn't too tight to cause it to force moisture inside. Can't forget my front bag raincover, booties and fleece Gore-Tex cycling cap next time! Back to Randonneuring Stories
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SIR 2002 300 km Ride Report

Due to family and business conflicts, I had missed the 200 km, so I was surely not going to miss the 300 km. I stayed up the night before till 11PM and was up at 4AM for the drive to Bainbridge, but even with little sleep I was feeling quite chipper. The wind was howling in PT as I loaded the truck and when I got to the Hood Canal bridge I knew we'd be in for some serious adventure on this ride. I got to the Island at 6AM...too early, but it gave me time to ride around in the rain and warm up. I chatted with Ed Hustad for a bit and he loaned me some shoe covers which came in very handy later on! (Thanks Ed!)

There were lots of riders at the start, all sufficiently equipped for nasty weather. I met two riders down from Victoria who were interested in seeing SIR's 300k course. Being from Vancouver Island, they have similar hilly routes...I wonder how this Hood Canal route compared? The skies were lighter now, and it began to clear as Bill Dussler sent us off at 7:02AM.

I started off slowly, soon shedding some layers and saying hi to Max and Bob as they went past. I was determined to save some energy early, knowing that the last 80 km were the toughest. The temps soon climbed into the high 50's and soon there was shafts of sunlight beaming down as we cruised onto Little Valley Rd. I saw Mark Thomas fixing a flat and the camel was calmly eating in the coral as I went by. The south wind became very noticeable as we got near the Hood Canal bridge. In a moment there were a string of riders slowly making their way across, some riding, some walking and every so often a wave would crash over and send spray flying over the bridge deck. My main goal was to get over it as fast as possible and I passed a number of riders in my dash to the west side. It was a hairy section and later on found out that Ken Kreichman and his recumbent had gone down and he suffered a broken finger...thankfully, that was all, because the traffic and narrow lanes could have offered a much worse fate.

Soon after taking the turn onto Paradise Rd. Tom Brett came up and we rode together up to the Hadlock control, just two guys on fixed gears enjoying the spring. It was a pleasant stretch and felt like we were on a nice tour! At the control (9:30AM), Tom opted for the QFC and I took the usual Texaco stop, grabbing some water and a turkey sandwich and getting out in under 5 minutes. The fast squad was already there and I knew I'd be seeing them somewhere down Center Rd. soon. A few headwinds, but with the rising temps and sunshine it was a nice stretch to Quilcene. Even though I ride these roads all the time, I still love them and have gotten to appreciate the fine massage quality of chipseal.

In Quilcene at Peninsula Foods, I took a longer stop, chatting and removing layers for the long pull down 101 to Hoodsport. Terry, who had done the pre-ride was turning around to head back (I think he just wanted to ride the bridge again). I figured there would be lots of wind on the Canal and generally that was the case, but not as bad as I anticipated. Climbing Mt Walker was fairly easy and the trees gave some good shade on the way up. The Hood Canal views were wonderful as we came down at Whitney Point. I played tag with a number of riders all along the Canal and then saw a bunch of riders at the Eldon store, but decided to press on. The control at Hoodsport was just in time due to hunger and thirst and I grabbed a big British hoagie and some green tea and refilled my bottles. It was 1:30PM. To the southeast I could see a wall of black clouds that enveloped precisely where we were headed...

Turning onto 106 to Union the weather started to turn, but we were shielded from the wind along here till Belfair. Tom and I were still riding together off and on and he decided to pick it up a notch, but I was content to save some energy. Tom is very good at time trial-style riding and can slowly pull away with apparent little effort. I couldn't have followed him if I'd wanted to!

In Belfair I still had half a haogie and just grabbed some water and a chocolate Powerbar and headed to the control at Kay's Corner. I saw a slew of riders at the QFC in the rain as I passed onto North Shore Rd./SR 300. Now the rain had really picked up and I decided to just keep going and put on rain gear later. Within a couple km of the control I had to stop and put on my jacket and booties, one for warmth and two for visability. Kent whizzed by and asked if all was well and I motored after him at a distance. Everything was wet. My shorts were chafing and my jerseys were drenched, but I was so happy they were wool! As long as I kept riding I stayed warm.

