Pacific Northwest - Daffodil Classic

Who's doin the Daffodil classic?

I am :-)
Are you doing any TWBC Saturday rides starting at Sumner Library?

didn't know anything about them. I'll check them out

It's just down the street from where you live. Right?

Missing it this year since I'll be racing in Walla Walla that weekend. Lots of fun though! Hope there's no incidents, ie redneck, etc since something always comes up.

Here's the link for those who don't know what the Daffodil is
http://twbc.org/Default.aspx?pageId=564977&eventId=125149&EventViewMode=EventDetails

Just found out I have a previous committment that weekend. Dang I really wanted to do the DC this year.

Yeah it is. Do you know Bob Bran? He works in my building and he does rides from the library but I don't know what evenings.

So, are you doing any other rides or training?

Normally I just commute to Auburn Boeing and do some riding with the wife. Not really a hardcore road biker more of a plodder

I won't be doing it this year, but for anyone who hasn't done it: It's an awesome ride.

Yea, I will being doing it this year.

All you folks doin the Daffodil Classic tomorrow we expect a full report. Be careful of those rednecks throwing tacks in the road like they did last year I think it was between Buckley and South Prairie.

I just got back home - I did the 62-mile loop this year. Kinda foggy and chilly at 7:45 a.m. when I rolled out, but the fog burned off and I had my jacket and leg warmers off after the first rest stop. Very nice ride, as usual. There sure is a lot of chipseal on this route, though --

The turnout seemed to be a little lighter than the last two years, but I think I got a little later start this year.

I skipped the 40-mile loop this year -- it felt to me last year that the car traffic builds up as the days go on and the drivers get a little antsy; I was more comfortable getting off the road by noon.

I just got back from the ride. I did both loops.

I started at 7:44 (per my computer.)

My Garmin says about 3800 ft elevation over 104 miles, which technically isn't a lot, but I was feeling it. I did the long loop first. My speed and power really dropped off on the Buckley Loop. I should have hit the "lap" button on my gps so I could compare the two. During the climbs/rollers in the first 5-10 miles of the Buckley Loop, I was thinking "I'm going to blow up if the entire loop is going to be like this." Fortunately, it mellowed out.

The only problem with drivers was a guy who was passing a truck coming head on, but didn't come too close to me as I was riding the fogline. The guy he passed actually flipped off the passing motorist (clearly not me.)
Most motorists were very considerate.

Due to the nice weather, my cyclist tan is twice as dark now.

The Ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30506015

We did get out to ride today after all just from Sumner to Orting and back but I was doing a shakedown ride on a new bike and its a good thing we didn't go any farther. Found a few things I need to adjust and change but I did get a bit of a burn too, nice day and we had lunch at the Around the Corner cafe in Orting and dropped in on Brian at Trailside Cylclery to shoot the breeze a bit, hadn't seen him since last fall, one of my favorite shops to spend money at.

Started around 8:30 this morning. I finished both loops at about 5:30. This is my first century. I did the 60miles loop first and wasn't sure if I had enough juice left for the 40. I decided I was going to ride as far as I can on the 40 loop. By the time I check the distant, I only had 20 miles left. Didn't feel sore or tired until I came home. Cyclists and drivers were well behaved. No body did anything stupid, at least not that I noticed. Bombing down Orting Kapowsin Hwy with a bunch of cyclists at 43mph, totally kicka$$. It was a fun day.

What happened to all the markers? I saw may be a hand full of them. During the last 40, I got lost at least 5 times. Very frustrating.

I was with freinds that were going to do the trail ride so I did the 40 mile loop. First time on the Classic and loved it. Looking at Rainer the first half and bombing down the hill into Spanaeay was a rush. Look for me next year I think I will try out the 60 mile loop.

The only problem with drivers was a guy who was passing a truck coming head on, but didn't come too close to me as I was riding the fogline.

Not bad, considering the issue with the Daffodil (and at least 2 other rides) last year.
Last year someone had spread tacks and staples across the shoulder of the road on one section. That also happened at the entrance to a housing development on the Tour de Cure last year, and someone mentioned it from another ride.

I started from my house next to Lake Tapps @ 9:00, the 40mi Buckley course is only 1 mi from my house. I dropped down to Orting and picked up my number and shirt at the start and finished the Buckley loop. I had been riding a lot the privious week, including 40 mi with the TWBC the day before, so I was a little tired. And I also overdressed for the ride. By the time noon rolled around I was way overheated. I stopped at the Buckley rest stop and had a nice long chat with Jim from Bonney Lake Bike Shop, so that helped me rest up some. Made it home tired but satisfied.

Stringbreaker. Are you joining the Boeing Commute Contest? If you want we could make up our own team for Auburn.