I think this is my fifth year riding the McClinchy Mile. This is one of those organized bicycle rides. The ride is put on by BIKES Club of Snohomish County (Washington). It’s their annual fundraiser.
BIKES Club of Snohomish County
Three loop routes are offered, all starting in Arlington. I chose the longer 44 miler and was on it just a little after 7 am. The route went out to Stanwood, part of it on old Highway 99, then back around to the start. The scenery is rural, woods, pastures, barns, horse ranches, mcmansions, big houses, and small houses with accumulated junk cars and various other junk projects in progress where no progress is made. It sprinkled rain the whole ride, that pissy constant heavy drizzle that we know so well in western Washington. I was literally soaked to the bone despite the neon yellow cycling rain jacket I wore. That didn’t stop me from buying an ice cream bar at the Lake McMurray general store to carry me through the last 10 miles. Included with the entry fee is a free burger and glass of beer at the end of the ride. It was good but a beer before noon is like … zzzzz time. Maybe next year the weather will be nicer.
Next up, the Skagit Spring Classic in two more weeks.