Made it to control #4 at about 4:30PM while Kent was just heading out and Jan and Bill were sitting around chatting. Tom pulled up soon afterwards. We all enjoyed some treats that Bill had and Jan let us know that historically we were turning back the clock on geared bicycles as it was the early randonneurs who proclaimed that gears were the way when racers all were running fixed gears. It was baffling to him that we'd want to turn the clock back. He had a good point, as one of the great joys of freewheeling are downhills...and they're just not the same pedaling at 180rpm!

After riding this stretch on fixed with Kent and Mark two weeks before, I felt good about getting through the "Tahuya Hills" or "Kitsap Alps" as they are known around here. A few struggles here and there, but with rain cascading down and no sound but rain hitting the trees all around it was rather magical. Tom came by at one point and then Jan, but I just kept a comfortable pace. After a bit I realized that my computer had died; while climbing a hill it said my current speed was 37 km and figured that wasn't right. I tried to fix it, but to no avail. Then I started hearing this sickening creaking and clanking sound every time I stood to climb a hill and thought my chain or hub were disintegrating...turns out it was just the two toe straps I use to hold my jacket on my Banana Bag had simply come undone and were smacking my fender. After that, it was just the sound of my breathing and the rain. At one point I looked back and saw Wayne's green vest and somehow may brain said "Green means go" I soon had this rush of energy and bolted for control #5 at Seabeck.

Did I mention the rain? It was if the clouds were bursting with moisture and every square inch of atmosphere was inhabited by a water drop. I was breathing rain. Fortunately it was not too cold yet and I like inclement weather, so it was just a matter of keeping the pedals turning and getting to Seabeck. I finally made it around 7:00PM or so. Tom was already there and Peter and Wayne came in within minutes. Everyone was soaked from head to foot. The temps were dropping rapidly and darkness was coming soon, so after some battery changing and food, we all headed out together to battle the last few climbs before the finish.

Last time I rode Anderson Hill and Olympic View Dr. I walked a few bits, but not this time. I was determined to ride them all and I did. Slowly mind you, but I did it. After 270 km I was thankful to have enough energy saved to feel pretty sprite for the last three hours and the four of us soon turned onto SR 3 and the dark rain storm. With the high speed traffic and spray and lights, my rain speckled glasses were of little use and I simply used instinct to stay within the wide lane. It was nice to cruise in at a good clip, but I kept looking out for junk and grates in the road...if there was every glass, I would have never seen it. After dropping onto SR 305 we noticed that Tom was not with us, but by then we could "smell the barn" and I just wanted to get some dry clothes on!

At the parking lot, Ken Stagg was waiting and signed us all in, I made it by 9:30PM, 14.5 hours. On hour and 10 minutes slower than last year, but with a fixed, the rain and the wind, I felt really pleased. Wayne and Peter went to the terminal to warm up and wait for a ferry and Ken and I chatted for a bit before I started getting chilled and rode back up the hill to my truck. Some public nudity routine ensued in the mini-mall lot as I attempted to get on some dry clothes. I felt good and tired and enjoyed the drive home listening to the Stranglers play "Sweet Smell of Success".

It was a fine day of riding!

193.75 miles (310 km) in 14:30 hours (overall average speed 13.36 mph/21.3 kph)
SIR 300k Description/Route Sheet

Lessons learned: Get a better fitting pair of gloves. On the steeper climbs my palms were getting worn raw from the abrating movement of wet loose gloves. Need to find a little plastic bag that covers my computer but isn't too tight to cause it to force moisture inside. Can't forget my front bag raincover, booties and fleece Gore-Tex cycling cap next time!

Back to Randonneuring Stories

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