Shifty

This ride is coming up, looks like a great ride. Who's riding?

https://www.tourdeblast.com/

FlowerBlossom

I'm giving it a whirl.

It will be interesting to see how far I get, this is my first time riding this one.

northbend 

I'm riding it this year. This is a great ride - did it 2 years ago.

Skipped it last year to ride the Native Planet Classic (which is also a great ride). Too bad they seem to always fall on the same day.

BengeBoy 

Fantastic ride, I did it last year.

I'm doing the Native Planet Classic this year. Shame they are on the same day, but I think the Tour de Blast is potentially a bit easier to do unsupported if you wanted to do it on your own.

FlowerBlossom

And, I wanted to do Flying Wheels, but decided to save my legs for next week.

BengeBoy 

Tragically busy weekend next week - Tour de Blast, Native Planet Classic, Tour de Chelan, Livestrong Challenge.

I still think it sucks that Livestrong scheduled its ride in such a busy weekend.

djwid

That ride looks great, I unfortunately didn't sign up for it. I will next year though.

1bluetrek

And the Ann Weatherill Classic, and the Rock and Ride and I can't afford to hit any of them tragic indeed...

northbend 

Have a great time next weekend, BB. Remember to save a little something for the ride back up to Washington pass from the turn around point. That's one big climb.

BengeBoy 

Thanks. I've been staring at the elevation profile. It's kind of a tricky ride -- once you do the first big climb, then it's (mostly) downhill to the halfway point. But if you get half, you're committed to do the full 127 miles, including the big climb up Washington Pass. Anyway, seems that if you make it the first 100 miles, the rest is all downhill...

tomatl411

I'm in. This will be my third year. One of my favorite rides with excellent food and support. I hope the weather cooperates for us.

kenl666

I'll be there. Second time, last year was my first (as well as my first organized ride of significant length!).

Weather's looking like it'll be cloudy & cool, hopefully it won't rain (but the forecast will probably change three times between now and Saturday).

I'll be riding this (but it doesn't have the rack anymore), say hi if you pass me!

Shifty

Weatherman says temps in the lower 60's in Longview, so maybe cooler up on the mountain. Lot's of layers. I just hope it isn't raining.

FlowerBlossom

I hope that it doesn't rain as well. We are camping.

I'm bringing almost everything but booties and sunscreen. If weather is so bad I need booties, then, I won't ride.

edit: weather for Toutle now forecasting to have PM showers on Sat, 40% chance.

edit II: *$@^& internet. If you Google "Mt St Helens weather forecast", you get this website:

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick....x=97&map.y=88

BengeBoy 

AFAIK, this "Spencer Meadow" forecast is the closest one to the top of the Mt. St. Helens. Click on the "hourly weather graph" in the lower right hand corner to get the hour-by-hour forecast for the ride (make sure you reset the forecast for Saturday morning).

Note that the Saturday late-morning temperature is forecast to be about 44 degrees with a chance of snow, not rain.

In the past, riders who got to the top in cool weather found they were quite cold on the descent unless they brought warm gear.

I'm packing for similar weather on my ride - starting in shorts but bringing a saddle bag with tights, a long-sleeve jersey, full-finger gloves, a skullcap and a very light jacket.

FlowerBlossom

That's what I thought...the top of Mt St Helen proper, but, I couldn't get anything like "Johnston Observatory weather".

Ugh. Maybe if I bring my booties, it will be 90F on Saturday?

FlowerBlossom

Even better, you can click on anywhere on the map and it will change location of forecast region and provide the forecast for that region.

Shifty

If I stay and ride in Eugene, it will be 20 degrees warmer, and I can run home if it decides to rain. This doesn't sound like a fun ride anymore!

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...2=-123.086&e=0

FlowerBlossom

I'm thinking the same thing...who wants to set up my tent tonight? I don't!


Maybe we could do a BF ride there this summer, when it's a little warmer? BB said that this is easily done self-supported.

BengeBoy 

As you do this, you can check for which forecasting station they are generating the weather from. The one I've found closest to the top of Mt. St. Helens is called "Spencer Meadow"; I think it's roughly at the same elevation as the viewing station at the top of the summit.

Likewise, I've been clicking around for weather forecasts for my ride in the North Cascades....best I've found is a station called "Washington Pass." Due to be 39 degrees and 30% chance of rain when I hit Washington Pass tomorrow.

The reason why I saw the TdB is easier to do unsupported is because you have access to water at the visitor centers all the way up....I don't think you ever have to ride more than 15 miles or so to the next facility where you can get water.

Food is a little scarcer at the top, though I think in the summer there is a food truck/concessionaire who sells food in the parking lot at the top.

Rippin

Well, just got back from doing the TdB for the first time and it was definitely very challenging, especially with the very cold descents. My riding time was 6 hours, not including food stop breaks. I was hoping to do it in 5hrs but..... I was soooo spent 3/4 the way through.
What a well organized ride with great volunteers, food, facilities etc. Definitely a must try for every cyclist. Does anyone know if Olivia made the full trip?
Unfortunately I had a 5hr drive back to Vancouver, BC after todays event....