Pat S:
That's a ride I've never done and if you're open to newcomers, then yup, that sounds like a good ride at a good time. I'm a mid-40's experienced rider in sort of decent shape who likes the coffee and the whole gig at SnJ's. Unknown internet newbies can be kind of creepy and so if this doesn't work, then no sweat, I totally understand. Lemmeknow. And if it's a go, what kind of bike to bring.
Hey Pat -- that's the whole point of this forum. To find people to ride with.
Last time Joe and I did this ride was a couple years ago. After suffering up the climb, we came down some trails and popped out on the Palouse at Stevens Creek road... That's a 2-3 hour ride I think. You'd want a bike that you're happy doing trails, climbing, dirt roads, and about 1/2 pavement/road riding. I'll be on a cyclocross-y bike. My guess is that Joe will be on a Karate Monkey.