Day 2 - Vallejo, CA to Sacramento, CA

Wow. If this ride gets better each day like it has so far, I'll need a twin to help me handle the excitement! Our day began with breakfast at our hotel with scattered clouds but some sun beginning to break through. Gerard, our ride leader extraordinaire, offered to take anyone interested on a slightly off-route visit to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, CA. I was game. As an avid watcher of the Food Network, I love to learn how my favorite foods are made. Jelly Bellies were no exception. Most of the riders took off after luggage was loaded around 7:30. About eight of us joined Gerard and left at 8.


We followed the route north out of Vallejo. The first point of interest was the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom park about 2.5 miles north of our hotel. This would have been a fine SAG stop, but no time for roller coaster rides today. We continued on and were met with a good steady climb. Nothing at all like our big climb right out of the gate yesterday, but it was enough to warm us up.


Our route had us climbing out of American Canyon and over to I-80. We paralleled I-80 along a frontage road that was more crackseal than asphalt. At one point, we had to crawl under a fence/gate and hoist our bikes over. Watching men and women in their 70s crawling under a fence in biking gear is... well... click on the photos link and see for yourself. It's wildly entertaining!


The hills of Napa and Sonoma were now in the distance as we navigated through small communities like Cordelia, Suisun, and Vacaville. Travis Air Force Base was nearby and I spotted a refueling jet landing on the horizon. We were nearing Fairfield and the Jelly Belly Factory. I quickly spotted the series of signs leading the way and we soon were pulling into the Visitor's Center with a bright red Jelly Belly logo emblazoned over the entrance. We parked the bikes and were among the first ones inside for the first tour of the day. Photography wasn't allowed on the tour, but we got to see the factory floor with machinery whirring away as jelly beans and other assorted candies were manufactured, sorted, boxed, and bagged. I honestly expected to see a bunch of Oompa Loompas appear and break out in song and dance during the tour! But no Oompa Loompas today.

We concluded the tour and visited the gift shop, which was expansive. My kids had placed their request for A&W Root Beer Jelly Bellies, so I made sure I got those. I also purchased a Jelly Belly cycling cap which was far less costly than the $90 cycling jersey three of the other riders bought. We left the Jelly Belly factory with our candies carefully stowed and pedaled onward.

Our route now took us through fertile farmlands. The roads were flat, straight, and easy to ride. We stair-stepped our way turning rights and lefts until we reached the small town of Dixon for our one and only SAG stop of the day. Judy, one of our staff members, had purchased strawberries. Mmmmm. They were gone in seconds.


We moved on and rode through the campus of UC Davis and then the college town of Davis itself. It felt just like all of my favorite college towns I've lived in or visited. Then, the stop we were all waiting for... In-N-Out Burger! I could have gone for the Double Double or Animal Style Fries, but I stayed safe and got a cheeseburger and vanilla shake. I earned it. So good. In fact, Sean, my British roommate, who had never had an In-N-Out Burger, just commented while I was typing this that it was the best burger he's ever had! So there. If you haven't eaten at In-N-Out, you're missing out.

After lunch, we hit a bike trail that paralleled I-80. Chris, a 50-something gentleman from Columbus, OH, got out in front and pulled while Leigh, a 42-yr old gal from Seattle, and I (we Seattleites stick together), pacelined behind. With another incredible tailwind, we were making amazing time and enjoying speeds of 20-23 mph. After exiting the bike path, I shouted to Chris our appreciation. I'll follow his wheel anytime!


Now we were in West Sacramento. Not the nicest part of town, but as soon as we got on the Tower Bridge and crossed the Sacramento River, we were in Sacramento and Old Town Sac. Old Town Sac is the kind of place I could spend an afternoon. The cobblestone streets, Old West style buildings, and boardwalks and museums cried out for me to wander around and explore. But, the hotel was just a mile or two away and the shower and clean clothes cried louder. We pulled into the Best Western, got the room key, and I washed off the 72 miles of sweat, grit and grime. Nice.

Tomorrow's ride is the short one. I got mixed up thinking today's route was the 51 miles. We'll ride along the American River northeast with a stop below Folsom Lake. From there we'll ride along the winding rolling Auburn-Folsom Road into Auburn. I plan to meet old friends from our church in Olympia, WA who now pastor in Orangevale. That will be a treat. Maybe I'll share some Jelly Bellies with them.

