DARWIN 2009

Well, no DARWIN award for me....I survived the DARrington to WINthrop ride. This is an annual ride put together by Jeff Scott. He brings together a small group of 20 or so riders to make the trek over Highway 20 each June. This year we were graced by mild and dry weather, unlike many of the past DARWINs. We rolled out of the Squire Creek Park around 9:15am and as a group did a nice pace line to Marblemount and stopped for our first food/water stop at 31 miles. We averaged 21.8 mph for this leg. After this we broke into two speed groups and pace lined to Newhalem which is 15 miles down the road with an average of 20.6 mph. This leg has a very mild upward grade. At Newhalem we all got rid of jackets, arm warmers, knee warmers and long finger gloves. It was time to climb! While DARWIN isn't a race, there is a tradition of "racing" to the viewpoint at the top of Diablo Lake. A few people started rolling out so I jumped on my bike and cranked it up. I quickly caught and passed a few of the people but had to stop and press the button to warn cars that bikes were in the tunnel. I cranked back up but Jeff Scott caught me. We battled a bit on the flat and then there is a descent. Well, I weigh 132 lbs so I don't go down hill that fast. Jeff is much taller than me but very slender but that does equal more weight so he flew past me. I jumped in his slip stream and got sucked right up to his wheel and enjoyed the coast but then we crossed the bridge at the base and headed up. Jeff jumped behind me and held on. I went as hard as I could but couldn't shake him. I swear he was holding onto my seatpost! I started to put in a gap but then we'd come around a corner and get nailed with massive winds and I'd have to drop a gear and he'd get back on. This happened over and over so in the end we cruised into the Diablo overlook side by side and did a nice fist bump celebrating a 11.1 mile climb with 1680 feet of ascent in 41:29 minutes. We refilled out bellies and water and headed out on the LONG climb to rainy pass. I connected with Dan Byrne, of the Bryne Invent Cycling Team, and his significant other Laura and had a solid ride to Rainy Pass. This climb is a bit over 26 miles long with 3675 ft of climbing. We did it in 1:49. At this point I drank a water bottle full of Zip Fizz and headed out on my own to see what I could do on the climb to Washington Pass. I hit the descent off rainy and about the start of the climb the shakes hit from the caffene in that drink at I floated up Washington Pass. This run from Rainy to Washington is only 4.75 miles long with 3.3 miles of climbing and a gain of 915 ft. I did the 4.75 miles in 24:12. I waited at the top for Dan and Laura, we put on jackets for the long descent into Eastern Washington. We cruised down 14 miles of the main descent and then formed up to ride towards Winthrop. We made a pit stop in Mazama for water and a fruit bar and then rolled the last 15 miles into Winthrop. We held a great pace and averaged 25.2 mph for the 33 mile ride from Washington Pass to Winthrop. At this point we split with me heading to the farm house we rented and Dan and Laura heading to see some friend in town. I arrived at the farm house and no one was there. Darn! I'm hungry! I wait for about 20 minutes and no one arrives so I ride back into town and wait at the main intersection to cheer arriving riders and see if I can bum some money....mine was in the sag wagon which hasn't arrived yet. After another 20 minutes I don't see anyone so I decide to look for Dan and Laura and borrow some money to get lunch. I happen to find their bikes parked outside a local restaurant and join them with my plead. They were generous and bought me lunch. After some great conversation and much needed calories we cruised back to the farm house to find most of the folks had arrived. Whew, I could use a shower. I get cleaned up and have a second dinner and a beer! We all tell the stories of our adventure and then a group of us head into town for another beer and to watch the locals in their natural environment. After the show we work our way back and I get to crawl into a very comfortable bed for a restful nights sleep. Not everyone reserved a bed so many slept on the floor. I also brought my travel kit which includes an eye mask and ear plugs. I think I slept better than just about anyone. The light came in early and woke everyone up...except me. We had our usual amazing breakfast and then cheered the few who do the WINDAR which is riding from Winthrop to the top of Washington Pass. After they leave we head into town to get some water and snacks. I get a double scoop of Ice Cream! Then we roll in the vans up toward the pass. We see our riders and pull over to cheer and take some pictures. We leapfrog and then wait at the summit. The weather goes from mid 70's to 55 degrees in about 10 minutes while we wait and then the rain comes which turns to hail. Oh those poor riders. They eventually make it up to us and we get them changed into dry clothes quickly and then hit the road again. One more stop for snacks in Newhalem and then we arrive back at our cars in Darrington. Hugs and handshakes all around and we go our own ways. Another year with a great ride with super people that I generally see only once a year. Too bad as they are all great people. Hopefully I can get some of them out for the Thrilla as many of them have mountain bikes.

Full stat's for this year are as follows;
Average speed 19.0 mph
Distance 120.5 miles
6:22:04 rolling time
6880 ft of climbing
147 average heart rate
83 average cadence

I'm very happy with my performance this year. Looking back at 2006 my average was 16.9 mph and in 2007 it was 16.5, but with really bad weather. Increasing my average to 19 mph was beyond my expectations. Especially since I truly did a large share of the pulling on most sections.

To add to the perspective, I hurt my knees last year at the 24 hour race in May 2008. I was off the bike for a long time and just got my fitness back for cyclocross. Cross is intense but short. I've been scared to do long rides along with the weather not really allowing it but I finally did a century ride last weekend. Before this my longest ride was 76 miles which was about a month ago. I was worried about the intensity and distance on my knees. My right knee did hurt a bit on this ride but in a different place than my injury. I think it was either fatigue or I pulled something a bit. Feels pretty good now.

That's enough rambling for now. Time for a bit more rest. Until next time!