This morning we left the beautiful Gonzaga Campus and headed towards Kellogg Idaho. As we left we rode along the bike paths in Spokane. The sun was glinting off the river as we were headed East and it was really pretty. I was taking my time an rode with a lot of the back of the pack riders. It seems there is a lot of confusion there as to what the rules of the road are. So I left them and headed on to the next segment of the ride which was a thirty mile segment down some secondary back roads winding though some very pretty rolling hills which are partially wooded. At the 40 mile mark we turned down an even more back road to this park which took us down to the path way system.
A word on the path way system. It is an old rail line which has been totally redone and runs for something like 100+ miles around Lake Cour de Lane. So we get to the lake and get on the path way. There is an old rail bridge across the lake and on the top of the trestle is a osprey nest full of chicks. Mother was sitting on a piling eyeing us to make sure we were being good. It was really neat to see her up close. When we arrived on the other side it was about 10 miles down to picnic which as usual was great. The special of the day was tuna salad which I greedily heaped on bread to make a sandwich. There was still 40 miles to go so I jumped on my stead and bolted off down the pathway. The pathway took us all the way into Kellogg which was great. This has to be the best bike path I have ever been on. Dead flat, with a beautifully smooth pavement top. Nice and wide with nobody on it. I rode along for miles and miles with out seeing a soul. Then about 20 miles out from lunch I spot a mother moose with two calf's right beside the pathway eating water lilies. What a magnificent sight. She didn't seem to mind me stopping to watch her eat. I will definitely get those pictures posted as soon as possible, as once again my Internet is very spotty. So the last twenty miles I am feeling like ya this really peaceful and beautiful but here we are on the bottom end of a three century stretch and it is time for something else. So I just put the pedal down and went for it. I was sure that I was going to be in the bottom end of the riders as I had not rode very hard in the morning and then just before camp I rolled into a Walmart and got a huge pink milk. It was really cold and tasted so great. I put down what had to have been a two liter bottle in about 3 minutes
I was very surprised to see that not many people were in and I wound up with a 3rd on the coast to coast riders and a tenth over all. Not that it is a race or any thing and I just want you to know that I am not competitive, but I know that a bunch of you are hammerheads and keep track of stuff like this. A great ending to a great day.
The mileage for today was 98.5 miles. Tomorrow is and easy 68.5 miles with only one major hill and cold showers as the heating plant in the school is out. It is also awards night but I don't have anything.
Lets Ride!
Terry
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Horrid Head Winds
Coulee Dam to Spokane
It seems like every day starts with a big climb. Maybe that is because towns were on the rivers or at the base of mountains. So today was no exception. We started from the base of the Coulee Dam and head up this canyon road. As i am getting close to the top there is a crop duster flying one of the fields. So it was fun to watch rather than your odometer. However he over flew me about five times and all I could taste for the next few hours was insecticide.
When we hit the plateau at the top of the hill I knew it was big trouble as there was terrible head wind. If you really worked hard you could maybe make 12-14 mph on the down hills and 6-9 mph on the up hills. Then tour van went by me with about 30 bikes on the roof so a lot of people took a bump to picnic. Seeing that left me wondering about my sanity. As we had a second long day all you could do was get down into the drops and grind it out. So I decided that I was stopping at every opportunity. The Sandy's bakery in in some un-named cross roads had great glazed Cinnamon rolls, the water spot by the "GAS" sign had coke, finally picnic was in Davenport which was great. I was riding with Patric and he was feeling pooched so we stopped at an un-named drive-in in Reardon. I had a huge root beer which really filled the bill. Still 30 miles to go. I was glad to see the outline of Spokane on the horizon. The last few miles through town were fun on all the bike paths. I heard a lot of complaints about the wind so I guess that everyone had a tough day. My 15th spot was respectiable considering how often I stopped.