To view more photos from today, visit http://gallery.me.com/eternaldesign2/100073.

To learn more about the Ride for Impact, visit http://www.rideforimpact.org

Dist: 72.14
Time: 4:30:52
Avg: 16.00
Elev Gained: 1197 ft.
Max Elev: 543 ft.
Avg Climb: 3%
Max Climb: 13%

(BTW, how many of you are already placing bets that these posts get shorter as the days go on?)

Day 1 - San Francisco to Vallejo, CA

The dream has begun! Our first day of riding across the United States began early. The alarm awoke us at 5:00 a.m. We had a lot to do today. My roommate, Sean, is 29 and a doctor in London. Last night as we were headed to our beds, he remarked, in his British accent, "It feels like Christmas Eve!" But, when the alarm went off, our Christmas morning joy had somewhat faded. It was darn early!! We dressed, prepared our gear, and headed to breakfast. It's fun getting to know these other riders we'll be traveling with for the next 51 days. Following a hot breakfast in the hotel, we gathered our luggage and loaded it on the trailer. Gerard and Michelle, our ride leaders, gathered us around the front of the hotel and gave us our final instructions. We were going to ride as a group for the first handful of miles just to be safe and get us all going in the right direction.


Within the first three miles, we were already climbing a steep hill that had us breathing hard and standing on the pedals. A few of the less in shape riders were a bit shocked, but most of us took in stride and let the climb wake us up. At the top of the hill, we regrouped again and then we were cut loose to ride at our own pace. The day was beautiful with blue skies and a warm sun welcoming us on our ride. Our route took us from South San Francisco west toward Pacifica. We rode a portion of the morning along the San Andreas bike path and then took Hwy 35 toward the Pacific Ocean and the Great Highway parallel to the coastline. The Pacific was a brilliant blue. Seeing the waves crashing on the sand made me realize this dream was coming true.


We pulled into a parking lot above the wide strip of beachfront. Already many of our cyclists had removed their shoes and socks and were carrying their bikes across the sand to the water. I quickly joined them in this coast-to-coast cycling tradition. My roommate, Sean, took my camera and filmed my personal tire-dipping ceremony and took a few snapshots. It was a party atmosphere there in the cold water. Some riders had spouses, friends or family enjoying the scene with them. We walked back to the parking lot and gathered up for the official America By Bicycle group photo. A line of personal cameras had been placed on the sidewalk in front of the staff. After dozens of photos had been taken, we hit the road again. A block up the beach, we turned east and rode through downtown San Francisco streets. It was a quiet Sunday morning with only a few cars on the streets.

Our next turn brought us into The Presidio of San Francisco. Old barracks buildings and green lawns dotted the twisting roads as we worked our way north to the Golden Gate Bridge. Cyclists ride the east side (or Bay side) of the bridge on weekdays and ride the ocean side of the bridge on weekends. We hit the bridge deck and gazed upward at the tall orange-red towers looming above us. This was actually my third time cycling across the GGB, but I enjoyed it just as much as those riding it for the first time.


On the north end of the bridge, we pulled into a viewpoint where our first SAG stop was. SAG stands for Support and Gear. In short, it's a cyclist's rest stop. Our van driver sets up a snack table, pulls out the water jug, and we check in. This was also a great opportunity for scenic photos and portraits with the skyline and bridge as our backdrop.

Leaving the SAG, we dropped down from the highway into Sausalito. This trendy bay town is lively with tourists, storefronts, and more cyclists. It's the cute kind of town you could easily spend an afternoon in. But, we rode through imbibing the scents wafting from bakeries and restaurants serving breakfast. We continued northward on the San Francisco Bay Trail and then rode through small towns like Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Bon Air. I noticed more than a handful of plastic surgery centers. If you need "work done," this is your neck of the woods!


Our next point of interest was the entrance to San Quentin California State Prison. It must be a popular place to visit as they had guards posted and some serious fence to keep us onlookers out. (Or maybe they were trying to keep someone in... just not sure.) Although they offered three squares and a bed, all on the state's dime, I was glad this wasn't our overnight accommodations.


