Seattle > Capitol State Forest: 103 Miles
(UPDATED 7.15.13)
Map Revision: Seattle > Fire District Six, Station Four: 89.30 Miles
(Revised map below the break)
(Revised map below the break)
Actual Distance Ridden (due to detours, getting lost or otherwise):
Total Ride Time (not including stops, photo ops, etc.):
Average Speed:
Let's see, I guess I'll start with the map revision. It got dark, I got cold, and I had gone almost 100miles. The original destination was maybe 10-15 miles farther, but given the fact that it was 1:30am by that point and had just passed by a fire station, I debated for a grand total of about 17 seconds as to whether or not I should just call it quits there. I did.
The logic was that I knew someone would be around all night "just in case," I didn't want to get lost in the middle of a giant state park at 3am and really, I just stopped. I buzzed the intercom, asked if I could stay, and after getting an affirmative, I did. I pitched my tent, cooked a 4-serving box of Velveeta Mac and cheese (you know, the shell kind), ate it all, and slept like a new born baby. By that I mean, I slept very fitfully, tossing and turning all night. I didn't actually cry mind you. I was just freezing cold, damp from sweat, and sticking to myself from dirt and more non-dried sweat.
The biggest reason it was so late by the time I arrived there was that the route Google planned for me out of Seattle was so serpentine and twisty that I made way less progress than I had accounted for. I also left Harrison's apartment after 2pm, but we don't need to talk about that... actually we will because it may have more major implications later on. I hope not. *knocks on wood*
When I woke up on the morning I was leaving Seattle, I took out my retainer that I haven't worn in several months (read a tight fit) and WHOA, a piece of what I thought was tooth filling came out with it. Turns out, it was a piece of actual molar! Yikes! I needed to get some provisions at Safeway and suddenly needed to add temporary tooth-filler to the list. What a way to start. Jeez.
Returning back to the following morning... I was then woken up by practice drills and sirens around 7am. I did think about Thad and Thad's dad who was a firefighter, but that's about it. I finally got up because my tent had turned into a hotbox due to the sun and I was sweating again. I found the nearest shade, ate an apple with way too much peanut better (if there is such a thing) and a Grab the Gold bar and plotted my route for the day. I VERY slowly packed up and finally started rolling out around 11am feeling unrested and grumpy.
Things learned from this day:
- 94.45mi
Total Ride Time (not including stops, photo ops, etc.):
- 8 hours, 4 mins
Average Speed:
- 11.6mph
Let's see, I guess I'll start with the map revision. It got dark, I got cold, and I had gone almost 100miles. The original destination was maybe 10-15 miles farther, but given the fact that it was 1:30am by that point and had just passed by a fire station, I debated for a grand total of about 17 seconds as to whether or not I should just call it quits there. I did.
The logic was that I knew someone would be around all night "just in case," I didn't want to get lost in the middle of a giant state park at 3am and really, I just stopped. I buzzed the intercom, asked if I could stay, and after getting an affirmative, I did. I pitched my tent, cooked a 4-serving box of Velveeta Mac and cheese (you know, the shell kind), ate it all, and slept like a new born baby. By that I mean, I slept very fitfully, tossing and turning all night. I didn't actually cry mind you. I was just freezing cold, damp from sweat, and sticking to myself from dirt and more non-dried sweat.
The biggest reason it was so late by the time I arrived there was that the route Google planned for me out of Seattle was so serpentine and twisty that I made way less progress than I had accounted for. I also left Harrison's apartment after 2pm, but we don't need to talk about that... actually we will because it may have more major implications later on. I hope not. *knocks on wood*
When I woke up on the morning I was leaving Seattle, I took out my retainer that I haven't worn in several months (read a tight fit) and WHOA, a piece of what I thought was tooth filling came out with it. Turns out, it was a piece of actual molar! Yikes! I needed to get some provisions at Safeway and suddenly needed to add temporary tooth-filler to the list. What a way to start. Jeez.
Returning back to the following morning... I was then woken up by practice drills and sirens around 7am. I did think about Thad and Thad's dad who was a firefighter, but that's about it. I finally got up because my tent had turned into a hotbox due to the sun and I was sweating again. I found the nearest shade, ate an apple with way too much peanut better (if there is such a thing) and a Grab the Gold bar and plotted my route for the day. I VERY slowly packed up and finally started rolling out around 11am feeling unrested and grumpy.
Things learned from this day:
- Be wary of Google's suggestions of "bike" routes. They may be great bike paths, but that means there's very little emphasis on the effectiveness of getting you from point-A to point-B in any amount of reasonable time.
- Don't ride through small towns during the wee hours of the morn on a Saturday night. There is all number of hooligans doing stupid stuff, namely in cars after drinks may or may not have been involved.
- The clasps of my tent work as clothes pegs when the tent is set up.
- Get food to go in tin foil if possible. According to Scott McConnell, you can simply reheat it from the sun when you want! Still need to try this.
- Actually search for fire stations or police stations if no campsites are within a reasonable distance.
A little video commentary on the day re. my bike and my tooth.
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