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Gee, I wonder what's cookin'? August 16, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images Aarrghh! It's me! Cruising through the Yakima Valley right alongside the Yakima River and my temperature gauge topped 111 degrees. And it wasn't as bad as it sounds. Fully hydrated and a decent breeze from the south made it bearable. It was also nice to pedal beside the river, making for relaxing miles, even with a few grades thrown in for fun. I left the Summit Lodge after filling my stomach with a ham steak and peanut butter pancakes. I know it sounds pretty disgusting, but the peanut butter on pancakes is a rib sticking good meal. It goes way back to when I was a kid and I used to mix Karo syrup and peanut butter in a bowl and eat it by the spoonfuls. I picked up the habit again when I was training for my space walks. I needed something that was high in calories and slow burning which would last the entire run, usually about 6 hours. It worked like a champ! I actually flew peanut butter and syrup on my flight and would mix the two together on a fresh tortilla. Yum! I headed down from the summit and immediately trusted my GPS to take me off the Interstate. MISTAKE! Right down a side road to a dead end. Turn around and pedal back up the hill to join I-90 for a few miles. The going was fast, but the traffic noise was painful. I stopped and grabbed my iPod out of the handlebar bag and cranked the music up to drown out the roar of the trucks passing by. Huh, what's that you say? Speak up, I can't hear you... I was making sure to exit at each ramp along the highway, which gave a well deserved and shaded rest stop. On one of the ramps I saw this van parked and a guy hanging out by the back of the car. I slowed down and he shouted, "are you the rocketman?" I pulled off took a few moments to talk with Ron and Kathy (forgive me if I get your names wrong. Just leave a comment on the blog and correct me). They were headed to a Tom Petty concert and saw me as they passed by. Kathy offered me the coldest, sweetest grapes I have ever had! Wonderful! I've included their picture so everyone can see a couple of very nice and generous people. Thanks so much for stopping! I ventured off the highway and stopped at a great little store in Easton. Kristi was working the counter and we struck up a conversation. "Where are you going, why are you doing it, are you nuts..." She was great. I've included a picture of us in front of her store. It turns out her dad used to work survival training for Gus Grissom and the first group of astronauts. What a small world! I also chatted with a woman named Rita and was biking the John Wayne trail with her family. She had some coast to coast bike rides under her belt. Nice to chat with her too! This just happened to be the day to meet people. After I took the picture of my temperature gauge hitting 111, I pulled over in the first shade I could find and heard the most pleasant gurgling noise coming from across the road. I walked over and took my shirt and headband and dipped them in the coldest spring water. I should have guessed by the number of cattails lining the side of the road. What a pleasant surprise! The picture does not do it justice. It was so gratifying on a hot August day! (No, I didn't drink any, even though I have iodine tablets with me. There were a bunch of horses upstream) I wandered back across to my bike, but out of the corner of my eye, I see this guy walking down the side of the road, way out in the middle of nowhere. I thought he might have stopped over the hill and was walking back to check on the crazy guy pedaling out in the heat of the day! His name was Rich and he was helping shuttle cars for some of the fishermen on the river. He asked if I was riding my bike to support some animal cause, something he has seen on TV (someone is riding a bike somewhere to support something I have learned). It's so nice to meet people that are enjoying what they are doing and unpretentious as the day is long. What a nice way to fill my day! I followed Rich's directions and ended up pedaling through Thorp, WA. Nice ride alongside of the Yakima River. Lots of irrigation and orchards alongside the road. I was occasionally hit by an errant sprinkler (not that I am complaining). The heat was getting to be a bit unbearable with the wind dying down, so I dropped into a fruit and antique shop next to I-90. Heather made me the most delightful iced caramel coffee and filled my water bottles to the brim with ice cold water. On the way out I struck up a conversation with another gentleman regarding my bike ride. He brought his two grandsons back with their dad and we grabbed a picture. I handed out some NASA stickers, which the kids immediately applied to their t-shirts. I had to ask their names a couple of times and I hope I get it right, Cade and Jace? The ride through the rest of the valley was relatively flat, but the heat was intense. Luckily, the irrigation canals ran beside the road and I stopped numerous times to dunk my shirt and headband to keep me cool. Ahh, so nice! I slammed down some tasty teriyaki chicken in Ellensburg and then ventured down the Yakima Canyon road for the last 30 miles to my destination. The canyon is spectacular and the river was so inviting looking. There were lots of folks floating on rafts and inner tubes making good use the water in the heat of the day. I came across a group of four students from a local college and they asked where I was going. One pointed to my video camera on my head and asked if it was streaming video. I turned it on and had each one introduce themselves. I asked what they were studying in college and the all chimed in a unison, "physical education." Considering