{"id":959,"date":"2017-05-15T13:06:59","date_gmt":"2017-05-15T20:06:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/?p=959"},"modified":"2017-05-15T13:19:05","modified_gmt":"2017-05-15T20:19:05","slug":"chuckacamano-views-400k-pre-ride-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/?p=959","title":{"rendered":"Chuckacamano Views 400k Pre-Ride Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Mitch Ishihara and Adam Glass<\/p>\n

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Continuing our islands and views theme from the past two years, we bring you more views from Camano Island, Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham, as well as other sensory infused opportunities from the northern interior of the Pacific Northwest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parking & Start<\/b><\/p>\n

Ample parking at the start location awaits those wishing to get in a 400K. \u00a0Be advised though that there are no bathroom facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bear Creek Park & Ride
\n<\/span>7760 178th Pl NE
\n<\/span>Redmond, WA<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pre-ride begins<\/b><\/p>\n

Three opportunistic fair weather Randonneurs (Adam, Bill, and Mitch) set out to pre-ride the 5\/20 Chuckacamano Views 400k route on an overcast and chilly 41\u00b0F morning. \u00a0All were bright eyed and bushy tails with smiles. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Note: The start time on 5\/20 will be 05:00 to make use of the increasing summer daylight hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first 94K<\/b><\/p>\n

After leaving the start at Bear Creek Park & Ride in Redmond, we headed north toward Paradise Lake. \u00a0Unfortunately, dense underbrush and trees block any views of the lake. \u00a0Apparently an artist decided carving wood sculptures from downed trees along Paradise Lake Road would do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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From Paradise Lake Road, we followed a common permanent route to Snohomish on Broadway Ave. \u00a0For the unfamiliar, lookout for the bad railroad track angle at the start of Broadway Ave. \u00a0After crossing the Snohomish River, the route headed west (left) on 1st Street to follow the river. \u00a0If you detour right on 1st, you find Snohomish downtown and a public bathroom on the right.<\/span><\/p>\n

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From Snohomish we took the same gently rolling hills and flatish route as last year\u2019s Island Views 300K out to Marysville. By now, the dense marine cloud layer began to clear to blue skies for our randonneuring enjoyment. This year by popular request, we will take a slightly less traveled (slightly more hilly) route from Forty Five Road to McRae Road NW and Freestad Road south of Lake Ki before joining onto Lakewood Road for a glimpse of Lake Goodwin. As Lakewood Road begins to descend, stay alert for the right turn up onto Frank Waters Road.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Stanwood there are numerous services, including an AM\/PM before making the climb up the Stillaguamish River overpass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Onto Camano Island<\/b><\/p>\n

Once on the island, we left the busy HWY 532 on Good Road to take a scenic route along Utsalady Road. \u00a0This was recommended to us by our agents on the Island and well worth it. \u00a0\u00a0Stunning views to the north (Skagit Bay).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Quiet roads…and more stunning views to the north (Skagit Bay and Whidbey Island).<\/span><\/p>\n

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A view from the Utsalady Point Park Info Control.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The views continued along Sunset Drive facing west as it dips down into the Sunset Beach neighborhood. \u00a0The terrain on Camano Island dips and climbs and repeats but lacks the duration of Whidbey. \u00a0At the south end of the Island(122.5 km), Elger Bay Grocery awaits to serve up some much needed calories and a control signature.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continuing on with a few more dips and climbs, the route dips down with a view to the south (Triangle Cove).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Back on the flats<\/b><\/p>\n

We eventually made our way off Camano Island to continue north along the flat farm lands with minimal trees. \u00a0As per usual there was a steady headwind from the North — use your energy wisely.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s an info control at the Shell station in Whitney before crossing HWY 20. \u00a0After finding the control answer however, we kept moving along capturing the scenery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Barns, horses, farm land, \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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More views along Bayview-Edison Road with abundant blue skies. \u00a0However, the sun was getting low now.<\/span><\/p>\n

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We parked our bikes with the others at Longhorn Saloon & Grill in Edison. \u00a0Longhorn allowed us to fill our bottles with water but wouldn\u2019t do it for us. \u00a0Breadfarm (baked goods) is next door. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Note: that the Fairhaven control is only about +22.5 km from Edison — some more farmland and then Chuckanut Dr.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let the Chuckanut adventure begin!<\/b><\/p>\n

Of course paragliders were out and about enjoying the clear skies (and wind).<\/span><\/p>\n

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For those who desire a respite from possible car traffic on Chuckanut Drive, a stretch of compact dirt on the Whatcom County and Bellingham Interurban Trail parallels the road for 6.6 km. \u00a0Bill rode this on a recumbent highlighting the hard packed gravel and grade. \u00a0He did report two instances of sharp descents with loose gravel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A bit beyond half way<\/b><\/p>\n

We arrived in Fairhaven for the 215 km open control in time for a much needed dinner in hopes of surviving the second half through the cool night hours with enough energy reserves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fairhaven offers ample eating opportunities ranging from a Mambo Italiano, a pile of sandwich places, pizza, breweries, etc. You pass a grocery on the way in if you feel you can\u2019t linger. \u00a0We strongly encourage you to stock up here on calories as the options beyond this point are limited and mostly of the gas station variety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Into the night<\/b><\/p>\n

As the sun set for the evening, so too did the photographers. \u00a0The temperature began to drop as the heat escaped into the clear night sky. We did manage to capture Jupiter next to the moon. \u00a0Other than this, there really isn\u2019t much to see at night! \u00a0But brrr!<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Dodson\u2019s IGA Market info control (243 km) in south Everson, WA marks the approximate northern most location on the route with services. \u00a0The folks at the Saloon next door seemed friendly enough as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next services are at a Chevron in Deming at 249 km which lit up the dark sky off to the left of the route like the yard light in Poltergeist.<\/span><\/p>\n

You know how there isn\u2019t much to see at night? \u00a0Proceed with caution between 270 km and 280 km as HWY 9 has some pinch flat inducing potholes. \u00a0You can guess how we know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next services are at a friendly AM\/PM in Sedro-Woolley at 286 km. They have some tasty hot chocolate out of a machine there.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Safeway Arlington timed control is at 334 km. \u00a0Services in Snohomish begin at 368 km. \u00a0Woodinville AM\/PM is at 389 km. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The finish is at 407 km at the Redmond Inn.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Summary<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

So that\u2019s 407 km that you have to traverse in the 400K ACP Brevet maximum time of 27 hours along with 8000 feet of climbing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The route can be thought of as four parts: 94 km of relative flatness out to Stanwood, 47 km of beautiful Camano Island views and a bunch of climbs and dips, 100 km of relative flatness north, and a cold return down the HWY 9 corridor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Challenges<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n