Just What I Needed

I live in Washington state, about 10 miles east of Seattle. I have a training ride I like to do at least once a year out near Mount Rainier, about a 90 minute drive from home. It starts at the Crystal Mountain ski station, which itself is the location of the Washington State Hillcimb Championships held in August, a 6 mile UPHILL tt race. I like to scope it out at least once before the race, but due to snow and road conditions the roads are not usually opened til June. I descend the 6 miles from the ski lodge to Highway 410, turn left and climb steadily for 20 minutes before turning right onto Sunrise, itself a 14 mile or so climb up to the Sunrise park, one approach climbers take to Mount Rainier. I then turn around and go back to Crystal Mountain, finishing with the 6 mile climb to the parking lot. My race team shot is from last year's Crystal Mtn race. I love the climb but love Sunrise more.

I am also a clerk for the King County District Court and deal with DUIs, rapists, and all sorts of happy situations on a daily basis. My mental state had dropped of late and I desperately needed a pick-me-up.

I like group rides, and by group I mean no more than 4 or 5 (rides where it is acceptable to blurt out "This would be a good place to dump a body" and not be ridiculed or scorned or judged). I leave the pack riding to races. I do so enjoy my solo rides though, and I had not had a good long one for a very long time. Yesterday's solo ride took just over three hours, when you take out the 3 stops up Sunrise for severe sweat/right eye irritation (so bad I was riding blind at points).

So Saturday found me riding down from the Crystal Mtn lot at 8:05 am, a bit chilly of a descent as I was only in my alter-ego s/s/ jersey and bb shorts. The climb up to the Sunrise parking lot was a blast as there was very little traffic and the entrance to the national park was free (usually $5 for cyclists). However, as previously mentioned I had to stop 3 times for severe sweat.right eye irritation which just started this last week. We have had very warm and clear conditions and I always run hot since moving here from the Northern Virginia area in 2003. I am originally from Southern California but have had "heat" issues since 2003. I lived in NortherVirginia for 7 years (1996-2003) where I biked and ran a lot in hot and humid conditions. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest in July of 2003 I have had issues when exercise in "over 80 degree" temps.

IT was very warm and sunny yesterday, and I just could not stop my eye irritation. Anway, I did do the ride and finished in a respectable time. I even saw 2 of my friends climbing sunrise as I descended.

I felt so refreshed after the ride and am ready for another week of MIPs, DUIS, DVs and what have you.

Keep the rubber side down!

Ty (aka Saddledancer)