We are stay in the dorm at Gonzaga University in Spokane. It is beautiful. What happened here when I went to school dorms were dumps. We ate in the cafeteria. The food was great. When I lived in the dorm in Edmonton food was horrid. Now my opinion of food may be coloured by having ridden 94.1 miles into terrible head winds but I wandered out full to the brim.
I have not figured my camera and this computer out so pictures will come tomorrow. or later to night if I get lucky.
Terry
It seems like every day starts with a big climb. Maybe that is because towns were on the rivers or at the base of mountains. So today was no exception. We started from the base of the Coulee Dam and head up this canyon road. As i am getting close to the top there is a crop duster flying one of the fields. So it was fun to watch rather than your odometer. However he over flew me about five times and all I could taste for the next few hours was insecticide.
When we hit the plateau at the top of the hill I knew it was big trouble as there was terrible head wind. If you really worked hard you could maybe make 12-14 mph on the down hills and 6-9 mph on the up hills. Then tour van went by me with about 30 bikes on the roof so a lot of people took a bump to picnic. Seeing that left me wondering about my sanity. As we had a second long day all you could do was get down into the drops and grind it out. So I decided that I was stopping at every opportunity. The Sandy's bakery in in some un-named cross roads had great glazed Cinnamon rolls, the water spot by the "GAS" sign had coke, finally picnic was in Davenport which was great. I was riding with Patric and he was feeling pooched so we stopped at an un-named drive-in in Reardon. I had a huge root beer which really filled the bill. Still 30 miles to go. I was glad to see the outline of Spokane on the horizon. The last few miles through town were fun on all the bike paths. I heard a lot of complaints about the wind so I guess that everyone had a tough day. My 15th spot was respectiable considering how often I stopped.
We are stay in the dorm at Gonzaga University in Spokane. It is beautiful. What happened here when I went to school dorms were dumps. We ate in the cafeteria. The food was great. When I lived in the dorm in Edmonton food was horrid. Now my opinion of food may be coloured by having ridden 94.1 miles into terrible head winds but I wandered out full to the brim.
I have not figured my camera and this computer out so pictures will come tomorrow. or later to night if I get lucky.
Terry
A long day
Wenatchee to Coulee Dam
We climbed out of Wenatchee up this canyon road which was really steep and went on forever. There was untold number of turns and looking down at your odometer was just depressing as you had gone only 0.1 miles since you last looked and told yourself you weren't going to look there until you had done some serious pedalling. However the sun was out and the wind was not a factor. The summit was reached and then we headed up this road which had this chip seal surface and not the kind with little rocks but the big ones. I was sure glad to see the end of that road.
Picnic was in this beautiful little park in town called Mansfield. Lunch as usual consisted of lots of great food. There was lots of cold cuts cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as lots of nuts and dried fruit. I was surprised to see that I was the 11 person in to lunch on the in-check list. As lunch was at 58 miles I thought maybe I can get a top five out of this. So I ate quickly and left. Putting the hammer down though lots of big rollers with a heavy cross wind was tiring but I keep pushing. At about the 75 mile mark I caught the tandem and another rider who were stopped with a flat tire. At about 80 I caught two more riders who were stooped for a break. At about the ninety mile mark I caught another rider who was doing a gel so I knew he was done. Then as we turned the last turn I caught another rider, giving me a fourth for the day. Not bad on a 103.3 mile day with a field of 86 riders.
We are camped at a high school just a the base of the Grand Coulee dam. The roar of the water coming down the spill way is deafening. There is a cold mist over the entire area. I am told that the water is very high this year and that is why there is so much water coming down the spill way.
A long day with lots of fun riding.
Terry
We climbed out of Wenatchee up this canyon road which was really steep and went on forever. There was untold number of turns and looking down at your odometer was just depressing as you had gone only 0.1 miles since you last looked and told yourself you weren't going to look there until you had done some serious pedalling. However the sun was out and the wind was not a factor. The summit was reached and then we headed up this road which had this chip seal surface and not the kind with little rocks but the big ones. I was sure glad to see the end of that road.
