Fall is definitely going to be here soon!..but first, Vashon!!

Looks like the seasons are finally starting to change - the tiger-eye sumacs in our yard are starting to change colors to their brilliant yellows (and ultimately more orange as well).   They are a plant I put up most of the year just for these colors.

 


However, the riding is still great although it might only be for a few more days.

Vashon Island Veloambulation - Oct 7

6 of us headed out from the north ferry terminal on Vashon Island on a wonderful sunny Sunday morning!  Monica, Sylvia, Tom, Chris, Jack and myself headed up the welcoming 1 mile hill coming from the ferry terminal.   Welcome to Vashon!....as your heart rate labors up to 90% of max!   Fully warmed up we followed our veloambulation route of about 45 miles and 4000 feet of climbing....did I mention that Vashon Island is hilly?  (Yes, of course, I did!)   Here we are at the start (Pic by Monica) (if you double-click the photo it gets larger by the way!)

After meandering around the quite rural roads on a sunny fall day, we took a rest stop by the Jensen Boat House near Burton:

Returning to the route, Monica and Sylvia were going to cut the ride short as they are still recovering from previous injuries and the amount of riding we  had done so far was about the right level for them for the day.   Thanks to them for joining us!

Jack, Chris, Tom, and myself began the second (and maybe harder) part of the ride including the famed hill up 260th (Griggs Road) which certainly helps clear out the lungs and get the heart pumping!  Stopping after that climb at the Maury Island Overlook we had a fabulous view over the sound toward Des Moines, Redondo, Brown's Point, and the entrance to Commencement Bay - Mt Rainier was peeking out over the clouds as well - certainly an idyllic stopping point!

 The return route up Luana Drive kept us climbing and of course there was the final climb back to the Vashon town itself.  Chris, who lives on the Island, left us at that point as Tom, Jack and I headed for the ferry.   One of the keys after such a hard ride is to re-fuel within 30 minutes (I am told) to help restore the glycogen stores while the muscles are still open to rapid uptake - there is supposedly a small window for this.  Fortunately, we were able to help Jack and Tom doing the required refueling on the ferry back to Fauntleroy:

 All in all, this was a great way to spend a Sunday!  Days like this should be in our memory banks for the winter ahead of us.  This is why we going out cycling!!  Thanks to Monica, Sylvia, Tom, Chris (our deputy ride leader today!), and Jack (our sweep) for a great ride!