Bike Forums - View Single Post - Where'd You Ride Today? (New & Improved)

06-13-16 | 06:27 PM

#8954

northbend

Matt Pendergast

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 3,400

Likes: 7,831

From: North Bend, Washington State

Bikes: 1937 Hobbs; 1977 Bruce Gordon; 1987 Bill Holland; 1988 Schwinn Paramount (Fixed gear); 1999 Fat City Yo Eddy (MTB); 2018 Woodrup (Touring) 2016 Ritchey breakaway

A friend of mine hosted a fully supported ride this past weekend he calls DarWin. This was the 11th edition this year and I was one of a fortunate few to participate.

Normally this ride begins on Saturday in Western Washington just outside the town of Darrington and we ride 114 miles over the North Cascades Highway to Winthrop in Eastern Washington. We stay overnight in a rented Farmhouse and return partway on Sunday by riding up to the top of Washington Pass where the support van takes us back to Darrington.

This year however, mother nature forced us to change our plans because of rain and cold temperatures. On Saturday, we drove directly to Winthrop and unloaded our gear at the farmhouse. The weather in Winthrop was great: Mostly sunny and slightly cool, our ride leader led us on a 50 mile ride that took up to the top of Loup Loup Pass.

The climb up to Lopp Loop pass by NBend, on Flickr

This was intended to be an out and back route but several of us decided on an alternate route back to Winthrop. We split off in the town of Twisp and headed out the Twisp River Road.

Twisp River Road by NBend, on Flickr

Some miles later we turned onto a gravel road that promised to take us to Sun Mountain Road just outside of Winthrop.

We head up Elbow Cyn by NBend, on Flickr
The road was in great shape and we enjoyed the quiet and varied scenery.

Hillsides burned last year by NBend, on Flickr

Passing by a small lake by NBend, on Flickr

We stopped for a post ride beer at the Schoolhouse before going to the Farmhouse where everyone else was.

Post ride beers at the schoolhouse by NBend, on Flickr

After a big spaghetti dinner and some wine, we’re all ready for bed - more riding in the morning so off to sleep we go..

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