July 2
Day six (and seven!) up and over! 15 flat miles to Newhalem where we said goodbye to cellphone signal and started our longest day, probably of the whole trip. We had arranged to meet Heather and Chris partway to give them our bags and then ended up being a little farther along (mile 39) but they gave us PB&J, fresh water, oranges, and lots of encouragement to make it to the next milestone (Rainy Pass). After reinforcements there, we shouldered down (temps in the high 80’s) for the last 5 miles to Washington Pass and then started the 30 mile descent to Wintrhop (95 degrees) where we are now lounging until Monday with family and friends!
MapMyRide projected over 22,000 ft elevation gain for the week but the actual was less than 18,000 ft. That’s because it has difficulty recognizing tunnels and bridges! The Garmin reads more accurately. We still have several passes to go, but not combined with as serious of mileage or elevation gain so we are feeling pretty strong and ready. Two days of rest is a big bonus!
July 1
Day five took the Centennial Trail again and then Whitehorse Trail which was paved, then gravel, then grass/dirt. Our bikes do it all! Had to unload and lift our bikes over one downed tree. Perfect weather (max 75) for our first longer day (68 miles).
Stayed in a very funky hotel in Marblemount (fake moosehead on the wall beside the bed). Craig had his third burger for the trip and I had tofu terriyaki (did I mention that I’m vegetarian? wish me luck in the midwest…).
June 30
Day four was cool again (OK it hit 80 while riding, but that seems tame now!). We are already used to riding 50+ miles, which we will increase tomorrow and certainly after we get over the passes… still a little apprehensive about that.
Had a lovely stay at the Fasano B&B – hope to see them more in the coming years. Love you guys!
We rode to the Kingston ferry, boarded (first!) and then started climbing out of Edmonds right away. Most of the rest of the way was the Interurban and then Centennial Trails, which we have been on before. Smooth sailing. Even managed to listen to part of one playlist before chatting with a fellow cyclist. The paniers are definitely an invitation for conversation, which is fun!
Burgers and one beer. Plan to crash early so we can get an early start tomorrow. Maybe we’ll work on taking more (and better) pictures as well. Could happen…
June 29
Day three was significantly cooler. A few tough hills and roads without good shoulders, but crossed the Hood Canal Bridge and then detoured north to Hansville where our long-time friends the Fasanos live in their dream home on the water. Full service resort for us! Showers, laundry, happy hour, excellent dinner, catching up, and a comfy bed. Lucky us!
End of the day items to charge: two iphones, two taillights, two headlights, one Garmin, one Wahoo, two helmets, and a GoPro. Takes a couple rounds on the charging hub we brought along. Our Sena helmets are outstanding though so worth the extra charging hassle – we can talk to one another as we ride.
Pictures tomorrow I promise!
June 28
Day two we rose early, gratefully drank coffee offered by our campground neighbors (shout out to Valerie and April), rode up the hill to Joyce for a quick breakfast, continued mostly on the Olympic Discovery Trail to Port Angeles, visited with our parents and then rode the last 20 miles into Sequim Bay State Park, with Garmin reflecting 100 degrees at one point. No lake to dive into but enough change for 6 minute shower apiece. My parents came to take us to dinner, but nearly all the restaurants were closed or closing early, so waited half an hour for Subway sandwiches.
June 27
Day one done! Both dads drove us to La Push (1.5 hours) and we managed to get our back tires in the Pacific before hitting the road by 8 AM. Horrible headwinds, max 92 degrees but mostly in the shade on the lovely, paved, Olympic Discovery Trail / Spruce Goose Trail all the way to East end of Lake Crescent where we promptly dove in the lake in our bike clothes. Of course it’s 103 degrees now so glad we started and finished early! Only 54 miles but felt like longer thanks to the heat…
Will try to post pictures on Tue/Wed when we have better wifi!
Good chance we won’t post anything tomorrow camping at Sequim Bay. Cross your fingers for shade and ocean breezes!
Breit Bikes 