Eatonville to Ashford. The Hard Way. Recalled as a photo essay. -- by Dwaine

Dwaine and Adam rode a spectacular road and gravel route from Eatonville to Ashford and back. Here are a few photos from that day:

Our legs had been working for a couple hours before my camera first opened it's eyes. But what a view. Mount Rainier did not disapoint as we crested Road 8 on our way to Ashford.

Once the steep section of the descent was safely behind us we really started to enjoy the final gravel miles into Ashford. The gravel took on a less chunky texture. The air was warm. The photographer decided to memorialize the moment at Rock #1.

Dwaine chose the day's route using an online tool. Dwaine double checked that a bridge connected the gravel roads on both sides of this creek and found that bridge no longer existed. Dwaine didn't share this detail until we were well into the ride. Fording seemed more fun than backtracking so we bared our feet and walked on through. The stones were not kind to our feet. The water was brisk. We had no regrets.

Ever wonder what it's like to have a 4.0 watts per kilogram motor? Ever wonder what's it's like to climb for an hour and still have matches left to burn? I certainly wouldn't know. But I know the loneliness of watching your buddy shoot off the front and rocket uphill. Here's a photo of that moment. Great work Adam!

Dwaine's smile was a thin veil on his actual state of being. He climbed. He hurt. And Adam photographed the moment. Thank you Adam for capturing the suffer.

At the summit the photographer needed a few minutes to collect himself and began to make himself busy with the camera in hopes of a few more moments of rest. This first photo is titled 'Mount Rainier Color in Your Face'.

This second photo is titled 'Mount Rainier Timelessness'.

This third photo is the photographer testing his selfie chops. There is nothing worse than having my 8th grade daughter critique my selfie skills. If you see this photo please let her know I'm getting better...

The final miles of flat pavement were pedaled at pace. Dwaine pulled only one minute for every five minutes that Adam pulled. The photo doesn't show just how hard we finished the ride. The photo does show we were pretty pleased with how good of a ride it was.