We met at the Bellevue Park and Ride and scored a few Laughers and some Rabbits. Michael from New Hampshire brought beer, as did PapaGoose, so we welcomed those riders. 
Shan P ended up hauling Michael’s cooler. We saw no sign of David, and left promptly at 0730. I elected to ride with the Czech Chick, as I was feeling understimulated and somewhat lethargic from the effects of Satan’s Minions, the White Coated Devils. That lethargic feeling passed quickly and I was on the edge of my seat soon enough, raring to get on the bike.
When we got to the Liberty Cafe it was a mob scene, with cars everywhere. This annoyed the Cafe people, who asked to us to tighten up. Which we did. I had 24 signed in and Michael had six or so with the Rabbits. I told everyone that it was going to be every cyclist for themself, and listed possible route variations. I shooed all of those people up the road and checked with Rando Grrl and a compatriot, in full wool, to see if that had cue sheets, and then set off with Mark of the Shadowy COGS Organization and the Czech Chick. We never saw the Rando Grrls again (they had to get back early and I think turned up Old Blewett on the descent), but did reel in a few folks who joined the line. Without huge amounts of suffering we made the Pass, and Mark and others went on ahead while the Chick Czeched out the wildflowers.
Descent was fast, and soon enough we were basking in the sun at the Ingalls Creek Store, along with about eight other Laughers. The food was, as predicted, appalling, so we cut our stay fairly short, letting the others get a head start on us. After a brisk 40 minute saunter up the road, enjoying the raging creek as we went, we were at the turn off, and I got to admire the Bailey bridge once again. Brought back memories of my youth. We decided to dispatch the first mile or so and then amble up the steeper five miles, stopping every mile for wildflower perusal and back stretching. This strategy worked well and it was a lovely climb. The wildflowers were out in force and there was a nice breeze blowing. At one of our stops halfway up Michael from NH appeared, with Andrew in trail. They chatted briefly as they climbed past us. At the next stop Two Brews appeared, looking refreshed, followed by David, who looked just about as bad as I have seen him except for that time in the ditch on RAMROD. There was much gasping and wheezing, along with thunderous belching. He declined my offer of Crackerjacks, although Mark took some, and seemed eager to be off so that he could go someplace to die. We encouraged them in their ascent. It was like the old days of steam powered locomotives.
We decided to dispatch the first mile or so and then amble up the steeper five miles, stopping every mile for wildflower perusal and back stretching. This strategy worked well and it was a lovely climb. The wildflowers were out in force and there was a nice breeze blowing. At one of our stops halfway up Michael from NH appeared, with Andrew in trail. They chatted briefly as they climbed past us. At the next stop Two Brews appeared, looking refreshed, followed by David, who looked just about as bad as I have seen him except for that time in the ditch on RAMROD. There was much gasping and wheezing, along with thunderous belching. He declined my offer of Crackerjacks, although Mark took some, and seemed eager to be off so that he could go someplace to die. We encouraged them in their ascent. It was like the old days of steam powered locomotives.Soon enough our strategy of ambling paid off and we neared the top. We saw a rider below on the switchbacks and it turned out to be Tom M, who caught us at the top, followed by Jay at the Pass. While we rested in the shade, we were joined by Purple Peggy, who was wearing a jersey so PURPLE that all of my purple recognition circuits burned out. We let them head down first as we intended to sightsee on the way. Lovely views, still a lot of snow in the meadows. Back at the main highway, we set off downhill. After a short while I noticed that there was no Czech Chick in trail, and so turned back uphill to find her. She had a flat. To make sure of pie, I did a PapaGoose High Speed flat change. While I was doing so, who should pass by but PPG himself.
Back at the parking lot we grabbed cold beers, admired PPG’s broken derailleur cable that left him in the granny all day, and eventually went in for pie. Inside, we were hassled by the owner, wanting $5 for parking in addition to our purchase of pie and ice cream. I would think, one or the other, but not both. Apparently a lot of people skipped pie for this reason. We had a lot of Cascade people who did not behave really well toward the Cafe. In the past we have had smaller groups and everybody has gone in for food, so there was an equitable trade off. I think next year we’ll pass on advertising this one, and maybe move up the road to Mineral Springs, which has a larger lot and also sells pie. They might be open later, as well. We received late word from Chris and Kim on their tandem that they had suffered a lot in the heat, and so had spent some considerable time in the creek at the Cafe, cooling off and splashing each other.
Other than the contretemps with the Cafe owner, this was a spectacular ride. Perfect weather! Great Scenery! Challenging climbs!
Agent Louise was off getting sweaty with the Seven Creepy Old Guys in Spandex, and so missed out on the fun.
Bill