Tulips 2012

We had long been planning a ride in the Skagit Flats during Tulip Festival. This morning five of us piled into Nadine's SUV and she drove us to Mount Vernon. Karen & Emily & Nadine & i ride regularly on Tuesdays. Julie joined us, Nadine and i have know her for many years but this was the first time she'd ridden with us on our Tuesday rides. And a friend from volunteering at Bike Works, Sue, also joined us -- she arrived just after we did. It was very good to have both of them along.

Sue, Emily, me, Nadine & Karen ready to start riding

There was lots of liquid sunshine in Skagit County on Tuesday.  Riding warmed us up quickly. We rode west out of Mount Vernon and turned north on Avon-Allen road. The Norwegeian Stave churches dot the lovely wide open farmland, making this a very nice ride. We rode north towards the hamlet (ok, crossroads) of Bow and then west to the tiny town of Edison. We got to Edison very quickly, we were flying today!  Nadine said it was the fastest average speed since she got her GPS unit.

Since i was the only person with full fenders and a buddy flap, i had to spend most of the time riding in front.  There were some big rooster tails!  The back of Nadine's jacket demonstrates the advantage of fenders.

Nadine on Avon-Allen Rd with a mud stripe up her back.

Edison is proudly the hometown of Edward R. Murrow, the founder of TV newscasting. (OK, he moved around a lot. It's where he went to high school.) There were lots of photos. We stopped at a magnificent bakery called the Breadfarm. Across the street was a wonderful Murrow quote painted on the wall. He was obviously a smart guy.

me in Edison with Murrow quote.

We looked over the two cafes in Edison and chose this one.  We invaded the cozy cafe with our wet jackets and excitement.  The wait staff was very friendly and we had a great lunch!

Julie, Emily & Sue ham it up after lunch.

Heading south out of Edison i suggested a detour to Samish Island. I'm always fascinated with little islands and areas like this. To my delight, everyone was eager to take a look. We rode into a stiff breeze along the reclaimed farmland surrounded by dikes that now connects the former island to the mainland. It was a beautiful little island and one of the nicest rides i've had. We really enjoyed it. And we got our first taste of elevation gain on this mostly flat ride climbing the small hill over the island (and back).

Julie admires the native flora while riding over the hill on Samish Island

Sue on Samish Island

Returning from Samish Island we had that moment of recognition that, regardless of experience, happens to all cyclists.  We realized why we were so fast up to Edison.  We had had a tailwind, but of course, we didn't notice it, we just assumed we were fast.  Now we turned south directly into a stiff headwind.  We practiced a bit of paceline riding, taking turns cutting through the wind in front and sheltering behind.

I had planned on picking up the Levee Trail as we headed south.  I had thought it started before the hill up to Bayview, that it would take us around it.  But it didn't; we had a second hill for the day, not a big one, just enough to get warmed up.  Emily and Karen are both strong riders, but while they climb they like me to tell them travel stories to distract them.  I'm always happy to oblige, so i fell in behind them for the hill.

By the time we got on the Levee the rain had started again, pretty hard this time.  It was a gorgeous trail along the mudflats and we saw lots and lots of birds: herons and hawks and eagles and ducks and Pipers and lots of things that we couldn't identify.   We thought about Dennis who often rides with us.  If he were along, he could identify all of them.  But then we would make no progress because he would be stopping to photograph a bird every quarter mile.

We were all getting a bit peckish.  I was really focused on the upcoming ice cream stop at the Berry Barn.  As soon as we crossed highway 20, we stopped for ice cream.  The map calls it the town of Whitney but there is just this one building.  I got mixed berry ice cream  It was GOOD!  I really needed that fuel.

Nadine checks the flag to confirm the headwind in Whitney

In the morning i had a sore muscle in my knee -- i strained it on Sunday.  It worried me.  At first i wasn't even sure i could ride today.  I was careful with it, very alert to keep my position on the saddle correct and to pedal a full stroke.  And i stretched a lot, something i don't normally do.  By the time we were finished with ice cream and ready to head into the Tulip fields i was feeling very strong, my knee was not a problem.  I took the lead into the headwind.   We didn't have time for the detour into La Conner  (will have to wait until next year for fry bread i guess!) so we zigged and zagged through the tulip fields which were ostensibly the reason for today's ride.

Me in the Tulip fields along Best Rd.  (At mile 41)

Karen & Julie having fun with the Tulips

Purple jacket, purple tulips.

Sue

Emily copies her daughter's pose from the day before.

I'm riding past the colorful fields.

Karen cruises past the daffodils

Emily on her wheel.

Sue admires the rows of yellow

Julie's jacket matches the field of flowers

It was a great day with good company, wonderful scenery and good exercise. We all finished the 45 miles feeling very invigorated and happy.

Here's an overview map of our route.

And here's a closer up, more detailed view and elevation profile (as always, click the photo for a bigger view).

Tulips in the rear view mirror.