We continued north through San Rafael, Ignacio, and Bel Marin Keys. Our second rest stop was at a gas station. I was in the front half of the group so it was as good of a place as any to rest for a bit and take some time to fuel up. Leaving the SAG, we got on a bike trail and some side streets. I noticed a deer in the brush on the side of the road and then right after spotted several vultures soaring overhead. They might have been eyeing us for an easy lunch, but I wasn't going to give them the chance. We pressed on.



Soon we were on Highway 37. We would be on this stretch of asphalt for a solid 20 miles. The traffic was fast, but the road was good and by God's graces we had a tailwind. This was a great place to stretch the legs and fly for awhile. The scenery wasn't much, but the miles were flying quickly. By mid afternoon, I had reached the Vallejo city limits. Coming off of the highway and into Vallejo, three or four other cyclists caught up and we rode into Vallejo together. Three of us had been riding for some time when I thought to check the map and double check with my iPhone's GPS. Yep, we had overshot our turn and were now ten blocks south of where we should be. Oh well. As I learned two summer's ago, "more miles... better stories!"

We doubled back and found our street. Just a handful of blocks to go and we were at our hotel. As I entered the lobby, I could sense the smiles on the other riders' faces before I saw them. This was a great first day of riding! We had made it safely to town with most of us in one piece.

Unfortunately, there were a couple of slight crashes and one serious incident. Rick, a 50-something rider from New Jersey, had hit a small pavement reflector, bounced into a car, and then dumped his bike on the side of the road. We learned at the end of the day he had separated his shoulder and would not be able to ride for 6 to 8 weeks. After our evening "route rap", he invited anyone interested to stay around for a prayer for the ride—not because of what happened, but because that's who he is. I stayed and he shared with about a dozen of us that if what he experienced today would help us to stay focused and avoid a crash or injury or worse, then that was worthwhile. He prayed for our protection, safety, and for other motorists to see us, and for the remainder of our ride to be without incident. We shook hands and headed to our rooms. Hopefully Rick will rejoin us before the ride ends. For me, I received his guidance and prayers and will continue to err on the side of caution. There but for the grace of God go I. And I'm exceedingly thankful for His grace indeed!

Tomorrow's route will take us to Sacramento. It's a short day of 51 miles with the option of visiting the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield. I like jelly beans. I think I might have to take that in!

Overheard today: In the van ride back from dinner, Ed experienced a sharp leg cramp. Carole said, "You should drink pickle juice!" Ed replied, "I'd rather have the cramp!"

View more photos from today at http://gallery.me.com/eternaldesign2/100065

Learn more about the Ride for Impact at http://www.rideforimpact.org.

Dist: 74.1
Time: 6:41:27
Avg: 14.0
Elev Gain: 3522 ft
Max Elev: 682 ft.
Avg Climb: 3%
Max Climb: 12%

Day 0 - the Ride for Impact - San Francisco, CA

Today, 28 cyclists from across the country and parts of the globe arrived in San Francisco, CA to be a part of the Cross Country Challenge by America by Bicycle. My dream for the last six years is unfolding right before my eyes!

Our group is a varied bunch ranging in age from 29 to mid-70s. They are from all over the U.S. as well as from London, UK (my roommate), Switzerland, and Ethiopia! After flying from Seattle to San Francisco (which I do believe will be the easiest miles of this adventure!), I arrived at the hotel with boxed bike and luggage. First stop was my room to unload and then the third floor function room to check-in and have the team mechanic unbox and rebuild my bike. In addition to the myriad of paperwork to sign and read, I received an ABB jersey, hat, and button with my name on it to wear or affix to my bike bag. That way each of the other riders can say "Hi" when they're passing me on a hill! (Or maybe I'll be saying hi to them...)

From 3 to 6 pm, we had our orientation and meet-and-greet. We discussed all the rules of the road and the ins and outs of cycling with America by Bicycle. They are a well-organized group with five staff members who will be either cycling with us or driving the two support vans. We discussed our 73-mile route for Day 1, which will include riding to the Pacific Ocean for a wheel dipping ceremony (tradition among coast-to-coast cyclists), riding over the Golden Gate Bridge, touring through Sausalito, riding around the north end of the Bay, and arriving in Vallejo, CA on Sunday night.


