Pacific Northwest - stp

So i understand that there are a few baggage drop off points. I want to ride to the 120 mile mark on the first day. Is there places to stay for free at each of these places. Its hard to understand whats going on from reading there web page.

I think they have a bag drop-off station at the halfway point, around Centralia.

And there are some gynmasiums/churches(?) that open up their doors to overnighters, but you probably need to call and reserve a spot ahead of time.

When I did the STP they also had baggage drop offs for Chehalis, Winlock, Vader and Castlerock. But that was 5 years ago.

~120 mile point should be between the Winlock and Vader area. Looking at Cascade's site, there is the high school which charges $40 but seems worth it because they provide accommodations, shower, baggage service, dinner, etc. To me that sounds totally worth $40!

http://cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_centralia.cfm

You might want to contact them to see if they'll allow camping outside on if you want to go the free route and skip the other amenities.

midpoint baggage service => http://cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_baggagesvc.cfm

thanks. That's what i was reading also. was not really wanting to spend 40 bucks to stay in a gym with 1000s of other people snoring and coughing all night. I think i'm just going to do the half way point and hope to get a "camp site"

thanks. That's what i was reading also. was not really wanting to spend 40 bucks to stay in a gym with 1000s of other people snoring and coughing all night. I think i'm just going to do the half way point and hope to get a "camp site"

Not all the schools sleep everyone in the gym. If you read some of the info from the schools, they'll accommodate people in a air-conditioned classroom so you'll be alone or with a few others instead of hundreds. Otherwise, you do have the option of sleeping in the gym or camping outside.

Not to scare anyone, but I heard reports of the locals gunning their trucks around the main square in Centralia(?) where lots of STPers camp on the grass.

Someone was telling me they were revving and peeling out all night, probably on purpose to piss off the bike-campers.

Anyway, if nothing else works, you could always stealth-camp.

Its hard to understand whats going on from reading there web page.

Take some time and read through the info on the Cascade website.

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/pdf/stp_preride_guide_2009.pdf

-- page 12 tells you the baggage dropoff points, you can figure out which is closest to where you intend to stay. You toss your gear onto a Ryder/U-Haul type truck with the destination name on it, and by the time you get to that point, the truck is there with your stuff and you can pick it up by rider number. Note that they do have the times that the trucks leave on Sunday morning, too -- to trundle your bags down to the finish line.

Pages 15-19 have information on the lodgings. Some may already be full.

have a great ride

I did the Winlock elementary school last year and camped on their ball field. They also had a gym indoors. Picked up our bag right there at the school. Make sure you do the feed at the Senior Center. Also we had a beer in town. We walked into this dimly lit tavern on the main street. A couple of tough looking dudes at the bar looked at us and yelled "Hey, look some cyclists" We then enjoyed a nice round of beer with some great folks ;-)!

Kelso at the 150miles mark is your best option for lodging, food, beer, and everythingelse....

Take some time and read through the info on the Cascade website.

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/pdf/stp_preride_guide_2009.pdf

-- page 12 tells you the baggage dropoff points, you can figure out which is closest to where you intend to stay. You toss your gear onto a Ryder/U-Haul type truck with the destination name on it, and by the time you get to that point, the truck is there with your stuff and you can pick it up by rider number. Note that they do have the times that the trucks leave on Sunday morning, too -- to trundle your bags down to the finish line.

Pages 15-19 have information on the lodgings. Some may already be full.

have a great ride

I've read that. Im looking for something free to stay. Im not cheap, I just dont really want to pay 200 bucks to ride from seattle to my house.

I did the Winlock elementary school last year and camped on their ball field. They also had a gym indoors. Picked up our bag right there at the school. Make sure you do the feed at the Senior Center. Also we had a beer in town. We walked into this dimly lit tavern on the main street. A couple of tough looking dudes at the bar looked at us and yelled "Hey, look some cyclists" We then enjoyed a nice round of beer with some great folks ;-)!

Don't forget to have your picture taken in front of the world's largest egg :D

Consider it a donation...a lot of the costs are fundraisers for the communities.