[ETC-Discussion] Apple Century

[Jim Grippin]

Don't know how many of you made it over to Wenatchee for this years century ride, but THIS one might have set a record for perfect weather. The calmest warmest Apple ever.

The luck was flowing this weekend. 

We drove over Friday afternoon in the pouring rain, which lasted until about 30 minutes past Steven's Pass summit. The skies cleared, totally dry and we were asking ourselves why we don't head this way more often during these lost months of summer-everywhere-but-here.

We met up with the Brockway's, ETC members from Yakima, to do the ride. It was Sherry Brockway's first ever Century ride and she was seriously amped up.

Saturday was clear, calm and warming rapidly. Always a breeze coming down off the highway 2 corridor, but once past that it was really really really nice. 

The warm weather didn't make the climb any easier of course or the Texas Chainsaw chip seal at the top any smoother, but hey we were warm and dry and getting sun burned.

The dreaded screaming headwinds in the afternoon never happened. There was a breeze is all and no need for a pace line. We just eased on into town and finished strong. 

We had a live band, beer and chow in the park waiting for us at the end and life was really good. 

Hoped to get up Sunday morning and ride the world class river bike paths in town there, but it was pouring rain and cold. So we packed up and split for Leavenworth for a nice late breakfast before heading back into the gray. 

Man that was fun.....