Dolly's Bike Blog

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.

https://www.relive.cc/view/1189191300

I had trouble with creating the gallery in the last post, so these photos of today are a separate post.

After a group photo at the Majestic Inn in Anacortes, we were off about 8:30 am.  The first climb was in less than 3 miles, long before my legs warmed up, but I used all of my low gears and stayed on the bike.  We wandered on back roads for about 9 miles on the southern end of Fidalgo Island, before we came to Deception Pass, a rocky isthmus crossing over to Whitbey Island.  We walked our bikes across the bridge taking time for photos.

The next 9 miles we followed a designated bike route, staying off the busy major SR 20, then passed near NAS Whitbey Field and Oak Harbor.  Along the way, I met a local woman who recommended stopping at Toby’s in Coupeville for local mussels -yummy – also good iced tea.  Plenty of hills along the way, but no walking!

Another 5 miles to the ferry to Port Townsend, where we are staying tonight.  My roommate is Peggy from Mill Valley – she generously brought some of her personally made wine.

Before I settled in at the hotel, I wandered in Downtown and Uptown Port Townsend.  The town was an early customs location for trade with Canada and many local buildings are from the Victorian era.

Vickie Hagley from the Atlantic Coast tour, who lives on Whitbey Island, came for dinner and was recognized by several cyclists from other WT she has ridden.

Here is the Relive link to my ride https://www.relive.cc/view/1187335995

More photos to follow.