Alaska & Beyond, pt.iv

Grabbed a few Portland friends, and rode the first leg from Carson, WA to Packwood, WA. It was an absolute blast. Amazing weather, mostly fun roads. Took a while to get used to the big bike loaded on gravel again, but it eventually worked out. What a riot.

Had some righteous dudes come with me, too. Keith, Shahin, and Adam rode with to Packwood where we shoved some burgers in our faces before parting ways.

They headed back south while I headed north around the back of Mt. Rainier. I cut through the national park, and climbed to cold weather with snow still on the ground. Absolutely beautiful sights.

Popped out near Enumclaw, then the quick run to Bothell.

Awesome day. Long day (almost 12 hours). Point me to beer!

June 21, 2019 (Personal Journal)

Today was, in a word, awesome. It was a day that felt so “normal” it made me feel at home.

I woke up at Shahin’s where I’ve been spending most of my Portland time. He made coffee, lox, bagels, eggs… good energy food for our day ahead.

A really significant part of this trip was my desire to get some friends together to ride at least leg 1 of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR). It’s been so long since we’ve had a chance to ride together, and having friends along for gravel would ease my mind a bit – at least for the first part.

Luckily, Kieth (yes, I know it’s actually ‘Keith’), Adam, and Shahin were game. Unfortunately, Rick & Devon couldn’t make it. Still, I was excited. Shahin & I headed to Washougal, WA to meet Adam & Keith, have coffee, and get ready to roll. It was a 10am meet time, which we arrived to ~15 minutes late to. Fashionably, of course. About 30 minutes later the group was blasting towards Carson, WA, home of Backwoods Brewing. No, we didn’t stop.

Adam led us to the start in Carson. The beginning was fun, but I was very apprehensive. I’ve not had the big girl loaded, and on gravel in a very long time. Actually, Patagonia may be my last big & loaded ride – that wasn’t even my bike.

Spent a good bit of the time second to last, just getting used to things again. Took a while, but eventually it started click. No major issues, but certainly adjustments. 

So, the WABDR leg is broke up by some very short paved sections every so often, which is actually a nice break here and there. The first such one allowed a regroup, some water, and got us all looking out for… well… a lookout. I wanted pictures.This time I took up the back of the pack, which was totally ok with me. The trail was so dusty (been hot and dry in these parts) that last let me lag enough to ride out of most of it without leading.

There were some huge potholes. I mean huge. There was also deep gravel, sand (Keith steered us quite wrong… quite wrong), rocky bits. A bit of everything, really.

A few wrong turns, and dirt legs down found me in front of Shahin. He really wasn’t in love with his tires. Eek. Confidence in your equipment is huge. Sucks when it isn’t there. His waned while mine grew. Ah, I’m a bit ahead of myself. While still riding sweep, I came across Shahin. In a ditch. Oops. Still up, thankfully. He had taken his eyes off the road for a split second, which is all it takes. 

Moved some sticks. Slight push. Easy peezy, lemon squeezy, back on our way. A few corners later and we found an epic spot looking out at a beautiful valley. The perfect place for a break. 

Snacks, laughs, water, shenanigans, and we were finally back on our way. ‘Finally’ only because we all could have sat in that spot all day. Absolutely epic view. Not quite as epic as Mt. Adams later, but not far off.

Adam was learning a new bike, Keith got less slow, I was getting faster, Shahin was doing his thing. It all meant we stayed pretty close together, which was nice. Keith & Adam switched being lead, and both led us to u-turns more than once, which was actually mostly funny.

So many miles of gravel came down to a near 20 mile sprint to Packwood, WA. A 20 mile, gravel, mostly open, sprint. The stuff I absolutely love to ride. So… I sped past the group, twisted my wrist, and found myself flying down some fantastic roads at speed in the 70s at times. The mix of gravel with tacky, wet earth was fantastic. Reminded me of some of the best Patagonia days.

I finally hit my stride with the big bike right as things were winding down. So worth it. Adam, usually way faster, said I was flying. Wish he had a new bike making him nervous every time we rode. So fun! Love being a rabbit when no-one is catching. 

We reached Packwould at about 5pm-ish. That’s quite a bit longer than I thought it would take, but I wasn’t mad at all. We grabbed some burgers and beers in town at a small place called Cliff Droppers. Highly recommend. So good (I’d imagine even without having just had a giant ride). Do want to return.

Afterwards we said sad goodbyes. I was heading north still. They were going back south. Wish they could have kept going with me.

After I jumped back on the road at ~1800, it was another 3 hour run to reach my ultimate goal for the day – Bothell, WA. Staying a few days with my friend Jamie & her husband Gary.

Went around Mt. Rainier, through the national park, and up to snow littering the ground before finally reaching Enumclaw.

The road around/over Rainier is breathtaking. Amazing views, great riding, and just a total riot. Loved it all. 

Sadly, the jaunt up the highway was none of those things. What it lacked in desirable categories it made up for in speed. I arrived just before 2100, right as the sun was packing it in for the day. Perfect timing. 

Nearly 12 hours after getting on the bike saw my day finally end. I wish it hadn’t. Such a great day. Can’t wait for more. 

Odo Start: 15,806
Odo End: 16,131
Daily Miles: 325
Cum. Miles: 1,568

Afterward: I’m surprised it’s that many total miles so far as I’ve been messing around so much. I’m sure they’ll start to tally quickly soon.