Over the weekend we experienced our first STP – Seattle to Portland – a 204-mile, 10,000-plus-rider trek run by Cascade Bicycle Club. What a ride! At the risk of sounding hokey … it was as much about all the people as it was about the pedaling (and the pedaling was pretty spectacular). But the people made it truly stellar. And indeed, very heartwarming.

As much a party as a rest stop early on.

Not a bad place to have a farm.

Great News: He has an extra friction shifter on hand. Life is great!

We didn’t need lemonade, but how could we not stop!

More long-time providers – serving banana bread at the top of a hill.

The Hipsta version, Take 3

Approaching the bridge between Longview, Wash., and Rainier, Ore.

Just a few miles to go, heading over the Willamette River in Portland.

The folks lining the streets and the entry into the park were just amazing. It was WONDERFUL to be welcomed that way. Thank you!

Some of what has left such a glow:

• Our fellow riders. Such a diversity of cyclists, all committed to covering 204 miles (some of them in one day). There were plenty of super-strong riders. There also were plenty of less strong, less experienced riders and, given the way our butts are feeling right now, we can’t imagine what going this distance was like for them. There was the guy covering 200 miles on a unicycle, and the one hauling a dog. Kids on tandems with a parent, and a number of kids who looked no older than 12 riding regular bikes with a parent or two trailing behind. There was the bike with two parents and one kid (what is that called? A trip-dem?) There were the costumed riders, and the ones who have been doing it for two decades (or more), and the 78-year-old guy, and the riders from all over the world …
• The rest stops. There were the major stops, with sponsors such as Clif and REI, and the mini-stops, run by community organizations as fundraisers. Not only were there LOTS of them, but they were packed with volunteers who were downright friendly and caring, even after hours upon hours of pouring water and spreading peanut butter.
• The unofficial stops.  Some residents just set up their own little stops, like the kid with the lemonade stand or the guy on the side of the road spraying us with water as we neared the finish.
• The top-notch mechanics. We had first-hand experience, and what a great experience it was.
• The diversity of overnight lodging possibilities. Many people camped out at Centralia College, either inside or outside. Others stayed in motels there or further down the road. Still others, including us, paid to stay with area families, who host STP riders to raise money for a variety of organizations. We had such a great time with our hosts, a newly retired teacher and firefighter, who made us right at home, fed us, chatted with us, and overall were a key to our great experience.
• The festivals at the halfway point and the finish. Two big parties, a chance to kick back and relax and celebrate and just have a great time. With both chocolate milk and beer as recovery drinks.
• The support crews and decorum enforcers who traveled the route by bike, motorcycle and car.
• The Cascade folks who made it all work flawlessly. OK, they’ve been doing this for so many years that they should have it down to a science. And they do. Like clockwork, perfectly organized, perfectly executed, a massive event with intricate logistics that flowed seamlessly.
• The scenery. Coupled with the weather.
• The diversity of riding experiences. On the first day, with a greater density of people starting at the same place and more or less the same time, we got the pleasure of a number of impromptu pacelines as riders of similar speed and abilities joined up.  That was simply a blast and we rolled at a nice zippy clip. On the second day, when we started a bit late and also behind a lot of fast riders who closer to Portland, we took our time and stopped to take a lot of pictures. In between we motored speedily on our own — but were happy to stop and savor the full experience, not just the “we’re tough and we can ride far and fast” experience.
• The folks scattered here and there along the route, ringing cowbells and cheering. These people were terrific and such a great boost.
• The finish festival — and especially, the crowds that lined the blocks heading into the festival and those at the finish itself. It actually made us sort of misty-eyed. Riding those last several blocks was just one big happy grin. Not because we’d finished the ride, which for us wasn’t a huge deal. But because these people made it so spectacular for us.

See below for lots more photos!