Here's a report from Chuck of a ride up Mount Baker that happened in August. This is a ride the Vancouver crew do a lot. 160km total distance there and back, from the Canadian border up a volcano in Washington state, climbs to 1,500m and rolls from start to finish. This one sounds like it was an epic burn-up...I'll let Chuck take up the story.
Well the Baker ride took on a life of its own this year. I put the
idea to Robert and he made it happen. Some word of mouth, alot of
emails and a lot of follow up. There were some other people with the
same idea also. There were alot of riders at the border on Saturday.
Once we were all through the border the ride started out really fast.
There were a couple of guys from the Daryle Evens Club that were off
at in and around 40+ ks. This started to string out the ride right
away. It turned out this was alot more work than alot of people
expected. Most likely not the best way to start a Baker ride. The
group split at the South Pass Road, some went straight on. We
hammered it down South Pass Road and caught the others in Glacier.
Some of the group were pretty beat up already. Like i said before not
the best way to start a Baker Ride.
It didn't take long for the entire group to split after leaving
Glacier. Lots of little groups and lots of singles. A few people
turned around before the top. I will speak for myself. That was a
tough ride up. In the words Warren uses, i left quite a few matches
on the road to the bottom of the climb. I was talking with Robert and
he said it was his hardest Baker Ride yet. Robert liked the Baker
Ride we did last year. All seven us stayed together and the pace was
a little lighter. I agree much more enjoyable. Robert was saying
this ride felt like a race. After looking back on Saturday, i will
agree with Robert. Robert was saying the next time up we should slow
down a bit and stay together and enjoy the scenery. What can i say,
sounds like a great plan to me. I liked last year's ride alot to.
Pretty well a double pace line all day. This was a tough ride this
year.
What can i say about Martin. As Robert was saying probably the most
improved rider. Martin has lost almost two stone. Looks like a new
man. Rides like the wind and climbs like a home sick angel. Martin
was taking some long pulls up front into the head wind. Martin didn't have any problem staying with the first group. He was up the mountain at least half an hour before me. I was on my race bike and Martin was on a cross bike with disk brakes and a broken rear spoke. After we left Glacier on the way home i just started to ride in a zone. I was thinking about last year when you and me were riding that leg home. You were working me over pretty good. Martin was with me every
step of the way. He is a real diesel. I knew Robert wasn't a hundred
percent but i didn't know he was really suffering that bad. Talking to
him the morning after i found out he could have used some help on the
way home. I think i am going to have to work on my group riding
skills. To Robert, sorry about that buddy...
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