Seattle To Portland Bike Ride 2010

It all started with a tipsy New Year's Eve conversation and evolved into the most challenging New Year's Resolution ever! A bunch of decided it would be fun if we training and completed the STP bike ride this year. I have never done something so physically and mentally challenging in my life! As the months drew on, I had the best intentions of training but rarely found the time due to school, homework and work. Every once in a while, Ryan and I would go on a long bike ride and at least 3 times a week, we would work out at the gym. By June, we decided that we would just go for it and register before we left for our trip to the land of fire and ice. The STP event proved too much for some and decisions were made to back out. For a second, I felt that we should back out as well but I wanted to prove myself wrong and do it. The day of the STP started out cold (July 17, 2010) but Katie, Ryan and I were totally pumped and ready to rock this thing! We parked in the U district and decided to ride our bikes to the starting line (Husky Stadium) instead of paying for parking and getting stuck in traffic. As we are taking off from the truck, Katie exclaims "I'm so excited!" and we hear a loud boom noise. Katie popped her tire! After the amazing Ryan fixed it, again we headed out to start our adventure.




The beginning of the ride was pretty flat and easy as we headed to our first pit stop in Kent. I was feeling pretty good and was keeping up at a good pace with a group of people. Of course, Ryan and Katie were probably wanting to go faster (Triathaloners!) but were happy to stay with me. We made it no problem to Kent! We had soon snacks, went to the bathroom and called our parents to let them know we hadn't been killed yet. About 10 minutes later, hit the road again. Mile 25 was complete.

Back on the bike with a smile and heading towards our next pit stop in Spanaway, I still found the course to be fairly easy and enjoyable. That thought was smashed as we approached our first hill (the worst hill of the course) in Puyallup. OMG was it a hill! It wasn't too steep, but it kept going and going and going. Katie and Ryan made it to the top before me but I had to remember to pace myself. I knew I was going to finish, I just needed to believe in myself. Seeing Ryan and Katie at the top made the last couple minutes a lot easier! I joined them at the top and we continued on our way. After that hill, everything seemed a bit easier. We pulled into Spanaway and grabbed a snack and hit the ground. We sat there for a while and stretched and relaxed. Mile 40 was complete.



I couldn't believe we had already gone 40 miles! Honestly, it didn't feel that long and I was waiting to feel tired and pessimistic about the ride. We rode through Yelm and the course switched from road biking to biking on a well groomed walking/biking trail. This was a much needed smooth ride and was easier to talk to Katie and Ryan. After the trail turned back into the rough road, I began to feel a bit tired. My back and nether-region began ache and I was so ready to take a break! The weather dramatically changed from cloudy and cold to warm and toasty! Tenino approached - our last pit stop before biking into Centralia for the night! Mile 75 completed.




It was a little harder to get back on my bike after the Tenino break. My butt was killing me and was extremely tired. Whining was not an option! Everyone was in such a good mood and was cheering each other on that we couldn't help but have a good time. Finally...we made it to Centralia Community College (Our stop for the night)!! After figuring out how to get to Andy's Grandpa's house, we took off to ride an additional 7 miles to his house. I was exhausted! Grandpa was very excited to see us when we arrived. I didn't want to be rude, but all I wanted was water, food, shower and sleep (and in that exact order). Grandpa wanted us to stay up late and have a couple drinks with him but that was proving impossible for us three! He repeatedly told us of how previous STPers would stay up later, drink and have a great time. He also told us that the STPers were in their 40's - I felt bad! After showering, it was time to hit the hay and boy did we! I slept so hard and well, I never wanted to get up.

The next morning (day 2) began as I attempted to sit up in bed. That was the first challenge of the day! I was so sore and exhausted, I didn't know what to do! After eating a great breakfast prepared by Grandpa, we hit the road again. Getting onto my bike was so painful! I couldn't sit down for atleast 3 miles and was trying my best to squat instead of jamming my butt down on the seat. We made it back to Centralia Community College just in time to start riding with a large group of young people. It was funny riding with this group because everyone was just as sore as us and you could hear riders begin to sit on their seats for the first time! UGH! OUCH! AWWWWWW! It was pretty funny

While we were riding, I overheard some riders talking about how today would be full of hills and winding roads ahead. I couldn't imagine doing anything like that and I started to doubt myself a lot. I never once expressed my nervousness or exhaustion to Ryan or Katie because they looked so strong. About an hour into our ride, I spot it. The first of many hills. I take a deep breath and tell Katie and Ryan to meet me at the top and not wait for me because I want to pace myself. I struggled up the first hill and couldn't wait to get to the other side to coast down. The second hill was immediately after. This one was a bit easier because I was already going very fast down the first. After about 6 hills, one right after the other, things were a lot easier and a lot more fun. We were keeping a great pace and enjoying the scenery.


BANG!! The second flat tire of the trip. Ryan's back tire popped shortly before arriving at the Longview Bridge. Like a rockstar, Ryan changes the tire and we are off in no time. GO RY! We finally made it to the Longview Bridge!! It was very exciting because a bunch of riders were grouping together at the base of the bridge, waiting for our police escort to take us over the bridge. Suddenly, we were off! Everyone began racing up the bridge to get to the other side. It was an amazing feeling riding a bike over a bridge that had a road made of metal links! You could see the water and it honestly made me pedal faster and faster to get off of it! Coming over the other side of the bridge, now flying at an amazing speed over the metal road - thoughts begin to run through my head (What if my front tire gets stuck in the metal? What if I hit something and go flying? What if I fall?!) I made it. YES.


Katie, Ryan and I made it to OREGON!!! After a quick pit stop, we began to ride the course ahead: the side of the highway. It was a little scary to be riding unprotected on a speedy highway but it definitely made me work harder and faster to get off the road. The sun began to shine and the scenery opened up. Beautiful fields of flowers and greenery. The course became very flat and boring after a while and it was hard to go the same speed and see the same butt for hours and hours. It was official. Mile #187 was the hardest mile of my life. Finally, (Clearly I'm skipping hours of riding - but for the sake of my readers, I assume you get the picture) we make it to our last pit stop in Scappoose, OR. Let me tell you what, I have ever wanted popcorn, juice, grapes and cliff bars so much in my life! That rest stop was just what I needed and I felt like I could muster up a enough strength to finish.

All of a sudden...Portland was in sight!!! We were riding up the side of the hill and we could see downtown Portland in the distance. Signs began to whiz by us, "Portland Next Left". Next thing I remember, I was riding through downtown Portland. People walking down the street began to cheer for us riders as we approached the finish line. "GREAT JOB!" "YOURE ALMOST THERE!" "KEEP IT UP!!"




We made it!!!!! It was an unreal feeling to have completed the STP and I'm so very proud of Katie, Ryan and myself! Katie's parents and sister met us at the finish line and greeted us with big hugs and praise. It was such a good feeling having love and support right after finishing a major accomplishment like that. Thanks Grete, Doug and JJ!! This was definitely one of the best memories of my life and we all plan on doing STP 2011 next year!