Picnic was in this beautiful little park in town called Mansfield. Lunch as usual consisted of lots of great food. There was lots of cold cuts cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as lots of nuts and dried fruit. I was surprised to see that I was the 11 person in to lunch on the in-check list. As lunch was at 58 miles I thought maybe I can get a top five out of this. So I ate quickly and left. Putting the hammer down though lots of big rollers with a heavy cross wind was tiring but I keep pushing. At about the 75 mile mark I caught the tandem and another rider who were stopped with a flat tire. At about 80 I caught two more riders who were stooped for a break. At about the ninety mile mark I caught another rider who was doing a gel so I knew he was done. Then as we turned the last turn I caught another rider, giving me a fourth for the day. Not bad on a 103.3 mile day with a field of 86 riders.
We are camped at a high school just a the base of the Grand Coulee dam. The roar of the water coming down the spill way is deafening. There is a cold mist over the entire area. I am told that the water is very high this year and that is why there is so much water coming down the spill way.
A long day with lots of fun riding.
Terry
Through the rain and into the sun
As I left you I was about to do my first floor flopping experience. I had pulled up a piece of floor in the gym and rolled out my sleeping bag. The lights were pretty much all out. At about 1:30 some ones cell phone played a nice little ditty for five minutes. The town air raid siren went off at 3;30 and of course the trains went by every 20 minutes and blew there whistle at the crossing in the center of town. it wasn't raining inside.
We climbed out of the little town of Skykomish in a cloud bank. I am not sure if it was really rain or just 100% humidity that was condensing on everything. The first have of the ride was up though Stephen pass which was made famous in the 1890's when a snow storm and avalanche killed 96 people. It was only 16 miles to the top of the pass at 4061 ft but it seemed to take forever. By time I got there my gloves were soaked and I was wet on the inside of my rain gear. So pulled on an extra layer of under shirt and headed down the other side. The road was wet and slippery. You could feel the rear tire coming around when you braked. It was 11 miles of really steep twisty road and my hands were freezing but I couldn't take my hands off the handle bars. However after about 5 miles you could see the clouds were now above you and you could see a tiny patch of blue sky about 20 miles east. Sure enough by the time we got to picnic the sun was out and it was warm and beautiful. The Swiftwater river was right there and it was a perfect spot for picnic. The ride wound up taking us though so rolling orchard country and into a high school in Wenatchee for a total of 75 miles.
That evening was rider meeting for the Coast to Coast riders. There are 45 riders doing the full distance and so when it got to introductions it took forever. The meeting started at 8:30 and took until 10:30. Certainly there were lots of interesting stories. Well let just say I was glad to hit the hay.
Terry
We climbed out of the little town of Skykomish in a cloud bank. I am not sure if it was really rain or just 100% humidity that was condensing on everything. The first have of the ride was up though Stephen pass which was made famous in the 1890's when a snow storm and avalanche killed 96 people. It was only 16 miles to the top of the pass at 4061 ft but it seemed to take forever. By time I got there my gloves were soaked and I was wet on the inside of my rain gear. So pulled on an extra layer of under shirt and headed down the other side. The road was wet and slippery. You could feel the rear tire coming around when you braked. It was 11 miles of really steep twisty road and my hands were freezing but I couldn't take my hands off the handle bars. However after about 5 miles you could see the clouds were now above you and you could see a tiny patch of blue sky about 20 miles east. Sure enough by the time we got to picnic the sun was out and it was warm and beautiful. The Swiftwater river was right there and it was a perfect spot for picnic. The ride wound up taking us though so rolling orchard country and into a high school in Wenatchee for a total of 75 miles.
That evening was rider meeting for the Coast to Coast riders. There are 45 riders doing the full distance and so when it got to introductions it took forever. The meeting started at 8:30 and took until 10:30. Certainly there were lots of interesting stories. Well let just say I was glad to hit the hay.
