This will be a "fast" paced training ride, but, of course, "fast" is relative - all are welcome, as long as

1) You want to push yourself
2) You're self-sufficient and know the trail well enough to find your own way back if you fall behind (pretty easy on Salmon Falls since it's an out and back)

Salmon Falls will be a good spot for this since it's an out and back so anyone who gets dropped can simply turn around. We may or may not sort ourselves into groups - I'm thinking it will be pretty "self-selecting" - everyone can try to keep up with the fastest people, some will be able to, some won't. There won't be any regrouping, but slower folks can turn around earlier so we all get in about a 2-2 1/2 hour ride.

We'll meet at the turnout parking lot just before the bridge on Salmon Falls rd (note that the map doesn't show the exact spot - just drive out Salmon Falls Rd. until you're about to cross over the river and park on the left). My plan is to ride Salmon Falls "proper" (aka Darrington) and then add on Sweetwater at the end for a total of about 24 miles. Slower riders can just ride the main Salmon Falls trail (out and back is about 18 miles).

This is kind of an experiment to try something different, and if it works out well, I'll try to schedule some more of these in the future so we can all get in race shape together!

Scott

ps: please don't get scared off thinking "I'm not fast enough" - as long as you're willing to try to stick with the group, and don't mind the possibility of getting dropped and having a nice mountain bike ride by yourself, what have you got to lose? You might surprise yourself and be the fastest one out there :)