Fort Ebey SP to Anacortes

Short distance day today (31 miles) but lots of hills and some busy traffic on highway 20 through Deception Pass and in to Anacortes. As with Port Townsend, there is a bike trail that carries you in to town, so for the last few miles you get a nice cruise along the waterfront. In fact Anacortes has taken what I would assume is an old railroad bridge across Fidalgo Bay and turned it into a pathway; very nice.

Once I reached Anacortes I had one specific and all-consuming need. LAUNDRYMAT. You know how they say you generally don't smell yourself? Not true after a week on the road.

Through with personal hygiene chores I made my way up to the middle school where we were gathering for the start of American Lung Association's Trek-Tri Island, a 3 day ride through the San Juan Islands.

Kitsap Memorial Park to Fort Ebey SP, Whidbey Island

Today was the first day of anything other than perfect weather. Wouldn't call it rain, but enough mist to make for sloppy riding. Left turn out of camp, a few warm up miles then a cruise over the Hood Canal bridge. From there mostly back roads and rollers to Port Townsend. There's a great trail into town, keeps you off of Hwy 20 and is quite scenic. From there the Keystone ferry to Whidbey Island.

Stopped for lunch in Coupville and made my way up (and I do mean up) to the campground at Fort Ebey. Tomorrow is another hilly day on Whidbey, across Deception Pass and on to Anacortes to meet up with Trek Tri Island.

Greetings from Kitsap Memorial Park

Tour de Furlough rolls on. I'm behind in posting, but the last few days have been great. After leaving Ilwaco I worked my way up 101 to Raymond on Monday. No big highlights to the day, I've ridden that stretch a few times, but never in that direction.

Tuesday was Raymond to Shelton, using the Adventure Cycling route from Elma on. The route bypasses the primary highways, although doesn't bypass the hills! There were no convenient campgrounds around the mileage I had charted, so spent the night at the 'City Center Best Rates Hotel', a little slice of the 1950's.

Today was on back roads through Bremerton, Silverdale and Poulsbo, ending at Kitsap Memorial SP. Tomorrow off to Whidbey Island.

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Day 2 - Veronia, OR to Ilwaco

Good ride today. Morning was spent on Hwy 202, nice on the weekends, but I understand from the locals a bit loaded with log trucks during the week. Given the general lack of shoulder I can only imagine the fun. Beautiful scenery, one moderatly ugly climb and then a screaming downhill into Olney. From there to Astoria, and over the Astoria bridge and back into WA. I wish there was just a bit more shoulder on the bridge, there's no doubt the views are spectacular, but it's not a stretch of road you can do a lot of sightseeing on. Keep a straight line and watch your mirror for rental RV's. For the most part people are really good with bicycles, they either swing wide or wait, and I always try to give a thank you wave in either case.

Once on the WA side another 10 miles or so to Ilwaco where I met up with this year's Big Ride Pacific Coast group. Had a nice visit with David VanDoorne and Alan Fitton (ride director and wrench, and friends from 2004 Big Ride).
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On the Road

Half way through the day today, time for breakfast in Scappoose, Oregon. So far, so good on the riding. Fully loaded is definately a change. Oh sure, some might think it wise to try a short test ride with 40 pounds of crap strapped on. BAH! I say.

Tour de Furlough

The company I work for recently took a revenue hit, and to make ends meet has instructed employees to take two weeks of ‘vacation’ before the end of the year. So I’ve decided to load up the bike and hit the road next week, heading from Vancouver out to Ilwaco to see the BR Pacific Coast group, then continue up to Anacortes and ride Trek Tri-Island 9/20-9/22.

First, if anyone wants to come out and ride a portion of Tour de Furlough with me, I’d love the company. I’ll post a more complete route, but in general here’s where I’ll be:

9/13 – Big Eddy Park, Veronia, Or.
9/14 – Ilwaco (Cape Disappointment SP)
9/15 – Raymond
9/16 – Shelton
9/17 – Kitsap Memorial SP
9/18 – Fort Ebey SP
9/19 – Anacortes

Item two. If you’re looking for a tax deduction, I’d be happy to assist by taking a donation to the Trek Tri-Island ride. http://donate.brianrides.com/ Of course it’s not too late to sign up for Trek yourself, I understand the road crew this year will be first rate (now can I get a ride back from Anacortes, Scott?).

Thanks, and I hope to see some of you out on the road next week.