Biking Dude Blog

I traveled about 56.8 miles today.
ad a great day biking through the San Juan islands. Rode up and down mount constitution first thing in the morning (unloaded, thank goodness) before packing up camp and biking back to the ferry port on orcas island. The climb up mountain was extremely steep, but the view from the top was incredible. We could even see Mt Rainer faintly in the distance. This picture is of the lookout tower at the top of the mountain, built by the civilian conservation corps during the great depression.
Took the ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan island. Biked across they island to lime kiln point, which had some amazing views of distant mountains and nearby island. Biked back along the south of the island, got a great view of mount Baker going over one of the hills. Took a ferry back to the mainland and biked another ten miles to deception pass to camp for the night.
Really beautiful day, very glad I went out to see the islands. Lots of steep hills, but it was totally worth it.
It's been great biking with Eric. He basically planned out places to go and camp for this weekend, and it's incredibly nice to not have to worry about that, if only for a few days.
Heading back to Seattle tomorrow, then I have a train to catch on Tuesday morning. This is really becoming a multi-modal trip. I've traveled by plane, subway, car, bike, ferry, foot, and I'll be adding train and probably bus soon.
Any suggestions of sights to see on Seattle/Portland would be most welcome, as I'm planning to have at least a little time to explore these cities.
Exited to be so close (relatively) to my end goal. I'm hoping that arriving in San Francisco will motivate me to do some big days in the coming week.
Also, I think I broke 4000 miles for this trip today. Hooray! Still have plenty more to go.

I traveled about 80.5 miles today.
Hit the road early this morning with Eric on our trip back to Seattle from deception pass park. Really nice ride along Whidbey island, took a ferry back to the mainland and headed back to Eric's house in Redmond. Stopped a few times for blackberries, I can't seem to get enough of those suckers. Bought a big bunch back to the house for dinner. Eric, Ert, and Travis had s bunch of friends over for dinner tonight, so I got to see a number of people that I hadn't seen in a while. Hanging out with old friends and catching up gave a strange sense of normalcy, even though I'm heading out tomorrow morning. Checked the weather on the Oregon coast, looks like the next few days will have wind it if the north, which bodes well for me if the weather holds. Entering the home stretch soon, it's going to be interesting readjusting once I'm done.

Had a late night socializing with friends, and an early morning start to catch my train, by I made it just fine. Eric, the ever wise, checked our tires last night and noticed that I had a flat. Good thing we fixed it up last night instead if scrambling this morning. Neither one of us are sure what caused it, it's pretty mysterious. I suspect that the tube may have gotten pinched back on itself, but it's a very weak suspicion. Eric rode with me to the bus stop to send me off. Caught the bus into Seattle (and got to see then space needle!), and got on my train with plenty of time to spare. I've got to say, train travel it's also pretty nice. The route this train is taking is quite scenic, much more enjoyable than a bus. Exited to get to Portland. Not sure if I'll take a rest day tomorrow, I'll have to see how I'm feeling tonight.

I traveled about 4.9 miles today.
Arrived in Portland without incident (well, I had a troublesome flat when I got my bike of the train, but that's old hay by now), and met up with my friend Torie. Played some pinball and got a doughnut before heading back to her and Jared's place. Stopped by a great brewery called Vertigo and got some tasty beer and a really cool sticker. Took a rest day today before heading down the coast. Visited the rose gardens - very neat place. We all got together with Amy, a mutual friend and former classmate, for dinner, and we made a bunch of pizza. Yum. Tomorrow I begin the final leg of my journey to San Francisco. I should take me about a week. I'm really looking forward to this part, there are lots of hiker biker campsites along the way, I have a church to stay at about halfway, the scenery should be great, and I have a lot of friends in San Francisco who I haven't seen in a while.

Reached Lincoln city early afternoon. Favourable winds mean I will be pushing on to put on some more miles today.

I traveled about 151.4 miles today.
Big day today, got all the way to Carl Washburn state park. Met Spencer about ten miles from camp, so he followed me there. Met Adrianne (from Belgium!) and Alex at camp. Saw some really cool stuff today, stopped at devils punch bowl and a few other cool places. Really happy with how today went. Hopefully I will continue to have good winds.

Camping at Carl Washburn park was great. I could hear the gentle roar of continual waves crashing against the shore as I feel asleep at night and woke up in the morning, while gazing at the broken canopy of pine trees. Headed out a little after 7am before the others woke up. They were all just starting their adventures, and I think are taking a more leisurely approach, especially in they first week or two. Arrived in Reedsport a little before 10. Stopped at farmers market and bought small lemon poppy seed loaf (a nice mid morning snack) while I waited for the library to open. Heading at least to port orford today. If I get a good wind boost, I may push on to Brookings. We'll see what happens.

I traveled about 124.1 miles today.
Camping at humburg mountain state park tonight, a few miles south of port orford. Had a great day, saw some amazing sights along the coast. Heading to crescent city tomorrow, possibly farther. Met a few people today: biked a little with Evan from Boston who knows some Olin people. We ended up camping in the same place. He bought a bottle of beer in town, and shared it with me and Pavall, another biker Evan had met earlier. We're also joined by Steven, who arrived at camp just as the sun was setting. Very funny guy, lifts the spirits of everyone he's around. I don't want to wear myself down too much, but it feels good making so much progress these past two days. Also talked with Russ, the camp host, when I arrived. Cool guy, very outgoing and interested in other people's stories.

Yesterday, there were a bunch of messages in chalk along seven devils road. They were really funny, and kind of made my day. Saw a big group of bikers ride out of camp this morning a little before I left. Caught up with them within a few miles, they weren't moving very fast, I guess. Turns out, they were the ones who had written those notes. Cool guys, maybe they'll catch up with me if I take a break in crescent city.

I traveled about 113.4 miles today.
I don't know if there is a cycling version of a hat trick, but three century days in a row seems like it should count for something. Saw the rest of the Oregon coast, really great stuff. Entered California, stopped for a bit in crescent city to charge the phone and switch my tires, front to rear. Decided to push on another thirty miles to prairie creek campground. Had an incredible ride through some redwood forest, there are really big trees here. Met Frank and Mika, then David, on my way to camp. They all made it too, which was good. Lots of people here, too many to meet them all. Funny coincidence, David, Frank, and Mika are all from Boston. Need to stop by Eureka tomorrow, get some food, new batteries for the spot. I'll probably continue on to a campground further along afterwards. If I can keep this up, I should be able to get to SF a day earlier than I had planned. I'm super motivated by finishing this trip at this point. It's not that I want it to be over because I'm not enjoying it. It's that extra bit you give when you can see the finish line up ahead. That, and I'm daydreaming about crossing the golden gate bridge and finally dipping my wheels in the Pacific. I'm just really excited for that to happen.