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williswall
seeking tailwind
Joined: 30 Sep 2007
Posts: 1804 | TRs
Location: Now Undertermined
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For the second year in a row STP (Seattle to Portland) has been canceled. Lots of my friends do this just about every year, so disappointment reigns. This prompted me to put together a short piece from the 2019 STP as a reminder that someday things will hopefully get back to normal. Lots of eating and drinking and resting was found in these archives.
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I desire medium danger
williswall.com
hikethewonderlandtrail.com |
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Mike Collins
Member
Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2834 | TRs
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| Lance Armstrong was right. It’s not about the bike. But it is about the patch. My last 1-day STP patch is from 2019 and I was so looking forward to the ride this year. It feels wonderful to go though the chute at the end in Portland and be given the patch. The second best pleasure for the STP is when I change my socks halfway into the ride at 100 miles in Centralia. The RAMROD ride was cancelled also which means I am still going up “zoo hill” everyday but am dispirited with the effort. |
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Malachai Constant
Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002
Posts: 14976 | TRs
Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny
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Did the STP many times more of a party than ride sad to miss out on the fun ones, Bolder Boulder cancelled also. 
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"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn |
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williswall
seeking tailwind
Joined: 30 Sep 2007
Posts: 1804 | TRs
Location: Now Undertermined
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A buddy of mine commented in 2013 that he'd always wanted to do the STP...so I convinced him to sign up. It has been a great time for us for 7 years, and much relaxed compared to my prior one day rides. We both miss the outings.
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I desire medium danger
williswall.com
hikethewonderlandtrail.com |
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Randito
Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 7812 | TRs
Location: Bellevue at the moment.
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STP as a cultural/culinary event is second tier compared to RAGBRAI
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Cyclopath
Faster than light
Joined: 20 Mar 2012
Posts: 4862 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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| You can still ride from STP. You aren't limited to a mostly flat route this year and you won't have trouble finding a camp site. |
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Cyclopath
Faster than light
Joined: 20 Mar 2012
Posts: 4862 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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| Randito wrote: |
| STP as a cultural/culinary event is second tier compared to RAGBRAI |
I've heard a lot about RAGBRAI, I've always assumed it's because Iowa people don't have much else to talk about. |
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Randito
Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 7812 | TRs
Location: Bellevue at the moment.
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| Cyclopath wrote: |
| You can still ride from STP. You aren't limited to a mostly flat route this year and you won't have trouble finding a camp site. |
I've never had any interest in participating in a ride with 10,000 of my closest friends -- however -- another rider I know pointed out that while I could ride the STP route any day of the year -- that's not the same as "doing the STP" -- which does involve queuing for the loo and other social crowding events.
If long distance bike rides is something that appeals to you, but without hundreds+ of other riders and things like SAG wagons, feed stations and mechanical support check out this organization: https://www.seattlerando.org/ |
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Cyclopath
Faster than light
Joined: 20 Mar 2012
Posts: 4862 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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I've noticed the more I ride, the more endurance I have hiking long days with lots of vertical.  |
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williswall
seeking tailwind
Joined: 30 Sep 2007
Posts: 1804 | TRs
Location: Now Undertermined
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| Randito wrote: |
| I've never had any interest in participating in a ride with 10,000 of my closest friends |
Well it's 8000 and events like these are meant to be a social occasion, like foot races and other sports gatherings. However, I understand why someone would not embrace the crowds. It is nice to have the support so the participant can just sit back and ride, eat and drink.
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I desire medium danger
williswall.com
hikethewonderlandtrail.com |
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Randito
Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 7812 | TRs
Location: Bellevue at the moment.
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| williswall wrote: |
| Randito wrote: |
| I've never had any interest in participating in a ride with 10,000 of my closest friends |
Well it's 8000 and events like these are meant to be a social occasion, like foot races and other sports gatherings. However, I understand why someone would not embrace the crowds. It is nice to have the support so the participant can just sit back and ride, eat and drink. |
I guess I'm thinking of the '80s heydays.
| Quote: |
| Participation reached a peak in 1989, the tenth year (Paul Zakar, Director‘86 to‘89) when the limit of 10,000 riders took part. |
There are people that appreciate the support , espcially mechanical support. Since I'm the sort that enjoys doing my own bike maintenance, that doesn't mean much to me. |
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neek
Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011
Posts: 1500 | TRs
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Randito wrote: |
| I guess I'm thinking of the '80s heydays. |
Probably would have kept growing if it wasn't capped.
STP 2006, 2 days. It was fun, but once was enough. Stopped by grandma's, a few blocks off the route, for cabbage rolls, a welcome break from peanut butter bagels.
Other Cascade rides - Chilly Hilly and the Tunnel Ride - were somewhat frustrating due to poor etiquette (groups blocking the whole roadway going 10 mph). But STP is long enough for folks to spread out. |
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williswall
seeking tailwind
Joined: 30 Sep 2007
Posts: 1804 | TRs
Location: Now Undertermined
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Yeah they more recently reduced the total from 10,000 to 8,000. The support came in handy a few years ago when I was riding with another buddy of mine...he blew a rear tire. As I was trying to help him change the tube, discovered that his spare was sized for his son's bike. I hit up a passing cyclist who generously donated a tube, but within ten minutes after the change the tire blew again. Upon closer inspection of his tire it was torn. Not many cyclists carry a spare tire but we got him a ride from the SAG wagon ahead to a bike shop that fixed him up and we met later at McDonalds. Very handy.
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I desire medium danger
williswall.com
hikethewonderlandtrail.com |
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neek
Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011
Posts: 1500 | TRs
Location: Seattle, WA
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| williswall wrote: |
| Upon closer inspection of his tire it was torn. |
Folded dollar bill trick really works! Although not many carry cash these days. And not very helpful when you've already blown your spare tubes. |
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Cyclopath
Faster than light
Joined: 20 Mar 2012
Posts: 4862 | TRs
Location: Seattle
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| A folded $20 has better rolling resistance. |
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