The Hills of October! - Rides Oct 7 and Oct 9

This October has been fabulous so far - let's hope it holds a bit longer.  With the longer range forecast in sight, we have two great rides planned in the next week!

Vashon Island Sunday Oct 7

We will be doing a Vashon Island Veloambulation - leaves Vashon Island North Ferry Terminal at 0945 (we will be taking the 0925 Ferry from Fauntleroy to be there on time).   About 45 miles and 4100 feet of climbing

I slowed the pace down a bit to Steady (from Moderate) but it won't matter as there is hardly any flat on the Island route we will be taking - see the map at http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1740408.  We should get some good views!  The photo shows Pete at the Maury Island overlook.  On this ride, we might also chat about an insane ride that they offer on Vashon - it is called the Passport to Pain (P2P) - here is the course (the hardest) which is described as having half the RAM and all of the ROD of the other more famous NW climbing ride!!  (One of the folks planning to ride with us did the P2P and has personal experiences to share!)  Note we are NOT doing the P2P course but the one referenced above on the ridewithgps map!!

Mt St Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory Tuesday Oct 9

We will be climbing Mt St Helens (on a road) on Tuesday morning, October 9.  Weather forecast is fabulous!  You might get a case of "blue sky fever" - the only treatment I know of is to go ride!  Here is the chance!   We leave Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center  (mp 27 on Highway 504) at 0900 - be there by 0845 please!   This is not a ride for the faint of heart as it has a lot of hill climbing!   The route is at http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1774445 .

The views should be great - the mountain will be craggy rather than snowy - here is the photo from the Webcam of the mountain from today:

It is about 3 hours from Seattle to the start - suggest you plan ahead and work backward to when you would have to leave to join.   I already have a full car unfortunately!