The Golden Horde Redux
Greetings, Thrill Seekers! The Golden Horde met once again to devastate the landscape and strip stores of their Gatorade. It was a fine day for cycling and we had a mob at signup- about 42 people. Lots of Suspiciously Fit People. As well as the return of two Goslings from the injured reserve list, Greg G. and John E. Welcome back! They turned in strong performances. We had lots of the usual suspects, too many to name, in fact, but we also had Sylvia, returned from a stint of Grandparenting, and Heather P, returning after a stint of Parenting. Some new faces, as well. A noted absence was Agent Louise, even though we had put in bonus hills for her. Must be out with those Creepy Old Guys again.
The route was dreamed up by David, and included a new pathway to get up to Echo Lake via a footpath from the top of Woodinville Duvall. This path was much debated and researched by the Conclave of Menial Underlings, and we even enlisted the Princess to research easements and plats at the Assessor’s Office. Laughing Leader even rode the path on his bike on Thursday to insure that there would be hot towels and beverages. There was also a lot of extraneous gallivanting about that I snipped out.
I enlisted Shan to deal with the SFPs and Greg G. and the Princess to sweep. Along the way I got yeoman service from Dave the Lesser and Per marking corners and pulling to give my ravaged body a rest. We started out and went straight up DotHill and then climbed up to 165th and rolled down to Avondale. It sounded like we were dying but in the end we all made it. I skipped the Death Threat Hill start that the Rabbits used because, well, I don’t like receiving Death Threats. We regrouped at Avondale and 165th and then headed through the neighborhoods to Mink road. At Woodinville Duvall we broke up into groups and headed for the top. Shan took the SFPs first. We turned off on 222nd and headed up to the footpath. It was absolutely beautiful. Big smiles on people’s faces emerging from the leafy canopy. We regrouped at Echo Lake and then took off for Welch road. A screaming descent, and then the hammerfest on Elliott, Connolly, and Springthetti to emerge down in the valley.
As we approached Snohomish I noticed a long line of bicycles, pedaling slowly near the airport. There must have been fifty of them! The all wore colored ribbons in their hair, and were chained together. A Cascade Ride Leader was beating a drum in a slow cadence, setting the pace. Ah. A CTS ride. Going to Sultan. A long day ahead of them. As I passed the chanting cyclists, I noticed one gal who looked familiar- very slender, long hair, but with a glazed look in her eyes. “Roseanne, Roseanne, snap out of it!” Yes, it was Roseanne of Dave and Roseanne, who was one of the ride leaders. She asked not to be outed but it was too good a story to tell.
At the restrooms in Snohomish we had 40+ Laughers, the Rabbits then rolled in, both groups, and then two colors of CTS riders. It was a madhouse! After eating my secret recipe energy sandwich (hey! it worked!), and filling bottles, we exited the mob scene and headed for Monroe. Dave the Lesser went to the front and pulled at a good pace. We crested Lord Hill and the back end came off. After a bit the SFPs took off. Followed shortly by Per, and not too closely by Shana. Some people behind tried to catch us, but had no luck. Meanwhile we reeled in some of the folks who had gone off the front. DtL is tireless! When we collected Shana, she was thinking, “Great, another big gorilla I can draft”. When we arrived on her wheel I told Dave to “let her dangle off the front”. 
Per had given the SFPs a thrill, and left them with Little Lynn, sans goretex, pulling a long line of guys. No chivalry here.
Per had given the SFPs a thrill, and left them with Little Lynn, sans goretex, pulling a long line of guys. No chivalry here.We stopped briefly in Monroe for drinks, and then headed for High Rock Road. We left Lotto Guy in the store by mistake, buying a sandwich. Oh well, someone always gets left. At Crescent Lake the Princess Option group diverted, and went over to High Bridge Road. The rest of the Horde stormed up the High Rock road. Sort of. I felt a lot better than usual and was able to keep the SFPs in sight. Halfway up a small group of Rabbits bolted past us. Soon enough we regrouped at Cherry Valley. Only three people had opted to continue up Lake Fontal road, and that included Lynn, fresh from her thrashing of the guys on the Old Snohomish road. The rest of us took off down Cherry Valley like bats out of Hell. Quite a rush. We broke into groups and headed for Woodinville Duvall road and the climb back. Lotto Guy hooked up with us then, having missed the fun on High Rock.
Many of the SFPs chose to go straight back on Woodinville Duvall; the rest of us climbed Old Wood Duvall, and regrouped at Radar Lake. From there is was over hill and dale down to Avondale, where we crossed and started the climb up 146th Way. As we came around the corner for that last little pitch, Lotto Guy said “Oh Shit!”. My thoughts exactly. It was a relief to have the climbing finally over, and we savored a screaming descent down to the brewery. As we passed the 145th street route, David and some Rabbits popped out of their burrows and followed us down.
Red Hook was mobbed, but the patio was open, so we had three tables, one inside, cool, with hard chairs. Too hard, I thought. Another outside, with picnic tables. Too hot, I thought. Inside, by the quiescent fireplace, cool, with a soft couch. Just right! We had a grand time after the ride, swilling fluids, telling tales. And Dave the Lesser bought a pitcher!
A great day, and a Perfect Ride™. About 56 miles and 3000′. Kudos to Dave the Lesser and Per, Greg and the Princess, Shan, and David the Deranged for a nice route variation!
Bill