Fifth (???) annual International Harper Day Ride

General
1

The (approximately) fifth International Harper Day ride will be held on the Iron Horse Trail on Sunday 31 August this year. The Iron Horse Trail (or John Wayne Memorial Trail) is a rails to trails project that we ride each year from I-90 exit 54 (Hyak) to Rattlesnake Lake, about 24 miles away. The trail is hard packed gravel and a very good riding surface. The ride is DOWNHILL at a 2% grade all the way. You pedal to maintain balance, not propel yourself. It is a very relaxing ride. Other fine features of the ride are the railroad tunnel which is 2.25 miles long, pitch black, and with perfect accoustics for singing happy birthday, and the three steel structure tressel bridges. I am hoping to have a foreign participant this year to maintain the history of international flavor. I would be dissappointed to see this event downgraded to National Harper Day. Be there or be square.

We will meet at 10:00AM at Tom Blackwood’s house who is the eastern most of our Seattle Area RiderS (SARS) group. For information PM me or Tom Blackwood.

We will load cycles into the truck and takeoff for Rattlesnake Lake where we will drop a shuttle car. Then on to the top and the long ride home. Be sure to bring a lunch and a FLASHLIGHT or HEADLAMP. A standard flashlight is inadequate. A MagLite puts out the minimum useful light.

2

Hey Jerrick or other eastern WA folks, it’s only a 24 mile coker ride, but it’s a fun event if you’re looking for a reason to drive a long ways. The bad news is, you’d miss the breakfast snacks and coffee at my house, but the good news is you could just meet us at the summit and we’d all be ready to ride.

Photo of last year’s tunnel entrance: here.

Actually, everything photographically you need to know about this classic ride is here.

PM anyone if you want to connect on this, or just reply and say In and we’ll figure things out from there. That means you too Steve Howard.

3

Looks fun. Ill see if i can get over there. Im pretty broke right now, but ill try to make it.

If I cant, the 6th annual, its a promise, that ill be to that.

4

I know people in eastern Washington. Not very nice people…who owe me favors. Don’t make me pick up the phone, Jerrick.

Hope you can make it. It’s a gorgeous ride and so far the forecast is sunny.

5

Hello You lucky West Coast’ers,
This ride would be the perfect excuse for me to vist my brother in Portland. But not this year, maybe next year. Hope you have a great time!

6

Does this mean you are approximately five years old?

…cause that would explain a lot.

7

hmmm… maybe I’ll join. I haven’t ridden my coker in ages.

8

I’ve been five years old eleven times now. I’m going to be starting on round twelve.

9

I wish I could be there. I will be there is spirit. Or I’ll be in spirits, or something…

In my heart I honor International Harper Day every day. May he ride strong and free despite his advanced age.

Y’all come out to see us in Park City, Utah sometime. I miss you folks in the upper left-hand corner.

David

10

David-

When did you move? Do I have to go to Park City and do some unbelievable diving stunt now? Can I pick up some popcorn balls there? Your excuse seems a little lame to me.

11

Greg, nobody even remembers your diving stunt anymore. Sure, you impressed and thrilled a dozen or so of my nieces and nephews, but where were you during the Olympics?

I had to move. Family in the midwest was awesome, but my role at work now requires I attend Monday morning meetings in Provo, Utah. I tried that for a while from South Dakota, but it was just too much.

We’re loving Park City. Kathy rode two miles on her twenty-incher this morning on her way to the gym. Come visit! We’re just across the street from the Olympic ski jump. One of the ski jumps ends in a giant pool. Maybe you could reprise your moment in the sun???

David