I wake up this morning, unmolested by bears in the night. Today is one of two days per year when the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Happy autumnal equinox! https://youtu.be/xzDbq24Pcug I’m perfecting a technique for making a cuppa tea with the least amount of energy possible. Those of you from …
Day 12: Poke it with a Stick!
The day starts with what I think of as “Belgian weather.” Just barely above freezing, about 110% humidity, and foggy. It’s the kind of cold that gets into your bones and can only be remedied with a hot beverage, preferably with alcohol in it. The fog is so thick it’s unsafe to ride on this …
Day 11: Goodbye, Washington. Hello, Idaho.
I spend the morning riding along the Pend Oreille River. The sunny forecast has been downgraded to mostly cloudy but the terrain is flat so I’m making good progress compared to recent days. The name of the river and the county means “hangs from ear“ in French. Even without checking Wikipedia, it seems obvious that …
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Day 10: Son-of-Travis
Another late start. Last night’s forecast called for rain all day so I was prepared to spend the day in the tent waiting it out but the outlook changed overnight to possible light showers in the morning followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon. I install the new mirror, tape up the broken fender and head …
Day 9: C is for Cookie
I wake up at 5 AM and check the weather forecast. The sunny Monday I was promised last night has been rescheduled to Tuesday. I can’t wait three more days for the weather to clear so I’m going to have to push over Sherman Pass with only the barest hint of electric assist. It’s going …
Day 8: Republic, WA
I wake up in Wauconda to cloudy skies, 1% battery and not enough stove fuel to make coffee. The next town with services is 16 miles and 1000’ climbing away. Also, it looks like it may rain. Also, there’s no internet. I don’t much care for these rumble strips in the middle of the road …
Day 7: Wakanda?!
Isn’t this place supposed to be some kind of secret? Another later-than-intended start to the day. I’m still figuring out where everything should go on the bike and it’s taking me way too long to get ready in the morning. I stop by the post office and mail a few things home. To the motorist …
Day 6: Miles and Smiles
Got an early start today and was rewarded with beautiful views and lots of sunny-sun-sun. My new obsession with basking in the sun feels reptilian. Climbed 3300’ (1000 m) by lunchtime. Made it over a very chilly 5500’ (1700 m) pass before dropping back down the longest continuous descent I’ve ever done on this bike. …
Day 5: Rain, Rain, Go Away
My hardest day so far. I got a late start trying to sort out an issue with my batteries and stopped early due to rain. In between, punishing 7° climbs with narrow road shoulders and very little electric assist with only 216 solar Wh today. I actually had to get off and push for a …
Day 4: No Bugs, No Rain, No Tent
The day starts off in style with some roadside plums. I seem to be living the farm to bike lifestyle. I think about going to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, the official start of this route, with a vague idea about possibly running into other people who are starting the same tour. But it would be …