Marysville teens complete STP bike ride
Published on Wed, Aug 25, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Communities
An estimated 10,000 bicyclists from all over the world participated in the 31st annual Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride, held July 17 and 18, 2010. Local teens Emyly Hall and Zack Rowan were among the 1,800 first-time participants.
Emyly and Zack were both accompanied by family members and completed the 202-mile trip in two days.
Emyly's mother Ellen Hall has made the trip four times, and when her daughter turned 14 this year, she suggested they team up for the ride.
"Emyly is a gifted athlete with a lot of determination," said Ellen Hall, "and I knew she could do it if she wanted to."
The mother-daughter team trained rigorously in the months leading up to the event, biking the Centennial Trail, the Burke-Gilman Trail and the Interurban Trail. It was also important to spend time riding in traffic, since STP cyclists use surface streets for the trip.
That decision was nearly catastrophic, as Ellen Hall was hit by a car and thrown off her bike in an intersection near the Snohomish Library. Emyly witnessed the accident.
"It was really traumatic," said Emyly. "I was so scared, but luckily my mom wasn't hurt badly."
The same couldn't be said for the woman's custom-made bicycle, which was demolished by the collision. Determined to see the experience through, she borrowed a friend's street bike for the STP.
Bicycles made for road use are tailor-made to their riders' height, leg and arm lengths, and have special features like pedals that accommodate "locking" shoes.
"You click in to the pedal," explained Emyly, "so your leg muscles are constantly working, even on the upstroke. But it's kind of hard to get used to. Since your feet are locked into place, if you start to fall over, it's harder to catch yourself."
Emyly took a couple of falls while she was learning the technique, but it didn't lessen her determination to do the ride.
Still, tackling a 200-mile bike ride is a daunting challenge even for experienced riders.
"I thought it was going to be worse than it actually was," said the M-PHS freshman. "The morning of the second day was definitely the worst. I was still sore and tired from the day before, but once we got going it was okay."
Part of the fun of the event is interacting with the other riders, said the Halls. From colorful costumes to bicycle accessories that included drink blenders and music speakers, the two days offered non-stop opportunities for people-watching.
According to the website of the event's organizer, the Cascade Bicycle Club, this year's participants ranged in age from just under 2 years to 87. Hall believes the optimum age for young riders is 14.
"Not only are their muscles developed by 14," said Ellen Hall, "they've also developed an inner drive to do it. The mental preparation is just as important as the physical training."
Emyly Hall has experience in endurance sports, and will compete on the Marysville-Pilchuck cross-country team this fall. A former 10th Street School student, she also plays oboe in the symphonic band.
She's not sure if she'll do the STP bike ride again, but her mother will have other companions for the trip in the future. Emyly's 12-year-old sister Eryn has already begun to train to tackle the ride once she turns 14, and her brother Lee, now only 6 years old, can't wait until it's his turn.
"It's a big experience and a chance to bond with the kids," said Ellen Hall.
Emyly and Zack were both accompanied by family members and completed the 202-mile trip in two days.
Emyly's mother Ellen Hall has made the trip four times, and when her daughter turned 14 this year, she suggested they team up for the ride.
"Emyly is a gifted athlete with a lot of determination," said Ellen Hall, "and I knew she could do it if she wanted to."
The mother-daughter team trained rigorously in the months leading up to the event, biking the Centennial Trail, the Burke-Gilman Trail and the Interurban Trail. It was also important to spend time riding in traffic, since STP cyclists use surface streets for the trip.
That decision was nearly catastrophic, as Ellen Hall was hit by a car and thrown off her bike in an intersection near the Snohomish Library. Emyly witnessed the accident.
"It was really traumatic," said Emyly. "I was so scared, but luckily my mom wasn't hurt badly."
The same couldn't be said for the woman's custom-made bicycle, which was demolished by the collision. Determined to see the experience through, she borrowed a friend's street bike for the STP.
Bicycles made for road use are tailor-made to their riders' height, leg and arm lengths, and have special features like pedals that accommodate "locking" shoes.
"You click in to the pedal," explained Emyly, "so your leg muscles are constantly working, even on the upstroke. But it's kind of hard to get used to. Since your feet are locked into place, if you start to fall over, it's harder to catch yourself."
Emyly took a couple of falls while she was learning the technique, but it didn't lessen her determination to do the ride.
Still, tackling a 200-mile bike ride is a daunting challenge even for experienced riders.
"I thought it was going to be worse than it actually was," said the M-PHS freshman. "The morning of the second day was definitely the worst. I was still sore and tired from the day before, but once we got going it was okay."
Part of the fun of the event is interacting with the other riders, said the Halls. From colorful costumes to bicycle accessories that included drink blenders and music speakers, the two days offered non-stop opportunities for people-watching.
According to the website of the event's organizer, the Cascade Bicycle Club, this year's participants ranged in age from just under 2 years to 87. Hall believes the optimum age for young riders is 14.
"Not only are their muscles developed by 14," said Ellen Hall, "they've also developed an inner drive to do it. The mental preparation is just as important as the physical training."
Emyly Hall has experience in endurance sports, and will compete on the Marysville-Pilchuck cross-country team this fall. A former 10th Street School student, she also plays oboe in the symphonic band.
She's not sure if she'll do the STP bike ride again, but her mother will have other companions for the trip in the future. Emyly's 12-year-old sister Eryn has already begun to train to tackle the ride once she turns 14, and her brother Lee, now only 6 years old, can't wait until it's his turn.
"It's a big experience and a chance to bond with the kids," said Ellen Hall.
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