It's was 4:15am on Saturday, July 13th, and Scott, my friend who I met on my coast-to-coast tour in 1998, and I are heading for the start line of STP (Seattle to Portland bike ride). Let first go back a day or so.
With almost 5000 miles of training and many long ride between 120 and 140 miles I was ready for STP. My best calculation, based on my training rides, indicated that we should finish the 200 (DC, Double Century) mile ride in 16h 30m. This time would not be good enough as the finish line closes at 9:00pm meaning we have only 16h 15m to make it. My previous DC's were all in the 16h 30m range and were in 1970s when I was in my 30's. Now 66 I was wondering if I was biting off a little to much.
Sure we would still finish but it would be so great to cross the finish line when it was still open and it was light out. Of course there are many unknowns like, wind, rain, heat, flats, mechanical problems, crashes, and adrenaline. This last unknown is a very powerful one. Also all my training rides were solo and riding with someone could also make a positive difference.
On July 11th we, Lois and Samantha and TOB, headed for Seattle. Really Bainbridge Island since we would be staying at Scott's house. Arriving at 3pm, we knew that Scott would be home from work about 3:20 and his wife a little later, Sam and I headed for the back yard to introduce ourselves to Roco, the family dog. Not only was Roco happy to see us but Sam fell in love with him immediately.
Scott soon arrive, after introductions, we (Scott, Sam and TOB) headed off to explore the Island. First stop was a wonderful park with a playground that is beyond words. It was like a miniature village with all kind of thing for kids (and grown-ups a like) to explore. Then it was a hike along a trail in the forest which leads to the shore of Port Orchard (part of Puget Sound). With dinner only an hour or so away Scott took us into town for an ice cream cone. Sure it was not the best thing to do, with dinner so close, but it sure was fun, thanks Scott. We then visited the towns bike shop which was very well stocked.
Arriving back at the house Ann had just arrived home. Soon dinner was in the oven. By the way their two daughter's were away at camp. I met the girls in 1998 when they rode with their Dad coast-to-coast. At the time they were 13 and 15 years old. Ann rode the first week of this tour but had to return to work.
The next morning after breakfast Lois and Sam headed for home but would spend the night someplace long the way, just to have some fun. Scott and I took it easy by running some errands and just reminiscing about previous tours. Because the first ferry of the day (from Bainbridge to Seattle) is at 6am we would spend this night at one of Scott's friends house which is in Seattle and only 2 miles, down hill, to the STP start line. After a nice dinner out, we returned to Scott's friend's house. We spent a little time chatting before tuning in around 10pm, 4am comes very early.
About 8000 riders ride STP with around 1300 doing it in one day while the rest will take 2 days. For the two day riders it kind of a rolling party but for the one day riders it's heads down and go. Arriving at the start at 4:30am we made our way to the front of the crowd so we could be in the first wave off (wavers of riders were released every 10 minutes). The first 20 minutes (4:45am to 5:05am) is reserves for the one day riders only.
All to soon we heard the announcement that it was time to start. It was still on the dark side with cloud cover. The cloud cover was very welcome since the past week was very hot with temps in the 90's and even someplaces reaching over 100 degrees. I started in shorts and a windbreaker (a little mistake as it was warm). A nice touch was that each wave had a police escort to get us through the first few miles. It's really neat to blast through red lights and stop signs with a police escort.
We wound our way through the streets of Seattle and long Lake Washington before finding the open road. When I looked down at my bike-computer it read 17 to 20mph. Wow, we were flying. Our plan was to ride hard for the first 100 miles taking short stops for food and water which were at 25 mile intervals. Every 50 miles would be major food stops where we would make a little longer stop. The second 100 miles we would ride at a pace that was in tune to how we felt at that time. Once we jumped on the end of a passing pace-line and was riding at 20+mph for a short time. Most of the time we rode on our own and chatted.
Reaching the 100 mile mark I took a look at the time on my bike-computer at read 6h 11m (riding time). This is over 16mph. I had hoped to be around 14.5mph and then try to maintain this for the second 100 miles. All of a sudden it was getting possible to finish in the required time. I must say that Scott is a wonderful partner who encourage me an at times pulled me along. We still had the cloud cover and not much wind. The second 100 miles would have more hills and the wind could be a factor. All to soon we found the wind and it was in our face.
We continued riding on wonderful country roads through forest and along side farms. Now we had only 1300 rides with us as the rest of the riders were finding their motels, campsites and school gyms for the night. In the town of Winlock, WA. we rode pass the world's largest egg. Sure it was made from cement but still nice to see. When I have seen this egg in the past it was painted white but now it is painter like our flag, red, white and blue. Of course by now my windbreaker was packed away and I was wearing my new bike jersey that Lois gave me for my birthday. It was also red, white, and blue. Red and white stripes along the bottom and a blue top with stars. Pretty cool.
Our average speed was beginning to drop due to the wind but we were still on course to finish in a good time. Up over the Longview Bridge we rode. This bridge is very long and steep with NO shoulder and lots of traffic. It's only one lane in each direction so you have to be careful. The next day the two day riders would be escort across this bridge in groups, but for us "hard bodies" we would be on our own.
Now we were in Oregon and only 47 miles from the finish. For me I was home and I knew that I would finish. The wind now turned into a tailwind. The wind was coming from the West (up the Columbia River) and once it reach this open river valley it went in two directions. North towards Seattle (our headwind) and south towards Portland (our tailwind). It was well worth the headwind we had to enjoy a tailwind we now have.
We were beginning to pass other riders who seem to have run out of steam. Yes, they would finish. Scott and I both felt good and were cruising along in the 15 to 18mph range. Up and down the rolling hills we rode with the Willamette River on our left side. It was now sunny and warmer but since we had hills on our right side they blocked most of the sun. We made one quick stop in St. Helens, at the Safeway, for some chocolate milk which would give us the required energy to finish. As you all know chocolate is go power.
The miles seem to fly by as I know this section of road very well and the landmarks passed by one by one. Then there it was the St. John's Bridge and our last climb. This bridge has two lanes in each direction and one of the East bound lanes was closed to traffic and only open to the riders. Once over the bridge it was a great and fast downhill to the finish line in Cathedral Park on the banks of the Willamette River. Wow, we made it and it was only 7:30pm. We receiver our finisher patch which read "One Day Rider" on it, a nice touch. It was hugs and high 5's for a job well done. Now for the stats:
Miles = 200
first 100 miles = 6h 11m
second 100 miles = 6h 47m
total riding time =12h 58m
average speed = 15.4mph
total elapsed time = 14h 45m
flat tires = 0 (there were a lot of flats that others had)
Could it be Adrenaline or Training? Or is it having a great riding partner?
Or as Scott said "you get better with age like a fine bottle of wine."
I had beaten my previous best total DC time by 1h 45m. The first 100 miles was my second lifetime fastest. I did 100 miles in 5h 49m on the coast-to-coast tour but it was with a good tailwind. I still count it because I was fully loaded with touring gear at the time. Both are great records for me.
Lois and Ann showed up and we all had dinner at the in the park (there were concession stands).
Soon it was time to say good-bye to my riding partner and our wonderful hosts and head in our different directions.
Thanks Scott for a great ride.
How do I feel today (Sunday)? Really great. No sore mussels, aches or pains and my seat is happy (if one can have a happy seat).