This is the third year our team has tackled Ski to Sea in the Car-Free Division. This year, we decided to mix things up and try a few new legs for fun, even if it cost us a few minutes on our finishing time. We also had some past team members out adventuring in other ways. Our road biker spent the spring racing sailboats, and our cyclocross biker was off doing a 350-mile bikepacking event. Thankfully, we were able to recruit a few friends who were equally excited about the car-free experience.
On Saturday morning, we all met up for some last-minute carb loading, gear packing, and boat trailer adjustments. After a hearty brunch, the four of us in the mountain legs began our 60-mile ride up to Heather Meadows with race equipment and camping gear strapped to our bikes. We stopped for refreshments at Silver Fir Campground, where a friendly family has a yearly tradition of supplying all car-free participants with "hot rock chicken" and other delicacies before the final climb to the mountain. Meanwhile, our canoers pedaled from Bellingham to Everson to stash the boat and trailer, and our kayaker made his way to Fairhaven with his kayak.
Race day went off with only minor mishaps. I managed to fall three times in the slush on the shortened XC ski course, including once across the finish line while trying to hand off the timing chip. Our downhill skier, Mark, and runner, Avery, both had strong races. Our new road biker, Shea, made up any time we lost in the mountain legs, passing about 40 teams and moving us into the top 20 overall. The canoe crew, Brent and Kurt, had a successful trip down the river, with their only issue being a loose trailer bolt discovered on the ride home. Our cyclocross biker, Casey, was just outside the top 10 in his leg, even after a "warmup" that included towing a trailer and the canoers' bikes from Everson to Ferndale. And our kayaker, Sam, a relative novice on the water compared to his prowess on skis and on two wheels, stayed upright in the challenging conditions on Bellingham Bay.
By the end of the day, we crossed the finish line in 1st place in the Car-Free Division and 18th place overall. Next year, with everyone back in their strongest legs and a bit more dedicated canoe and kayak practice, we're hoping to crack top 10 overall, or maybe even top 5.
All in all, the weekend was a celebration of competition and the outdoors in our beautiful corner of the country. As for going car-free, multiple members of our team have said they would never go back to a standard team. Riding together all weekend, camping out, and hauling gear makes it feel like a true team adventure rather than a relay race where your part may be over in a matter of minutes. We would highly recommend trying the Car-Free Division to anyone considering it. According to the race directors, there were 19 car-free teams this year compared to 11 last year, so the word is clearly spreading.
Finally, we would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the Mt. Baker Bicycle Club for their generous sponsorship of our team and their continued support of car-free Ski to Sea. And to anyone who now has "Careless Whisper" stuck in their head, you're welcome.
Team Carless Whisper, below, from Left to Right: Casey Griesemer (Cyclocross), Avery Clotfelter (Run), Brent Hartwig (Canoe), Mark Schroeder (Downhill Ski), Sam Biskup (Kayak), Kurt Keller (Canoe), Shea Mielke (Road Bike), Andy Leveto (XC Ski)