Last major training ride before leaving for Montana for the 6 day ride.
Had 2-1hour bike fitting with a trainer in Northgate that resulted in a new crank with shorter arms and a much long stem. Driving to Northgate was a nightmare but worth it big time. Could really feel the difference today.
So all the indicators that Thursday would be a good day in terms of low car traffic in the park were absolutely dead wrong and there were times that I thought I was riding on I-5. Parking at Paradise was packed and cars down the hill and still couldn't handle the population. This was despite the fact that Mt. Rainier was hidden most of the day and it was cold and windy at Paradise.. Skip joined me for the first ride to Paradise and then headed home. Smart man. I had stripped everything off my bike for the bike fitting and when I got to Ashford discovered that my saddle bag which holds a spare tube, tools and CO2 cartridge had been left in Olalla. I had 2,000 miles on my tires and had ordered new tires and tubes but they didn't arrive until today and I would have had no way to change a tire anyway. The obvious question running thru my mind is "when would be the worst time to have a flat on a 70 mile ride?" You know the answer but it didn't happen. Beat my previous time on this same ride and legs felt pretty good for the whole ride. Used 11% less battery as well. I think I am ready.
Data: No assist to Longmire
Level 1@50% from Longmire to last two miles to Paradise
At Paradise the battery was 68% which was less than previous rides (72%) but Skip was riding much slower than I wanted to ride for some reason even though he has a secondary battery and factory settings on each level of assist.
At Paradise with same profile as first time, was at 33% battery and then nothing on the way out of the park. Normal gusting headwinds out of the park so turned the power back on for the ride to Ashford. Pie, coffee and order of fries.