Terry
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Day2 Everett to Skykomish
Everett to Skykomish ride Day 1
Luggage was being loaded at 6:15AM until 7:30 AM this morning, so when I showed up at 6:25, I was the last to load my luggage. I rushed though breakfast and was within the last dozen to leave the Everett Boys and Girls club. This is so typical of bike rides.
It was 3.3 miles over to the boat launch where there was a tire dipping into the Pacific ceremony. On the way I realized my odometer was still in km rather than miles. I corrected that at the boat launch and after a quick dip was on my way.
The weather was foggy and misting so the road was wet. After the boat launch there was a bridge with a huge expansion joint and Patrick and two other riders went down. Patrick has huge road rash on his thigh and his elbow is swelled up to double. As I went by they were loading one rider into an ambulance. I am rubber necking it and I go down at about 2 mph. As I am getting up Dr Richard hits it and he goes down. I am fine and Dr Richard has a sore back. I will give you an update when I get one.
By 9:30 Am the mist has turned into a steady rain. It is really miserable as the temperature is 8C. Needless to say I did not tarry at picnic where it is just pouring. My new bike computer has become water logged and quit working so I have to rely on the road markings, but they are pretty good. We had been told that there was only enough hot water for around twenty showers so there was an added incentive to put the boots to it. I think I was about the fourth to hit the showers. IHAD HOT WATER!!
The town of Skykomish is right on the rail line and was a place where they fuelled the engines for the push over the Cascades. The diesel tanks leaked into the ground water and polluted the ground water so they are in the process of moving the town and digging out the dirt and moving the buildings back into place. The whole town might have 300 people so there aren’t a lot of buildings to move, but the town smells of diesel. We are camped at the ancient old school which is 50 feet off the rail line and every 20 minutes a container train blasts past. Normally I do not floor flop however do to the pouring rain and cold temperatures I have elected to crash in the gym.
Supper is being cooked in the school cafeteria and it smells great. Internet is painfully slow so no pictures. I have some totally sodden pictures.
Terry
Luggage was being loaded at 6:15AM until 7:30 AM this morning, so when I showed up at 6:25, I was the last to load my luggage. I rushed though breakfast and was within the last dozen to leave the Everett Boys and Girls club. This is so typical of bike rides.
It was 3.3 miles over to the boat launch where there was a tire dipping into the Pacific ceremony. On the way I realized my odometer was still in km rather than miles. I corrected that at the boat launch and after a quick dip was on my way.
The weather was foggy and misting so the road was wet. After the boat launch there was a bridge with a huge expansion joint and Patrick and two other riders went down. Patrick has huge road rash on his thigh and his elbow is swelled up to double. As I went by they were loading one rider into an ambulance. I am rubber necking it and I go down at about 2 mph. As I am getting up Dr Richard hits it and he goes down. I am fine and Dr Richard has a sore back. I will give you an update when I get one.
By 9:30 Am the mist has turned into a steady rain. It is really miserable as the temperature is 8C. Needless to say I did not tarry at picnic where it is just pouring. My new bike computer has become water logged and quit working so I have to rely on the road markings, but they are pretty good. We had been told that there was only enough hot water for around twenty showers so there was an added incentive to put the boots to it. I think I was about the fourth to hit the showers. IHAD HOT WATER!!
The town of Skykomish is right on the rail line and was a place where they fuelled the engines for the push over the Cascades. The diesel tanks leaked into the ground water and polluted the ground water so they are in the process of moving the town and digging out the dirt and moving the buildings back into place. The whole town might have 300 people so there aren’t a lot of buildings to move, but the town smells of diesel. We are camped at the ancient old school which is 50 feet off the rail line and every 20 minutes a container train blasts past. Normally I do not floor flop however do to the pouring rain and cold temperatures I have elected to crash in the gym.
Supper is being cooked in the school cafeteria and it smells great. Internet is painfully slow so no pictures. I have some totally sodden pictures.
