2021-05-29 Cyclopath "Port Orchard Loop" Recap

 Author:  Dwaine Trummert

Every year Les and I lead the Cyclopaths on an over-the-bridge route. It's a challenge. The route differs a bit each year. Few of the Cyclopaths know the area well. There are lots of turns and few natural regrouping points. We are getting better and this year might have been our best work so far. 

Before sharing my photos I need to say 'thanks' to my co-leader Les for his work on this ride. Yes, I bring my big voice to communicate with the group. But Les is the true originator of this route and ride. 

A second 'thank you' goes out to our deputized-on-the-fly junior co-leader Adam. Having a third hand who can cover any break went a long ways in keeping us orderly and unlost.

Adam brought them across the Narrows Bridge in tidy order. In the process he created a pretty picture for the photographer and a chance for all the motorists crossing the bridge to appreciated our fine paceline.

 

Adam led the group into the descent to Al's Market. By this point in the ride he had been deputized and given difficult duties like 'cover any aggressive surges up Dana Drive' and 'Don't let Rob get off the front alone'.

 

Upon our arrival at Al's Market we found this surprise. It has been renamed Olalla Bay Market and was set reopen any day. Al's has been a regular stopping point for many Gig Harbor area rides. What hasn't changed is it's location at the base of a truly leg snapping climb.

As the group turned onto Sedgewick Road I realized how well the day was going. The weather was perfect. The traffic light. It seemed a nice time to grab a rolling group photo. I sprinted ahead, jumped off my bike, pointed the camera, and caught the group as they rolled towards the Southworth Ferry Landing.

Mike is our other photographer and primary organizer. This photo is my homage to the work he does to schedule Cyclopath rides and the work he does behind the viewfinder to document the fun.

At the Manchester boat launch we noticed this wreck. While we gazed at the scene emergency responders arrived only to find no humans in danger. Each of us shared a scenario that explained the situation. My take was that this boat freed itself of it's moorings, blew up against the dock, and then got itself under an edge of the dock on a falling tide. Crunch.

Ride leader Les sitting down on the job. This photo was taken at mile 57 of 68. We stopped for a final restroom break along the Cushman Trail. We were close to home, hadn't lost any riders, and were congratulating ourselves on a job well done.