Roosevelt, WA -- Friday, June 18
It is now official! We've done at least one day of the ride that we had planned - an average day of 63 miles (we did 69), tent camping at the end of the day, and not a single visit to a restaurant! Hey we are excited.
We are also official in other aspects - predominate head winds of 15 mph beginning at midday and an early evening wind/rain storm to interrupt supper and to fill our tents partially with water. Oh what a day it has been.
All of us are a little tired and have sore muscles from the constant push against the head winds on the hills, the flats, and even the downhills. To add to our challenge the last 40 miles were without any food services - although we did find a winery with a great view overlooking a valley of vineyards and the Columbia River a for a lunch stop. I considered paying five dollars to sample a selection of wines; however, I decided not to considering the dehydration that was already occurring through the constant physical exertion.
For the past several days, I've been bringing up the rear given the better visibility that I have to traffic. It also has allowed me to coach Andrea and where she should be riding and when. Given the head winds that we encountered today, I lead from the front for the last half of the ride to break the wind and allow Andrea and Alex to draft me. It also help us pick up the pace 1-2 miles per hour.
As with everyday so far we encounter the kindness of strangers. Today we had two encounters - both late in the day. The first was when we were 14 miles out of Roosevelt. We had stop to rest along the side of two intersecting roads under the only shade we could find - a rock cliff. We had parked our bikes upward along side the road. Shortly there after a pickup truck stops at the stop sign and gets out of the pick-up to retrieve a bottled water from a cooler in the pickup bed. No sooner had he done that he then tosses us three cold waters too. It was right on target for what we needed. All of us were running low on water.
The other kindness occurred at our campground. According to the information that we had this was a city park with no showers or running water. Instead it had it all and it was free (no camping charge). When the campground manager saw us pull in he quickly advised us about the problems with the men's shower but he would attempt to keep them functional until Alex an I took ours. He then brought down a book which was started in May 2009 in which other bicycling tourists has signed an left well meaning messages. We are now in that book. It was neat reading about the adventures of others.
Lastly, we have now traveled into the Arid region of WA. The scenery has changed (we are no loner in forests and we had sun all day). Despite this, as we prepare to put ourselves down for the night, rain is falling. The park manger indicates the winds will be from the west tomorrow. Hopefully that will be.
Dick. I love the posts, keep them coming. I have my own kindness of strangers story. Lee and I were in Vail for our anniversary. The last day I rented a road bike to get a ride in. Paying more attention to the scenery than the path I managed to wreck myself and the bike. Multiple people stopped to help including a nurse. They cared for me while I went through some sort of siezure and got me safely to the ambulance. I'm ok. That was the most expensive one hour bike ride ever as I did ruin the bike and helpmet. I am grateful for the kindness of strangers (bikers in particular). Les
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