Ride For Major Taylor 2025

April 13, 2025

This year, I eagerly anticipated riding the RMT. My previous two attempts had been dampened—quite literally—by relentless rain, leaving me miserable. But with a sunny forecast on the horizon, I was ready to tackle the long route, the longest ride I’d attempted so far this year.

The air was crisp as I rolled out from the start line in White Center. The first few miles were on unforgiving roads riddled with potholes—far too many to mark—and littered with glass, which I luckily managed to avoid.

For much of the ride, I pedaled solo without even music to spur me on. The double climb out of Redondo Beach was brutally challenging, testing my resolve. At the Port of Tacoma, I was fortunate to make it past the trains; others weren’t so lucky and had to wait for them to clear. When I finally reached the Point Defiance ferry dock, I had about thirty minutes to spare before the next ferry. The sunshine was glorious, and I seized the chance to refuel with a PBJ sandwich and a banana.

Once the ferry to Vashon Island arrived, we loaded up and began the next leg. I surprised myself by leading the pack up the hill from the dock and keeping a strong pace across the island. To my amazement, I arrived at the Fauntleroy ferry with only seconds to spare. The crew motioned me to hurry, and I boarded alongside five others, relieved that I wouldn’t have to endure a lengthy wait.

From Fauntleroy in West Seattle, the finish line was just eight miles away—but first, another steep and lengthy climb awaited. Exhausted yet determined, I pushed on.

That night, I slept a solid eleven hours, utterly spent but deeply satisfied with what I had accomplished. The ride had truly taken everything out of me!