Chilly Hilly 2012

My first big group ride, outside of my triathlon last year! 33 miles circumnavigating Bainbridge Island. 2,675 feet of climbing. Over 5,300 riders signed up, but only about 3,000 rode (I assume they were intimidated by the weather report calling for snow and rain...)This was its 40th Anniversary.

I feel so accomplished! I have a newfound confidence in my ability to 1) get up that f*#%ing hill, and 2) to finish the STP strong in July.

My bike, a Kona Hoo-Ha, on the ferry.


It started with catching the 8am bus to downtown. I couldn't find the free bus passes I stuffed in my little bike bag the night before, and I was late. Luckily, even for early Sunday routes, you can almost always count on King County Metro to be running behind a bit. I was flustered, I forgot how to operate the bike rack on the bus, so that was embarrassing, and also I couldn't pay, but I think the lady just wanted to get moving and didn't care too much.

Seattle was pretty as we left for Bainbridge.


I hopped the 8:45am ferry to Bainbridge, along with hundreds of other riders. I was SO excited, and was very inspired to see so many bikes taking over the ferry. It was really cool! And so funny to see all the neon bike gear in the passenger area. So so much fun. If you're a photographer, I'd encourage you to just ride the ferry this day and get cool shots. I wanted to take more, but had to think about the ride ahead.

Bikes on the ferry.

33 miles is the longest I've ridden yet. I took a 20 minute food break at mile 16, at the chili feed halfway-point. Let me tell you, I needed FUEL. The stop was right after the 2nd of 4 very long hills. Scarfed a hotdog, chips and cupcake at the park. This is when it started to snow. While riding, I was plenty warm. I had on 4 layers on top, just spandex bike pants on the bottom. My body temp plummeted due to the cold weather and wet sweatiness. I was looking forward to getting back on my bike.

Halfway point. The water tower says "Dream", which I thought was super cute.

Bainbridge is absolutely gorgeous. I get why people live there. Luckily there were only a few driver assholes; most people were very aware and respectful of the ride that day. And there were lots of cute kids with lemonade stands. I stopped at one about 5 miles away from the finish line.

Not going to lie, the big hills were hard. I had to get off in the middle of 3 of the 4 and walk my bike. But I biked more of the big hills than I walked. When you're low on energy, even the little hills are intimidating. At one point, probably 10 miles from the finish, I came to a really steep medium hill and just pulled off to the shoulder. I was so tired and uncoordinated, I failed to pull my right foot out of the pedal basket and fell right over. Two big bruises now to show for it, but it didn't really hurt or anything. No blood. I was laughing. The guy who stopped next to me was worried but then started laughing when he could see I was alright. Really, I just fell over. It was ridiculous.

It was also sunny at some parts. Gorgeous lovely sunny weather. Although it did snow for over an hour, we never got rained on. Hallelujah!

Finish line chili!

At the finish line, I downed a bowl of chili made by the chefs at Farestart. The money raised went to several charities. I didn't have to wait too long to hop the ferry back, and then ride the bus (I found my passes finally!) back home. A scalding hot shower never felt so good.

Waiting to get on the ferry home.

I would totally do this again. I had such a fun time. Maybe with a few other riders next time? :)

Post-Triathlon: WOOHOO!

Me, about 30 minutes pre-race.

I woke up at 4:50 AM, threw my brand-new race jersey on, and my bike shorts, then the warmer clothes I planned on wearing post-race. Shoes- check. Bike gear- check. Fuel during and post-race- check. Loaded my bike up, and was on the road as daylight was kicking into gear at 5:20 AM, thinking to myself "My god, I haven't been up this early in...uhm..."

Made the drive down to Federal Way. Did you know no one is on the roads before 6am on Sunday morning? Parked in the transit lot and rode my bike to the race site at Steel Lake. Met up with the Hett ladies, racked our bikes on the same rack. Set up my transition zone (towel to dry my feet off in front of my bike, fuel/sunglasses/socks ready to go in my shoes, helmet and bandana positioned on the bike. Struggled to get the wetsuit on (those things are tight!). Chatted excitedly with the Hetts. With 20 minutes till race time, made it down to the lake to get the suit wet and "make peace with the lake", as I've heard it called. One pre-recorded National Anthem later, we were walking out to the end of a very long dock with a group of oh...30 other ladies? We all jumped into the water, and about 30 seconds later "3! 2! 1! GO!" And we're off...

I couldn't get my face to stay in the water, it was a self-preservationist thing. I'd get a bit panicked, and then I'd feel the wetsuit squeezing me, and I'd flip to my back. I did a majority of the race on my back, or a modified front crawl (with my face out of the water the whole time). Did that in 27 minutes, which I thought for sure would take me 40 or more. Yay!

Next was the bike leg, which I was most excited for. I love riding my bicycle, especially since buying this Kona hybrid off my coworker last summer (my other bike is a Novara mountain bike; it's heavy...I call it The Beast). The route was down a long hill, then two laps around the Weyerhauser headquarters (which is really quite lovely; the building is all concrete and glass, with great swaths of green vegetation growing all over it, set beyond a decent sized lake...and there's a big garden, too, but couldn't see it from the route), then back up that big long hill, and one very steep hill, then into the transition area. I held my own in the bike leg! Somewhere around 53 minutes, if I recall correctly. 12.4 miles down.

The running leg is my least favorite. I don't know where last year's passion for running went, but "the thrill is gone". The route was two laps around Steel Lake. A total of 4.1 miles. It was very hilly; the only flat stretch was in the shoulder of Pacific Highway (which was not great anyway because it was the shoulder of a highway!!). I mostly just speed walked, and then ran the downhills. I came out with about an average 13 minute mile. At the end, as I was re-entering the park for the last time to make a dash through some woods and finally pop out across the finish line, I saw Miranda. She had finished probably 10 minutes earlier, but was waiting for her mom and sister, who were not far behind me, to cross together. Almost there, almost there! I ran the whole way from her to the finish line; had to finish strong. I could hear the music (Doobie Brothers was on, which is ironic because I had just seen them two days prior with my parents..."Listen to the Music" was playing) and the announcer say my name. I was just so happy and giddy, I skipped the last 20 feet over the finish line. Jane was not but a minute or so behind me, and said she didn't see me but could hear the announcer shouting "Oh, she's skipping!" Haha.

It was a really great experience, and one which I'm sure I'll do again. More practice swimming in the lake, more hours to log in with running (blech), and more focus in the transition zones, and I know I can drop down to 2hrs 15 minutes. Maybe even 2 hours with better training.

Next year I am captaining my first Ski to Sea team, and plan to do the Seattle to Portland bike ride :)