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"We are off to see the wizard..." August 13, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images Dorothy and Toto should have ridden a bike!! And they should have started in Neah Bay! What a FABULOUS day!! Everything came together this morning and I hit the road with the blessing of the Makah Nation. They held a ceremony on Hobuck Beach right on the water's edge. I was humbled that so many folks came to see me off! I chose the perfect spot to begin my journey, not because of the beauty of the land, but the beauty, warmth and caring or the people that call it home! I felt at home with my family, that is how much they gave of themselves! I am deeply honored to been afforded the privilege of sharing their homes and way of life, if only for a couple of days! I owe much to what they have shared with me. I will carry their spirit across the country! After getting my shoes throughly soaked by the Pacific and feet full of sand, I struggled my almost 80 pound bike (and I think I am being conservative here) through the sand back up to the parking and down the road (after cleaning the tires and chain of sand). An honest to goodness police escort (front and rear, complete with lights, but no siren) through town and out to the reservation's edge. From there I was on my own. Gorgeous ride along the edge of the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Lots of construction along the road, so I stopped many times for single lane traffic. The hills began right outside of Neah Bay. My data shows the grades ranged from mild to wild. I still need to crunch the data and hopefully get it into a chart where I can show the number of climbs. My total ascent over the course of 86 miles was 4356 feet!! Not in elevation gain, but total feet climbed, adding up the elevation gain from each hill. I descended a total of 4157 feet. So, here's some math for anyone interested, what was the total elevation gain, using the numbers I have given you. To check if your work is correct, figure out the elevation of Port Angeles and the elevation of Hobuck Beach. Back to the story... The weather was perfect! Temps from 58-90 degrees F. For those that like numbers, here are some that may be of interest... Total Distance: 86.43 miles Total Time: 8:20:47.46 Avg pace: 5:47 per mile Avg Speed: 10.4 mph Max Speed: 31.4 mph (that was fun) Total Calories burned: 6368 Avg heart rate: 135 beats per minute (bpm) Max Heart Rate: 168 bpm I traveled along Hwy 112 until it turned left from Hwy 113. I continued up 113 on a five mile climb along Burnt Mountain. I screamed down the backside (that where the max speed came from) and turned on Hwy 101. Which was mercifully flat until just before Lake Crescent. I did make an error in judgment (not like that has never happened before ) ;o) I ate a wonderful breakfast at Dan's house (4 pancakes, cup of peaches, three pieces of bacon (fat removed), cup of OJ, 1/2 of peanut butter globbed on the pancakes (try it sometime). I was fueled for performance! How many calories is that? So, I decided to fore go stopping at a convenience store to grab a snack before I headed up Burnt Mountain. I thought (erroneously) that another store lay ahead at the next intersection! Whoops, only in my dreams. Rather than pedal back down the 4 mile long 6% grade (and pedal back up) I pressed up and over the summit of the pass because my GPS told me there was a gas station at the next intersection, 7 miles down the road. Well, the gas pumps were still there but the building had been demolished years before. No gas, no food, no nothin'. So, I consulted my now suspect GPS data for the closest food store. There was one, three miles in the opposite direction. So, being the cautious one that I am and thinking pedaling another 22 miles with only a little water in my bottles was not a good idea, I headed SW. Well, I NO LONGER trust my GPS data base, because that store was not there either. I turned around and ended up scrounging water from some dilapidated heavy equipment garage. Grease coated the walls of the sink, but I filled up anyway. What choice did I have? Oh yeah, the lady that ran the shop wasn't too keen on my presence. Lo and behold, only 1/2 mile further down the road was the Hungry Bear Cafe! (wasn't on my GPS, go figure) I ate well and shared greetings with two bicyclists from Seattle headed the other way. The rest of the ride was straight as any arrow until just before Lake Crescent. Another nasty grade followed by a hair bending descent to a large sign that read, "Bicyclists, read the notice in 1/4 mile." The road around Lake Crescent is narrow with a very small shoulder and blind curves. The notice asks the cyclist to push a button which starts two flashing lights that warn motorists there are bikes ahead. The lights flash automatically for one hour, assuming you can pedal the next 11 miles at an average speed of 12 mph. It wasn't bad at all. "I've had worse." "merely a flesh wound." Monty Python.... Gorgeous lake. A couple of pictures to prove it. One thing I did realize, is I didn't take enough pictures!! I took a lot of video with rolling commentary, but we haven't included that on the website yet. Hopefully in a couple of days. In one of the pictures you will see me wearing a camera on the side of my helmet. Digital video! They look great!! Trust me... I'm staying in Port Angeles tonight at the house of one of my friend's from Neah Bay. Tomorrow I will visit the Lower Elwah Tribal Center before heading down the road toward the ferry and two other reservations. Thanks so much to everyone that is following this journey. I am blessed to have so many friends that cover the length of this great country. I hope to cross paths will all of you before this journey is over! Keep those cards and letters coming! Judy and Lauren, I expect big hugs at ACQ!! More Images:     19 Comments
Aug 15, 2008 7:50 am - Jerry wrote : Have a great trip John- we will be following you and cheering you on. Hope I can arrange to see you in Florida! God's blessings on all you do!
