My wife had a Facebook memory pop up from my first Tour de Whatcom(TDW) century ride in 2015, making this my ninth ride around the county. We had the Covid year but I did my private “outlaw” version. Then I had the year where it overlapped oral surgery so I did the 40 mile route on official ride day, but came back later for another private century. That’s enough reminiscing, 2023 is in the books or rather in the Garmin.
The Ride
2023 was a slightly different route than previous years due to construction, trading going over the hill on Britton Rd. for going over the hill on Y-road. The change in route was not unexpected and wasn’t really a big deal. The amount of unfinished chip sealing on Lake Whatcom Blvd and Y-road was kind of a big deal though. It was nerve racking not knowing where the hard pack gravel ended and the soft gravel shoulders began. It was also tough on the nerves dealing with slow moving car, truck, and bike traffic on the unmarked “gravel” road; lots of frustrated drivers sending mini-clouds of flying gravel up in the air as they gunned it to make their pass. I made it through fine, also feeling lucky not to be counted amongst the riders who flatted in this section. I had tended to enjoy the ride along the lake in previous years, swooping up and down coasting half way up the next one of may little hills along the shoreline. Not this year though, no speed and no coasting halfway up the next hill, just slow cautious pedaling.
Ok, probably went long on the construction stuff, but really that was just a small part of the ride sandwiched between beautiful county road riding. Out of Bellingham, down around Lake Samish, through Alger and the Cain Lake area. <construction stuff> More nice county roads up through Everson, Lynden and Birch Bay before heading back to Bellingham. Lots of normal long riding; pedal, pedal, shift from hoods to drops, pedal more, look at all the views, watch for crazy drivers, pedal, pedal, shift from drops back to hoods, pedal, pedal, don’t stop.
Fueling the Ride
As in my recent rides, my fuel of choice was primarily the simple Lara Bar, Cashew Cookie to be precise; dates for the quick hit sugar and cashews for the protein and long burn calories. Also, coconut water and enough fresh water to keep myself peeing. I did grab a cookie, and a peanut butter sandwich or two, and a couple of seasoned baked baby potatoes at the Lynden stop. The potatoes themselves maybe worth doing the ride ;).
Organization
Even with the construction challenges the TDW organizers did their usual amazing job. The route was clearly marked on the roads and the route available ahead of the ride matched. The rest stops all had restrooms, snacks, water for refilling bottles, professional maintenance, and lots of friendly volunteers. The organizers have this event dialed.
TDW 2024
Count me in.
Garin's Blog 
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