magohn

For two years, I have been meaning to ride a mountain bike ride in the Seattle area named 'Stinky Spoke', a sponsored ride, and today was the big day. The morning started out at 22 degrees and by the time we finished we were in lovely 28 degree temps.

LOTS of ice really slowed us down and many other riders (1000+). Great day though and we rode 23m with almost 1900ft of climbing (mostly on trails - tricky in ice). The first pics are of 'Heart Attack Hill' - you get a medal for riding the hill without putting a foot down - not this year for us.

So much ice caused issues and I hit the deck pretty hard turning at the bottom of a short descent. I didnt see the ice and boom - I was down. Scraped the knee but luckily it was so cold I didn't feel a thing.

The true star of the day was my Bikes Direct Motebecane. Im 280lbs and it didnt miss a beat. Got me around the course and safely to my car in fine style.

Anyways, MTB ride is done. I felt great on the ride!

Onto training on the road bike and summer fun

Here we go - Heart Attack Hil at Mile 2



Lets get pushy



Watch for the ice!



So cold!



Rest stop - bike on its side



Descending towards the Finish Line - at last!

Beachgrad05

That looks cold but fun!

keithm0

That was my second Stinky Spoke. Last year we had snow at the end!

Other than the cold (and ice hazards) it was a great day for a ride. Here are a few random iPhone photos from the ride.

magohn

Congrats and nice pics - we parked in downtown Woodinville to get parking. After we rode to the start line, there seemed to be lots of parking anyways!

Did you get a medal for a non-stop Heart Attack Hill ascent?

I hit the dirt on the last descend/climb in the 'watershed'. Just before the fork to rejoin the pipeline. I came down the hill and as I was about to ascend, I hit one of those wooded ruts (covered in ice) and my front wheel slide away. I have a nice bruise but nothing too bad.

Fun day

keithm0

Sadly, no. I was maybe 2/3 up the hill when someone several riders ahead suddenly stopped. This caused a domino effect, and I had to stop quickly to avoid hitting the rider immediately in front of me.

Next year, for sure!

Ouch! Those icy patches (and icy bridges) were treacherous.

Totally!

magohn

Elevation/Climb report for yesterday - it was a challenge for me




..and our trusty steeds at the 'Finish Line' area. I ride a Motobecane Fantom Comp and my wife rides a Specialized. Both bikes were awesome.

Also, I have a Selle Anatomica Titanico X on my bike in the pic. Its similar to a Brooks B17 in construction but not as finicky about the weather (water). Its a great saddle and I dont feel ANY pain on long rides in the saddle. Highly recommended.

Mr. Beanz

Nice! ....What is that, a 90% grade at about mile 3?

magohn

Thanks Mr B - though to be honest, I only made it halfway up the first hill and had to dismount. It was so steep it was then impossible to remount. Also, as there were so many riders, you really couldnt start 'sideways' on the hill to get the momentum to start. I walked the remainder of the first hill.

The first hill was so steep, I watched in amazement as the pro's bikes would actually 'stall' at the bottom of a pedal stroke. The bike would stop for a split second until they applied pressure on the next pedal stroke - it was STEEP! I was in awe of some of those riders

Great day!

Black wallnut 

Looks like cold fun. Are you doing chilly hilly next month?

Mr. Beanz

I've met a couple of steep MTB hills that there is no way in heck I'd ever make it up. I don't know if anybody has, guess that is why they aren't paved..

magohn

Unfortunately no. Finances dictated one ride or the other. I had already ridden the Chilly Hilly previously so went for the Stinky Spoke. CH is a fun ride too. You riding it?

magohn

I will go with that. Though it bugged the heck out of me that I didnt get a 'medal' for riding Herat Attack Hill fully. Maybe next year.

CliftonGK1

I didn't ride Stinky, but I've ridden the course repeatedly since it's one of the favourite local MTB/CX loops. Heart Attack Hill tops out at around 35%
I don't usually need my 22/36 combo, but that's one hill where I fall back on the granny gear. The challenge with HAH is to keep the front wheel from lifting you need to stay leaned forward, to keep the rear from slipping you need to stay seated, so you're in this very hunched over position and trying to maintain momentum and power.

keithm0

I have Titanico X saddles on my mountain bike and my road bike. My butt has never been happier.

Black wallnut 

I'm tentatively planning to ride it this year.