that all four of them had less then 4% body fat combined, I would say they were in the right degree program. A couple of more climbs took me out of the country and along a beautiful lava formation next to the road. The canyon opened up to these lush green lawns with sprinklers happily doing their thing. I tried to catch a photo back up the road, but again, it doesn't do it justice. I hurried into Yakima by night fall and found that most of the motels were booked due to a bunch of events going on in town (next time I won't assume). I did find one buried in the back of a dark parking lot. No AC, reeking of smoke, curtains won't close, had to hang a towel over one of the windows. he lady at the desk was great and did her best to find me a fan. Jose, the maintenance guy offered up his only fan to keep me cool! Thanks Jose! You do what you have to do. Tomorrow, a couple of interviews and then on to Toppenish for a talk on Monday. Oh yeah, some of you may be wondering what all the gizmo's are on my handlebars. The solar cell is a Solio (http://store.solio.com/s.nl/it.A/id.257/.f) I use it to power my Garmin throughout the day. I configured it with an old bungee cord from a handlebar bag I use back in college (thanks Ed). The Garmin Edge 705 is on the right and the Trek bike computer on the left. I added it at the last minute as I wanted to have some way to record temperatures during my ride. I'n GLAD I did. One discrepancy I have found is that my cycle computer and GPS disagree on the total mileage. Today, my Trek computer said I pedaled 101.3 miles. The Garmin, 95.96 miles. I will track down the source of the error. I would tend to believe the cycle computer as it measures directly every rotation of the wheel. So this would be a great segway into today's math problem... If my wheel is 700x28c, that means the outer diameter is 700mm, convert 700mm to inches and than determine the circumference of my tire. If you don't know how to determine the circumference, you can find great web links that discuss it. Google "circumference." Once you have determined the circumference you will know how much one revolution of my tire is across the ground. If you want to go a bit further, assume that I am going to travel a total of 4000 miles. How many revolutions of my wheel will that require? Have fun! Stats for today: Total mileage: 95.96 GPS, 101.3 Trek Total time: 10:49:14.20 Avg pace: 6:45 / mi Avg speed: 8.9 mph Max speed: 34.2 mph Total calories: 4927 Avg heart rate: 118 bpm Max heart rate: 146 bpm (LA, are you sure that was my heart rate on EVA1? Must have been a problem with the sensor. Oh, that was you, wasn't it?) More Images:                9 Comments
Aug 17, 2008 8:49 pm - Rita Cannell wrote : It was great chatting with you the other day. outside the Easton store Here is a question I was once asked while traveling cross country..... Did you see a psychiatrist before you left, or are you going to see one when you finish? Enjoy your adventure, I am envious!
Aug 17, 2008 12:09 pm - D.J. Vanas wrote : Stay strong and on mission, John! We're all cheering you on from here in Colorado and look forward to your arrival. I felt I was burning calories just reading your updates! Spreading the importance of math, science and tech is a key to our nation's future -- great to see you putting your pedals to action in that effort. Take care and Godspeed my friend!
Aug 17, 2008 10:42 am - Traci wrote : I went to college in Ellensburg, such a great area! The Thorp Fruit and Antique Mall brings back memories of day trips and apple cider. Us over at the Museum of Flight will be checking your blog, thanks again for stopping by to talk to the kids, and good luck dealing with the heat!
Aug 17, 2008 9:45 am - Liz wrote : You're doing great, John! I really enjoy reading about your adventures and it's making me itch for an adventure of my own. Be safe out there and take good care of your most important piece of equipment your body !
Aug 17, 2008 8:45 am - Kathryn Hatcher wrote : Another great day. I love to see the pictures. It looks like you are really having a chance to meet the local and new friends down the road. Have fun Kathryn in OKC
Aug 17, 2008 7:35 am - "Cousin" Norma wrote : Now, I know for sure we are cousins for we love peanut butter and syrup or better yet honey on pancakes and waffles. What an interesting day! My son, a high school computer teacher, was excited to learn of your trek and has shared your mother's note with all his friends. May God continue to shower you with His richest blessings! :-
Aug 17, 2008 6:03 am - your lil sis wrote : LBB,Wow, what a hot day! But how great to meet so many wonderful people. You know, dad taught me to love syrup and peanut butter too...that is a great snack! If you like bananas and peanut butter the twin link is proven. I hope you got some good rest and have a great ride today. The pictures are great!! Love u, ls PS I created a Facebook group for you...it's called Rocketrek Trackers! Anyone is welcome to add it to their Facebook page. We're tracking you! ;- xoxo
Aug 17, 2008 3:57 am - Writing Raven wrote : Good luck John! You're an inspiration. Add a comment: |
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Hi John, It is great to hear about your ride. I have been riding a 1984 Specialized Expedition for the last few months and love it! cant wait to get out on the long ride. Was on vacation last week in Yakima Valley and driving Rt 90 back to Seattle and passed several bikers...I am thinking you were probably one of them! Small world... will enjoy watching and listening as you pedal through the rest of the country. If you need a place to rest in Louisville, KY, let me know, I am sure we can find a place for you to put your bike and get a shower, etc...