But the best news about my particular journey is that my new cycling shorts saved the day. I actually bought them before last year’s ride, but decided at the last moment that the new style of padding in them felt too bulky and unfamiliar, so I opted to wear my “tried and true” shorts for the first day of riding. Big mistake. The last couple of hours per day of last year’s ride were VERY uncomfortable; so much so that I really increased the amount and duration of my training rides this year just in an attempt to get in more saddle time. Rule number one of long distance riding really is to become one with your saddle. And I would imagine it’s much the same story with horse back riding. A saddle is a saddle, after all. Had I only known it’s all about the shorts, I could have backed off a bit on long duration rides.
The weather cooperated as well, for Saturday at least. A bright blue sky greeted us at Guildford Mall in Surrey. It was actually quite hot while we were corralled at the border waiting to enter the USA. In terms of temperature it was typical Pacific Northwest fare. Actually it was perfect for riding. I was thinking as I rode that this event would be much more challenging in true summer heat.
The route was a bit different on the Canadian side this year. We crossed at Pacific Highway instead of Peace Arch, perhaps due to continuing renovations at the US Customs building. We approached South Surrey from 168th Street rather than King George Highway, then turned East on 32nd Avenue. I was hoping we’d avoid the huge North slope incline of 168th Street. That one is indeed a Tour de France challenge, in my humble opinion. Then South again on 184th Street where we were serenaded by the monotone buzz of two Vuvuzelas! We’re World Cup, baby, yeah!
I have to say however, I missed last year’s circumnavigation of the Ocean Park peninsula, followed by whizzing along White Rock’s Marine Drive. I lived there for my first 25 years and I remember from last year there were people lining the streets even at 8 a.m. as we passed by. To me it felt like I was finally participating in the Tour de White Rock, the local race which I watched, but never participated in, for many years.
Once we had cleared security at the border (about an hour and three quarter delay, which is probably pretty fast considering 2,252 cyclists were processed), the Ride proceeded quite similarly to last year. The refreshment station for Birch Bay had been in Blaine, so we rode straight through that picturesque tourist town. The next rest stop was in Ferndale at a casino, the name of which I can’t remember.
Secretly I was hoping the route had changed directly preceding the scheduled lunch stop at Lake Paddon. I remember from 2009 that it seemed to be the proverbial crest-less hill. But in all fairness, I think the main problem had been that I was unfamiliar with the route, because this time I knew it was coming, and I knew how long it was. To my smug internal satisfaction, due entirely I think to a lifelong, self-inflicted, athletics-related inferiority complex, not a single rider passed me ascending that hill this year. But after that laborious climb, lunch never tasted so good!
Gloriously, as is always the case with gravity, what goes up must come down. Admittedly there was a bit more hill-climbing to do after lunch, but then it was an exhilarating blast down the other side. I found myself thinking about the unicyclist (yes, he did it again this year on one wheel) because one cannot coast on a unicycle; uprightness dictates continuous motion to maintain balance. I can’t quite comprehend traveling 250 km on one wheel, but I hope he gets a whole whack of money for the movie rights.
Pit stop number four was again at the Belfast Feed Store near Sedro Woolley. Last year I was never so happy to get off a bike. I remember dropping my bike onto the lawn a split second before I dropped into the sweet embrace provided by thousands of cool blades of grass. It was quite a few minutes before I even considered replenishing my body’s spent nutrients. For 2010 this scenic farm stop on old Route 99 was a much more pleasant experience, again attributed to the benefit provided by my new miracle fabric cycling shorts.
The next segment included a long straight crossing of farm fields close to La Connor. I must admit, it did seem after a while that our campsite destination must have been moving away from us at the same or greater velocity than we were advancing upon it.
Our campsite at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon had been prepared prior to our arrival, complete with row upon row of bright blue tents, portable showers housed in large cargo trailers, food tents, beer and wine refreshments, and live entertainment in the evening. Two bands were featured, but unfortunately I only remember the name of the second act. They were a group of guys from Vancouver who call themselves “The Matinee”.
They caught my attention as I came back from a walk; they were playing a Johnny Cash number that he recorded with his wife June Carter, a tune called “I’m Going to Jackson”. To tell you the truth, it was never one of my favourites; I’d always liked Johnny’s solo catalogue. The Matinee was dueting with one of the women lead singers from the preceding band, and towards the end they really started to rock out. From then on I was hooked. So were a lot of other people as well. Before ya know it, a mini dance floor had opened up in front of the stage, but it ended all too soon to cheers of “One more song! One more song! Two more songs! Two more songs!” Ultimately we got 3 more songs out of them. But again, it ended all too soon. I’ll have to try to catch them live in Vancouver.
Sunday we awoke to long line-ups for coffee and breakfast. They moved fast enough, however, that everyone was able to start the Sunday leg of our journey by 8 a.m. The locals witnessed a long slow train of bicycles crawling across the 2 lane bridge into Mount Vernon under a light mist. By mid morning the mist had intensified into a drizzle, and by lunchtime it was just plain raining. My new rain proof (not just rain resistant this time) jacket proved invaluable. Plus I wore my Velcro rain covers over my cycling shoes. All in all, the rain wasn’t a huge issue.
I crossed the finish line 1-1/2 hours sooner than last year. I think it was mostly due to taking shorter rest stops along the way.
All in all the 2010 Ride To Conquer Cancer was a very pleasant and challenging experience. One last note, not to sound ungrateful in any way, but the only thing I’d change for next year is…brewed coffee at Camp instead of instant.
But in the end, it’s not about the coffee. Or is it? We were awfully close to the coffee centre of the universe; Seattle. But I digress. It’s really about the fundraising and general Cancer-fighting awareness that’s generated by this event. How can one not sign up again for next year?
I’d like to send out a huge “Thank-you” to all those that supported me, both financially and emotionally. See you in 2011!
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