Following the orientation, we headed to the next-door Sizzler where all 28 of us filled a long center table and filled up on steak or chicken. The highlight of the evening was swapping stories with our new friends and learning about each other, where we were from, and what we were looking forward to the most.

Our day begins awfully early tomorrow. Breakfast is at 5 and we hit the road around 6:15. For a 73-mile day, that seems far too early, but once we hit the sandy beach at the ocean, I suspect there might be some lingering in the sun.

More tales to tell tomorrow. But for now, I'm still in awe that I'm about to begin this amazing journey! Thank you again for your prayers, support, and well-wishes! See you in Vallejo tomorrow!

Prayers for the Ride for Impact

On the weekend of May 30-31, I was honored to be introduced in our weekend services at Eastside Foursquare Church as the congregation prayed for my upcoming Ride for Impact cross-country cycling tour of the United States. Pastor Matt Messner introduces me in this clip from the 9 a.m. service. Thank you all of my friends, family, and church who are praying for me on each day of this 3800-mile adventure! God bless each of you!

The Five Trails Ride--It's Like Sight-Seeing Seattle By Bike

For my last ride I would lead before taking on the "Ride For Impact" Cross-Country tour across the United States, I chose to lead my favorite ride, "The Five Trails Ride." This ride is so-named because it takes riders on five regional trails in King County: I-90 Trail, Alki Trail, Duwamish Trail, Elliott Bay Trail, and the Burke-Gilman Trail. It's like spending a day sight-seeing Greater Seattle on your bike.

We gathered as we usually do at Eastside Foursquare Church for a brief devotional and prayer. Today, however, I was the focus of much of that prayer as my friends and fellow riders prayed for my safety, protection, and health on my upcoming cross-country ride. We departed and headed south. When we reached Carillon Point in Kirkland, we turned right up a good warm-up hill that takes us to Yarrow Bay Point and Clyde Hill. The regulars among us didn't grown quite as much as they usually do. I really like this route through the nicer neighborhoods of Bellevue. We chatted as we rode through Medina and then into Old Town Bellevue. A man hollering to advertise a community car wash outside the Chevron barked at us to get our bikes washed. "It's not dirty!" I exclaimed. "If it's not dirty, you aren't riding it enough!" he replied. Hmmm... Good point, I smiled to myself. I think it will be plenty dirty in a few weeks when I'm halfway across Colorado.


We turned south and I took my group to our second hard climb, but one that dwarfs the first one. Mike commented that last time I took him up this hill, he had to walk his bike. No walking today. We all got to the summit, breathing hard, but at the summit nonetheless. The fast descent takes us down and back up and down again through Beaux Arts. If you've lived near Bellevue but have never driven or biked through Beaux Arts, I highly recommend it. It's a beautifully wooded community overlooking Lake Washington and the East Channel. We exited Beaux Arts and got on our first regional trail, the I-90 trail (#1).


The I-90 trail takes you across Mercer Island and then into Seattle. The weather was warm and sunny as we rode on the floating bridge and then up to the I-90 Bike Tunnel. This tunnel runs directly above the I-90 car traffic but you would never know by how quiet it is. Halfway through the tunnel, Tenille slipped and fell. No reason really. She just brought down the bike and then got back up again. "Good thing that's done," I commented. "Now you won't have to fall for the rest of the day!"


Our route now took us through South Seattle and SODO (South of Downtown) near Safeco Field and the Starbucks headquarters. We turned west and got on the Alki Trail (#2) past men fishing on the pier near the Port of Seattle and then up and over the West Seattle bridge ( the lower one... that other one is way too high!). As we neared our turn into Alki, Dale got a flat. We positioned our bikes where he would be out of the way and he quickly went about changing his tire. Then we were off again.



West Seattle and Alki is an amazing place. It's the closest thing Seattle has to an honest beach. Today, plenty of families were out walking their dogs, riding their bikes or jogging along the waterfront. The Alki Beach Volleyball Association was in full force with bikinied players setting, digging, and spiking. We stopped at our traditional Tully's for coffee, pastries, and relaxation. What a great place to rest in the sunlight and enjoy good conversation.

