Sea to Sound 2022 — Ian's Ride

We did it! There were 80+ participants over the three days and more than enough volunteers to keep everyone supported. We traveled nearly 70 miles, saw some incredible beauty and made some great new friends. Let me take a moment to describe Sea to Sound 2022. Well, a large moment, I didn’t want to leave anything out.

Preparation

We are always aiming to improve this event year after year. To help make that happen we really took to heart all the feedback we had gotten from previous years. We hold several volunteer meetings starting six months before the event so that we can all stay on track. This early prep helps keep surprises to the minimum.

Then there is creating the logo for the year, picking out and purchasing the swag, reaching out to 12 different agencies to inquire about permitting, acquiring sponsors and spreading the word. It’s a lot of work, but the end result makes it well worth it. We had an additional challenge this year, our personal shuttle died on us in 2021. So, we needed a new one. It really came down to the wire, and we secured one less than 10 days before the event.

Finally, with two weeks leading up to the event, I reached out to every participant I knew had unique needs and chatted with them on the phone or via email. We wanted to ensure that we had the required support for all the variety of needs. After those discussions, we crossed our fingers and hoped all our preparation would payoff.

Nerves are always high when heading out in the morning for the first day of this event. We have everyone park at the end of the day’s route and then shuttle them to the beginning so they are riding to their vehicle throughout the day. But questions arise… Do we have enough shuttle space for everyone? What about trucks and trailers to carry all the bikes, trikes and other mobility equipment? Fortunately, we have a good idea from registration numbers and all the communication with participants.

Despite some slight delays from local construction, we were able to get started pretty close to the start time of 11 AM. Here we were, dozens of cyclists, wheelchairs, trikes and other apparatuses all meeting up in the woods in the middle of nowhere for a fantastic adventure. Before we headed off, we all gathered behind the huge, blue Invacare arch to hear me acknowledge our sponsors and give a little info about the day. The next thing you know, we were off on the perfectly smooth black trail that was lightly scattered with leaf litter.

It’s hard to adequately describe the beauty of this day. You are dwarfed on the trail by towering Douglas Firs and Red Cedars. Their moss-covered trunks are highlighted by the sword fern filled understory. It really is a full immersive experience of a Pacific Northwest Forest. It’s also so quiet, with only the sounds of squirrels, birds and other participants to distract you from the captivating surroundings.

Jon Snyder experiencing a day in a power chair

Throughout the weekend we also try to create some awareness from policymakers on the value of accessible infrastructure. We found a great way to do this was to invite policymakers to come spend 5 to 10 miles in a power wheelchair along with all of our participants to spend a day in our wheels. It offers them a unique experience where they can see the importance of trail maintenance and the benefits everyone gets from outdoor recreation. For the first and second section of day one we had Jon Snyder, a Senior Policy Advisor for Jay Inslee, Washington state’s governor. It was really great chatting with him about the benefits of outdoor recreation and access for all.

We had no shortage of muscle on bikes to help individuals with mobility challenges get up some of the steeper hills or to help out in any other way. There are three aid stations on this day, each about 5 miles apart. These offer food, drink and shuttling opportunities to move to another aid station or to their vehicle. These also offer a great opportunity to sit and chat with other participants and make valuable connections.

Big thanks to our sponsor of the day: Sequim Bee Farm!

We arrived at our second aid station around 1:30 PM to enjoy a delicious lunch provided by Country Aire Natural Foods. Those sandwiches were a hit! Big thanks to Country Aire! Our lunch aid station offered other entertainment as well. We had a talented musician whose soft strumming of the guitar made for a very pleasant lunch. Thank you, Paul Beck! We even had corn hole set up along the trail for those who wanted a little extra fun during lunch.

With such variety of mobilities, everyone moves at a different pace. Some cyclists choose to enjoy the group for a mile or two and then head off and enjoy the trail at a faster pace. Many others will stick with the group throughout the day and help those who might need it. I tend to lead the way from each stop and then pull over after ½ mile and greet everyone as they go by before checking on those at the end of the line. We really try to keep on schedule, but also not rush anyone.

We picked up a couple more dignitaries in power wheelchairs at the last aid station of the day. Heidi Eisenhour, a Jefferson County Commissioner and Mike French, a Port Angeles City Council Member who is also running for County Commissioner. They both had a unique experience in a power wheelchair and got to see firsthand some of the challenges we deal with on a daily basis.

