Jim has ridden the annual Seattle to Portland (STP) bicycle ride 11 or 12 times. This ride is a little over 200 miles long spread over two days. Jim rode over 3000 miles to train for it and he wasn't going to let the pandemic stop him. Here is his July 18-19 Do It Yourself (DIY) version of STP2020.
The bike has done this ride 9 or 10 times before, so it was ready.
This is the way a normal STP start looks.
Here is the video of the STP 2020 start.
The route went through Bremerton and Mt Rainier was up to greet me.
By the time I got to the Bremerton shipyard, the sun was up.
The road to Gorst looked like something from a zombie movie. Almost no cars to be seen.
I rolled over the Old Belfair Road and out along Hood Canal towards Hoodsport.
The fog rolled back in and there were a lot of people out collecting oysters because of the minus tide.
My usual Day One total is 115 miles, so at 57.5 miles, I stopped and turned around. The route back was the same as the route out. Not like the real STP!
I spent the night at home instead of sleeping on the floor of Bethel Church. It was more comfortable, but not as much fun.
I started Day Two at the usual 5:15 am. I don't think I saw a single car or person before about 6 am. I went through Silverdale and up the Silver Creek Trail to catch Highway 3 north.
By the time I got to the Hood Canal Bridge, the sun was well and truly up.
The views along the top of Highway 104 are always great.
The cows in Chimacum said "Moo!"
I turned around at Better Living Through Coffee in Port Townsend. They take their masks and social distancing seriously here.
Center Road on the way back was gorgeous.
Since Marathon Photo was not at this year's STP, I had to take my own photo in front of a barn. If you have ever done STP, you know what I am talking about.
I missed the traditional last hill at St Johns Bridge going into Portland so here is the last hill from this year's STP.
The Portland bike lanes, traffic lights and traffic are always a part of the STP tradition, so here is the Kitsap County version.
The music, crowds, food and fun at the finish in Portland are always great. Here is this year's version.
This year's STP was slower than previous years. On the real STP, you don't have to hunt for food, water and encouragement. You can always find someone to talk to or draft behind. Also, my route had four times as much vertical climbing!
I sincerely hope that STP 2021 is a little more traditional!
