McClinchy Mile (Mar.15 - Arlington, Wa) - what's it like? who's doing it?

[BengeBoy]

Hi,

Anyone here done this ride? It's March 15, starts in Arlington, Wa.

http://www.bikesclub.org/html/mcclinchy/mcclinchy.htm

There are no maps posted -- anyone know what it's like?

I am tentatively signed up to do it...thinking about either doing the 47 mile course or bringing my vintage bike and doing the "flat" 34 miler if it's really "flat" (I don't have hill-friendly gears on my older bike).

[MillCreek]

I am a member of BIKES. We hand out maps/cue sheets when you sign in/register. I think we may also have some routes on Bikely, if I recall correctly. The loop to Stanwood is my favorite, but there some mild hills as you approach Stanwood. You definitely need gears on your way to Machias. The Centennial Trail is essentially flat.

PS: I just checked, and the routes are on Bikely: http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/country/254/region/168/city/14967

[ngateguy]

This ride has changed since the last time I did it. There is a Stanwood loop now, how many miles?

[MillCreek]

The Stanwood loop is about 34 miles, when I did it last year.

[BengeBoy]

PS: I just checked, and the routes are on Bikely: http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/country/254/region/168/city/14967

Thanks for the link to the Bikely routes. The 37-mile route does look pretty mild; if it's a nice day I think I'll do it on my vintage bike. It only comes out in the sun.

[lakay]

This is my first year in biking, and I'm thinking about joining the ride. I don't know what to expect and what time to start (like mass start or individual rides). Any pointers will help.

[MillCreek]

Because there are three routes to choose from, there is not really a mass start. It is not timed, so the only person to race against is yourself or your buddy.

[1bluetrek]

Ummmm.... where is Arlington?? Eastsider here..

[ngateguy]

Ummmm.... where is Arlington?? Eastsider here..

Half way between Everett and Mt Vernon. About 45 miles north of Seattle.

[microtonal]

I'll be there for the 47 mile loop. To those that have done this ride before, how many people generally do this ride?

[ngateguy]

I'll be there for the 47 mile loop. To those that have done this ride before, how many people generally do this ride?

Its been awhile since I have done this ride, it started in Monroe back then. I would have to say it is as popular as the chilly hilly.

[BengeBoy]

I talked to one of the organizers at the Bike Expo on Saturday. He strongly recommended the 47-miler as being more interesting than the flat 34-miler. I had been considering the shorter ride because I wanted to get my vintage bike out for a stroll (it's not geared for hills)...but I'm now planning on the 47 miler.

Weather forecast for Saturday is "showers," which, of course, could mean anything this time of year.

[MillCreek]

So did anyone do McClinchy this year? I had good intentions, but when I got up that morning and saw it was 37 degrees and rainy, I decided against it. I have done it before in the rain, but my enthusiasm for 50 miles in the semi-freezing rain has waned over the years.

[keithm0]

This was my first time for the McClinchy Mile, and it was a nasty day.

When I left my house in Woodinville at 7:00am, and it was 36 and raining heavily. By the time I got to Arlington, it had warmed up to a balmy 37, and still raining. Luckily, the heavy rain stopped before I started riding at 8:30, with only an occasional shower during the ride.

I ended up doing the 47- and 35-mile loops. I wanted to do the 20-mile loop too, but I ran out of time -- I'm a rather slow rider.

The 47-mile loop was hilly, but not too bad (certainly not "Chilly Hilly" hilly). Most of the route was on relatively quiet back roads, plus a section on the Centennial Trail. The scenery was beautiful -- farms, valleys, mountains, etc. About 30 minutes into the ride, an enormous bald eagle swooped across the road, maybe 20 or 30 yards in front of me. Too cool.

The 35-mile loop was flatter, with part of the route on a somewhat busy highway. There was some nice scenery here as well, but in general it was less interesting than the 47-mile loop. Either that, or I was just tired by then and not really paying attention...

The rest stops were well-spaced (about 15 miles apart) and stocked with the basics (orange slices, bananas, cookies, etc).

Overall, I'd say the event was well-organized, and the volunteers working at the rest stops were helpful and friendly. I'll definitely do this again next year.

[Daveyboy]

I didn't do the MM, BUT I was out on the Centennial Trail that morning and can attest that it was a cold a soggy day. I did a 65 mile loop and was really glad to ride in the company of all the McClinchy Miler's that day. Most everyone I saw had a smile on their face.

[BengeBoy]

I bailed out. I ended up getting pretty wet during the week a couple of days and didn't feel like getting wet again on Saturday. Plus, the forecast was nice for Sunday (turned out to be true), and I did a great (dry) ride on Sunday.

The Seattle International Randonneurs had a 200k brevet the same day...long way to ride in that weather.

[Skyler_WA]

I did all three loops to get in my first century of 2008. I live about half-way around the 20-mile loop, so I rode the first 10 miles on my way to the start in Arlington, did the 47 mile loop, then the 35 mile loop, and then did the last 10 miles of of the 20 mile loop.

I got rained on between Granite Falls and Machias on the 47-mile loop, then it was dry (but cold) the rest of the day until I was leaving Arlington the last time and heading home -- then it rained really hard for about 3 miles, but then it cleared up and I even saw the sun before I got home.