RAMROD 2018: David Crawford's Account

Author:  David Crawford

I had never done ramrod before this year, but I have done enough hard rides with the Cyclopaths to know what to expect. I knew it would be a difficult ride and I was planning on trying to be in the top 5 to 10 finishers. I knew the biggest hurdle would be the climb over Cayuse. I would need to conserve as much energy as possible up to that point and then be prepared to suffer until the finish.

At that the start it was still dark and dawn was approaching. I met a few other Cyclopaths at the start line. Scott W was planning on starting at 5, as I was. I also saw John and Les, but they were going to be starting a little later. So I started off with Scott and a few other riders. The group got larger as we continued and we were making good time down through South Prairie into Orting. Then along Orville road through Kapowsin and finally into Eatonville. We were in a fairly large group by the time we reached Meridian and I went hard up the first short climb into Eatonville and was riding solo after that. I passed the first water stop and continued out of Eatonville up the climb on Alder Lake Cutoff Rd. A small group of riders caught me on the climb so I upped my pace to match them. They soon slowed and I had dropped them and I was riding alone again. Once I reached highway 7 I slowed my pace to allow the group behind me to catch up, so that we could get a good pace line going. We started with about 5 guys and we were going well, caught a few riders and soon the group was up to about 10. With the slight incline and nice pace we dropped some of the guys and by the time we reached the food stop we were back to 5.

I spent more time at that stop than I wanted but I was going to try and stick with the same guys. It always makes a ride a little easier when you are in a group. They were leaving when I saw Scott W pull in. I was able to chat with him and he wasn't stopping long so we left the food stop together. Once we reached the park entrance I could see the guys I had previously been riding with in front of me. I was able to tempo back up to them, being in a paceline even on a climb does help. By the time we passed Longmire one of the guys upped the pace, I matched him and when he came off the front I saw we had dropped the other three riders and he was dropping back as well. I felt comfortable with my pace, so I just kept going. I would be pretty much be riding solo from here to the finish. I kept the same pace up to Inspiration Point, passing a few more riders along the way, where I briefly stopped to refill my bottles. And on I continued. The descent and spectacular views through Stevens Canyon is my favorite part of the ride.

2018 RAMROD
David finishing 2nd overall

After a short climb up Backbone Ridge, I descended to the Stevens Canyon entrance and headed towards Cayuse. I was feeling good up to this point in the ride, but I knew once I started up Cayuse it was going to hurt. I was not disappointed. As I was climbing Cayuse I could see a blinking red light ahead of me. Another rider. I was slowly gaining ground on him until I eventually passed him. I was completely ignoring my HR by this point because it was higher than I wanted and with the increasing temperatures there was nothing I could do about that. I reached the top of Cayuse, which felt like forever, and after topping off my water began my descent. Once I had completed the descent I started the long grind back to Enumclaw. I had no idea how many people were in front of me or how close anyone was behind me. With the nonstop heat blasting headwind, I was half expecting a group to catch me. This is really the part of the ride where having multiple riders together can make a big impact. I would've welcomed being caught, but as it was, I had to grind the miles out, watching my Garmin slowly tick always the tenths of miles, counting down until I would reach the finish. 

Finally, the Mud Mountain Road turnoff. My water bottles were long empty, but I knew I would get a little break on the Mud Mountain downhill. The road is somewhat rough, and I went down as fast as my nerves would let me. Once at the bottom it was the home stretch and I felt a renewed strength as I completed the ride and finally passed under the finish line. They told me I was the second rider to come in. I rested a bit, had some liquids and an ice cream bar. I was going to wait around to meet up with some of the other Cyclopaths but to be honest, with the heat, I was ready to just head home.

RAMROD 2018: Leon Matz's Account

Author:  Leon Matz


My 2018 Ramrod was very different than any Ramrod I have done over the last 25 years. I hope to not repeat an adventure like I did this year in the future.

After biking 1,400 miles to Colorado Springs in 12 days I sustained to leg issues that troubled me for nearly two weeks before I could get in a few training rides. I then went on a trip with Fran to Savannah, Georgia. We had a wonderful time, so wonderful that I gained 6 lbs in 5 days. I then returned home 3 days before Ramrod, fat and out of shape!

Even though I was nervous about doing Ramrod, I went with the idea of riding with my Cyclopath buddies. I carried my own food and limiting the length of all my stops with the hope of keeping up with my friends.

As we approached Orting and the turn onto Orville Rd, I thought I noticed a slow leak in my front tire. 1/2 way through the turn; my tire totally lost pressure, and I went down sliding along the pavement edge! I was stunned but no broken bones. Dr. Les checked me over and made sure road rash was the only issue. All my Cyclopath buddies patiently waited for me to be checked out and get my tube changed! Lots of riders went streaming by except for Adam who caught up with us at that point. Soon we were back on the road. My hip and neck hurt and a headache soon joined me!

