No, really, I think it's going to burn off

For several years, we have had an annual bike ride on Columbus day. It started a number of years ago, because we wanted to ride through the tunnel at Hyak. Then the tunnel was closed for a couple of years for repairs, and we rode elsewhere. The tunnel reopened this year, so we returned.

The ride goes from Exit 38, on I90, up a converted rail trail for 14 miles, then through a 2 mile tunnel. We stop for lunch at the top, then get back on the bikes and ride down. It's 2 hours up and 1 hour down.

We decided to carpool because it is $10 to use a state park. That's four guys, four mountain bikes and their stuff in a Prius.




We get there at 9:00, unpack, put on the rain gear and get going.



It becomes apparent quickly, that everyone else has put serious miles on their bikes and I spent the summer taking pain medicine. We stop a little earlier than usual.


It's okay, I'm really stopping to take in the scenery on this beautiful day.



We start back up and I am finally hitting a rhythm, but half a mile from the tunnel, I have to throw in more fuel. We stop at the avalanche shed. If it's raining in the old avalanche shed, we decided there isn't a good reason to stand underneath it.



Fun fact, we are standing on the largest information pipe in the state. It was easier to take it down the railroad right of way than the freeway.



We realize the tunnel is right around the corner, so we start back up, so I can be dropped again. It turns out everyone is very sympathetic to your situation until it starts to pour.



But, there is shelter in the tunnel.


It's really dark in there, so we have to put on lights.





We go through the tunnel, and, surprise, it's raining just as hard on the other side of the mountains. We eat lunch under the eaves of the bathrooms. (Note: the bathrooms are heated if you need to warm up.)



It's time to head back down and in a repeat of our ride three years ago, there is an inch of water where you have to ride on the double track trail. Steve and I had fenders. Nic did not.



We made it back to the car, then turned to look for Scott. We were afraid he might have fallen on the steep bit at the very end, then he came around the corner with his bike. 100 yards from the car, his rear derailleur exploded. I guess that's lucky.



We start the process of taking off the dirty layer and trying really hard to not mess up the car.


Some of us clean up better than others, Steve.



As always, it took longer than we thought, so we didn't have time for beers in Issaquah. Next year, we are leaving at 7, on the bikes at 8.

It was an epic day.

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Location:Snoqualmie Pass, WA