Puyallup Cyclopaths:  Carbon River Entrance to Mt Rainier Ride

  

Author:  Mike Hassur

The first “official” Puyallup Cyclopath ride of 2013 is in the books.  Twelve of us (John Winter, Scott Larson, Les Becker, Chris Nelson, Mark Delrosario, Kurt Maute, Gabe Scott, Nick Iverson, Brent Moody, Rod Hart, Rob Critchfield, and Mike Hassur) met in Orting and were on the road by about 8:20 AM. 

The weather was good – overcast, 53 degrees, and NOT RAINING!!

The ride from Orting to South Prairie was filled with conversation and went by in the blink of an eye.  The Tubbs Road Hill – as usual – separated the group, but we just cruised along and got back together in Wilkeson.  The big hill from Wilkeson to Carbonado once again separated us, but we regrouped at the Fairfax Bridge and cruised most of the rest of the way to the Carbon River Entrance of Mt Rainier pretty much together.  Again – lots of conversation.  There were various conversations going on at the same time, so I can’t speak for others; but my favorite topics were Rod Hart’s new cabin/house on the Columbia River and Chris Nelson talking about his children.

Brent Moody not pictured (taking photo)

After taking the requisite photos of us on the bridge near the Carbon River Entrance, we were on our way back.  After an initial uphill section, the rest of the ride back to the Fairfax Bridge is mostly downhill.  Usually, we are in a paceline during this section of the ride, but today we just cruised at 20-25 mph in a loose pack and enjoyed riding together and visiting all the way back to the bridge and, then , on to Carbonado.

After Carbonado, we started the descent toward Wilkeson in a big pack.  I have never gone down this descent as fast as we did today (I guess because we were in a big group?).  I glanced at my Garmin, and it showed 40 mph (and we weren’t even pedaling much). 

We lost Rod just past Wilkeson (as he continued on the main road).  We continued on Tubbs Road to South Prairie and then on to Orting.  Nothing spectacular – just a brisk pace and visiting the entire way back – perfect!!

What a nice way to begin our season.  Thanks to everyone involved for a really enjoyable ride.

To see pictures from today's ride click on the following link:  https://picasaweb.google.com/103821724300588557330/2013_04_27CarbonRiverEntranceToMtRainier#slideshow/5871664919766266642