STP 2011

Scenes from the first food stop in Kent, WA.

Scenes from the first food stop in Kent, WA.

Scenes from the first food stop in Kent, WA.

Views of Mt. Rainier from the road.

Views of Mt. Rainier from the road.

The official midpoint is Centralia College. But realistically, it's about a mile short of halfway, and the second half of the STP is more hilly. I didn't stop in Centralia for the night, and instead pushed on another 20 miles to Winlock, WA to make the first day 120 miles leaving only 80-some miles for the second, hillier, day.

The official midpoint is Centralia College. But realistically, it's about a mile short of halfway, and the second half of the STP is more hilly. I didn't stop in Centralia for the night, and instead pushed on another 20 miles to Winlock, WA to make the first day 120 miles leaving only 80-some miles for the second, hillier, day.

The official midpoint is Centralia College. But realistically, it's about a mile short of halfway, and the second half of the STP is more hilly. I didn't stop in Centralia for the night, and instead pushed on another 20 miles to Winlock, WA to make the first day 120 miles leaving only 80-some miles for the second, hillier, day.

The official midpoint is Centralia College. But realistically, it's about a mile short of halfway, and the second half of the STP is more hilly. I didn't stop in Centralia for the night, and instead pushed on another 20 miles to Winlock, WA to make the first day 120 miles leaving only 80-some miles for the second, hillier, day.

Views of Mt. St. Helens from between Centralia and Winlock.

Winlock Elementary School's field, where I was the first person to arrive and had my pick of camping location. Sadly I forgot to take a photo showing the field full of tents as other riders arrived after I did. I rolled into town around 3pm!

The baggage pickup spot inside of Winlock Elementary School's gym (some folks "camp" indoors).

For some reason, Winlock claims to have the world's largest egg. So of course I took a photo.

Just some random scenery along the road on day 2.

The first food stop on day 2, this photograph is notable as it shows the sign informing riders the food stop would not open until 8am; I was there at 8:12! Clearly near the front of the mass of 10,000 riders (except the quarter of whom did the entire thing in one day!)

Riding up the shoulder on the approach to the Longview Bridge, which would take us into Oregon.

Lumber mill on the side of the Longview Bridge.

That little sign overhead welcomes us to Oregon!

Crossing over the Willamette River.

Crossing over the Willamette River.

Crossing over the Willamette River.

Crossing over the Willamette River.

Self-Portrait at the finish line in Halladay Park.

Self-Portrait at the finish line in Halladay Park.

The masses of baggage awaiting arriving riders.

The shower truck is awesome, and this line would grow to triple its length later in the afternoon as more riders finished the STP.

Riders heading towards the finish line.

Portland is known for its food carts, but ironically most of these are not very portable, and not very open.

Portland has these wierd water fountains which constantly waste water. It's neat, but wasteful.

Getting on the Amtrak Cascades train on my way home.

Random scenery from the train on the way home.

Scenery of sunset over Puget Sound south of Tacoma.

Scenery of sunset over Puget Sound south of Tacoma.

The train passed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The train passed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Arriving in King Street Station, in Seattle.