Going up Kapowsin hill I lost contact with the group, but they patiently waited for me at the top.  As we approached Eatonville Mike Hassur and the group decided to do a quick stop. Mike Smith and I kept riding! We did most of the riding from here to the park entry by ourselves. We made a quick stop at Longmire for some water and back we went to climbing! 

I was trying pretty hard but could tell my climbing speed was not like it usually is. About 1/2 way to Inspiration Point, John and Adam passed us with seemingly little effort.
Mike S. left me and went up the road.  At Inspiration Point Mike Hassur and Les caught up with us, and we started to descend Stevens Canyon! Almost immediately, I started getting cramps in both legs in the inside of both Quads. I increased my drinking and tried to stretch and massage to get them to retreat. Why was I cramping on a descent??  Normally I never stop at the Box Canyon food stop, but we all did! I downed 5 Tums tablets, several bananas, some salt and Gatorade. Off we went and the cramps quickly returned. There were times when both legs would cramp at the same time, and it was very painful! At that time I talked to Mike H. about the sweeper vehicles. At that point I thought my day was going to be over. Mike H, Mike S, and Les left me at that point as I was riding very slowly!  I tried to spin in an easy gear to remove the pressure on the leg muscles! I made it to the Backbone Ridge stop hoping for pickle juice or something to help with the cramps! A very nice lady gave me a small bottle of coconut water from her personal supplies! I asked about sweeper vehicles and found out there were 2 but both would not be through here for another 5-6 hours! So off I went praying for the best but fearing the worst!

It wasn’t long, and I was at the water stop at the beginning of Cayuse Pass. Again nothing for cramps other than water! The early part of the climb went fairly well as it was in the shade and not very steep.  I had a stream of riders going by with #’s mostly 600 and 700 (young guys). Memories of most years here, I am the one passing others not being passed! Humbling, but I was grateful to still be riding! The coconut water seemed to rid me temporarily of the cramps! My climbing speed was not great, but I kept focusing on getting to the next water stop. When I made it there, they had no pickle juice but did have plenty of ice! I filled my bottles and my neck tube sock with ice and took off!  Soon I found myself in a good rhythm and passing people who had passed me previously! My effort level was higher even though we were now out of the shade and into the blazing sun!

The next 4 miles were hard, but I felt more like my old self!  At the top, I - once again - pleaded for pickle juice but with no luck!  As I started to descend the cramps returned!  No!!! Please go away!

Shortly I was pulling into the deli; and - YES - they had pickle juice! I downed three cups of it and had a sandwich that included pickles! I was surprised and pleased to see that both Mikes and Les were at the deli! I quickly gobbled my food down and filled my bottles. The thought of being able to ride with them to Enumclaw through the expected headwind was very appealing! As they mounted and started to head out, I grabbed my bike and tried to head out with them but my chain came off and by the time I reached 410 they were about 1/3 mile ahead! I tried to increase my effort to catch them but being too full of food and drink I could make no progress in catching them.  Discouraged I tried to hold out hope that a group would go by that I could catch to perhaps catch up with them!

Oh, here comes a group! The rainbow jersey team! I psyched myself up to jump on the 4 person train but they were too fast for me!  I, then, road probably 15 miles seeing no one!
Finally, a big group of 10 came by but again too fast for me!

Riding alone into the wind when you are this hot and tired is no fun! I tried to not get too discouraged ! I was grateful to not having any cramps since I left the deli!

With about 12 miles to Enumclaw I came around a corner and saw 3 people at the side of the road with 2 jerseys looking like our colors! Yes it was Mike H., Mike S., and Les!  I waited for Smith to fix his blowout and then we headed down the road! I was so grateful to have found them!  Even though I was very tired, I was overjoyed to be riding with them! When we arrived at the finish line, I was told we were in the top 125 to finish and the first double not triple digit numbers to come in!

I made it!

I was convinced 1/2 way through the ride that I was going to have to abandon the ride!
After two chocolate ice cream bars, 3 cookies and two juice cans, I staggered to
Mike’s van!

It had now been over 52 hours since the end of the ride, and I am still very tired and sore! I hope tonight I can sleep on my left side!  My hip is still bothering me - pretty tender from the bruise and road rash!

I hope I don’t have another Ramrod like this one!

2018_07_07 Triple By-Pass Ride

Author:  Mike Hassur

The start time for this ride was 7:00 AM at The Grove of the Patriarchs which is about a one hour and forty minute drive from our house.  I wanted to get there early, so the plan was to leave our house by 5:00 AM.  I had packed up all of my gear in the van the night before; so things went smoothly, and I was on the road on time.

Driving through Enumclaw at 5:25 AM...

The scenery just getting there can be pretty spectacular if you are paying attention at 5:35 AM (which I, usually, am not)...

