Another lovely February day in Seattle - weird.  But we'll take it!  Today was sunny and 55-60 on Bainbridge Island.  Kathy and I started at Gasworks park, rode 5.8 miles to the ferry terminal and dang it!  We were late.  We stood around with the masses and waited for the next ferry. 

The Chilly Hilly is one of the 4 classic road rides in Seattle.  The Chilly Hilly is put on by Cascade Bicycle Club.  CBC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create more livable communities by promoting health & recreation through bicycle activities, advocacy & education.  CBC also puts on the Seattle to Portland ride and there are rider education programs and training programs for Seattle area road riders.  We aso have to thank the Cascade Bicycle Club for donating STP auctions this year and last year for our auction.   Always much appreciated.

OK, back to the Chilly Hilly, it's a 33 mile ride and billed as 3,900 feet of elevation gain.  The entry fee includes the ferry ride from Seattle and there are a couple of feed stations throughout the course and a chili feed benefiting a non-profit bike group post-ride. Last year approximately 3,800 participants came out - I'm guessing this years numbers will be about the same. 

Riders range from racers in full kits, messengers on single speeds, dads pulling kids in Burleys, mountain bikes and hybrids.  It's always stunning that so many people with so many levels of ability and fitness come out and finish the ride. With that said - participants should be patient and courteous.  It's not a race, there's traffic on the roads, almost 4,000 riders on 33 miles of road, and total only 28 square miles on the island. 

We had the pleasure of seeing a few friends on the course throughout the day and we missed a few others due to timing on our arrival at the ferry.  The chili was good, the ferry rides pretty short, and we were super-excited to get in line and actually make it on the first ferry back.  Apparently in Seattle (as I am learning with all this road riding)  a road ride isn't complete without the obligatory view of Mount Rainier.  So, ride report for the Chilly Hilly?  Definitely Hilly....Chilly - maybe a little but overall, not so bad for February in Seattle! 

Here's a little "taste of" the Chilly Hilly in timelapse view - fun day just crazy with cyclists!

Cycling Timelapse & Video (Chilly Hilly 2010) from Garrett Wesley Gibbons on Vimeo.