I enjoyed an exceptional ride this Sunday morning with a bunch that included some of the Seattle area’s most avid ultra cycling competitors. The ride was part reunion of Chris Ragsdale’s RAAM 2013 crew, part re-introduction to the bike for Mick Walsh who has been laid up and recovering from a hip fracture. This morning was Mick’s “unofficial” fifth day back on the bike.
The plan was to ride to Snohomish and Mick’s favorite coffee destination:
When the group made the left turm onto Lowell-Larimer Road into the valley, Chris announced: “Let’s go!” and Bob Brudvik took the queue to launch. Nothing like a spirited 22-29 mph lap around the northwest end of Snohomish Valley to get Mick back in shape.
I was surprised to see that Chris was riding one of the Volagis he rode in RAAM 2013. I’d assumed it was tossed in a ditch somewhere in Maryland, never to be seen or ridden again. Nothing against the Volagi–he’d been on the bike for 10+ tortuous days and I would expect any bike would be subject to the same fate after that much suffering.
Bob Brudvik insightfully determined that within our group we had about 4 year’s worth of Race Across Oregon first place finishers.
During coffee, Chris thoughtfully recalled that he “learned a lot” during RAAM. He just can’t remember what it was. Extended bouts of pain and suffering on the bike can have that effect.
Sol Manion was part of Ragsdale’s RAAM crew and thought Chris did amazingly well considering his budget was less than half that of most of the other top contenders. Chris was this year’s top US finisher.
Meanwhile, James McKee and Bob Brudvik are gearing up for a 2-man attempt at Furnace Creek 508 (this will be Bob’s fifth time at the 508), and despite the setback from the hip fracture, Mick Walsh is all-in for a solo attempt. This year’s Furnace Creek 508 will be held the weekend of October 5.
