Can hurricane ridge be done in under 2 hrs?

[rduncan]

Considering heading over to do Hurricane ridge later in March. Ferry arrives in PA at 12 and leaves at 2pm. Is that too tight to make it? I looked at the leader board for the ride but it didn't really help me gauge whether I could do it or not. May 16 ferry departure switches to 5.30. Seems like a long wait if its not required but an unanticipated overnight would be umm, inconvenient (and probably humiliating).

Input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rob

Oh and it it IS doable would anyone like to join in the fun?

[mfarnham]

The last time I did it was at a pretty brisk pace (for me) and my moving time up and back was 2:32. For some, it would be technically feasible to do it in under 2, but they'd be super fast and there's still time spent going through customs on the US side, plus the requirement to arrive X minutes before the sailing. And if you did it in March there would likely be ice on parts of the descent (if not most of it) so you might need to descend slowly. Weather is usually pretty forbidding at that time of year. I think Barb Bialikoz and her family did it once in February, but they're crazy (in a nice way!) and it was on mountain bikes and heavy duty winter apparel and they were riding on snow for a good chunk of the trip. I'd wait for June, personally!

Martin

[rduncan]

Thanks Martin!

[roadflasj]

Hi Rob,
I've gone with a few others in late May and we had sleet near the top despite much warmer temperatures in Victoria. I'd follow Martins suggestion for June or even better July 1st group ride.

Kenji

[Rolf]

Short answer, Rob, is probably No. Given customs etc. there are way too many uncontrollable variables to count on burning up and down, and boarding the Blackball boat inside of two hours.

And to pile on the comments about conditions, summer's no guarantee of birds and sunshine. The shot below was taken up there on July 1, 2010. Full gallery here.

At least one rider that day ended up in an ambulance with hypothermia following the teeth-chattering, 45-min. descent. Others had to stop a few times and do jumping jacks because their shivering went right down their arms, causing dangerous speed wobbles.

[Paul Chris]

I think July 1. may be better. The snow MIGHT be gone by then.