Reach the Beach bike ride

September: 30, 2017
Reach the Beach Bike Ride
American Lung Association:-

My first event with this org. was "rainier tower climb" it was way back.

 

It was equally crazy thing to do it as was impromptu sign up for this bike ride. There was link on one website about "reach the beach- WA" bike ride for American lung association. Mentioned that to my other half that I want to do this and he said OK I will do too and we signed up for different rides and for individual fundraising.

I was going to do 45 some miles, didn't even check from where to where it is and / or anything. All signed up as of 7/10 ,began fundraising and all was forgotten. The reason being I had too many things on plate, Vienna to Czech solo trek was just going to start with REI and nice group of individuals and then had women's adventure in mount hood. Besides all of a sudden came the Iceland hiking thing later on.  Besides this year was with different running events RUNNING EVENTS


Earlier this year in may memorial day weekend we did "emerald bike ride- small route" that was first time ever proper organized bike ride for me ( it was also equal impromptu sign up) with most ride being on highway with all traffic stopped for the ride. Funny part was, before this ride hardly did twice some Sammamish river trail small rides and two days before actual ride one round of small hill climb behind house just to know how to use gears. Could ride on the day and it was great experience and organization at the same time by cascade bicycle club.


After coming back from Iceland hiking etc trip, just realized this event is soon coming up and with all other fundraising formalities done, was set. Before this actual ride did twice Sammamish trail some 17 miles and out of guilt that I have not even sat on bike for long time or done any riding on road at all, went for two spin classes indoors in gym post Iceland trip.

Picked up packets for the ride and the actual day came, entire previous week was very intense for me even the day before the ride. Got up around 4 in the morning on the day of ride, we grabbed some bite and since my other half's ride was starting earlier from Lacey we had to leave early, he started around 6.30 or something and I went ahead to the starting point for my ride. Reached around 8 am and since my other half mentioned don't start until he comes waited, his initial arrival was supposed to be earlier but he came in little late & finally we started from my location.It was fun leading on.

Forecast was for some rain and winds. Didn't even realize when the first rest stop came.
Just before the first stop my water bottle just popped out from holder there was just minute stop to grab it.

First rest stop:- there was no need to stop but just went to grab a bite and it was nice to stop and thank volunteers and meet many other riders.

Second rest stop:- Just near from 2nd rest stop, my other half got flat tire and we stopped in road to fix it , it wouldn't get fixed so decided to walk to rest stop. which was just across the street.There too he took help from some nice family, while i was wandering around searching how to get this thing done quick as we were losing time. I never knew usually supported rides have trucks which fix your bikes and was glad to find one. The individual was so nice he fixed everything and then we left. In all this lost almost one hour.The guy even said I will make sure U reach the beach, so nice of him.

Third rest stop:- I think it had some cat. 5 hills to climb and at the top of second hill drank water, then met everyone at rest stop and left.

Final stretch was in winds and just crossed the finish line and showers came in.


 
Entire organization,setup, food, volunteers, riders were amazing. Had lot of fun riding with everyone. This was the first ever 45 miles for me and that too on road without ever practicing on road. Happy could do that. The bus ride to Elma was nice and back home, reached around 9.30. It was amazing to see no leg pain or any other, the next day went for high fitness. Humbled and happy could do that. My other half did 100 miles, it was after long time he did that, he had done some practice rides of 65 etc. miles.

Yay!!

Well had already posted this on Instagram!!

Iceland

Sept 1 - 11 2017

Hiking, walking, running, glacier exploring and things.

Usually this kind of thing is rare that in just two months period long trips happen.

Post Vienna to Czech trek which I did solo, with group but still there was nothing as such in mind or it was too soon even to think about it. 

But imagine the odds, my other half all of a sudden pings me from office "long weekend Iceland it is ok ??" Was like, is it for real? given he had taken 3 weeks break in India and usually... but anyways, I just questioned any idea about weather and said sounds good. By evening all I know flight bookings were all done, wow !! that was fast. After a while this was our driving around and doing things trip. Met friends and took guided adventures too.

Wanted to do things in Iceland since long, had in mind, but just didn't happen earlier. Had even seen organized hiking trips for the same.

Iceland : things in their most raw forms, volcanoes, glaciers, miles long ice fields, huge mountains,old lava flows, numerous waterfalls, most happy sheep, horses and people, great food.The place has very nice welcoming vibe. One can leave their things anywhere and just be fine ( the locals would say this is Iceland ).

Fishing, tourism, goat farming, aluminum smelting, renewable energy were some of the industries.Some roads in town are heated by pipes running down from volcanoes, even hot water in showers (one can smell Sulfur in some cases) Best use of natural resources. City walk was the nice introduction to the place.

Anyone can read about drive around ring road, golden circle and other things but in all this what matters is just being present in that moment.The smell, the weather, sudden cold spell, rain, drizzle, sunny day whatever it is, if u are like me it will stick with you and the memory will recreate it anytime U will see that picture.

Among many other things done this was the first time I had hiked up on glacier, past snow history of snowshoe walks and things was there but never on glaciers.

It was an awesome experience and kind of unplanned landed in private tour so had things only for ourselves.

 Apart from all glacier things,crevasses, moulin, water falls, walks, climbing up etc. one of the best moment was ( later to be described as glacier moved) We were standing in one place admiring some things and everyone knows how does calving sounds, so curiously we all started looking around as to where it happened ( I think we had seen something in open mountain face far away from us ), post that strong wind pressured sound just went below our feet and water started coming out or to say bubbling out from some spouts.This was even new for the guide and the later conclusion was glacier moved. How cool is that , three engineers (electrical, electronics, mechanical) stand on glacier two of them for the first time and make glacier move, hahaha :) just kidding. Whatever it was, it was the thing to remember.

Exploring the glaciers in really exploration team style ( calling it this way after wearing that suite , but glad it was there) was a thing.



Did number of hikes in around waterfalls, inside mountains, lakes, craters, geysers etc. It's always wise to be prepared for all weather conditions. So layering is the best way to enjoy. It can get very windy at the top of craters, as standing and walking opposing high winds is hard running in the same was fun. That's how landed up finishing two miles up the crater.

Super jeep adventure was really nice crossing rivers, hills etc.

Being soccer fan have to mention this, happened to run across Ukrainian media and soccer team in the same hotel. The players had match against Iceland the next day.

With some 80/ 85 miles on feet we headed back to place called home.For an outdoors enthusiast there is lot to do and definitely got the rough idea of the place. Return trip is for sure with the things I want to do. Hope that happens and soon.

And yes among many beautiful sunsets and things got to see Northern lights too ...

The only thing would be, given the amount of increase in tourism hopefully the place doesn't lose it's identity. Getting some examples from other countries and knowing the future problems it would be nice if steps are taken in advance to keep things as they are and may be permit systems are put in place earlier.

All individuals I have met were really nice and awesome, I think I need to create one post simply with everyone I have met on many trips.


Some glimpses : - these are just some low resolutions pics :- Iceland pics:

Iceland Smugmug gallery

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