![\"Pre-Pre-riders](\"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_1123.jpeg\")
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This is not a flat ride \u2013 14,000 feet of climbing, the bulk in the second day. It is a beautiful ride and ranges from bucolic roads through farms in the Chehalis River Valley to views of The Toutle River and the implied natural destruction of St. Helen\u2019s.<\/p>\n
We Start and end at La Quinta Motel<\/a> \u2013 very modern and reach by going north on Capitol via the Trosper Exit from I-5. Motel on right as you go north from Trosper.<\/p>\n At 17.1 miles is a turn onto 185th. The main route is Marble so don\u2019t stay on into the trailer park on 185th. We climb on two roads with Hill in the name.<\/p>\n Vader control is actually at Mt. St. Helens Grocery \u2013 Peggy had to call on her Social Work skills to wake up the old fellow tending store \u2013 He didn\u2019t seem like the weekend guy but, if he\u2019s there, remind him of his stamp so he doesn\u2019t have to try and sign your card.<\/p>\n Eric made a cue sheet remark about chip seal ending before Winlock \u2013 there is some on the route but it has either mellowed or been replaced with smoother asphalt.<\/p>\n We come out to Raymond to the south of all the usual spots to eat (Dairy Queen and downtown) but the grocery and Subway\/MacDonald\u2019s are on our route going toward South Bend. Sadly, it looked like the Bowling Alley was gone in SB?<\/p>\n Caution on the shoulderless roads before Willapa Bay \u2013 hopefully the RVs will have gone to ground and the logging trucks that we saw in abundance will take the holiday weekend.<\/p>\n The distance between Long Beach and Kelso is only 80 some miles but very lonely and serviceless \u2013 your last water is in Long Beach. A smart organizer would have a secret control along there. This is where my low training miles for the year were evidenced and I lost valuable time.<\/p>\n I have moved the overnight control to the Econo Lodge<\/a> mainly for lower cost and that I had reserved months before the Memorial Day weekend \u2013 this puts you back and forth over a bridge on a busyish road \u2013 if you\u2019re as fast as me there won\u2019t even be drunks out by then. There will be beds and some breakfast and dinner selections \u2013 simple because no kitchen.<\/p>\n I don’t think this breakfast is to be expected in Kelso… – Editor<\/p><\/div>\n US -12 is a way to get to Morton, wide shoulder and busy on a weekday. The Morton Country Market is a grocery store that affords a quick in and out and has a covered area right of the front door to hide bikes out of the weather.<\/p>\n The Alpha road is my favorite, certainly a few steep parts, but rolling in a way that you can play at keeping momentum and fly along. This is the dessert of the ride!<\/p>\n Coming out from Centralia on 507 seems long and the turn in Bucoda onto Wichman now has double yellow striping so crossing to the sidewalk on the west or going around the turn and picking a clear view is advised.<\/p>\n Keep moving on the first day \u2013 you may need the time in the bank for the hilly bits later.<\/p>\n Additional details on the SIR website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Please pre-register<\/a> by Thursday night (5\/26).<\/p>\n 5\/28 \u2013 5\/29\/2016 Start 6:00 AM Note<\/strong>: bring a towel and change of clothes for the finish – the drive home will be better!<\/p>\n There will be parking updates to this post soon.<\/p>\n CUE SHEET:\u00a0<\/strong>Now available on Google Drive, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n Route on RWGPS:\u00a0https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/13981403<\/a><\/p>\n TCX file is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Parking<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0We have permission to park at the Tumwater school district building at\u00a0<\/span>621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is not a flat ride \u2013 14,000 feet of climbing, the bulk in the second day. It is a beautiful ride and ranges from bucolic roads through farms in the Chehalis River Valley to views of The Toutle River … Continue reading ![\"Pre-rider](\"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_1121.jpeg\")
![\"Bright](\"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_1118.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Eggs](\"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_1126.jpeg\")
\nBike inspection begins 5:30: lights, extra batteries and vest\/sash and leg bands.<\/p>\n