Nervous, not really, apprehension possibly about my training and ability. I do recall that I was some what upset at all the traffic around the UW. So my wife and I pulled into the University shopping center next to the U's intramural playfields, unloaded our bikes and road over to STP starting gate.
Gave the wife a kiss. She said "have a nice ride and be careful", the starter announced "Lets Ride to Portland" and I was off. The weather was great, clear and cool. Seattle was somewhat of a blur. The big event was throwing my chain going up Juneau St. in Seward Park. Could not gear down fast enough. Put the chain back on, and walked the rest of the hill before mounting my two wheel stead. We are only talking about a 30 yard hill if that, besides I remembered my wife saying, "Be Careful" and I was all that.
Next came REI, what a ZOO and just 24 miles into the ride. I looked at the lines and said to myself, no way. Hit the portables to relieve myself of some unwanted water and I was out of there. Fastest pit stop in REI history or so I told myself. Peddled a few strokes and seemed to find myself on the outskirts of Puyallup and the so-called "hill". I'm sure that Lance would have pulled it at 20 MPH or better but I only managed around 6 or 7 MPH. However, I did make it to the top and then the easy ride to Spanaway Jr. High. This is the first big Food and Beverage stop and almost half way for that first day. After that the ride was just long and steady, a modest but steady incline and carpet over the railroad crossings because they all seemed to be at 45 degree angles to the road way.
My next pit stop came at Tenino, when I though I was coming into Centralia which in reality was another two towns and 14 miles off in the distance. Fueled with some carbs and caffeine while chewing the fat with a guy that said his wife had broken her collar bone in a bike pileup earlier that morning. He had a good size bandage on his right shin from the same entanglement. So I had to ask, "Why are you here and your wife is in the hospital?" At least I though it was a good question. The answer was quite simple, he had to ride to Vader because that is where they had left their car. So I just walked over to the water faucet, stuck my head under it and turned the handle. Got on my bike for the final push to Napavine for a shower, a nice meal, and a good nights sleep. There Denise (we) managed to pitch the tent by a security light. You could have read a book inside the tent at any time that night. But after 114 miles I really did not care that much, just let me lay down some where.
Boy! Does 5:15 a.m. come fast, but I felt great and was ready to ride. Had my pace rider (Denise) with me for the first hour. Again another beautiful morning cool and crisp, just right. It seemed like no time had passed and I was at the Lexington Park food stop, 146 miles in and 50 plus miles to go. Then in a blink I was at the Lewis and Clark Bridge crossing into Oregon. I was there, around the bend and Portland, Wrong. FOOL, you have almost 50 miles to go and it seemed to be all uphill. But three hours later I could smell Portland and the finish line. Well almost, after the seemingly endless number of traffic light the end was in sight. People where cheering you on, you felt sky high and your adrenaline is at its peck. What takes place next will live in the annuals of the STP forever. Russ, Bib #4099 takes a right turn before the finish line and goes between the two barriers blocking off the street into nothingness. There I was, all by my lonesome, 'Me, Myself, and I.' Felt like a complete IDIOT. Made the quick U-turn like nothing had happened. Planned it that way so I would stand out. You believe that, Right! Rode into the park with fame and glory on my shoulders until I saw my beautiful wife laughing as she walked over to greet me. That's when the bubble popped, once again I felt very foolish. But I did make it the entire 205.42 official miles and it FELT GREAT. See you at the finish line next year in 2005.
Russ Nichols Official Finisher 2004 STP