Pain Recovery - Vashon Island

Feeling a bit sore from all that lactic acid you've built up in your muscles recently?  Join us for a nice Moderate pace recovery ride on Vashon Island.  This ride picks up the Passport to Pain "Idiot" route hills that were omitted from the "Taste of Pain" ride held in early September.  We will do them at a relaxed, therapeutic pace that will help to flush all those accumulated toxins from your system.  In line with that goal, be sure to bring your bike that is equipped with the lowest gearing to make spinning up the climbs more pleasurable.  

Ride Start and Time:  We will meet at the Vashon North End Park & Ride lot.  Please be ready to ride by 9:00 am when we will have a required safety briefing, rolling out immediately after.  If you miss the briefing, you will not be able to ride with the group, sorry!  Riders starting in West Seattle may take the 8:15am Fauntleroy ferry to Vashon.  Parking for that ferry is on-street in the vicinity of the terminal, or at the nearby Lincoln Park.  Passenger Fare is $7.25 including a bicycle, or $4.10 if you qualify for the Senior fare.  

End Time:  Return ferries from Vashon to Fauntleroy depart at 3:10 pm, 3:45 pm, and 4:50 pm.  We will most likely make the 3:45 pm ferry, but make sure the 4:50 pm ferry will fit into your activity schedule for the day, just in case.  

Elevation Gain:  Note that elevation gain reported by RWGPS tends to be significantly low for hilly rides.  Although RWGPS is showing only 5383' of gain, my Garmin computer is calculating 5686', and even that figure is likely to be low, as indicated by past experience.  My expectation is that our computers will be showing around 5900-6000' of climbing after we finish the ride.  

Pace:  Pace is Moderate, 14-16 mph on flat, smooth surfaces without wind.  Riders should be able to maintain the Pace speed on flats for the full ride duration. Climbing and descending is at rider's own pace with regrouping at the top of most hills.  Leader will climb at a level of effort which should be achievable for the average rider at this pace.  However, riders significantly off the group pace should be prepared to complete the ride solo, and may wish to consider selecting a slower pace for their next ride.  It is recommended that riders have the route with them in their memory cells, on a portable device with charged battery, or on a printed copy of the cue sheet.

Rest and Food Stops:  Restrooms are available near the start at the Vashon north ferry terminal, and at miles 12.2 (Lisabeula park), 20 (Burton Acres Park), 29.4 and 37.9 (Dockton park) and 49 (Vashon town library).  Coffee stop is at mile 21.5 (Burton coffee stand) and pastries should also be available there.  Please bring additional energy bars or food if you wish to have a quick snack at the intermediate rest stops.  

Fenders:  For the safety and comfort of your fellow riders as well as yourself, long fenders with extended flaps that reach within 4 inches of the road are appreciated if roads are damp or rain is possible. If you are spraying fellow riders and they are not enjoying it, you may be asked to ride at the back of the group.

Mechanical Issues:  Riders should bring tools and have knowledge to repair flats or minor mechanical problems.  Be prepared to complete the ride on your own, should your bike require a time-consuming repair. The group will stop briefly to ensure you are okay, but will not wait for repairs to be completed if they take more than a few minutes.  Please have a backup plan - person to call, or transportation fare - if you are unable to ride to the finish.

Cancelation:  Ride will be canceled for inclement weather as listed above, or other hazardous road or riding conditions such as snow, ice, threat of lightning or mudslides, steady strong winds, unhealthy air quality, wildfires, unavoidable flooding, riots, acts of war or earthquake damage, or elevated risk of wildlife attack (especially squirrel herds).  Should conditions call for a cancelation day of ride, a cancelation notice will be posted in the comment section below at least 2 hours before the ride start.  If conditions are questionable, please check this page before leaving for the start.  Leader will not be at the start if the ride is canceled 2 or more hours prior to the starting time. 

Route: Ride With GPS route link is below. Please print a cue sheet if you want one, as printed cues are not likely to be available at the ride start due to ride leader's senior memory.  

If you have any questions, you may post them in the Comments section below, or contact the ride leader.  Looking forward to riding with you!