On the Road... with Phil
June 23, 2007 DCA-SEA I and my bike arrive intact and almost ready to roll. My friend and fellow rider Brian O'Sullivan picked me up at the airport and we proceeded to assemble my rig and get out for a spin in some secluded hills above I-5 Freeway. Found some fresh dungeness crab, sourdough bread and Sauvignon Blanc for a "last meal".
June 24, 2007 Seattle - We did some last day shopping at REI for gear and then all of the Big Riders assembled at a supporter's home in Redmond to meet one another and to receive last minute instructions. We then feasted on lasagna,
spaghetti, and red wine to fortify us for the coming trek.
June 25, 2007 Seattle to Easton (78 miles) - We assembled at 6:30 in the morning to gather our last blessing and then to hit the road...and oh what a winding road it was to get out of Seattle and onto I-90 Freeway. One might call it a C.F. with several groups riding "bonus miles" because of confusion on directions. But after an hour we were on our way and climbing out of Seattle. The road that day was the worst I have ever experienced. We had to us the freeway to get over the mountain; unfortunately every semi-tractor trailer decided it was the right day to travel as well.
The wide shoulder was often cluttered with debris or simply obliterated by planned paving upgrades. But we made it with some "quiet time" peaceful climbs that were Alp d'Huez (Tour de France) like in their difficulty. This is where I learned the Cascades Crawl...just keep pedaling...a 7, 6, 5 or 4 mph...but just keep moving. Coming to the campground that afternoon was last bit of highway revenge as someone had dropped a load of metal on the side of the road, which proceeded to shred the tires of some riders. We are packing spares of tires, tubes and brake pads...but to need them on the first night?? That night we were hosted for dinner by last year's riders who regaled us with their feats and to wish us well. We camped by the side of the freeway seranaded by semis throughout night.
June 26, 2007 Easton to Vantage (71 miles) - This was a very interesting 70+ mile ride with twists and turns through forested lands and then into the drier country of eastern Washington state. The size and beauty of the country was spectacular. I took a picture of one river scene that reminded me of southwest France where the War of the Roses was fought between France and England and where prehistoric peoples had inhabited the riverside in cliff dwellings. This was similar country but the castle towers guarding the river passage are replace with natural stone pillars and the cliff dwellings were replaced by rock outcroppings suitable for development. On we rode in small groups or solo to come across wind farm developments. It was a logical spot for the wind farms as we made a 10+ mile climb on a steady grade into strong headwinds...It was here that I discovered the strength of my bike as I was able to keep up the steady "Cascades Crawl" with the benefit of my gearing.. My rig is a modified cyclocross bike Axis by Bianchi. I had switched out the mountain bike rear cassette for a road cassette (more speed, less spinning). The chain rings on the bike are the original 48-38-28 tooth; smaller than the road bikes (so less top end speed). But on this long, steady, windy climb it was running spectacularly. We arrived at Vantage, WA... When I asked the clerk at the convenience store what lake or reservoir this was, she informed me that this was the Columbia River... O0ps!... More to come on this and it's impacts downstream and upstream.
June 27, 2007 Vantage to Odessa (81 miles) - Climbing out of Vantage we rose 900 feet and immediately one of the team had a flat. It was good to be able to help. On we rode on some pretty flat, straight and hot roads....a time for thinking "big thoughts" as you travelled within yourself...that is until the BIG labrador came charging out of the farm house yard to try to take me down as though I were some buffalo lumbering by. I immediately "came to"...starting spinning like a bat out of hell and bellowed back at the bored canine. He peeled off, no doubt looking for his next victim and I came back to a regular cadence in my pedaling and heart rate. The road was so flat that it was good to find dips and climbs and to stop to help folks...Another member had his tire disintegrate from running over a metal scrap. Just by chance I had backed a spare tire that morning and was able to give it to him and we all took off together...dreaming of cool drinks and hot showers. We ended the day in Odessa, WA at the one and only high school..graduating class of 20 students last year. We were welcomed by the community who fed us dinner and breakfast in the School cafeteria. I was genuinely moved by the kindness and generosity of the people. After dinner we walked downtown to The Chief's bar and restaurant. Chief is a 25yr Navy vet who has been operating the bar for almost a year. The town is declining in numbers, but there is the "promise" of a bio-diesel fuel be constructed there. Chief had a great micro brew from Odessa...Cream Copper Ale..Stop in next time you pass through!
June 28, 2007 Odessa to Spokane (74 miles) - Wonderful tail winds
today and I rode with the greyhounds of the pack for much of the day!..It is so interesting to observe and be a part of the dynamic of this team. As I told some of the riders, this is much like boot camp, but without the D.I. So many of differing abilities and capabilities coming together for one purpose. It has been an interesting time to help others..whether it is to fix flats or pitch tents.. and it is good to learn techniques and strategies to survive. While I rode like the wind today, my rear tire picked up a roofing tack/nail and stopped me 20 miles out of Spokane... not to worry, with previous training I was able to switch out the inner tube in a matter of minutes and be on my way. This part of the country is known as the Pelouse (sp?), which in French mean lawn. I am guessing it is so named because of all the grain growing. Arrive at Gonzaga College at 1:30PM...Bing Crosby is their star graduate...guess things are slow here. But the Zags do have a fine basketball program and since my oldest son graduated from Gonzaga HS in the District and went on to Loyola in N.O., I have a soft spot for this college.
June 29, 2007 Rest Day in Spokane (0 miles) - Sleeping in til 5:30...and somehow wishing we were back on the road... But I got over it to let my muscles rest, to clean up my rig for the next week and to kick back with members as we take it easy...David's gourmet pizza calls(!)
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Week One: Seattle to Spokane