Terry
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Registration Day Everett WA
Registration Day:
This morning we were up early as we had to drive up to Seattle from Portland. Before we could leave there was some last minute laundry and the condo needed a last minute cleaning swipe. We were on the road by 9:00 AM and didn’t get very far before we ran into a draw bridge which was up so we sat in the car for 40 minutes. It was a long way up the road so we didn’t even get to see the boat. The drive was supposed to be three and a half hours but traffic was so bad by Seattle that it took close five hours.
The ride is actually originating in Everett Washington which is a suburb of Seattle. The Garmin took us right to the spot. You could tell it was a bike ride as it had all the markings of a ride. Bikes being assembled everywhere. Knots of people talking very excitedly. As we pull up I see some friends from previous rides. It was very cool. The ride starts from the Everett Boys and Girls Club, which is a kind of community league facility.
Agnes drops me off and head for home. It really brought it home that I am going to be gone for nine weeks. It was really scary.
Lots of people are sleeping in the gym but I set my tent up on the grass in the back. Although it is cloudy I doubt that if there is any rainy it won’t be bad. After I got my tent set up I went inside and signed in. In the rider package was a couple of maps which show the rout for the entire trip and this week’s ride.
Well I have to run as rider meeting is about to start.
Terry
This morning we were up early as we had to drive up to Seattle from Portland. Before we could leave there was some last minute laundry and the condo needed a last minute cleaning swipe. We were on the road by 9:00 AM and didn’t get very far before we ran into a draw bridge which was up so we sat in the car for 40 minutes. It was a long way up the road so we didn’t even get to see the boat. The drive was supposed to be three and a half hours but traffic was so bad by Seattle that it took close five hours.
The ride is actually originating in Everett Washington which is a suburb of Seattle. The Garmin took us right to the spot. You could tell it was a bike ride as it had all the markings of a ride. Bikes being assembled everywhere. Knots of people talking very excitedly. As we pull up I see some friends from previous rides. It was very cool. The ride starts from the Everett Boys and Girls Club, which is a kind of community league facility.
Agnes drops me off and head for home. It really brought it home that I am going to be gone for nine weeks. It was really scary.
Lots of people are sleeping in the gym but I set my tent up on the grass in the back. Although it is cloudy I doubt that if there is any rainy it won’t be bad. After I got my tent set up I went inside and signed in. In the rider package was a couple of maps which show the rout for the entire trip and this week’s ride.
Well I have to run as rider meeting is about to start.
Terry
Friday, June 18, 2010
Pre Ride Blather from Portland June 18 2010
Greetings from Portland:
Agnes and I are continuing to laze about in Portland. We arrived on Tuesday just in time for lunch, and since then it has been an orgy of eating. Needless to say I have not been out to run or do any kind of physical exercise of any kind. The weather has been kind of rainy so it has kept us in doors. Today was kind of the exception and we did go for a walk around and did some shopping.
Agnes and I are staying in my brother's condo which is in the Pearl District of Portland. This area is right beside the downtown and is a mixture of lofts, single family homes, apartments and more modern condos. Portland has saved a lot of the older buildings and it is a very interesting mix of architecture. There are a old Victorian Painted Lady homes, brick three story buildings from the 30'-40's and modern steel and glass buildings. This area has hundreds of great restaurants and interesting shops to explore. Powell's Books which was one of the largest book stores in the world (until Amazon came along) is only 5 blocks away. Powell's Books covers a city block and is 5 floors of books piled in 10 ft high shelf's with narrow alises. It is not true that I spent two hours looking a the over 600 books on Kama Sutra. I did however spend the best part of a full day in the store and did walk out with a huge arm full.
Today we wandered out between the rain squalls and visit some of the other interesting shops. We spent an hour looking in this used CD shop. It was huge I had never seen so many CD's. I found four Ramone albums and Ozzy's Bark At the Moon album. It was great. We also spent some time in a bike store which had great prices. I found a helmet for $15. It fits even better than the one I brought for the ride. My other one is red to match my bike so I may still wear it. Hey! You have to look fast especially when you aren't.