Aug 14, 2008 10:01 pm - Alicia wrote : Hey John! We're excited to follow your journey from here at Ames. Looking forward to seeing some video!
Aug 14, 2008 8:46 pm - Andy wrote : Yo SpaceMan cool blog! Your crew here at ProBike is pulling for ya...make us proud! Andy the dancer :
Aug 14, 2008 7:54 pm - Liz wrote : Go Go Go John! Reading about your adventures and seeing your pictures is awesome! You're doing a good thing. Be safe.
Aug 14, 2008 4:55 pm - shawnie wrote : You are having so much fun John, Your grateful heart shines in all your words. I got in 30 miles on my bike this am in the greater Tulsa!! Over Zealous am I... the landscape pales in comparison.
Aug 14, 2008 1:47 pm - The Woodbridge's wrote : HI John! We are praying for you every day! Enjoy your trip and we look forward to lots of stories when you return. Let us know if you need anything on our end!
Aug 14, 2008 1:01 pm - Juniper wrote : Go John! Go John! What gorgeous pictures! Oh, how i miss the PacNW. Hey I think you need an iPhone instead...might have better luck with the GPS on that, and then you can reduce your weight! ;- xoxo - juniper
Aug 14, 2008 12:37 pm - Cathy D wrote : This is awesome. I have read about others that have done coast to coast bike rides but not for the purpose you are doing. I ride frequently and would love to trek with you from Jax or somewhere in North Florida to the Cape. Hopefully security will let you in : and this visit I won't require you to give me any bodily fluid samples or hop on the scale. Your friendly Flight Nurse, Cathy
Aug 14, 2008 11:22 am - Mary wrote : Keeping you in my tho'ts and prayers for a safe journey. The pics are great and am enjoying your blog. Jenns MIL Mary
Aug 14, 2008 11:19 am - Jamie wrote : What you're doing is amazing! We need more people like you to inspire our youth & challenge our minds! Thanks for your work!
Aug 14, 2008 11:12 am - Too Tall wrote : Go Man Go. I'm sure you're going to miss wearing a necktie and going to day-long meetings. I'll make sure there's a clip-on available for you at the finish line! Enjoy the ride and the great adventure, TT
Aug 14, 2008 10:49 am - Lauren wrote : John - It certainly seems like you have had a few adventures already - of the quite unexpected variety! But from the amazing scenes you have photographed, so far, the minor aggravations and discomforts certainly are a small price to pay for all that beauty. We are all thinking of you at the ACQ and hope everything goes as planned for the rest of your trip. We will have plenty of hugs, water and cookies waiting for you when you get here! If you need anything, just give us a call. ~Lauren & Judy
Aug 14, 2008 10:23 am - Carl Martin wrote : Hi John - Have a safe trip! You know I'd love to travel along with you shooting pictures and operating gadgets. Glad you inspire kids and adults to think and be physically active! Not too surprising about GPS database out of date. Keep posting, we are watching from JSC!
Aug 14, 2008 10:12 am - Judy wrote : Hi John, I'm excited for you and plan to read of your adventures often! Darryl's my son-in-law who loves biking, also. Many cyber-hugs to you. See you next time you're at JSC. Take care and be at peace. SECNAV!
Aug 14, 2008 9:09 am - Tonya Scott wrote : Hi John---Love the commentary and pics. Today is our second day of school in Ponca City--I am sharing your blogs with our high school staff and my students. Stay safe, make lots of new friends. All of us here in Oklahoma are sending you the best of luck. GO FIRST ROBOTICS.
Aug 14, 2008 8:11 am - Darryl Rosenfeld wrote : My mother-in-law is the "sec nav"! I'm glad she sent me your link. Good luck on your journey - maybe upgrade the GPS maps if there's a download avaialble?
Aug 14, 2008 7:38 am - Ron Markum wrote : Way to go John, Great Start! I wish you all the best and look forward to your progress. Got any pictures of the Hungry Bear Cafe??? Sounds like an unusual place. FIRST Robotics in Oklahoma is rooting for you. Ron
Aug 14, 2008 1:00 am - Joyce wrote : Beautiful pictues!!! We're with you all the way. Love, Mom & Dad Add a comment: |
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Have a great trip John- we will be following you and cheering you on. Hope I can arrange to see you in Florida! God's blessings on all you do!