Ridin The Iron Horse II

[MarcusArelius]

There seems to be some interest on repeating this event next spring.

 

Since it was taking over the Cache-cadian's thread it was suggested a new topic be started.

 

As the event gets closer I will make sure to bump this thread to the top.

 

Now go ahead and discuss the details....

[+xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy]

Count me in too. I vote downhill on Mountain bikes.

[+leatherman]

Pepper and I are all for it. However Pepper expects me to park a pickup/pullout vehicle at Garcia Rd. She wasn't all that keen about the whole nine miles.

[MarcusArelius]

I was thinking the same thing about some early opt-out points. Garcia was one, rattlesnake lake was the other.

 

I also think the lake would be a good spot for our catered lunch. Hmmm didn't I hear someone offer that.....

[+robinego]

Pepper and I are all for it. However Pepper expects me to park a pickup/pullout vehicle at Garcia Rd. She wasn't all that keen about the whole nine miles.

 

9 Miles? PIECE O'CAKE! 'Specially downhill!

 

I also think the lake would be a good spot for our catered lunch. Hmmm didn't I hear someone offer that..... 

 

I believe it was Lucy, but if you were to ask her, she'd deny it and tell you Tuna fish or PB&J sandwiches.

[+leatherman]

Pepper and I are all for it. However Pepper expects me to park a pickup/pullout vehicle at Garcia Rd. She wasn't all that keen about the whole nine miles.

 

9 Miles? PIECE O'CAKE! 'Specially downhill!

For me, yeah. However Pepper had to run the whole way.

[+leatherman]

Uh, I forgot a one on that distance. It's ninteen miles.

[+The Jester]

Count me in too. I vote downhill on Mountain bikes.

Road bikes won't cut it - especially if you are carrying the Mountain Bike Madness coin, it curses road bikes! Last year I had 3 flats after I picked it up, and no problems since I got rid of it!

[+bumblingbs]

OK, Belleterre is as mean as can be (just kidding, love her) but she made us go through the tunnel with lights off. Try it. Maybe impossible on a bike, we were actually walking. But, lights off. Cool.

[+robinego]

For me, yeah. However Pepper had to run the whole way.

 

Wah....I didn't know there was a dog involved. Heck, we need a Rickshaw for him/her.

 

Uh, I forgot a one on that distance. It's ninteen miles. 

 

Ok, I'm game. I just need to start my training a little earlier...

[+The Navigatorz]

There seems to be some interest on repeating this event next spring.

Is this the previous event you are talking about

Ridin the Iron Horse

It says its a 25 mile bike ride.

[+The Navigatorz]

Looks like you have to be logged in to view the archived event.

 

I just routed it on S&T and came up with 30 miles. Did anyone on the last trip use an odometer and measure the actual miles. Just curious.

Edited November 20, 2004 by The Navigatorz

[+runhills]

From my track log it was 21.11 miles from the Iron Horse Parking Lot to the Rattlesnake Lake Parking lot. Then it was another 6.13 miles from Rattlesnake on into the North Bend Outlet Mall via the direct paved roads. Lots of options!

[+The Jester]

OK, Belleterre is as mean as can be (just kidding, love her) but she made us go through the tunnel with lights off. Try it. Maybe impossible on a bike, we were actually walking. But, lights off. Cool.

As we started into the tunnel last year, there was a group of fathers & sons on bikes going part way thru. The dad's had lights, sons did not. I saw one dad swing the light up to look at the tunnel while son (in front so could use the light) steered into the wall in the dark. So... biking without lights - nope, not cool!

[nolenator]

I am in just for the laughs. Maybe it will rain the whole trip this time. Peace, Nolenator

[+The Jester]

Yeah, sounds like fun. N, you up for wading for that one cache again? Or are you going to spread the fun and let some other sap do the deed?

[+McLaughlin's Marauders]

From my track log it was 21.11 miles from the Iron Horse Parking Lot to the Rattlesnake Lake Parking lot. Then it was another 6.13 miles from Rattlesnake on into the North Bend Outlet Mall via the direct paved roads. Lots of options!

We had 29 on our track. What a great time, we may do it again just for the fun of it!

[Moun10Bike]

Count me in for this one! Maybe Jameson will even be old enough for his trailer!

[+Ambrosia]

Notice how the mileage justs gets bigger and bigger for this trip?

 

You're just trying to hook people in, and the do the old switcher changer on them, aren't you?

[+The Navigatorz]

I was looking at the route and noticed a couple more caches that could be added, making the total caches to find at 14. One is Phatboyz One Hand Clapping hidden June 1, 2002, and the other one is Cedar Falls hidden May 31, 2004.

Edited November 23, 2004 by The Navigatorz

[+Team Noltex]

Oh man, I can't wait to do this. I've had the Iron Horse caches on my "Must Do" list for too long now. Don't know how I'm going to stand waiting all winter!

[+Right Wing Wacko]

I've wanted to do this run for ages. The Ape Cache still sits there taunting me! If at all possible I will be there.

 

I like the idea of staging some vehicles at several of the trailheads along the route. It's a LONG route and some of us may not be up to doing the whole thing. I know I want to go as far as I can, yet I also know I have my limitations.

 

While it's true that it's mostly all downhill, it's downhill on an old railroad grade with gravel, so it's not like we'll just be able to coast

 

I sure hope my old $75 Mountain Bike from Target can do the job without falling apart.

[+runhills]

Now, now...we have all winter to prepare for this ride. On last year's ride we had a couple of youngsters that were able to do the entire ride thus setting the bar for this ride That said, my plan could be to drive my buggy to an intermediate location to allow for an opt out if desired.