“We get by with a little help from our friends”

The final leg of the day is pretty phenomenal. You ride for miles along the banks of Lake Crescent where there is no vehicle access. It’s very quiet and requires effort to access this beautiful spot, which makes everyone appreciate it that much more. The day concludes with a bit of a hill which is bittersweet. Many of the power wheelchairs are out of battery but it allows our volunteers a chance to shine and make sure everyone gets pushed to the top.

All in all, it was a great day on the trail and it really set the mood for the weekend. People were tired but proud of their accomplishment. The looks of achievement on faces made us feel like we were doing something right. We then finished the day off back at my house where some participants and volunteers returned to discuss the day over dinner around a roaring bonfire. There was lots of laughter.

Each day offers such unique scenery. The first day is entirely in the woods, where the second day offers much more variety. We start at the Elwha River and slowly climb a couple hundred feet over 4 miles before descending into the town of Port Angeles. You then spend several miles along the waterfront before climbing into a wooded, hilly area. Finally, the day concludes through farmland and a small industrial center.

It is one of our longer days at 24 miles and there’s always a slightly smaller start at the Elwha because many wheelchairs choose to start at the waterfront. All shuttles were on time and we only had a short hold up due to a wrong key for a gate.

We came along to the first aid station quite quickly and all enjoyed a snack before heading off to the waterfront. When we arrived there our numbers swelled and many were commenting on how lucky we got with the weather. This is often a slower section, not because of hills or challenge, but because so many people want to stop and take pictures. A good problem to have.

Thanks to Rails to Trails Conservancy for their continued support. Heading out on the waterfront section.

After the 5-mile waterfront section we got to our third aid station and enjoyed lunch. This time we were entertained by not one, but two local musicians! Dan and his daughter Katie had a great sound that everyone appreciated and gathered around while enjoying their sandwich. Thank you so much guys!

The hilly section was next and I usually discourage power wheelchairs from doing these 5 miles due to the chip seal surface and steep hills. It can really drain a battery. However, I may start pushing folks to give it a try because it offers its own unique beauty and challenge. Batteries be damned!

Dan and Katie providing delightful lunch entertainment

It was clear sailing after this part. We enjoyed a quick aid station at Lewis Road where we met up with everyone who was shuttled from lunch. From there the trail is very smooth and travels through fields with some occasional cattle. The hawks and other birds of prey are prevalent in this section and many people stop to capture photos. Our final aid station for the day was at the scenic Robin Hill Park where we met up with Nicole from the Sequim Wheelers, an organization that offers free wheelchair bike rides for folks that cannot ride a bike themselves. We also met up with Brian King. He is currently running for County Sheriff and we invited him out to experience the trail for 5 miles. It was impactful.

Loretta taking in the Morse Creek Bridge

The final leg was quick and easy. We were treated with an air show at the Sequim Valley Airport as the trail runs parallel to the runway. Less than a mile past this we hit the finish line where we were greeted under the Invacare arch with hoots and hollers, cowbells and more feelings of accomplishment. It’s hard not to smile with so many people making a ruckus and cheering on your achievement.

We were especially fortunate on this day to have been offered a space to gather just 1/8 of a mile from the finish line at the home of our friend and sponsor Steve Smith of Northwest Drains. He allowed us to use his impressive, large beautiful lawn to mingle but also cooked 30 pounds of pork for some fantastic tacos that he provided to all participants and volunteers. Huge thanks to Steve and Kristin Smith! Furthermore, our friend and sponsor Rick from the New Moon Craft Tavern brewed a special beer labeled just for the event and some extra brew to share with the crowd. We really appreciate you Rick!

Serious appreciation of the porta potty!

Our final day kicked off at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim. We had lucked out on weather once again and we had a warm, fun packed day ahead. One challenge that isn’t mentioned enough from Sea to Sound is making sure there is an accessible bathroom available at every aid station, starting point and finishing point. That is 18 different locations over the three days and no easy feat. The best way we have found to provide the service is to trailer an accessible porta potty throughout the route over the entire weekend. One of our main sponsors, and close friend Buddy Depew from Sequim Bee Farm is who we have to thank for getting this to every access point which provides everyone with clean sanitation services. You rock Buddy!

This day starts with hills right off the bat and gets people’s blood pumping. The first section has wooded areas with intermingled bridges and trestles before going through Sequim Bay State Park and finishing at the Jamestown Tribal Center. It’s one of our longest stretches without aid at 7 miles. We enjoyed some tasty snacks and got hydrated before heading off towards our next aid station where lunch awaited us.

