More than 8,500 cyclists begin Seattle to Portland (STP)

I couldn't join them this year, so I did the next best thing: I cycled over to Lake Washington early this morning and took pictures of all the fresh cyclists on their way out of town, like these two guys on their modified “Big Wheels” tricycles.

The pictures can be found on this blog at STP 2005.

When I rode in 2001 and 2003, I was one of those who left before 6 a.m. so I could get down to Portland before dark. I was surprised this morning at how many cyclists were still passing by between 7 and 8:30. I also was surprised at how many people stopped at the Seward Park rest stop to have a bicycle mechanic check out their bike.

Standing along the road with my camera, I heard snippets of many conversations passing by at 15 mph. Among them:
“Yeah, he's a very aggressive US Attorney…”
“Just think, we're already one-tenth of the way there.”
“Your head looks like a bobble-head when you pedal.”
“Is that what a flat tire sounds like?”
“It isn't so crowded later on.”

The STP ride is one of the most popular of its kind in the nation. Cyclists ride the 204-mile route to Portland in either one or two days. Those on two-day rides stay overnight in motels along the route or camp in Centralia or other midway towns.

The Cascade Bicycle Club, which organizes the event, drops off luggage at pre-arranged points along the route or takes it all the way to Portland.

Whether the riders finish tonight or Sunday, they cross the finish line at a festival at Holladay Park, near Lloyd Center in Portland.