Mike's Cycling Tip #1:
When planning on getting up for a 7:35AM ferry to start off an 80 mile day of riding, it's not advisable to stay up drinking until closing time the night before.
I overslept and raced out the door to miss the ferry, but it afforded me the chance to sit down, eat something, and have a cup of coffee. I could have done this on the ferry too I suppose, but I'm only in Seattle for a little while and when's the next time I'll find a Starbucks?
Caught the 8:45 ferry and met up with some other cyclists, all part of the Boeing cycling club. Nice chaps. I hit Bremerton by a little after 10AM and almost instantly learned why everyone talks about gearing on bikes. Christ! Hills! I found myself a little too quickly on the lowest gear and feared the worst. I think I was just getting used to Isabella's weight. She's not fat, just big boned. (She ain't heavy, she's my sister? Anyone?)
I made the decision about halfway through the day (at a town called Shelton) to do something stupid. If I took a different route and pushed a bit further I could cover the ground I'd planned for the first three days in just two. It would ease my mind a bit about getting to L.A. in time, but ouch.
Got to Montesano around 7PM and hit Lake Sylvia State Park (gorgeous) by dusk. I got a walk in site for 10 bucks and bought a cord of wood, though I was too tired to stay up and enjoy the fire. It was cool, but it was nice to keep the fly off the tent and feel the breeze. Zzzzz.
For the day:
Rolling Time: 6:52:18
Distance: 85.01 miles
Average Speed: 12.36 mph
