March 19 to March 21, 2021

The first year we did the “big” ride, and the first year for fundraising. We were supporting the Down Syndrome Community if Puget Sound, and this year we were able to raise over $15,000 to support their programs!

We started out on Friday morning from Aslan Brewing in Bellingham, Wa. My friend Chad joined me on the first leg, and we had an amazing morning seeing the sun rise on Chuckanut Drive. Skagit Valley was tough, windy as normal, rainy, and with ominous clouds coming towards us. We dodged the weather, mostly, as we worked our way to the Centennial Trail, into Woodinville, and then down to the Burke Gilman Trail. It was taking longer than expected, so I cut a few miles off so I could go home and have dinner with the girls.

Day two, I met up with Steve in Tukwila, and we hopped on the Interurban trail. It was a beautiful, crisp morning, and we made our way south along Highway 167 and into Puyallup. And then, yes, we met the Puyallup hill. It was a beast, but we crushed it, took a quick break, and got our legs moving again. We met the team at a quick pitstop at Lake Spanaway Golf Course, before we clenched our teeth and got on Hwy 507. This isn’t the most fun section, as there is a bit of traffic, but we powered through it. Yelm-Tenino trail was a nice break before getting on Old Hwy 99 to get us to Grand Mound. We had dinner at Talking Cedars Brewing, before riding the last 10-ish miles to our hotel in Centralia.

Day three I road alone. My mom was along all three days to drive a support vehicle, and she got me through. It was cold, wet, and got a bit lonely riding the final 100 miles. The first half of the day took me through winding meadows, and along beautiful farmland. But again, very cold. At one of our first stops in Vader, I had to change socks, stretch, and try to figure out how to power through. And I did. With the support of the team. Crossing into Oregon re-launched the excitement, and the next……however many miles …. on Hwy 30 was a bit of a slog. Dealing with wind, rain, cars, trucks. But, since it’s a highway, you have the green signs that count your distance down. And entering, Portland (when you still have several miles left) gives a third or even fourth wind.

We finished off at Hopworks Brewing, where my girls were waiting for me, with some nachos and a beer. It was an outstanding 3 days, that tested me constantly. But it is why I ride. There are so many difficult moments in the fight for inclusion, that taking 3 days to challenge my mind and body felt like a small step I could take.