Pacific Northwest - Chilly Hilly 2009

It's coming up on the 22nd this month. Registration is open to the non-CBC members as of 2 days ago.

Who's going?

Who's interested in riding with me from Redmond, or meeting me along the Burke-Gilman somewhere?

I was thinking about doing it. Let me see if the wife wants to do it. If she does not want to do the ride I could meet you in Woodinville and ride over with you.

I was thinking about doing it. Let me see if the wife wants to do it. If she does not want to do the ride I could meet you in Woodinville and ride over with you.

Awesome. It will possibly be me, keithm0 and his wife. We'll definitely be picking up the trail at Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville. Last year I drove to the park and started from there. This year I want the extra mileage for a full century.

I'll talk to her tonite. Any idea of the the mileage round trip from Wilmot Gateway park?

I'll be doing the chilly hilly this year! any good way to train for this? this will be my first event, as part of my training for STP.

I'll be doing the chilly hilly this year! any good way to train for this? this will be my first event, as part of my training for STP.

Just remember it's a pretty laid back event. The two killers hills are the Peterson and Baker. The rest aren't bad. If you have any saddle time recently, shouldn't be an issue. The worst part is leaving the ferry with all the other crazies until the pack thins out after 5 or 6 miles. Usually by the time you get to Monroe Pt., it's spread out. I'm lucky enough to live on this side of the water so I start between ferry runs.

I'll talk to her tonite. Any idea of the the mileage round trip from Wilmot Gateway park?
I think my mileage to/from the park was around 80 miles last year.


I'll be doing the chilly hilly this year! any good way to train for this? this will be my first event, as part of my training for STP.
It's 33 miles and less than 3000' elevation gain. Honestly, k-300 nailed it; it's laid back, many peoples' start to the season, and there's only 2 difficult hills on the whole route.
If you're on the first ferry over, hang to the side for 5 minutes after getting off the boat and let people clear and spread out a little bit. That's what I did. As for any specific training... Make sure you can ride 33 miles and make sure you're ready for a 0.5mi 8% grade near the end. That's really about it.

Bring $5 to buy brownies and stuff along the route to help support the local kids' organizations.

i might make it out for this, and i'd love to ride to the ferry with y'all if i do! i'll keep ya posted.

I'll be doing the chilly hilly this year! any good way to train for this? this will be my first event, as part of my training for STP.

It is a laid back event, but I would caution against expectations of ease. I've done it a few times and it can be pretty miserable if the weather is cold and wet. The level of misery depends on several factors, of course: Your physical prep, weight of bike, and how tolerant you are of being in that zone between frozen and wet/sweaty.

Year before last, there was a girl standing in line behind me to return on the boat. The wind was up and the rain was coming down. Her teeth were slamming together audibly and she was going into the frozen zone fast. She was blue/white cold. Several guys around her began to get concerned, so we all chipped in some articles of clothing/mittens, etc, til she got on the ferry.

Yes, there are two hills that can challenge most of us, but won't be such to some. It's the weather that can make or break this ride for me, personally. As a clydesdale, I get hot on hills. The time of year prompts me to bring extra stuff, so the bike tends towards heavy. That works against me, too.

The ride is different for different people.

I may do it this year. Haven't decided how I'll get to the ferry though. Not sure if I want to ride from Kent since I haven't been riding many long distance rides yet this year. Dunno if I'm up for a 70 mile ride yet this season.

I'll be doing the chilly hilly this year! any good way to train for this? this will be my first event, as part of my training for STP.

Do a couple of laps around Mercer Island. That's not as hilly as the Chilly Hilly, but hilly enough to give you a warm-up. If you can ride briskly around Mercer Island, you can do Chilly Hilly.

Or do the "Southern Loop" around the bottom half of Lake Washington (across Mercer Island, around the bottom half of Lake Washington).

CH has one long, moderate climb, and a couple of short, very steep hills that surprise people. If you can blast over the short steep climbs, and settle down and spin your way up the long one, you'll be fine.

Who's interested in riding with me from Redmond, or meeting me along the Burke-Gilman somewhere?


I like your idea of riding to the ferry, but I'm going to ride there from M. Island. I thank that would give me about a 55 mile day from my house.

I'm *not* going to be on the first ferry.

I am increasingly frightened of big crowds in these mass events (which is why all your ride reports have convinced me to never ride the STP).

If the weather is bad, I'll likely skip it -- I pay my "bad weather riding" dues during the week.

I am increasingly frightened of big crowds in these mass events (which is why all your ride reports have convinced me to never ride the STP).

The first wave off the boat isn't bad if you do what keithm0, his wife and I did last year. Wait it out on the sidelines for a few minutes and let the crowd thin out.



And please don't let my reports sully your desire to do the STP. If ever there was a double to do, that one is the one. Yes, it's crowded and crazy etc. Sure, I said I wouldn't do it again... but I may have lied.
Maybe not this year (but who knows?) but certainly in the future I'll ride it again. I have great plans of riding it on A) my singlespeed, and B) my utility cruiser, with a loaded trailer full of camping luxuries and a boombox strapped to the front rack. :D

And please don't let my reports sully your desire to do the STP. If ever there was a double to do, that one is the one. Yes, it's crowded and crazy etc. Sure, I said I wouldn't do it again... but I may have lied.