Tomorrow is the end of the lazing about, as we drive to Seattle for check in. Agnes drops me off and I am on my own for nine weeks. Oh my god what have I done. Who is going to look after me? Yes it is kind of scary, especially the first week which is all mountains and 605 miles.
Here are a couple of pictures from the drive down.
Let's Ride!
Terry
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
More Pre-ride blather June 15
It was bright and sunny when we got up in Pasco this morning. We had taken a Best Western hotel and we had a great breakfast in the morning. Bacon, eggs, toast and fresh fruit. So we were on the road by 9:00. It was only a 4 hour drive down to Portland so were had an easy day.
I was really surprised at how windy it was in the Columbia River. The wind had whipped the river into a 4foot high chop. I guess I shouldn't be that surprised as the valley is totally lined with windmills. Driving into the wind was hard enough as the car only got about 15 mpg, I was glad I wasn't on my bike. The big rigs were having a tough time as well as you could see that the trailer were offset by a couple of feet. By time we got into Portland the sun was gone and had been replaced with a pounding rain.
Agnes and I meet my brother and his wife at their condo where we are staying for a couple of days.
Well enough blather for one day more tomorrow.
I was really surprised at how windy it was in the Columbia River. The wind had whipped the river into a 4foot high chop. I guess I shouldn't be that surprised as the valley is totally lined with windmills. Driving into the wind was hard enough as the car only got about 15 mpg, I was glad I wasn't on my bike. The big rigs were having a tough time as well as you could see that the trailer were offset by a couple of feet. By time we got into Portland the sun was gone and had been replaced with a pounding rain.
Agnes and I meet my brother and his wife at their condo where we are staying for a couple of days.
Well enough blather for one day more tomorrow.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Pre-ride Blather Monday June 15
Greetings :
Well here we are getting all set for the big ride of 2010. I am on my way down to Seattle to join up with Cycle America to join the Coast to Coast bicycle ride. First we are headed to Portland to spend a few days with my brother and then from Portland we are going to head off to the bike ride. This follows Earnie's Rule Number 1 of bike tours, which is "If you can get to the tour in two days by car do so."
When I heard that Cycle America was doing this ride back in 2009 I knew that this was a must do. So it seems like so long ago that the decision to go was made and now it is upon us. On some level it is a little daunting to be headed off on a 6500 kms bike ride which is going to take 63 days to complete. However all the training has been done and all the preparation is done. The first couple of weeks are the hardest. The getting use to the routine, and working the body into shape.
To day we got up early and drove from Calgary to Pasco in Washington. Agnes was of the opinion that everything would not fit in the car but it easily did so and we were off. Driving for 10 hours takes it toll and we hit the motel and crashed. However tomorrow is an easy day with only about 4 hours into Portland and so I get to sleep in.
Terry
Well here we are getting all set for the big ride of 2010. I am on my way down to Seattle to join up with Cycle America to join the Coast to Coast bicycle ride. First we are headed to Portland to spend a few days with my brother and then from Portland we are going to head off to the bike ride. This follows Earnie's Rule Number 1 of bike tours, which is "If you can get to the tour in two days by car do so."
When I heard that Cycle America was doing this ride back in 2009 I knew that this was a must do. So it seems like so long ago that the decision to go was made and now it is upon us. On some level it is a little daunting to be headed off on a 6500 kms bike ride which is going to take 63 days to complete. However all the training has been done and all the preparation is done. The first couple of weeks are the hardest. The getting use to the routine, and working the body into shape.
To day we got up early and drove from Calgary to Pasco in Washington. Agnes was of the opinion that everything would not fit in the car but it easily did so and we were off. Driving for 10 hours takes it toll and we hit the motel and crashed. However tomorrow is an easy day with only about 4 hours into Portland and so I get to sleep in.
Terry
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)