As we left Tully's, we headed west around Alki Point and then turned south towards the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal. Our route now included a few hills as we climbed up and over West Seattle and White Center. Rob explained how years ago this area gained the nickname "Rat City." It had to do with the abundance of rats. Hmmm. You think?

We droppped down a screaming descent onto the Duwamish Trail (#3). At the bottom, Mike remarked how his brakes were smoking. Jim commented on how much he loves that downhill. I believe in the biblical principle Paul taught in 2 Cor. 9:6 about "sowing and reaping." Downhills are what we reap after climbing all those uphills. We reaped good on this one!

The Duwamish Trail takes us back north to the Alki Trail where we retrace our path back to Elliott Bay. As we rode along the Elliott Bay trail (#4), we passed a guy playing electric guitar. He was next to the train tracks, standing near some bushes. As we got closer, we could hear him clearly and then I saw why. He didn't have one amp. He had four. He was performing for no one but himself and whoever drove by, including the trains. He made me consider how many parents probably wished their electric-guitar-playing-kids would go outside and play guitar by the railroad tracks. Maybe that's how he got here.

We rode along the Seattle waterfront and saw tourists checking out Seattle, probably disembarked from one of the many cruise ships in port today. When we stopped at a restroom along the Elliott Bay trail, I could see a few more cruise ships at the newer cruise terminal north of us. I decided then and there that if I could combine my love for cycling with my (and my wife's) passion for cruising, I'd really have something. Keep your eyes open for any cycling-cruising tours for me, will ya?


Our route took us towards Discovery Park where I slipped through a neighborhood to one of the best surprises along this ride. Through this neighborhood, there's a hidden trail in the woods with a bridge that crosses railroad tracks. It's bumpy, but charming. When you exit, you are directly south of the Ballard Locks.

We then walked through the Ballard Locks, taking great attention to the posted sign informing us that riding our bikes through the Locks would result in a $75 fine. After crossing the waterways loaded with pleasure crafts and small boats, we remounted our bikes and rode through Ballard and onto our fifth and final trail, the Burke-Gilman (#5).

Our remaining miles back to the Eastside were a bit faster but just as pleasant as those leading up to them. The B-G was filled with other cyclists, some families with kids, but few pedestrians. Soon we were at the north end of Lake Washington riding through Lake Forest Park and then Kenmore where we took our final climb back up to Eastside Foursquare Church. Our ride ended and I said farewell to my fellow riders. The next time I would be cycling with them would be in August. But first, I had a 3800 mile adventure ahead of me. And that adventure was going to include far more than five trails!

Riders: Bob H., Mike, Rob, Cary, Brenda, Dale, Tenille, Jay

"7 Hills of Kirkland" - or - "How do you fit a Century in a Day?"

This is the benchmark ride. This is the ride that will determine if the training has been sufficient. This is the ride that tells me if I'm ready for 3800 miles over 52 days. It's the 7 Hills of Kirkland. One hundred miles of cycling over some of the toughest hills in Kirkland, Bothell, Redmond, and Duvall.

We began our day at the Kirkland Marina at 8:00 a.m. where I met up with Kristin and Bob, my riding partners for the day. I was also joined by Jay, who was riding with me for just an hour or two, and Brenda and Dale, who were taking the shorter 62-mile route. The morning was cold, but clear, and it looked to be a great day of riding.

After registering, getting our map, and praying with my friends, we headed north up Market Street Hill (210 ft.) There's no delay in getting to our first hill. It's right out of the gate and we're climbing. I chatted with Bob all the way up the hill, not really noticing the climb. That was a good sign.


We continued over Juanita Hill (285 ft.) and the harder Seminary Hill (455 ft.). It was on Seminary Hill that Bob joked with Dale that this was the hill that would make him reconsider the friends he had chosen... Cyclists that do hills like these. Jay was breathing hard as we climbed. I was breathing good and able to carry on a conversation. Another good sign.