Just to clarify, I didn't mean to blame you personally, I meant the collective "your" ride reports, meaning folks who have posted about the STP here at and at Cascade.org.

I would like to ride from Seattle to Portland, but likely do it on my own some time. Just ride down, catch the train back. Plenty of stores/supplies, etc. on the way down.

Likewise, I'm going to try to get a RAMROD entry this year but if I don't "win the lottery" I may just take a day off and ride it by myself.

Another ride on my list is doing STP the "back way" - through Mt. Rainier park, through Packwood, down the east side past Mt. St. Helens on NFD Road 25 (sort of the route of the High Pass Challenge). Would take a few days (not a day), but seems like a pretty route.

I am increasingly frightened of big crowds in these mass events (which is why all your ride reports have convinced me to never ride the STP).

I wouldn't let our reports deter you. If you get out early, pass by the big REI stop and do it in one day, it isn't really more crowded than any other group ride I've done. I'm sure it gets more crowded for those starting later and doing it in two days.

For some reason, each July I look forward to seeing Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams all in one day on my bike. :thumb:

I did it in 2007 and loved it. It was pouring rain and freezing and I think I was the only one in shorts and a jersey.. everyone else had their tights and shoe condom things.

What a blast. Absolutely freezing though.

I rode part of this route yesterday, more for familiarity and a "Baker's Hill" introduction. I am proud to report that I survived this hill. Albeit, I am a newb and I couldn't get to my inner chain ring due to an alignment issue (fixed shortly thereafter). My thighs did burn and my lungs jumped off the bike and decided to walk.

For those who have participated in this ride in the past, how well is the route marked? Even with a map, we got lost several times. Might not have helped that we did most of it in reverse (but we did go UP Baker's Hill). The last thing I want to do is have to refer to a map to get from start to finish.

And the weather forecast looks decent for this year's ride.

For those who have participated in this ride in the past, how well is the route marked?

If you can get lost during the actual Chilly Hilly ride, I'll give you $1.00 for the effort you put into doing so. There's enough people that it's virtually impossible to get lost. I don't think I looked at the route sheet or a Dan Henry marker a single time from when I got off the boat to arriving back at the dock.

If you can get lost during the actual Chilly Hilly ride, I'll give you $1.00 for the effort you put into doing so. There's enough people that it's virtually impossible to get lost. I don't think I looked at the route sheet or a Dan Henry marker a single time from when I got off the boat to arriving back at the dock.

Be careful here....I'm riding with a bunch of Sailors, and most will take your challenge (just to get the $1.00)!!!

Anyway, we did end up on roads where we had to turn around, or roads where we had the wrong bike equipment (road tires).

As long as there is something to point me in the right direction, I hope to have no navigational errors!

Awesome. It will possibly be me, keithm0 and his wife. We'll definitely be picking up the trail at Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville. Last year I drove to the park and started from there. This year I want the extra mileage for a full century.

Hey Clifton - what time you planning to ride on sunday? What route are you going to take from Wilmot Gateway to get to the ferry and do you have a feel for how long it will take?

I've never ridden in downtown Seattle, so I don't have a feel for which roads are best for cycling.

I've also have another guy who wants to meet on the ferry and I am trying to figure out what time I would have to leave.

If you can get lost during the actual Chilly Hilly ride, I'll give you $1.00 for the effort you put into doing so. There's enough people that it's virtually impossible to get lost. .

I missed the cider stop last year (I think a lot of people did, at least when I was riding - everyone stayed on the main road instead of taking the little turn that leads to the cider stop).

This will be my second time doing the chill hilly. Due to circumstance, I will be doing it on a fixed gear. :cry: I'm actually more worried about the down hills than the climbing.

Hey Clifton - what time you planning to ride on sunday? What route are you going to take from Wilmot Gateway to get to the ferry and do you have a feel for how long it will take?

I've never ridden in downtown Seattle, so I don't have a feel for which roads are best for cycling.

I've also have another guy who wants to meet on the ferry and I am trying to figure out what time I would have to leave.

I'm taking the same route I did last year:

Sam. River Trail to B-G Trail up to Magnuson Park. Hop out onto Sand Point Way and wind my way down across the bridge and up 24th, through Cap Hill to Madison and shoot that straight down to the dock. From Wilmot Gateway in Woodinville, it's about 25 miles so I give myself 2 hours so I arrive with plenty of spare time.

I'm taking the same route I did last year:

Sam. River Trail to B-G Trail up to Magnuson Park. Hop out onto Sand Point Way and wind my way down across the bridge and up 24th, through Cap Hill to Madison and shoot that straight down to the dock. From Wilmot Gateway in Woodinville, it's about 25 miles so I give myself 2 hours so I arrive with plenty of spare time.

Which ferry are you going to be on?

Sam. River Trail to B-G Trail up to Magnuson Park. Hop out onto Sand Point Way and wind my way down across the bridge and up 24th, through Cap Hill to Madison and shoot that straight down to the dock. From Wilmot Gateway in Woodinville, it's about 25 miles so I give myself 2 hours so I arrive with plenty of spare time.

