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What goes up, must come down.... and up and down and up and down.... August 14, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images Gravity sucks!! It really does. It sucks you down to the earth so darn hard, going up hills becomes a lesson in perseverance. I would kind of like the zero gravity thing right about now. Where is it when you need it? Actually, I am tickled at my ability to climb hills. Back when I was in graduate school, my lunch ritual was to leave the Naval Postgraduate School and run down the bike path along the water until I came to the merry-go-round on the boardwalk. From there I would point my toes up toward the Presidio and climb skyward. The upside about hills, is there is always a downside (pun intended). Going up, you have to come down and it's a time to rest. I started off this morning backtracking to the Lower Elwah Klallam Reservation and presented the only person on duty with a picture and a flown mission patch. Unfortunately (for a biker), the rez lies at the bottom of a 11 percent grade and about 7 miles the opposite direction from where I wanted to go. But it was worth it. I would hate to have passed them by just because I was tired and wanting to head to the east. It would have been disrespectful to do otherwise. Back through Port Angeles and I stopped by the PA School District office and said hi to the folks on staff and they kindly gave me some incredibly cold water! From there I ventured along the bike path near the water, but it quickly became dirt and I was afraid I would blow a tire. I jumped back on Hwy 101 near and battled traffic for nearly 40 miles. Yuck!! The shoulder of the road had rocks all over and it was like playing dodge ball. Weaving back and forth without venturing into traffic. One of my less fun parts of the ride. Once I past Sequim, the road was more shaded and clean along the shoulder. Hey, another touring bike!! I kept seeing someone in the distance riding a touring bike, but they disappeared into thin air when I looked back up. I stopped by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal HQ and handed off another pic and patch to Jeremy at the admin window. I bummed a cold glass of water from him and off I went. You would think that having a road along the coast of the ocean would mean that it is fairly level, wouldn't you? Anyone been down Hwy 1 in CA lately? I lost track of the number of grades I climbed, but they were certainly respectable. The temps were right at 99 degrees and I stopped to shuck my shirt in favor of my vest, when the mysterious disappearing touring cyclist came along. She was from Quebec and was finishing a 500 km ride through Vancouver Island, back along the Olympic Peninsula and ending in Seattle. Here's the math for the day... how many miles is 500 kilometers? How many feet? How many meters? She could sure climb hills though. She headed out in front of me and up another 6% grade, when lo and behold, she disappeared again, right in the middle of the hill. I kid you not!! Poof, gone, zippo, nadda, no more... I have no idea where she went! Must have been an angel, she sure looked like one. ;o) I left Hwy 101 for Hwy 104 and finally ended up in Kingston. The ferry had an hour wait, but I just cruised up alongside the waiting cars and right to the motorcycle and bicycle staging area. We have to be the last ones on, but the price was right ($0) and no waiting! I love this bicycle stuff! I rode the ferry from Kingston to Edmonds and tried in vain to follow my GPS through the city streets. Someone on the blog recommended I get an updated map, but unfortunately, this is the most updated map. As a tool for collecting data, it is awesome, but as a tool for giving directions, it is way less than perfect. For now I will rely on my map and the people I meet that live in the area and bike! I wandered through the city until I came to Lake Washington and followed it until I came to my friend's house. It was a long day. Longer than I expected, but still enough time to capture my thought and put some pics on the web. There will be days, inevitably, where I will be just too darn tired to do anything. Hopefully, not often! Here's today's stats: Total distance: 92.13 miles Total time: 9:15:54.70 Avg pace: 6.02 /mi Avg speed: 9.9 mph Max speed: 32.5 mph Total calories burned: 5758 Avg heart rate: 124 bpm (slacker) Max heart rate: 160 bpm (not bad for an old guy) Have a nice night folks. Thanks for following along! Anyone care to ride the Cascades with my tomorrow? One last thing, don't ride at night when your flashing tail light decides to leave you bike about 40 miles behind you... More Images:        9 Comments
Aug 15, 2008 4:12 pm - Terri Moore wrote : It was nice to have you bunking at our house in Seattle for another night, John. Sorry about the stale bagels! All of your old and I do mean old pals from your Plano days are so proud of you. It's amazing what a terrific man you've turned into from that pain-in-the-you-know-what teenager I knew so long ago. Stay safe and enjoy the ride!
Aug 15, 2008 12:19 pm - TJ wrote : Hey John! Looks like your trips off to a great start. I finally downloaded teh google Earth program so I can trck you journey. It was a pleasure meeting you and I wish you best along the way. I've contacted some friends from other reservation and let them know what a great guy your are. They willl be on the look out for you. Your friend at Makah. TJ
Aug 15, 2008 11:56 am - Randall McCoy wrote : John! Way to gooo and go and go! I saw you on my morning commute by bicycle yesterday 8/13/08 . I didn't know who you were at the time but when I nodded my head at you, you said "Hi!". I was wearing an orange jersey on Edgewood Dr. when I saw you just past Airport Garden. I thought to myself, there goes another brave soul . . . FULLY loaded to the teeth and touring from who knows where to who knows where. The thought crossed my mind to turn around and ride with you abit but I was already late for work. Then I got the all staff email from a coworker that an astronaut riding a bicycle had visits the Tribe! I am a GIS Analyst that works for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. I'm non-native and an avid cyclist. I'm very impressed by your journey and it's cause. I'll be reading your blog as often as possible. As a GIS geographic information system guy I would like to offer any assistance you may require if I can. Thanks for stopping by. Wish I could've been there so close . Glad we saw each other riding! Keep up the pace. Tailwinds. Randall
Aug 15, 2008 8:40 am - Brian wrote : Thanks for doing this. My 6th grade daughter and I will do your math lessons and even some geography along your trip. She'll be so excited to meet you in Ada.
Aug 15, 2008 7:43 am - Leland Melvin wrote : John- What an exciting adventure. I will be following and wish you much luck my friend. I may have to come find you and ride along for a couple of miles. Cheers, Leland
Aug 14, 2008 11:48 pm - rodney beese wrote : read about your trip in the obs news. this will give me another trip to follow. i have a son and daughter in law riding a tandem to the center of every state in the union. 14,000 miles and 40 states so far. what a wonderful lady, to spend her first two wedding aniversaries on the road with a kook like my son. he already has a virginia to alaska trip under his belt, which helps in their planning. they have met hundreds of wonderful people acroos the usa, i'm sure you will also. i'm obligated to invite you to stay with us when you pass back thru oklahoma. we live in newcastle. my kids have a website that you might want to check.....fiftybybike.com good luck with your trip and thanks for helping kids to learn about math and science. my son is an OU grad in mechanical engineering. keep the wind in your back..
Aug 14, 2008 11:26 pm - Kathryn Hatcher wrote : John, Your pictures are great so keep them coming. Be safe out there and we Chickasaw are always proud of everything you are involved in Kathryn from OKC.
Aug 14, 2008 11:23 pm - Dcorwintx wrote : John, Your pictures lift us right out of North Texas. Read every syllable! Best vacation I've never had, but with you in spirit! Who were your fans in pic 6, the elfen couple? The ride has inspired me to dust off the math and science texts. All the way friend! Don Add a comment: |
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John, I just found out about the ride. We will be following your progress from here in Huntsville Alabama and praying for a safe trip. I am a fortunate person to be able to call you my friend. Did you take one of your flutes along with you? Wado my friend.