Washougal Dike
Ride Report 1/28/01

The idea for leading a ride to the Washougal Dike started some months ago when Louie discovered an article in the Oregonian about the dike trail. It wasn't long before Team Blueberry set out to find this little gem of a trail nestled next to the Columbia River. Becky really enjoys riding next to water so Louie put together a route that would take us on the dike trail and around the north side of Lacamas Lake. With bike club newsletter deadlines approaching we decided that we would lead members of TNT, VBC and PWTC on this scenic route. In haste we goofed on our starting point location listing a park that was undeveloped. Louie made a large sign and placed it on the corner of 10th and Ellsworth to direct folks to the correct starting point a few blocks away.

We had a great turnout, about eighteen cyclist which included some old friends and a few folks who have never been to a Blueberry Ride before. After consuming mass quantities of treats, coffee , hot chocolate and blueberry tea Louie gave the obligatory "rules of the road" speech and the group was off and running, or riding that is. Bec and Louie packed the van up in record time and began to ride "sweep" with their new friend, Claudine. Just a few short miles into the ride we had a flat tire. Claudine mentioned that it was her good luck because she needed a lesson on flat repair. After pulling off the road to fix our flat a curious little donkey came up to the fence to watch Louie work his magic on our punctured tube. The poor little guy got spooked when the air came out of the tire and countered with an awful donkey noise.

Back on the road we caught up with a couple from our group riding 'bents. They said they had been up to Steamboat Landing Park but decided not to ride the gravel path on the dike. The dike trail made for a natural re-grouping place as it was a six mile out and back. Once we got there we saw Rich and Gayle grinning from ear to ear, they said the wind was pretty strong going out but the tail wind coming back was great and that they were really enjoying the ride. Another mile or so down the trail we met up with the last of our group and decided to turn around there and ride with them. We joined our friends for a snack and photos as we enjoyed the view from the pier at Steamboat Landing Park.

Just outside of Washougal we surprised everyone with a 15% grade climb up Garfield Street, everyone that is except Tim Cannell who is familiar with the area and walked his bike up the hill faster than we rode it. It seemed to warm up as we rode along side Lacamas Lake, maybe it was because of the hills we had climbed or the shelter from the wind provided by the trees next to the road, but as our ride came closer to the end we realized it was just that warm fuzzy feeling you get from riding bikes with your friends. At the end we all traded stories from the road and said our long good-byes, vowing to ride together again.