Things went better than expected, and I arrived at the Grove of the Patriarchs Parking Lot at 6:20 AM (40 minutes early - perfect!!).  To my surprise, there were already five other vehicles there - AND FOUR OF THEM BELONGED TO PUYALLUP CYCLOPATHS.  Scott, David, Adam, and John greeted me with big grins on their faces.  Les rolled in not long after that.  We gave him a hard time about being "late" even though he was still 20 minutes early...

The parking lot was dominated by Cyclopath vehicles at this hour...

John getting ready...

Scott - ready to go...

"Late" Les - smiling as usual...

Soon, we were heading out and crossing the Ohanapecosh River Bridge which is right next to the parking lot...

Ohanapecosh River:  up river view...

Ohanapecosh River:  down river view...

We passed the Ranger Station on the east side of the national park, turned left on hwy 123, and headed up the south side of Cayuse Pass.  Soon, different groups had formed according to their climbing speed.  David had disappeared up the road.  Les and John were visiting their way up the climb together; and Les, Rex, Scott and Mike were visiting and making their way up together.

Before we knew it, we had reached the top of Cayuse Pass (the visiting helped, and we were climbing pretty fast).  From there, we turned out attention to climbing into the clouds (literally) up Chinook Pass.  At the top of Chinook; we stopped, ate and drank, and took some photos...

View of the road heading down the east side from Chinook Pass...

Les on Chinook Pass...

Scott, John, Adam, Rex, David, and Mike in the clouds on Chinook Pass...

It was pretty cool at this hour on Chinook Pass (high thirties or low forties), so we put on an outer layer of vests or jackets and took off down the east side.  The road had been resurfaced which made the high speeds (up to 40 mph) on the upper part of the descent smooth and fun.

Soon, we had descended far enough that we were out of the clouds and into the sun which made for more comfortable temperatures.  We regrouped at this point and rode in a paceline for approximately 20 miles to Whistlin' Jack's (a combination of gas station, convenience store, and lodge) where we ate, drank, refilled water bottles, and hit the bathroom.

After a relatively brief stop at Whistlin' Jack's, we continued east toward the junction of Hwy 410 and Hwy 12 (near Naches).  This 20 mile section is a gentle downhill (following the Naches River).  It is perfect for having too much fun in fast pacelines and using up energy that will be needed on the long (~30 miles), gradual climb up the east side of White Pass (I knew this, but I did the fast paceline anyway - and paid for it later on White Pass).  This section is, also, interesting because of the relatively sudden change in the scenery.  You are riding along through mountain forests; and, then, before you know it you are suddenly in these arid surroundings...

Just after turning onto Hwy 12 and heading toward White Pass...

After turning onto Hwy 12, it is about 14 miles to our second food, water, and bathroom stop on the trip - The Trout Lodge and Restaurant (sorry, no photos).  After refilling our supplies, we continued the climb toward the summit of White Pass.  We (Les, Scott, Rex and I) started feeling the effects of our earlier exertions before we got to Rimrock Lake which meant that we still had 16-17 miles of climbing before reaching the top - ugh.  After Rimrock Lake; Les, Scott, and I (Rex had fallen back a bit) decided to form a "relaxed" paceline to help us conserve energy by keeping us out of the headwind as much as possible.  We proceeded up the remainder of the climb in this fashion and were pretty spent by the time we reached the convenience store at the top of the pass.

After regrouping at White Pass (and replacing our diminished supplies of food and Gatorade), we sped down the west side of the pass.  At the bottom, we turned onto Hwy 123 which climbed for about six miles before returning us to our starting point at Grove of the Patriarchs.

The parking lot at Grove of the Patriarchs was packed upon our return...

I really enjoyed this ride (most of it - at least) and this group of riders.  It was exhausting, but worth it.

To see all of the photos from this trip, click on the following link:

2018 "Triple By-Pass Ride" Photo Album

The next ride on our schedule is RAMROD on July 26th.  Can't wait!!!

Sunrise Picture Post -- by Dwaine

On a certain secret Saturday the last ten miles of the road to Sunrise is closed to motorists and open to cyclists. This is the equivalent to crack cocaine if you are a hill loving Puyallup Cyclopath. We were slipping under the gate to start our first lap at 6:30. It would be another hour and a half before we encountered another non Cyclopath cyclist.

Between laps we refilled our water bottles and posed for pictures.

As the climbing neared it's zenith we searched for a proper stopping point. The group decided that 9k feet of climbing was the goal and we stopped just up the road from Sunrise Point. The photographer asked for visual representations of our accomplishments. Mike flashed nine fingers to represent nine thousand feet of climbing. David showed five fingers for five ascents. We never figured out what Les is signaling...

A job well done. Mike's post ride ritual always seems to include a few minutes sitting under the hatch of his van. My camera caught the joy of removing his hard working cycling shoes.