Ramble On...Day 2: South Bend to Garibaldi

This was one of those days that didn't really pan-out as I thought it would or should. It was a case of departing just after 7am and planning to stop at a well-known fast-food joint after about 20 miles or so. Only thing was, the joint (let's call it McDs for the sake of argument) didn't ever materialise!

Heading in the right direction, if nothing else.

Today's fun-fest!

Bit parky out, early-doors. Still looked terrific!

Tried and failed to get the old 'mists rolling' photo, hah-hah!

Cue one emergency banana and I happened across a grocery store a few miles after anyway, so no drama.

Weather-wise, it was pretty much clear skies and cool: actually bordering on cold in the shade at 9c, and my HR refused to raise much: all-in-all, it was a bit of trudge. At least until I saw The Columbia River and the Astoria-Megler bridge spanning it...wow!

Now we're warming-up a bit!

The Columbia and The Astoria-Megler bridge. Excellent!

Funny how you get a spring in your step sometimes: that's exactly what seeing this did for me. Crossing it on a bike is okay but not something that I particularly want to repeat too often...not least because there's a horrible climb towards the back of it!

Bye WA!

Just a slight incline, then. Merde!

There was a quick run through town and out of it on its other, less-celebrated and much shorter causeway: I stopped for a Subway and after saddling-up again, it was notable that the temperature had risen into the low 80s. Got full bottles, and I'll be able to restock no probs, right? Well...

Neat idea.

Forget it- there's no way I'm catching them. Downhill possibly!

 The climb up to the Oswald West State Park was tough towards the end, but it was generous with the wonderful views at the top. Literally, this was the first clear view of The Pacific on this trip and you just couldn't help but smile!

Wowsville: population, me.

I cajoled some poor sod into taking this. Sorry, I'm slouching.

The nature of the terrain could be described as 'rolling' but not quite as demoralising as those found in Missouri. That said, they still do for you eventually! I was almost out water when a Shell station came into view. Result, and chocolate milk all round.

While I was paying, another customer asked where I was headed: turns out she was English and had clocked my RBL jersey. Anyway, she said that I should enjoy the weather as it wouldn't last: apparently there will be some stormy weather hitting somewhere south on my route in the next few days. I thanked her for being a ray of light and we parted company. We'll see...

On the last 10 miles to Garibaldi. Get in!

My winner of 'Sign Of The Day'!

Runner-up.

Great name for a resort.

Not far now...

That'll do nicely!

On the other side of the jetty, there's dozens of boats. They're big into it.

Yup, it's either fishing or logging round these here parts...

As I checked into my Econo Lodge (nowhere near as dreadful as it sounds, hah-hah!), the clerk asked if I was with the rest of the tour group? Er, not me Ma'am. Turns out there is a supported ride (not ABB) making their way down to San Francisco.

When I called by reception later, there was a bit of a discussion in progress because there was a mix-up with one the cyclist's room. Not really what you want!

Classy joint. Got Rick Stein to blame for all this.

While we're here, it's worth mentioning all the post-ride admin that needs to be done, right when you'd rather be doing anything else. Except cycling, obviously! Wash yourself, the water bottles and then sterilise them, wash your clothes and then try to get the rags dry. Top tip as discovered on the Tour de Force a couple of years back...

Washed, wrung-out and ready for stage two...

Right then, trample all over it and it gives you a fighting chance of getting them dry!

The other priority is, well...take a wild guess!

Ahhhhh!

Beer: is there nothing it can't do?

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Any Strava louts can see the day's stats here...

And finally, the Tune Of The Day!

Driving South...Day 1: Seattle to South Bend

The main/only advantage of being all over the place sleep-wise, was being awake by 5am and able to start pedalling at last...well, at least as soon as sunrise anyway!

Can't put this off any longer!

It was an eye-opener cycling with the panniers loaded again: not least because Seattle ain't flat, hah-hah! Anyway, it was good to get on with this at last and leave Sea Tac and Condé Nasty's Crossroads Motel behind.

Today's tour opener!

The weather can change quick like you wouldn't believe.

The other bonus of starting early on a Sunday was that the roads were a lot quieter: I still got my first shout of encouragement though, from some bloke in a SUV. Cheers! I had forgotten how something so trivial can give you a wee boost: got a few more today too.

Not unhappy to get through Tacoma with only a minor nav-pfaff...

Bob: perhaps if you hadn't have used a tea-pot things might've turned out differently.

Good old creepy perv-bear, hah-hah!

I had to do a double-take.

"Naa-naa-naa, na-na-na-naa!"

 And after 25 miles I spied those welcoming golden arches and thus it was breakfast time. Excellent!

Other fast food outlets are available. But I wouldn't bother!

 Part of the route called for a few miles on the interstate before getting to and through Olympus: it was okay and no flats were caused by the inevitable debris. Believe it or not, there were the remnants of a fridge on the shoulder. Incredable scenes!

Was okay, to be fair...

Onwards through Olympia, crossing Capitol Lake and then onto Highway 101 and all points west! Well, except when it morphed into Highway 8, then 12, then 107 and then 101, but you get the gist.

As seen in Olympia.

Capitol Lake.

There were a few stretches of up-and-down nonsense too but the best bit was that I had some kind of shoulder of proper bike lane all to myself: takes away a ton of stress!

Water never far away.

That's about 5 episodes at the rate I pedal. Sorry!

Diggin' my unintentional colour-coordination.

At about 70 miles in, I stopped for a sandwich and a tin of Starbucks' finest chilled Mocha: you need a bit of a pick-me-up sometimes. Then this gem rumbled in...ace!

Made a terrific racket- looked in great condition too.

 That left around 45 miles to go and there was a lovely flat section: I definitely zoned-out a couple of times but it wasn't long before quite a few slow drags did their damage towards the end. Nothing above 7% and all doable but just slooooow...

Never saw any elk, but would a couple of deer do the trick instead?

 Bit of a coincidence after seeing that immaculate SS396 Chevelle, as there were around 50 custom cars cruising along over the course of the nest 30 mins or so: they looked and sounded the business!

Cool as...

Sure, it's no Focus Tdci but pretty stylish nonetheless.

My final stop at 95 miles was just to slap-on a bit more suntan stuff: it was beautiful now and *almost* a pleasure to be out there, hah-hah!

A short break at 90 miles to put a bit more sunblock on, and snaffle a McDs porridge!

From there it was a case of just seeing out the last few drags of climbs before a decent downhill to Raymond and then to South Bend. I also saw my first pair of cyclists doing the same thing as me, only in the opposite direction: a big hello was shouted!

A) top of the climb, hurrah B) cool sounding county, yesh?

I found tonight's acco no problem and wow, what a difference from last night's dump! Nice one, South Bend...

Oh alright then, if you insist.

That's about all there is to the place.

Must be true, right?

Dinner was at a Chinese restaurant and was fine: well, I'm not hungry yet, at any rate...

And goodnight to you too, South Bend!

As tour openers go, that wasn't too bad: maybe not quite at the standards of The Stones who opened their latest cash-grab tour in Hamburg last night. Played a blinder too, apparently...right Mike? Right!

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 Now it seems that I can't get a YouTube vid for today's incendiary live number, *but* this will do alright!

The Jimi Hendrix Experience play 'Driving South'. Immense!

And for any Strava Louts, you can laugh at my meagre efforts by clicking HERE!