2013 Lewis County Historical Ride, Saturday May 11th

[Brian C]

2013 Lewis County Historical Ride

http://www.cyclelewiscounty.org/lchr/

Stan Headwall Park on Rice Road, Chehalis, just west of I-5 Exit #76 (Parkland Drive/13th Street).

Saturday May 11th, 2012

20, 48, 60 and 100-mile courses

$30.00 before April 1. $35.00 day of ride registration (Century fees)

This will be my 3rd time for this century.

A mostly flat course that heads south along the I-5 corridor to Vadar and then returns north to Chelhalis.

The roads are quiet and mostly traffic free until you get back to Chehalis by going through towns such as Vadar, Winlock, Claquato and several other small towns dotted here and there.

Climbing occurs at about mile 10, a stair step climb of about 1 mile at 8%, then a right and a long descent followed by a short 6% climb at mile 12 and then your hit your first rest stop at mile 14.

Once out of the rest stop its long flat roads that go on for a while out in the farmlands, another long stretch along Spencer road which is lined with trees and follows the Cowlitz River, and finally a few short little climbs just before your next rest stop at mile 43 outside of the little town of Cowlitz

After this rest stop there are more mostly flat roads until you enter Vadar which climbs for about 2 miles at around 2 to 3% or so on Hwy 505/6 a twisting road very close to I5 North.

Leave Vadar make a right on Winlock Vadar Road and make a long subtle climb of around 2% all the way to Winlock probably around 5 or 6 miles. Continue through Winlock on Hwy 603 to the next rest stop at mile 71 at an old schoolhouse. A short loop for the century riders just before the rest stop at mile 71 outside of Winlock, throws in a 1-mile climb at 6% or you can just stay on Hwy 603 to the rest stop and avoid the climb and about 7-miles.

Out of the rest stop and from here more flats, one or two short little climbs of 5 to 8% (1 short grunt of a climb out of the town of Adna of around 10%) and then a series of more short climbs (maybe 4 or 5) just prior to rest stop 4 at 88-miles in Claquato at an old historic church.

From here it’s on to Centralia with a few minor rollers along S Scheuber Road which takes you into Centralia, and then back to Chehalis right alongside I-5 and the rush of the freeway traffic pulling you South.

Overall this is not an excessively hard course to complete. Wind can be a factor later on in the day with North to South winds being the usual direction.

The lacking part of this ride is poorly stocked rest stops. Limited food selections can occur. You would be wise to carry food with you, whatever works for you as far as fuel, and stop at any stores along the way if you are so inclined. Then use the rest stop food/water as a supplement to what you carry or buy at a store.

[Brian C]

Finished up a nice quiet Lewis County Historical Ride on Saturday. Comfortable temps in the 50's greeted the 150+ or so number of us to get started.

The roads were super quiet for the first 45 miles as we made our way around the farmlands outside of Chehalis and Vadar, Washington. The century course had only a handful as riders as it seemed most opted for the 65-mile course which joined with us century riders at mile 45. From here on we all rode together and the temps started to creep up as the day went on, but not too hot.

Vastly improved rest stop food at the 72-mile stop included brownies, cookies, great watermelon, and other nice stuff. Kudos to the folks who managed this stop.

Light breezes added up to a nice day of riding.

Up next, The Pioneer Century.