Brewvet #9: SIR Permanent #0776, plus Mac & Jack's XPA

I've been a member of the Seattle International Randonneurs (SIR) for a few years now, but this is the first year I've had the chance to actually join in their rides. In previous years, it seemed as if my schedule always conflicted with their schedule. This year, the stars have aligned.

SIR, being a local organization, is closely associated with the national-level Randonneurs USA (RUSA). Likewise, RUSA is sanctioned by Audax Club Parisien (ACP), the global overseers of everything rando.

RUSA issues many awards every year, one of which is called the "P-12". The "P" in "P-12" refers to "populaire", the randonneuring term for a ride of at least 100 kilometers (but less than 200) over a designated route. The "12" refers to calendar months. One earns a P-12 by riding at least one populaire every month for 12 consecutive months.

I started my P-12 back in February. So far, I've managed to join an organzied populair every month. Unfortunately, the June populaire was on 06/01, while Kasia and I were out of town celebrating our wedding anniversary.



In such cases, one can choose to ride a permanent instead. A "permanent" is simply a pre-designed designated route. They are always available for anyone to ride, this the "permanent" designation.

To officially ride a permanent, one has to choose a ride (the SIR Permanator is a great local resource) contact the local group's permanent organizer, fill out some paperwork, sign a release form, and comply with a few simple rules.

I chose permanent #0776 for my June ride. It's a simple ride over very familiar roads. In a nutshell, one starts at Peet's Coffee in Redmond, rides the Snoqualmie Valley Trail up to Woodinville, takes a few surface streets north to Snohomish, heads southeast over to Monroe, south on the Snoqualmie River valley through Carnation to near Fall City, then a final cruise along SR 202 back to Redmond.

Piece-o-cake.

As mentioned, the ride started at Peet's Coffee at 9:00am sharp.

Starting area for SIR Permanent #0776

The next stop, an official "control" for the ride, was the 7-11 in Snohomish.

Short break in Snohomish at the first control

The day was already getting quite warm, so I got a few goodies to cool down.

Rando food

Spotted in Snohomish. "It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"

We're getting the band back together!

After Snohomish and Monroe, it was great to leave the cities & busy highways and ride in the quiet river valley.

The Snoqualmie River

Informational control for the ride

Very near the end, the official route passed near Mac and Jack's Brewing. The day was hot, I was scorched, and I could hear the siren's song of cold beer. How could I resist?

I didn't even try.

As it turns out, Mac & Jack's doesn't really serve beer in their store front. They *do* have a tasting room, so I tried a couple before settling on their new XPA "eXpermintal Pale Ale". It was a little hoppy (but less so than a typical IPA), easy drinking, and very refreshing.

Beer:30 at Mac & Jack's Brewery

After I completed the official permanent, I loaded the bike into the truck, drove back to Mac & Jack's, and bought a growler of XPA. It was a good day for bikes & beer.

Statistics:

Brewvet #9 -- Local brew, 69.6 miles