A quick postscript on that nasty stretch of the RSVP Day One ride from Seattle into Bellingham:
The main culprit was the roadway called Chuckanut Drive, also known as Highway 11. Before the hills started, Chuckanut Drive was flat with a skimpy bike lane lined on one side with “rumble strips” (the indentations that keep sleepy drivers on the road) and a ditch on the other. For miles I struggled to keep my wheels in the resultant sliver of space. I was exhausted by the challenge, and imagined another rhyming name for the highway that would be far more appropriate.
I fervently hoped I’d never see Chuckanut anything, ever again.
Imagine my shock this week when I was shopping in the Mountain Market in the tiny town of Ridgway, Colorado and discovered Chuckanut Bay Foods Cheesecakes. The miniature (three or four bite) cakes are from-scratch productions, made with local Northwest berries and other fruits, by a family-owned and locally-operated boutique bakery not too far from, you guessed it, Chuckanut Bay and Chuckanut Drive.
I bought the tiny Very Berry Cheesecake and was impressed by the pronounced berry flavor and the rich creaminess of the cake. Other flavors include Key Lime, Hazelnut Mocha, Honey Lavender and Cajeta Swirl, all of which I would love to try. (The Website’s “retailer” feature shows where to buy them.)
But I don’t plan to visit the bakery on a bicycle any time soon.
And a quick postscript on this quick postscript:
Many members of the RSVP posse consider Chuckanut Drive the highlight of the two-day bike tour. That's because AFTER the nasty stretch detailed above the road goes on to hug the coastline offering out-of-this-world views of the island-studded bay. Apparently, the flat, booby-trapped stretch that was almost my undoing was a last-minute route detour. Let's hope it's by-passed on next year's ride.
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