Three Chippings ride Peninsula Metric on Kitsap

Strawberry shortcake for Scott and other 50K finishers

SOUTHWORTH - Three Chippings, fueled on rice, beans and raspberry filled fig bars, rode the 50-kilometer route of the Peninsula Metric Century in Kitsap County Sunday. Nearly 500 cyclists, setting out from either the Southworth ferry landing or Gig Harbor did 50K, 100K or 100-mile routes in this annual event sponsored by the Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club (TWBC).
Tom Yagle, Scott Fraser and Johnny McCoy opted for the 50K ride because Tom, despite lightening sprints up the hills, figured 32 miles was enough. Plus he wanted to visit his mom in the afternoon. Scott said he needed to see a doctor. And John, who had registered participants for three hours, was already sunburnt. Even with a couple wrong turns and a lingering rest stop at a Kitsap fire district station for grub, the three Chips completed the rolling 50K course in less than three hours.
All three routes took cyclists along Puget Sound with some magnificent views of the Olympics, Sinclair Inlet and the naval shipyard at Bremerton before plunging into the backroads of rural Kitsap County.
Like all great rides, the threesome likely gained weight. The Peninsula Metric is known for its food. Aside from the usual oranges, bananas, muffins, cookies, candies and Gatorade, TWBC volunteers served up hot rice and beans, boiled spuds and -- get this -- strawberry shortcake.

John, Tom and Scott at Southworth finish: "We just did 50K no sweat."