An Easy Does it approach to RAMROD

An Easy Does it ride to Mount Rainier

Corrie has encouraged me to come up with a statement that describes an Easy Does it Ride and I guess I could use this blog to do that. This week Corrie and I and Jim McKraken and his wife Claire went to Mt. Rainier. Corrie, Jim and Al Coons had signed up to do RAMROD (ride around Mt. Rainier in one day). This is a beautiful ride, but the distance (150 mi+) scares all sane people away. The three of them where ready for this ride, though. They had put the miles in. The record breaking heat was a critical added concern though.

We stayed at Crystal Mountain Lodge. This alpine ski lodge is set in the Cascades among towering tree lined slopes that are part of the pacific crest trail. The Lodge is a quaint 1960's vintage experience. This means no TV, limited cell service and nothing to do but sip a cool drink while conversing with friends, read or hike/bike the surrounding hills. It was a perfect place for me to spend the day while Corrie sweated it out on his 150 miles around Mt. Rainier.

Hiking around Crystal Mountain

An Easy Does it Weekend for me doesn't necessarily mean I'm planning on sleeping in. I've always been up early, especially when it turns hot. Corrie left about 3am for the ride, so I found myself ready for a hike or run about 6:30 am. I headed out to the parking lot and met an early morning hiker Rick and his dog Hoss. Rick was out for an early morning hike and he invited me to join him. We hiked for about an hour up the ridge. Rick pointed out the hillside of huckleberry bushes. They weren't quite ripe yet, but in a few weeks the hillside would be loaded with berries. Rick and Hoss insisted on following me back down the hillside. I was glad they did as it might have been easy to take a wrong turn on the trails.

Hiking with Hoss

After my trek I had a leisurely breakfast of coffee, fruit and muffins. It was going to be hot so I planned on setting off for a bike ride while it was still cool. It was about 6 miles to the main highway from the lodge, then an easy uphill ride to Cayeuse pass. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, so the mountain was glorious. I was glad the ride was only 30 miles. The temperature rose to 97F, the highest recorded at Crystal Mountain Lodge.

Corrie came through the lodge parking lot (it was one of the rest stops on Ramrod) about 2:30 pm he was hot, but felt good. He had about 40 more miles, which where mostly down hill left.

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading and chatting with Claire (wife to Jim McCraken, who rode with Corrie).

Ramrod is 150+ miles around Mt. Rainier. This Easy Does it girl did 30 miles in the cool morning followed by an afternoon of relaxing and conversing with a friend while enjoying a cool "Mile's Hard Lemonade". Now that's the way to enjoy Ramrod.

An Easy Does it Ride:

1. Ride to a beautiful destination
2. Ride as long or short as you want. My Easy Does it Rides are about 2 hours.
3. The pace depends on who you're with, your biking skills, your time. I try and go easy so my rides are usually about 10-12 miles per hour. This is a very comfortable pace.
4. Always enjoy the ride, so take any tools for a surprise flat tire, a cell phone, a few dollars for a surprise shopping trip or treat and of course water.
5. Commuting to work or to the grocery store is a great way to get a few daily miles in.
6. Invite friends to join you. I will have a few Easy Does it Rides every month posted on the Twin Rivers Cyclists web site, be sure to email me if you're interested in joining me.
7. I would encourage any new rider to take a class from a LCI (American League of Cyclists Certified Instructor). Corrie is certified and and another TRC rider Jen offer a class through the Lewiston Parks and Rec. each spring.
8. Longer rides are very doable. It's a great way to see the countryside and there are rides offered all over the Northwest. Each major town has a bike club website and a calender of local rides. There are also detailed maps from Adventure Cycling and tour groups that offer week long catered tours. We have been on several tours with Oregon Bike Ride. So no excuses.

Anyone can enjoy bicycling if you have an Easy Does it approach. Visit TRCs Easy Does It Page for more information.