I got an early start this morning, hoping to beat the scheduled rainstorm.  As a result, I was able to hear 8 am church bells and several roosters saying good morning.  We had been warned that there was even more climbing today than yesterday and I determined to just keep the pedals moving.  I am pleased to announce that I can keep the bike upright at 2.6 miles per hour.  I think my average for the day was less than 10 mph.

The smell of cut trees was in the air early in the morning and I was glad that it was Sunday and no logging trucks.

Route took us through Port Hadlock (only activity I saw was at the laundromat) and Port Ludlow (I was disappointed that all I could see of the harbor were trees and roof tops – I love bucolic vistas). At about 26 miles we crossed the Hood Canal bridge – quite a side wind but at least there was “carpeting” on the metal grates.

At about mile 30 I took a little break at a gas station – nice and warm inside.  We had had a bit of sunshine for a while but I don’t think that the temperature ever got over 60 degrees, and of course we had a cool headwind as the storm was blowing in.

Biked over/past the entrance to a naval base and signs about military dog patrols.  In Silverdale, I found a Sierra Trading Company store, part of a mall, and purchased another dry-fit undershirt and sweatshirt – cooler temperatures than I had expected.

Ten miles from Bremerton it started to drizzle, building to a cold rain.  But every serious cyclist knows to stop at a DQ after a hard day’s ride, so I enjoyed a mini Blizzard before the last 1/2 mile to the hotel.

Tonight I am rooming with Fran from Grapevine, TX, a retired teacher formerly from Hawaii.  Tomorrow will be her first stint as our SAG driver.

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