Washington Ride Report, Snohomish, Goldbar, Index ride

I didn't have any solid plans going into my 3 day weekend other than logging around 180 miles on the bike. I started the weekend with a mountain bike ride at Tokul. The trails there were fun, although a bit more enduro oriented than I prefer on my hard tail. It was great so ride some new trials with friends (including the 4 legged friends). Between the 14 mile trail ride and riding to the park and carpool on the road, I logged 50 miles on the MTB. It was a hot 91 degrees as I took the road home but my body handled the heat fine. Always a concern for me ever since I had severe heat stroke in 2002. That day was 105. 

Saturday was the 4th and I joined a very large group at Snohomish Bicycle shop for a late morning ride. We spilt up into A and B group and then the rather large 30 or so rider A group split into several sub groups. Tim on his aero recumbent and Jeff, the road racer on the Starbucks team broke away early and, working with another road racer, John on the Audi cycling team up the climb, I was able to catch them, snagging a KOM on a 12 minute hill climb in the process. The 5 of us in the lead group then proceeded to haul ass the rest of the ride. It was a bit painful but fun. Glad my legs were up to it! 

The ride on the 5th of July ended up being a real treat. I wanted to get one more solid endurance ride in before the Seattle to Portland ride next weekend and Chad was up for guiding anyone willing out east off highway 2 past Goldbar and Index for a 70 mile out and back with about 4,000 vertical feet though some of the most scenic roads around. I went to bed before the fireworks around 10 pm to rest up for the crack of dawn start. I left on my bike from home in Snohomish at 6am for some bonous miles.

With the post fireworks smoke in the air and the sun rising, The three of us set off. 

This ride had some notable climbs on some of the most scenic and secluded roads I've been on in a very long time. 

To our delight, Index was far enough out that the air was clear enough for some great views. 

These are the same two rides who plan on riding STP with me in less than 10 hours (one day) so it was good to get some paceline time in. 

Chads front deraillure ran out of power before the mid point of the ride and I broke my chain.. But no flats! Another benefit of doing this ride ahead of STP. I replace my chain with a new Ultegra and Chad re-charged his batteries after the ride. Hopefully no more issues for STP!

Eventually we came to the end of the road, literally, and it was time to turn back.

The return was smooth sailing, other than Chads REAR deraillure also running out of power. He still kept coasting by me down the hills at 30+ mph! 

This ride was hard to beat and the three of us were a good pace match overall. I managed to squeak 100 miles out of the day before I was through with the temperature soaring past 90 degrees. My heart rate was running very low all day which means my body has had enough traing for a while. Time to rest up ahead of my longest single day on the bike yet, 206 miles next Saturday! Super excited for that. 

It was a 4th to remember!