Everyone celebrates Easter in their own way.  Maybe it's church and brunch, maybe it's an easter egg hunt, maybe it's a bike ride, or maybe it's all  of these things and more.  With a mix of riders with kids and those without, 4 of the Sturdy Bitch team decided to head out to Grand Ridge in Issaquah to celebrate  Easter in our own way.  Our original plan was Tiger and we are all anxiously awaiting the opening so that we can expand the list of rides with climbs that we can do locally in the winter/spring.  Sadly, rumor has it, that Tiger still has snow and is still closed per the Department of Natural Resources.  Until it opens back up, we'll continue to ride lower elevation stuff and make do.

In addition to the 4 Sturdy Bitch Team Members (Jodi, Angela, Kathy and myself), there were a number of folks from Jodi's cyclo-cross/mountain bike team the Blue Roosters.  An early start of 7:45am was called for so those with kids/families could get back for the easter celebration.  While it was a chilly 37 degrees, the sun was up and in spite of the "clearing in the afternoon" that was predicted, we had a rain-free ride.  Also saw the sun peek through the trees a few times and luck stayed with us the entire ride.

We headed up Grand Ridge out to Duthie which is a park currently being built in Issaquah through the efforts of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.  Those of that partake of the trails should most certainly take the opportunity to sign up for work parties and help Evergreen keep trails open and build new ones for all to enjoy. Duthie trails are short, all dumping into a "clover leaf" in the middle and the trails range from XC trails to beginner jump lines such as the LUNA line all the way up to crazy scary big gap jump stuff on the various lines by the Dirt Corps and our very own sponsor, Big Tree Bikes.  We played on some of the XC and easier lines and then headed back up the ridge back towards the cars.

In spite of the weather we stayed dry and a few of us ended the afternoon with a bite and a brew at the Issaquah Brew House.  They are a Rogue Brew house and carry all the beer, do growlers, and all the fun gear as well.  Oh and the foods not half bad either!  A great way to end a day of riding at Duthie or at Grand Ridge. 

However you spent the Easter holiday, hope it was as lovely as our day and that you spent it with family and good friends.  Hope to see you all on the trails soon!