Although we were on the road at nine, there was a lot to do before that. We got up, ATE, and then got the trailer organized, which was QUITE a task given the craziness that was within it with cookware, tents, our own duffels, food, camp chairs, first aid stuff, and more. Finally we headed down to Padilla Bay to dip our back tires into the Pacific Ocean, 3500 miles from the Atlantic. The Holiday Inn Express staff, PJ and Danielle, took pictures and provided music (Queen’s I want to ride my bicycle), Then we got on the road.
Six miles in we had our first wipe out. We were all on the road practicing our pace lines. There was a road sign that appeared on the side of the road, which the first person saw but failed to inform the following four. Ellen almost missed it, and escaped with just a scraped leg. Then it was Ellie, who just yelped, but Renzo took the cake. He ran into it straight on, flipped over his handlebars, and landed on his back, followed by his bike which landed on top of him. He immediately jumped up and was a champ! No complaints at all, all day.
We ended up on the South Skagit River Highway. It was breathtaking. The river was on our left, and the hills were on our right. The trees provided the perfect amount of shade, and we were on the same road for about 25 miles, so we had plenty of time to practice our pace lines to avoid another sign incident.
Right off the highway we had lunch in Concrete. There, we discussed the beauty in Washington and Ellie commented “I like Washington. It’s like New England…on crack”. And Mark, Ellen’s father, replied “I like anything on crack”.
From there we only had eighteen miles until our camp site (Alpine RV Park). It just happened to be the hardest part of the day for Brendon. This is where he had his fourth flat of the day which took about an hour and a half to fix, so it was the first part of the day where the pack was ahead of Brendon and Parker.
At about four fifteen we arrived to the tent site and that is when the thunder started. We had to race to get the tents up, get dinner started, and bikes put away. Now we are all sitting comfortably on the picnic tables under a rain tarp as spaghetti and meat balls are being prepared.
Good learning experience on the first day. I'm glad all bikes and riders survived the first incident!
ReplyDeleteSafety tip for day 2; Possible rain or thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon. Wet roads decrease the effectiveness of your brakes a LOT. When you start down on the big downhill off Washington Pass, if the roads are wet,TEST YOUR BRAKES OFTEN- at least until you get around the first hairpin turn.
Have fun today. Enjoy the climb. Keep your heads up and enjoy the scenery! (new england on crack...indeed...)
Sounds like Stoner is in the lead for Flat Tire Count.
ReplyDeletePaceline advice: Okay crewbies, the first rider is the cox, responsible for choosing the best line (smoothest path). If you encounter signs, debris, holes, etc. you need to signal the rest of the group. Take your hand off the bar and point down on the side the hazard is on, while slowly and PREDICTABLY moving away from it to a safe course.
Watch this for more paceline communication tips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOOOSU-jC3k
He just talks until 1:30 then it's good.
Keep riding and enjoy Washington state, some of the best climbs and descents of the whole trip.
Schroyer
Hey, can you guys post pictures on this blog?
ReplyDelete