The downhill into Kenmore is a fast one and the breeze felt good. The morning was warming up fast and so were we. Next, we climbed up the north side of Norway Hill (475 ft.) which is the tallest hill on the Eastside until we reached Redmond. At the bottom of Norway Hill, Jay departed and the rest of us continued on. We were just under 15 miles and had a full day ahead of us.


Our next hill to climb was Kingsgate (412 ft.) which led us right to the first rest stop of the day. Bob and I were riding together and we rejoined Kristin. Our stop was very brief. We rolled through the Kingsgate neighborhood and down the exhilarating descent on Brickyard Road. The downhills are hard-earned on this ride. We were about to pay up.

Winery Hill (390 ft.) is not highest, but it has to be the steepest. The grade is 14% in some places. As we turned up the incline, we made sure we dropped into our easiest gear. Breathing increased. Conversation abated. Climbing ensued. At the top of Winery Hill is an unusual sight. But you hear it long before you see it. A lone bagpiper is there every year playing his pipes while all the cyclists roll by.

Now we had a few miles of flat until we had to climb again. Education Hill (410 ft.) took us into Redmond. The day was now warm enough to remove vests and arm warmers. I was beginning to rethink wearing the over-the-knee knickers. They felt great at 8 a.m. but now two and half hours later, they weren't necessary. At least I had on a sleeveless jersey to keep me cool.

Bob D. and I spent the next handful of miles together chatting about my upcoming cross-country ride, his summer challenge on the Death Ride, and about our wives and families. I like good conversation during a long ride. It makes the miles go by more quickly, but moreover, it builds up friendships. Some of my best friendships have formed on cycling rides.


We were now climbing Union Hill (636 ft.) and had reached the Century / Metric Century cut-off. A Century is a 100-mile ride. A Metric Century is a 100-kilometer (62-mile) ride. If we turn left, we're committed to 60 more miles of riding. If we turn right, we reduce our remaining distance to just 22 miles. We turned left.


We reached our second food stop in the Carnation Valley, rejoined Kristin a second time, and enjoyed cold water, peanut butter and bagels, and oranges. Getting back on the bikes, we rode through Carnation and then towards Duvall. It was a beautiful day in the Carnation Valley. I've ridden this route so many times and yet I never tire of it. But the sightseeing had to be put on hold. It was time to climb Stillwater Hill (320 ft.). Stillwater is a long slog that never really ends. We had a headwind and very slight uphill all the way around Duvall until we were nearly at 60 miles and ready for our third food stop.


The halfway mark had been met and at mile 59.2 we stopped for more water, a small sandwich, and plenty of cookies. The heat was cooking now. But I didn't mind. I was feeling good and still had plenty of energy left for the remaining 40 miles. Our route took us over the Snohomish River valley and then north towards High Bridge Hill (291 ft.) The rolling rural roads run past farms, country homes, and wooded land. We turned south up Fales Road and I realized we were getting down to the last quarter of this thing. I think it's in the bag.

We now had to climb Maltby Hill (471 ft.), ride through the Woodinville Valley and then climb Education Hill a second time to reach our fourth and final food stop. I had been gapped by Bob and Kristin for a few miles and when I pulled into the rest stop, they were pulling out. I decided I needed a restroom and water more than my cycling companions so I chose to stop.

Now I was really regretting wearing these knickers. It wasn't unbearable, but it was definitely too warm for the 80 degrees I was riding in. I was back in Redmond riding through suburban neighborhoods now. The end was in sight. I climbed one last hill, Rose Hill ( 525 ft.), and was now in the home stretch with just 10 miles to go.


As I rolled back into Kirkland, I found Bob and Kristin who had finished just a few minutes ahead of me. We enjoyed the traditional 7 Hills strawberry shortcake and sat in the sun talking about the ride. I remarked how good I felt. I've done this ride before and after 100 miles, I usually have felt sapped. Not today. Today I felt good. Bob noticed and remarked about my upcoming cross-country ride, "Well, Bob, I think you're gonna do fine."

I think so, too.