The sandwiches from Sunny Farms were both yummy and cheerful!

The smooth trail surface continues for another mile before turning into a very quiet road. Soon after, you hit a short, half mile singletrack section that is always a bit of an adventure for everyone. You are enclosed in a tunnel of trees and bushes while navigating one of the most bumpy sections of the weekend. This is followed by a brand-new section of trail that is smooth and scenic and delivers us to our lunch spot at Diamond Point Road. The sandwiches were spectacular and were all completely donated by Sunny Farms Country Store! They are amazing and we are grateful for them.

There was one hiccup on the previous section where a participant went off the road in their chair. They ended up upside down with the chair on top of them. Fortunately, volunteers and other participants were able to get them back up right where our medic could give them a once over. Although scary, everyone was okay and the ride marched on.

After lunch there’s 4 miles of quiet road riding before arriving at a shuttle pickup point. Logistically this can be challenging because you’re trying to stay on schedule for the charter shuttle. Luckily all went well. We utilize a shuttle here to avoid ~15 miles of dangerous highway riding. We look forward to the day when this trail connection is complete and shuttles are no longer necessary.

These two hand cyclists, Ed and Lynn, joined us all the way from Vegas!

This final shuttle drop-off point is at the Milo Curry Trailhead which is the starting point for 7 ½ miles of the beautiful Larry Scott Trail. This is so much different than the ~60 previous miles. It’s a dirt trail that has some narrow, curvy sections that can be slightly challenging for some mobility devices. Fortunately, the surface is quite smooth and the narrow sections are few and far between. Everyone made it to the final aid station without a problem.

Addie leading the pack and finishing strong!

Ben Truelove shaking more than just his cowbell!

It was bittersweet heading off to the finish line. We were all fairly tired from the weekend but also didn’t want it to end. The final mile travels next to the waters of the Puget Sound as you come into Port Townsend. The final half mile is particularly exciting because you can see the finish line and Invacare arch, begin to hear the cheering and cowbells and see all of our volunteers and early participants grouped up to cheer you through the finish line. Again, hoots and hollers were in abundance and you couldn’t help but chuckle as you rode those final few feet. Many folks donned their finisher medals and there were lots of hugs, photos and congratulations.

Many of us then headed off down the road three quarters of a mile to the Pourhouse where we provided pizza which allowed people a final discussion about the ride. Everyone was reminiscing about the weekend and slowly coming down from the high of accomplishment. I was pleasantly surprised with a large cake that was made with this year’s Sea to Sound logo right in the center. It was awesome and tasty. Thank you Wanda!

Final Thoughts

We had done it. Traveled nearly 70 miles over three days with more than 80 participants throughout the weekend. However, we had done more than that. We completed the event with everyone happy and satisfied. The problems that arose were dealt with promptly and efficiently. We met some new, incredible friends, connected others and saw lively conversation throughout the three days. It was a success!

I can’t wrap this up without acknowledging our amazing volunteers. I don’t know how we got so lucky to have people come from far and wide to our remote corner of the nation to ensure all participants are supported and have a great time. I don’t want to even try and list all the incredible people who make this possible, because I know I’ll miss a few. Just know, the only way this event can happen is with these phenomenal folks who give up their weekend to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone involved.

There is one volunteer who deserves particular acknowledgment. My mom, Teena Woodward. She is the volunteer coordinator and is orchestrating so much behind the scenes throughout the weekend. Months before that she is reaching out to anyone who has offered to help in getting them lined up to a suitable position. Her phone number is provided to every participant on a wristband at the beginning of day one. This means she’s also managing any participant who has a challenge or need throughout the weekend. It’s a mind-blowing number of balls to be juggling for three days and she does it year after year with a smile on her face.

Leading the circus and herding the cats, Teena Woodward wears many hats.

I also want to acknowledge our amazing sponsors. Many of them have been sponsors for all four years of our event and some have just recently joined the cause. Without these companies we would not have the funding to make this all happen. Thank you to all of our sponsors for your incredible support!

Huge thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors!!

This event is always the highlight of my year. I get rejuvenated seeing the ODT through fresh eyes and being around so many like-minded people. It is a lot of work and money to put this event on, but every minute of work is justified by seeing those huge smiles out on the trail. Time to get to work on Sea to Sound 2023. Really hope you will come out and join us!

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