Kelly Sanderbeck talks to Joe Matthews, Redmond Cycling Club. Photos courtesy Bill Pence.

When most people think of superheroes, they might envision a mask, cape, and some greater-than-human ability. Me, I think of the RAMROD riders! These ultra-serious cyclists complete a 150-mile ride, with 10,000 foot gain, around our beloved Mount Rainier all within about 12 hours.

Joe Matthews recently stepped out of his phone booth disguised as a regular guy to give some inside thoughts on his experiences with RAMROD. Joe has been Board President of the Redmond Cycling Club (RCC) for the past four years. They are the organization behind this amazing event that combines uber-dedicated cyclists with the magic of Mount Rainier to create a truly unique day.

“I first started cycling with the STP (Seattle to Portland) race in 1995, learned about RAMROD from my brother a few years later, and did my first event with them in 2005,” Joe said.

His involvement as a volunteer began in 2007 as a ride-day volunteer at the famous “deli” food stop and later in 2008 after viewing their website and having visions of how it could come more ‘alive’ and more effectively represent and promote the incredible experience of RAMROD through information and storytelling. You can see the success he’s achieved in branding the event and translating its distinctive quality. Go here to actually feel the breeze and smell the trees in some of the event videos (Plan B is my favorite)!

The ride begins on the last Thursday in July in one of the small towns around Rainier, with cyclists choosing a start time between 5-7 am. The average age is 50, but they’ve had riders in their 80s! Since the roads are not closed, the event is held on a weekday when there are fewer park visitors.

In Joe’s words: “The real magic begins when you enter the park. The trees, the wildflowers and, most importantly, the enthusiastic volunteers completely spur on the riders at various stops throughout the course.”

But what would drive someone to do such a grueling event – especially through the often-intense heat, occasional rain and even snow? “The first time it’s the challenge to just survive and finish. After that many folks ‘get the bug’ and are incited by the climbing challenge and the sheer beauty of the ride.” Some people do it once and remove a key goal from their lifetime bucket list; others come year after year, vying with up to 3,000 people for the 800 spots through a lottery. The only way to ‘jump the line’ and guarantee a coveted spot is by volunteering at the event, which gives you a place the following year.

Ride founder and Seattle native John Dixon started RAMROD in 1984, and for the first ten years, it was a timed race. On the very first trial run (a week before the scheduled event), the small group was stopped by a park ranger and learned they needed a formal permit, which would take months! With the support of the Park Service, though, it was fast-tracked so it could proceed as scheduled.

How did Washington’s National Park Fund become involved? After the 2006 floods severely damaged roads in Mount Rainier and caused RAMROD to re-route their event, RCC President and long-time RAMROD volunteer Shane Balkovetz was inspired to tap into the passion of RAMROD participants and find a way to give back to the park. By auctioning off fifteen tickets, (winners get to bypass the lottery), RAMROD has generously contributed nearly $140,000 to the Fund in the past decade.

As Joe proudly displays this year’s jersey that celebrates the National Park Service’s centennial year (and features National Park Poster-inspired artwork of Mount Rainier), he tells me about his experience riding with his son, Christian. Christian completed the race for the first time at age 16, and has now ridden RAMROD together with Joe for 5 years. “At first, I was the typical parent: ‘watch yourself down the hills, save some energy for the last 70 miles, etc.’ Now I find he’s watching out for me!”

Lucky us. We all are privileged to witness the evolution of another superhero…!

To learn more about the Redmond Cycling Club and RAMROD, visit the RCC site at http://redmondcyclingclub.org/