Thanks, Clifton. If you don't mind a followup question - why do you jump off the B-G at Magnuson Park, rather than stay on till the UW, and then cross the Montlake Bridge right in front of the UW and then take 24th over to Madison?

I've done little riding in that area, so any information is helpful. Thanks!

I did it in 2007 and loved it. It was pouring rain and freezing and I think I was the only one in shorts and a jersey.. everyone else had their tights and shoe condom things.

What a blast. Absolutely freezing though.

That was one hell of a cold year. It's calling for more rain tomorrow, but the temperature should be 42-46, which is better than 2007 at least.

Which ferry are you going to be on?
First one at 7:55am. I'm leaving my house just before 5am to get there, get lined up, and get some video before hopping on the boat.


Thanks, Clifton. If you don't mind a followup question - why do you jump off the B-G at Magnuson Park, rather than stay on till the UW, and then cross the Montlake Bridge right in front of the UW and then take 24th over to Madison?

I've done little riding in that area, so any information is helpful. Thanks!

Hopping off the trail was just personal preference, no real reason.
24th to Madison means I don't get to swing by the Victrola for a coffee if I'm ahead of schedule and have a few minutes to kill. Plus I used to live at 14th and Republican, so I swing by the old 'hood and see what's changed, since I really don't get over there very often.

That was one hell of a cold year. It's calling for more rain tomorrow, but the temperature should be 42-46, which is better than 2007 at least.

Word. I hadn't seen the weather forecasts and got all excited this morning at how nice the skies were looking. If only the ride was today instead of tomorrow. :(

Ah well, we knew what we were getting into when we signed up. Shoe condoms on!

This will be my second time doing the chill hilly. Due to circumstance, I will be doing it on a fixed gear. :cry: I'm actually more worried about the down hills than the climbing.


I did so a few years back. Rode 39x15, it was fine up hill and bit sketchy on one or two on the down hills. I actually bounced the back wheel off the ground a few times on the rough roads spinning hard down hill. I blew a link in my chain on an up hill too. I had enough room in to slide the rear wheel forward post repair to keep on going.

I'm riding gears this year, have not done much time on the fixie of late.

I did so a few years back. Rode 39x15, it was fine up hill and bit sketchy on one or two on the down hills. I actually bounced the back wheel off the ground a few times on the rough roads spinning hard down hill. I blew a link in my chain on an up hill too. I had enough room in to slide the rear wheel forward post repair to keep on going.

I'm riding gears this year, have not done much time on the fixie of late.

Oh man, why did I have to look at this right before I left? You're running about ten GI higher than me (42/17) and YOU had some hairy descents? Oh well, at least I have a front brake.

Anyway, about to head out to stand in line for the 7:55 ferry.

Any reports from today's CH ride? I had prior obligations and rode later in the day which I'm happy to say was dry and warmer.

I did the ride, starting on the 9:35 ferry. Just finish washing and lubing my bike (which got filthy..)

I rode to the ferry from home (the Eastside); it was raining pretty steadily when I left home but had let up by the time I hit the ferry. Not much rain after that - it really warmed up as the day went on.

I spent an hour visiting a friend who lives on BI so I only did part of the ride - counting my ride to/from the ferry I rode a bit over 40 miles for the day. All in all a very nice day.

Did anyone else get blessed by a priest throwing holy water at the riders before the last climb? That was....interesting.

I was blessed by the priest before the last hill. Was a nice day for a ride, I was a little concerned heading into Seattle this morning about the weather. Al in all it was a good time.

Mike O.

Good ride today - I caught the 7:25 (or was it 7:35) ferry. Drizzled for a maybe 1/3 of the ride and was cloudy with actually sun breaks every now and then. The hills weren't killers but there were a few towards the end that weren't pushovers. Caught the 12:20 ferry back and washed down the bike soon after getting home. Haven't seen that much silt on the bike from 1 ride ever!

I caught the 7:55 ferry. Right as I got off the boat, the amount of rain coming down was substantial, but within five min. it had cleared up. The rest of the ride was wonderfully mild and dry, with very wet and grimy roads. I survived all the climbs on the fixed gear, however I broke a spoke getting off the ferry on the return trip, but was able to limp home anyway. Oh yea, I got blessed by the priest too...

Did anyone else get blessed by a priest throwing holy water at the riders before the last climb? That was....interesting.

Yes.... I was given a cup of water, then was sprinkled with water, then tossed the empty to a third person all in about 30 yards.

Was it just me or did I notice more locals out this year cheering us on up the hills?

A priest was there doing bike blessings last year, too. I slowed down and got my blessings before the final hill on the island. I make that distinction (on the island), because I still had Marion Ave up to 6th, Madison up to 15th, and Novelty Hill (at the 96mi marker) to round out my century.

7h 44m 45s rolling time and around 6500' total for the day.


I've mentioned it on a couple other forums: I was broadcasting on Qik Video at the rest stops and on the ferry. You can check out my videos >>> here <<< (http://www.qik.com/cliftongk1)