This ride was Corrie's idea (surely he jests) and I'm happy to say it was a good one! I had driven over the North Cascades Highway a couple of years ago for a backpacking trip near Mt. Baker and the opportunity to ride over it on a bike was irresistable. I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to ride in the Alps but this has got to be pretty close to a Tour de France type route.

Corrie has been a great cycling mentor this spring helping to get our River City Riders group ready for STP. When we did back to back centuries several weeks ago I new I was ready for that one. But I'd drawn a RAMROD pass too and I remained concerned about that 140 mile, 10,000 footer. I knew Chris had done it but that provided no consolation considering all the times I've seen him disapear off in the distance on our weekend rides. Native Planet provided a good gauge of preparation for RAMROD. I talked with several riders sporting RAMROD jersies from past years and they all came to the same conclusion, that the two rides are comparable. No one was willing to say harder or easier. So I'd be willing to say that Master Corrie has accomplished his mission.

I love mountains and the only regret on this ride is that you have to keep clipping along to finish the course before it closes, not much time to sit and stare at those snow capped peaks. But there is the satisfaction of knowing that, though it pushed you to the max, you made it and now...

After a hot shower and clean clothes, Corrie and I hold forth at Three Fingered Jack's. Hot Turkey Noodle soup, Chicken Fetticine, Black Butte Porter on tap. We're full, but not too full to mosey over to the nice little shaded outdoor deck near the pristine Methow river to work on a generous, plus sized scoop of chocolate ice cream precariously perched on a sugar cone. Now that's an Ice Cream Ride!