Day 1 - 89.7 miles / 8 hrs 08 min - Easton, WA

DAY # 1: Seattle to Easton, WA.

Day # 1 started out with a breakfast of egg, cheese, and ham tortillas (Kevin made them). We loaded my Honda Element with the bikes, and Em's car with our gear. The day started on a little bit of a sour note because I had to yell at Em to get moving so that we wouldn't be late to the start. We lucked out and got there early because the traffic was pretty light. Em and I made up before I left.

My sister, Pam, and my brother-in-law, Vlad were able to make it down to the start. Nathalie and Erich, two of my good friends also made it. So I had Nick, Em, Vlad, Pam, Nathalie, and Erich to see me off. It was nice to have all of them to see me off (and so early too). I love you guys.

The ride route changed this year from last. Last year they went over the I90 bridge over Lake Washington, this year we went around the north end of the lake on the Burke Gilman Trail. Then we caught the Sammamish River trail, and then on to Fall City on Highway 202. We climbed to the falls, took some pictures and then went on to the towns of Snoqualmie and North Bend. We had some of the ex-big riders join us on the ride over the pass. After North Bend we climbed, climbed, climbed, and then climbed some more over up I-90 and then on to Denny Creek Road. We stopped at the summit to refuel and then took the plunge down I-90 and around the reservoir to Lake Easton State Park, our first camping spot.

Akira met us at the campsite that night and took pictures and interviewed Kevin, Steph and I. It was nice to have him there. He even went and got aspirin for Steph, and tea and sugar for her to make sweet tea the next morning. Dinner was grilled Sausages (spicy beef, vegetarian, or chicken), pasta salad, and mixed lettuce salad. The dinner made by former Big Riders, some who came from as far away as Phoenix and Maryland.

We were all in bed before dark. My Coleman air mattress was very comfy.





UPDTATE 2 - Erich's pictures (more in Slideshow section):




UPDTATE - Patty's pictures (more in Slideshow section):


Em, Patty, and Pam at mile post 0


Snoqualmie Falls (268 ft)


Kevin and Stephanie on Denny Creek Road


Steph says this climbing sucks. she has never climbed a hill in her life


Snoqualmie Pass (3022 ft)

Patty and other riders have completed Day 1 successfully and are resting in Easton, WA.


Patty

Highlight of the day: Drinking cold Mountain Dew at the end of day, and meeting Amy (our great volunteer) in the shower room. Amy had extra coins for the shower, so she got to take a 6 minute shower, instead of a 3 minute one.

Lowlight of the day: Her pack (Patty, Kevin, and Steph et al.) got lost on the Burke-Gilman Trail. (For those of you who don't know what it is, this is the trail she has been riding practically everyday for her training... for years...). Also, having to get her daughter up in the morning to drive her to the ride start at the University of Washington.

No flat tires, no peanut butter and jerry (a rescue food), uphill around Denny Creek was tough.

Kevin

Highlight of the day: The campsite.

Lowlight of the day: 2-3 miles of uphill before the Snoqualmie Pass.












Stephanie

Lowlight of the day: At 68 miles, someone told her it is 90 miles run today (as opposed to 70's).

Highlight of the day: Sitting in her cozy tent and talking to me (how sweet!).