Diane's Sierra Cascade Ride: Sedro-Woolley to Anacortes - Day 46

Mileage: 28
Total Ascent: 421

Today was the last day of the ride. Ending the ride was bittersweet. We were ready for it to end and then we weren't. The route was flat and the last part on a bike path. Judy lives about 45 minutes away from Anacortes and rides here quite often so she knew of a more scenic route around the water so a few of us followed Judy.

When we took off from Sedro-Woolley the plan was to meet at a certain point on the ride so we could all ride in together. We did that and it was great riding in together with family and friends yelling and cheering. Emily and Katie had made a great spread for us all to celebrate the ending of this epic ride.

By my blog we rode 2,065 miles and climbed 109,328 ft. Pretty awesome I think although everyone's garmin showed different numbers.

I was apprehensive about this ride and worried at first if I would be able to do it but I did. This is the most awesome ride I've ever participated in. The pine trees, some so tall you would think they could reach heaven, dense forests, and riding along the roads with their pine scent. Rushing rivers and creeks, the different forms and colors of the clouds, the mountains, the valleys, the canyons, the rain, the snow, the hail and even the cold. And the climbing of passes and summits everyday. Another ride could not compete with all that I have experienced.

To make this ride even more wonderful were 14 other crazy fun ladies who wanted the same experiences. There was always laughing, teasing, helping each other. This made the ride even more fun. Gail - always late, Judy - with her 100 pound bike kicking butt by the end of the ride; Ann - energized and positive; Linda - forgetful and had a check list before leaving her motel room; Susan - worked on moisture management by wearing minimum clothes on cold days; Sheila (from Scotland) - a profound command of the english language and knew more about the our history than we did; Fiona - the philosopher, Mike - a quilter and helpful to everyone - brought my luggage to my room everyday and she made me the sweetest felt project of kittens and mice, I was so touched; Pam -sassy sag driver, Kat - rode beyond her own expectations, Cindy - the game show host, Barb - quiet and unassuming until she had a knife in her hand (sous chef). Emily - easygoing and a great chef, Patty - fun easygoing ride leader, Katie - young and a great new ride leader. Me - determined.

A few final pics....