Riders: Bob D., Bob H., Kristin
Dist: 101.14
Time: 6:45:26
Avg: 14.9
Max: 40.0
Elev Gained: 5896 ft.
Max Elev: 718 ft.
Avg Climb: 3%
Max Climb: 14%

"Climb Ev'ry Mountain!" with apologies to The Sound of Music

One of the toughest club rides we do is the "Issaquah Alps." This ride circumnavigates Cougar Mountain near Issaquah and includes three Cat 1 climbs. (Okay, I don't know if they would really qualify as Cat 1 climbs, but I like to pretend I'm contending for the polka dotted jersey when I'm on them!) The finale is "Zoo Hill" which is a solid three-mile winding climb past the Cougar Mountain Zoological Park. This was the bait that brought out today's contenders.


On this beautiful weekend, our group gathered at Eastside Church in Bothell, ready for a challenging day. We shared a short devotional and prayer, then hit the road. We had barely left the parking lot when David's bike emitted a loud "BANG!" We stopped to discover he had not merely blown a tube, he had a 4-inch gash in that tube! David started the stopwatch and changed his tube in record time. Warren rode back to the car and carried his floor pump over to David. Now, that's a cycling accessory... carry your floor pump with you and just tuck it in your jersey when you're done! Soon, we were riding south once again through Kirkland, Bellevue, and Newcastle. We turned east and began our first "breathing hard" climb to access May Valley Rd. This route along May Valley is on the south side of Cougar Mountain and is a fairly rural, rolling ride.


Our first warm-up climb is an up-and-back-down-again of 1000 ft. with portions that are a 16% grade! I told everyone this was an optional climb and they could wait at the bottom for our return. A few tentative faces looked around and someone muttered, "Are you going?" "Yes, I'm going up." I replied. Soon, the whole group acquiesced and each took the hill at their own pace with four of us summitting and enjoying the awesome view of Lake Washington. The ride back down is a screaming descent in which brake pads overheat and a stop sign greets us far too quickly.


We got back on May Valley Road heading east and took our first lengthy rest stop at Squak Mountain State Park for restrooms and rest. We took our group photo and upon reviewing the photo, I couldn't help but notice Tenille was standing a good three feet away from the rest of the guys! Here's the caption: "Stinky boys... I'll stand over here!"

Johnny had to leave our group after the rest stop and miss the most exciting climbs to come. We turned north on Issaquah-Hobart road and picked up our speed. It's a heavily travelled road, but it's fairly flat and straight and good for pacelining. I let Warren take the lead, tucked in behind him, and we cruised into Issaquah. At about this point, a few of the guys who had ridden this route before began to moan and groan. They knew where I was taking them. I turned left into a residential area that features two very short but severe climbs. More warm up. I grinned. "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger!" I thought to myself. But, the truth is that whatever doesn't kill you just wears you down so that the next thing will... That would be Zoo Hill.

After those intense neighborhood climbs, we dropped back down into Issaquah and stopped at a neighborhood ballfield for water. Then it was west toward "Zoo." This is the hill that defines you. It proves what you're made of. It separates the men from the boys, the cyclists from the bike riders, the athletes from the hobbyists, and... the sick and twisted from those who know better.


As we geared down and turned up the climb, I pulled out my iPhone. My fellow riders needed some encouragement. And I found the song I was looking for to do just the trick. I turned up the volume, popped the iPhone in my rear jersey pocket and passed my friends while playing "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from the Sound of Music. Warren sneared. Tenille laughed. Jim and Dave largely ignored me. I smiled. This was a great climb!

I reached the top, pulled out my camera and waited for my friends not far behind to capture them as the crested the summit. Jim and David were next, followed closely by Warren and then Tenille. Everyone made it up! Now, it was time for a sweet, screaming descent to Factoria for Starbucks!


We relaxed in the mid-afternoon sun enjoying our iced lattes and mochas and congratulating each other on an intense ride. All we had to do now was enjoy the last 12 miles back to EFC and call it a day. Zoo Hill had not defeated us. Perhaps reminded us we were human--mere mortals--but we had climbed that mountain. At that was sweet music, indeed.

View a few more photos of our ride at: http://gallery.me.com/eternaldesign2/100049

Riders: Bob H, Warren, Jim, David, Tenille
Dist: 56.2
Time: 4:26:39
Avg: 13.2
Elev Gained: 4410 ft.
Max Elev: 1271 ft.
Avg Climb: 5%
Max Climb: 16%