Rode the short loop on Lummi Mt. with Al Rosen, Mark Adriance and Mark Belles, which was good company indeed.

The ride reminded both Mark B and me of Red Mountain -- a relentless climb up a steep old cat road that had regressed into single track. The most technical section comes a little after half way when you are confronted with a narrowing rock chute that harbors slickening moisture through the hottest days. I walked it, along with a couple other brief sections, but found myself at the summit first. "I see you brought your light climbing bike," Mark B chided me, referring to the fact I was riding my Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC instead of my Cannondale Jekyll.

When we got back at Al's, we had pizza and beer before riding back on the 7:30 pm ferry to the mainland, where we'd parked our cars.

Approximately 1300 verts.