May Day Metric anyone?

[SloganVZ]

I just signed up for it. I'm really excited. I've never rode in an event and just started cycling about 3 weeks ago. I'm not quite sure which distance I'm going to do . Can't wait to see you there.

[East Hill]

I'm thinking about this one. In fact, Phil of Phil's South Side Cyclery handed me the registration sheet himself (he fixed my rear derailleur when I was riding the Daffodil Classic).

If I were you, I'd probably go for the shortest distance. It sounds as if it's a tough little ride.

East Hill

[Daveyboy]

I did the 50 mile option two years ago. I was a beautiful ride, but it rained a little bit. I'd be doing the century this year but have other family obligations that'll take priority.

I think this is a great early season put on by a good bunch of people.

[RichardNoggin]

Mrs. Noggin and I will be rollin. Sounds fun!Does anybody know what the elevation profile is? I hear it will be hilly. Will be more then Daffy? That seemed 'medium' hilly to me.

[East Hill]

Here's what the flyer says:

50 Mile "Ho-Ho-ville" Route: Travel from Federal Way to Orting and back. 1,200 feet of descending (and climbing) as you pass through Milton, Edgewood, Auburn, Sumner, Puyallup and Orting.

100+ K "Twinkie-Land" Route: Travel from Federal Way to Orting; once there push on to South Prairie, then Wilkeson and then back. 2,200 feet of descending (and climbing).

100+ Mile "Ding-Dong-Station" Mountain Route: Nor for the faint of heart or soft in the butt. Travel from Federal Way to the Carbon River Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park and back. Instead of turning around at Orting or Wilkeson you will continue to follow (& climb) the Carbon River Valley to its source. 100+ miles and 4,000 feet of descending (and climbing) as you ride the 100K route in addition to the Carbonado loop.

You get free Custom Cycling Socks guaranteed for all Pre-registered Participants (sign up before 25th of April).

Scrumptious Hostess snacks at well placed rest stops (every 20-25 miles).

Mechanical support and sag support for stranded (not tired) riders.

Slice of fresh pie served at finish.

Registration is from 6.00 am to 10.30 am at Phil's South Side Cyclery.

Course open from 6.30 am -- 4.30 pm.

Start is at Phil's South Side Cyclery, located at 2310 SW 336th Street, Federal Way.

East Hill

[East Hill]

I think I will be going for the metric century, myself. If anyone would like to do a meet and greet, send me a PM :) . I'd love to be able to put more names to faces!

East Hill

[keithm0]

Here's a link with more info: http://www.geocities.com/philthemechanic/

I hope I can get Kasia interested in doing at least the metric century... ;)

[BengeBoy]

It's a busy weekend. The day before is the Camano Climb on Camano Island. Anyone know anything about that one? (44 miles, around the Island).

[s2cycle]

The Camano Climb is one of our favorite rides. It's well organized and well supported. The route is particularly fun to do on our tandem with a lot of rollers. There's one AWESOME downhill (no side traffic and completely straight) that bottoms out and heads back up to slow you down by the top of the other side. We've hit our all time land-speed on that hill... 59 mph!

We'll be at the May Day Metric. We ride a cyan-purple cameleon daVinci tandem, easy to recognize because unlike the majority of tandems our pedals are not locked in synch. We'll be doing the metric century I believe.

[BengeBoy]

I am now leaning toward the May Day metric ride. I was going to do the Camano Climb, but the forecast is currently for a bit of rain Saturday morning and all clear Sunday (day of the May Day Metric).

Not that I'm afraid of a little rain, but, given the choice, I vote dry. See ya' Sunday if you're there; I'll probably do the short route.

[East Hill]

Well folks, were BengeBoy and I the only ones to make it?

BB and I met at the Cyclery, and did the ride up to Orting together. Thank you very much, BB! Going up one of the nasty hills into Orting, my rear derailleur cable slipped AGAIN, and I took it into the bike shop in Orting to get it fixed. BB decided to make his day an honest metric century, and headed out to add an additional ten miles. I turned around in Orting, and made it a very pleasant half century. When I got to 'Phil Hill' I was very pleased with my decision :D .

Just enough climbing in the half century to make it interesting, but I think going much further would have put me out for the count with a migraine.

Still, this is a very nice ride, with not a lot of people, and beautiful scenery. Thanks to Phil's South Side Cyclery for putting it together. I'll definitely do this ride again.

East Hill

[keithm0]

My wife Kasia, and two of our friends did the Metric century -- although at 120 kilometers, it was one of the longest metric "centuries" I've ever done ;). I looked for you, East Hill, but didn't see you!

We didn't set any speed records, but we had a blast. Even Phil Hill was fun in a perverse sort of way.

[East Hill]

Bummer! I would have liked to have met your wife and getting to chat with you again...

BB and I set off around...oh...just after 7.30 I think. I was back at the Cyclery just before 1.00 pm.

I still can't believe that I made it up Phil Hill on my ten speed Sachs :D .

Next ride I'm taking the Rodriguez with all gazillion gears!

East Hill

[BengeBoy]

Nice seeing you again East Hill. Glad you made it back OK.

Yes, you definitely need to get your triple fired up...climbs like Phil Hill are tough w/the gearing you have on the Sachs...

[tomatl411]

I did the century, it was a lovely day for it. I'd never been up to the Carbon River entrance before so it was good to see some new scenery. The course was very well-marked and the food stops were excellent. A very good ride-with the exception of my knee flaring up at mile 85--it was tough to climb Phil Hill essentially one-legged. Great ride, I will repeat.

-Jason

[RichardNoggin]

I was there. Did the century and got to sit by the campfire and eat soup. I needed some salt at that point. Mrs. Noggin did the whole century also!!!

[East Hill]

I'm going to have to start doing more organising so I can meet all of you!

It sounds as if everyone had a good time (well, except for Jason's knee)!

This was well worth doing again next year :D .

East Hill

[s2cycle]

Great ride. Loved the pie at the end. We were two tandems together. Started a bit late, about 9 I think. We have a new toy (Garmin Edge 705). I've posted my file for this ride at: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5648964

[East Hill]

I am disappointed--I did not see any tandems on the course, darn it!

I think we are all agreed that this was a nice ride, though. I will definitely try to work this one into my schedule next year.

East Hill