 

The one change I would suggest is that we start and end at Rattlesnake Lake rather than North Bend. This shaves a few cachless miles and makes for a great picnic weather permitting. If the weather is unfavorable, we drive to the Grill in North Bend.

[+LindaLu]

Count me in, too! I've done the tunnel on bikes, to find the Ape cache (we could not find Iron Horse, and later it went MIA). Although if Moun10Bike is coming, maybe I shouldn't. The last time I did a bike ride with him, I ended up taking a header over the side of my bike and thrashing my helmet! (Fortunately it did its job and my head was spared).....

[+leatherman]

While it's true that it's mostly all downhill, it's downhill on an old railroad grade with gravel, so it's not like we'll just be able to coast  .

It nearly is coasting all the way. I found the 20 mile ride very easy. However like I mentioned Pepper had to run the whole way. So I will have to use an opt out. Or maybe a cart to pull behind my bike for pulling her at about half way.

 

By the way cool avatar.

{image removed by moderator]

 

{image removed by moderator}

Edited March 16, 2005 by Team Misguided

[nolenator]

To answer Jester's question, yes of course I will fetch that one again as long as I can borrow your hat. I like the idea of ending at Rattlesnake because the sick people can then hike up and grab the caches up on the ledges. Whoo Hoo! I am in again. Peace, Nolenator

[+runhills]

To answer Jester's question, yes of course I will fetch that one again as long as I can borrow your hat. I like the idea of ending at Rattlesnake because the sick people can then hike up and grab the caches up on the ledges. Whoo Hoo! I am in again. Peace, Nolenator

I think the real reason you prefer Rattlesnake Lake is you want revenge on Cedar Falls

 

Yes, it might be a long winter

[nolenator]

Why of course I want to sit back and laugh at the others trying to find a cache, just like you did to me. Hee hee! Peace, Nolenator

[+Belleterre]

Count me in as very interested. I'd vote for not having it on the three day weekend like last time, though.

[+Right Wing Wacko]

Bump

 

I know it's not time yet but it's getting there!

[+Bull Moose]

I know it's not time yet but it's getting there!

Yeah. I really want to do this this year.

I was thinking about getting on my bike and doing caches on the Interurban next weekend to shake down the bike for spring.

[+LandRover]

Yipee,

I have been looking forward to doing this since I first heard rumors about it a few months ago.

Last years ride was before my introduction to Geocaching.

[+TotemLake]

Considering Snickers is no longer with us, I'll actually consider doing this on my bike.

[+Barnabirdy(s)]

WEB site says the tunnel usually opens on May 1. Anyone know otherwise? Our bikes are still hanging from the garage ceiling but the snow is going fast so they will have to be dragged down soon. K&A

[MarcusArelius]

Yes, I was thinking around mid-May.

[+Nomadic Man]

Thinking of coming up from Portland for the ride, any new details? I love this area was up there last September, to do some caching.

[+magking1971]

If everything works out for me in a week or two count me in, maybe a friend or two.

I was planning a trip over for just the project APE cache but if this event comes to light I will plan around it.

[Go-mad-Cow]

This trip sounds interesting.....I think the team will be there.

[+LittleBlue]

Is this something that a hybrid bike could do? I don't have a real mountain bike.

[lucyandrickie]

LittleBlue,

 

The Jester and his wife did it last year on touring Bikes but had a couple of flats along the way. I believe that he was riding on 1.25" tires. If you have 1.5" tires or bigger and keep them at the high end of the pressure range you should have no problem. The trail is actually pretty smooth and not at all technical.

[+Byron & Anne]

It's all been fixed.

Edited March 17, 2005 by Byron & Anne

[Team Misguided]

Let's keep this on topic and leave politics out of it.

[+Byron & Anne]

Thanks Team Misguided.

 

All's well with world now.

Edited March 17, 2005 by Byron & Anne

[Team Misguided]

I've removed all the links to the images that offend you.

 

Again, let's keep this about geocaching and leave politics out of the discussion.

[+The Jester]

LittleBlue,

 

The Jester and his wife did it last year on touring Bikes but had a couple of flats along the way. I believe that he was riding on 1.25" tires. If you have 1.5" tires or bigger and keep them at the high end of the pressure range you should have no problem. The trail is actually pretty smooth and not at all technical.

Yeah, I was on skinny tires and had three flats - but that was because of the curse of the "Moun10Bike Mountain Bike Coin" and me on a road bike!

 

The rest of the advice is good.

[MarcusArelius]

The rest of the advice is good.

Unlike some bum that may have said a street bike would be fine without talking tire width....

 

And man, what photos did I miss??

[+LittleBlue]

The Jester and his wife did it last year on touring Bikes but had a couple of flats along the way. I believe that he was riding on 1.25" tires. If you have 1.5" tires or bigger and keep them at the high end of the pressure range you should have no problem. The trail is actually pretty smooth and not at all technical.

 

Cool- I'll have to check my tires. I ride on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail all the time and have no problem. Altho I always think... 'I should really carry a spare tube and know how to use it'! You know what they say, it's better to be lucky than good...

 

Seems like I missed somethign interesting here, guess I should have subscribed to topic.

[+Uplink]

LittleBlue: I've done sections of the Iron Horse on a Hybrid Bike (1.75" tires) without any problems. Bigger is better, but One and a half inch tires would be pushing it, and I wouldn't ride anything with 1 1/4" unless I was being paid Stuntman Union Wages.

[+Cruiser Guy]

I think I would like to get in on the ride also. Goes right by my house on the section between rattlesnake and North Bend. has any date been discussed yet? I have a couple caches planned for the trail and would want to make sure they were there for everyone enjoyment.

[+leatherman]

Any date is good for me. As long as it's on a Saturday!