Yep 17 days before the start, so excited!!! Part of training is proving out that you can do what you set out to do. So practicing for what is to come:

– Can you go 100+ miles?

– Can you do the vertical climbs?

So now that is ✅ and ✅!

Did the Ride the Hurricane just outside of Port Angeles, WA. Just 40 miles, 20 miles up and 20 miles down. But with about 5400 feet of vertical. Gradients from 12%, 7%, 5% – average speed up 6.6 mph. Looking down at your bike computer and seeing 4.0 mph, you wonder am I going to fall over or am I going to pull on the bars and go over backwards?Weird sensation! Once you arrive at the top, you rewarded in two ways – the out of this world beauty and the fact you earned the downhill that is coming!!!

Speaking of that, descending is a skill and art form. My average speed down was 26 mph. Part frightening and part exhilarating. I stopped to take multiple pics and enjoyed the speed! Gravity is both your friend and your foe….particularly when you are 35 kilos more than your riding bud!

This was a tough ride that seemed to go on and on around corners outlining the deep canyon below. If you have never been to Hurricane Ride in Olympic National Park – you are missing out on one of the most beautiful spots on the face of the planet. It is an OH MY! For the ride they close the road, just 500 bikers and a unicyclist and one lone runner! It is amazing and definitely a must do bucket list item! Also the folks who put on this ride do an amazing job!!! You gotta go Ride The Hurricane!!!! https://ridethehurricane.org