Day 5 - 11 June Wednesday, Mazama, WA - Twisp, WA (25 Miles)

     Today was meant to be a rest day.  I needed the rest as well as take care of few things like laundry, visit the Post Office and the Bike Shop.  I had a leasurly breakfast at the Country Inn before I hit the road around 10:30.  I stopped in Winthrop at Methow Cycle because my rear break started making a clicking noise at high speeds (up to 35 mph) coming down the pass...that's scary going that fast with limited brakes.  He put my bike up on the rack and found a spur on my rim...something I must have picked up while using the brakes.  He was able to remove it...very friendly people.  He also gave me an alternative route to Twisp that had less traffic as well as hotel and restaurant recommendation.  When I got to Twisp I went to the Post Office to send a few items home that I can live without.  I checked into the Idle-A-While Motel in Twisp.  Tomorrow my plan is to ride to Omak, WA.

     In an earlier post I mentioned that the local newspaper was doing an article on my ride and I would put a link on the blog.  Well it turns out you need to be a subscriber to read the online article.  So Jared sent me a picture of the article below.

                                                     The Bike Shop that helped me out.

                 On the way to Twisp I passed the Smoke Jumpers Base, the first.

                                                    Methow River

             In the parking lot of the hotel I'm staying at in Twisp...there are deer all over.

Day 4 - 10 June Tuesday, Diablo, WA - Mazama, WA (51 Miles)

     Wow what a couple of days!  Today was the toughest.  I spent 13 hours on the bike, crossed two passes that had me climb more than 5000 ft, and was rained on for 4 hours.  I know that I am carrying too much weight and am considering send some things home tomorrow.  At some of the steepest areas I was stopping every tenth of a mile to rest.  I haven't had services in the last 70 miles.  Tonight I was able to get a room at the Country Inn in Mazama.  keeping this short because I need some sleep.

                                                            Diablo Lake

                                                          Much snow!

                                                    Shared the road with these guys

Day 3 - 9 June, Monday - Concrete, WA - Diablo, WA (46 Miles)

     Today's route took me off the grid.  I didnt realize that I wouldn't have cell service.  I feel really disconected.  The ride today was beautiful but tough...the steep climbs were testing.  I am camping right on Diablo Lake...really nice campground but no showers.

                                                 Cascade Hwy

                                                           Gorge Lake

                                                         Bike Friendly Tunnel

                                               Colonial Creek Campground

Day 2 - 8 June, Sunday Mt Vernon, WA - Concrete, WA (35 Miles)

     Today I planned for a shorter day.  Yesterday I spent too many hours on the bike.  The ride was nice .  The weather was a little cooler than yesterday but very comfortable for biking.  I followed the Skagit River for most of the ride.  The Skagit River is very wide and a lot of water is moving with a pretty good current.

     The campground that I stopped at is called Eagle Nest Motel and RV Campground.  When I checked in for a campsite the manager said that the facilities were out of order so he would give me a room key to use the restroom and shower.  Not bad for $10....I am camping right on the Skagit River.  They have a gazebo to put my bike under in case of rain and a fire pit with wood.  The forcast does say a chance of rain tonight.

                               Break for a Protein Bar next to the Skagit River

                                                               It is Sunday

Day 1 - 7 June, Saturday Everett, WA - Mt. Vernon, WA (64 Miles)

     The excitement of day 1 was soon diminissed when I went to pick my bike up and found out the it was damaged during shipment.  It was my fault, when I took the handlebars off I didn't prepare the headset properly and it damaged the bearings.  Jason at Tim's Bike Shop was great and replaced it for me.  I was able to get the bike packed and hit the road by 10am. 

     The other problem that I had was that I needed propane fuel for my Jetboil stove (like I need more weight).  This stove is meant more for emergencies.  So I found out that I would have to take a 15 mile detour in order to get the fuel at Cabela's, a huge outdoor store.  I wish I had more time to look through the store, I could have spend a few hours there.

     Most of the day I was on the Centennial Trail.  This is a really nice trail that keeps you off of the roads.  It was a beautiful day and there were a lot of people biking, jogging and walking on the trail but know one caring as much weight as I was.

     My plan for tonight was to camp but I couldn't find a campground so I'm at a Day's Inn.  Probably a good idea for my first day that ended up riding more miles than planned.

                                         Fully Loaded Bike

                                             Stillaguamish River

                                                   Cenntenial Trail Bridge over Stillaguamish River

T-1 Day - 6 June, Friday Everett, WA

     I flew to Seattle today and am staying just north of Seattle near Tim's bike shop where I shipped my bike to.  The owner Jay agreed to meet me there tomorrow morning at 8am.  He should have my bike assembled and ready to go.  I will take my bike back to the hotel to pack up and then hit the road.

     Tomorrow the article in the Ventura County Star is scheduled to run.  I will try to put a link in tomorrow's post.  Also some very generous people have started donating to Brain Injury Center....Thank you very much for your generosity.

T-1 Week - Final Preps

     Well one week from the start of my trip and everything is coming together.  I shipped my bike to a bike shop just north of Seattle on Tuesday.  They will assemble it and have it ready for me to pick up next Saturday.  My final packing will be done this week and I fly to Seattle on Friday.
     The organization I am dedicating my ride to, Brain Injury Center (BIC), has contacted the Ventura County Star a local newspaper.  They will be doing a small article on my trip this week.  To find out more about BIC go to my about tab and to donate click the button on the right.