RAMROD

I made my way up north to participate in RAMROD (Ride Around Mt Rainier in One Day). It was my first time to take part in this event, though I did go up a few weeks ago and ride the route. Today was a much easier ride. I completed the route in 4 hours less time than when I rode it earlier. Fewer stops, shorter stops, and a faster pace all made shaving time off easy. It was not all about going faster though, I did still stop when photo opportunities presented themselves.

We had followed the Nisqually River for most of the first half of RAMROD

Reflection Lakes, these were completely frozen two weeks ago!

Looking at the Stevens Canyon descent

 

at mile 113 we were treated to deli sandwiches made to order

and if you think that cyclists are nuts, wait until you see this!   I ran across a guy running along the highway with a croquet mallet.  The sign on his back read "C.A.M.R.O.D-Croquet Around Mt Rainier in One Day"

I 

It seems that he has been doing this for about 15 years. He runs long miles, though not really around Mt Rainier, and carries a croquet mallet.  He has a buddy that drives up the road, carrying food and water for him, and placing wickets and a ball in strategic locations,

Our intrepid croqueter taps the ball through the wicket, grabs some food and water and continues running up the road to the next wicket. 

As odd is this might seem, what got me was that some buddies didn't join him. It is one of those things that you'd think would just snowball, most likely over a beer some evening.

The bike worked flawlessly today.  Thanks so much to Mike Olson, at Olson's Bicycles in Forest Grove for making time for me, and getting the bike all dialed in. If you are ever in Forest Grove, stop by the shop and say howdy and let Mike know that Kevin says hello too!  

  ........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total Today.......152..............0..............0..........0...........152 Jan.........105.............34.............0..........0..........139 Feb.........428............108.............0.........24..........536 March.......809..............0.............0.........22............831 April.........1010..............0.............0..........0.........1010 May..........1000..............0.............20..........0.......1020 June..........1500...............0...............0............0.....1500 July...........1384...............0................0............0......1384 YTD........6217............142............20.........46.........6425