Run, Bike, Run

The morning of April 19th turned out the nicest day of year so far, also made a great day for the Tacoma WheelmenBicycle Club’s Daffodil Classic. With expected high temperatures to be near 70, the 500-600 pre registered riders were joined nearly 1000 more riders signing up the day of the ride. 

Not having voluntered for a while I signed up for driving Sag. I was one of 2 drivers on the 60 mile Eatonville Loop. This loop amount, with 3,341 feet of climbing, was going to be a good early season challange.

 

 

While driving I was able to stop and help 6 riders having  problems with flats. Due to the amount of snow this area got this year and the amount of shoulder debris, I think most did pretty well. But I’ll let you know, nothing makes a rider smile more than having some one walk up with a floor pump after they had been  trying to use a micro pump to get a tire up 120 psi.

 

 

 

 

While at the rest stop in Eatonville I did see the first recumbent of the day, a couple riding a Rans Tandem Recumbent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along with the assistance with the flats, I also ended up with a few  passengers, 2 with leg cramps and 2 more with mechanical problems. I was able to drop off the rider who taco’ed his rim sending him flying, at the local bike store. The owner didn’t have any rims in stock but he was going to really try and get the wheel straight enough for him to finish the ride. Big thanks for the guys at the Eatonville Outdoor center for giving the rider a hand.

 Back at the rest stop, at the end of my shift, it was 1pm and riders were still coming in droves. I needed to head back to the start and ended up taking a rider back with me, same story as my first passenger, having leg cramps. Prior to arriving in Orting, I stopped and picked up another rider that had his 2nd flat in 5 miles and just wanted to call it quits. All in all it was an awsome day for the ride and judging by all the smiles I think many would agree.

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