2013 STP (Seattle to Portland Bike Ride) 206 miles!

Another great STP.  My fourth, Vicky's second, Jules' third.

The weather was perfect both days.  No headwinds (maybe a bit of one on the first day that was more than made up for by a tailwind on the second day).

Our first day, as usual was 115 miles, and our second day, as usual, was 91.

We spent the night with Jules, Jess, and the boys, and headed out at 5:00 a.m.  We biked to the start line since it was only three miles from their house, and is mostly downhill!  That's what we have done for the two previous STPs.



 
Start line.  Such a fever at the start line.  Cars, bikes, people, announcements.  It's really exciting.

That's the last time we saw Jules until we reached the end of our first day.  As we do more riding, the difference between the speeds he can comfortably ride and we can comfortably ride grows larger, so instead of riding together, as he, Sean, and I did for his first STP in 2011, on most rides he goes his speed and we go ours.  We still feel just as much as if we are riding with him whether he is actually right next to us or not.  We communicate with texts, calls when needed, and meet up somewhere along the rides.  It works really well for all of us.

Next year, though (GOOD NEWS ALERT!) he will having a riding partner because Sean is coming out to do another with us.  This has been something I have been wanting for a long time, for all four of us to do an STP.

Having our traditional cream-sickles at the half-way point, Centralia.  It is usually mid-afternoon and warm (or hot) so these are so good.

 

We made it to Napavine with little trouble.  Our time this year was slower than last year's, which was puzzling because we felt stronger.  There are two "hills" on the STP route, neither of which are really anything.  However, they were a challenge for my first two STPs, and this year they felt even easier than last year.  We did have an unexpected headwind for awhile, but our best guess is that I was still favoring my right knee which had been giving me trouble earlier in the season.

It doesn't really matter, as we just ride at our comfortable pace, which means most people pass us.  That makes for a very easy ride, though, because we just get in the right lane and keep it, and can enjoy the ride and the countryside instead of hassling with passing.

At Napavine:

Our hosts at Napavine.  The family opens their home for STP riders.  It was a real find for me my first year doing the STP.  I wanted a bed to sleep in.  Most of the places I checked into had already been booked, but I got one of the last spots here.  I am so glad.

The family is warm and hospitable.  They provide cold drinks, two great meals, showers, etc.  It is a fund raiser for their local 4-H, so that's nice too.

The three of us stayed in a trailer, like we did last year.

The bikes were stored in their barn.  Vicky took this photo and called it "Away in a Manger."

We are ready to go for the second day.  91 miles to Portland!

We had a great ride.  Jules got there an hour and a half before us.  He got slowed down by a bad tire that gave him problems all day.  Had to repair it a few times.

Jessica came down to retrieve us.  She did a lot of driving that day because none of us were much help on the way home!

A company sets up photographers along the way to take photos to sell to us.  When Vicky would spot one ahead of us, she would slow down and I would try to get next to her so we could get photos together.  That was fun.