VANCOMEX: 09/07/12

Friday, 7 September 2012

7th September - Anacortes to Silverdale

Should we really be drinking 4 pints of IPA ahead of an 85 mile day?!

Left Anacortes at 8.30am. Easy cycliung to Deception Pass bridge - wonderful view points. Chris punctured at Whitbey naval airbase while watching a naval aicraft takeoff!! Cycled on to more wonderful views of West beach looking out to San Juan Islands and then 3kms from ferry Chris punctured again ! Arrived just in time for 30 minute ferry ride to Port Townsend. Nice off road cycling for a few miles then very lumpy ride to Hood canal bridge (including another puncture for Maurice) and on to end point of Silverdale. More kms today and bigger climbs (see stats page)

Well done to Tom for more excellent navigation - putting pressure on other riders for later in the tour. Once again several people stopped to offer help and encouragement during our journey - not sure this would happen in the UK.

Great weather today - unbroken sunshine for whole day - temperatures in mid seventies.

Met up with Dan and his partner at our dinner venue. They cycled Oregan on a tandem. We shared a few cycle stories with them.

Another great day - a few pictures below capture the day.

Aditions from Mr Rowe: There were several candidates for TWIT of the day award. After careful consideration Maurice and Tim were the main contenders. However, Maurice got the vote for cycling past turning and admitting he had the latest Garmin but no instructions - so he and it were useless at navigation. Maurice was also awarded 'Outstanding Cycling' as he had an operation on his knee four weeks ago but today survived manfully a tough ride of 83 miles and climbimg over 4400 feet.

Tomorrow we will publish pictures of the Bradley Wiggins sideburn competition - Chris is looking the best - but time will tell!!

Keep pushing boys - another big climb

Keep the peleton moving

Park to the left as you board the boat you bikers

Chris punctured at naval base Whidbey

Offroad after ferry at Port Townsend

View of Hood Canal bridge

The team on Hood Canal bridge

Dan and partner who we met up with after dinner. They cycled Oregon on a tandem!

Tom feeling very small after losing 'kitty'

Islands Inn - our stay on 6th September

View of Pass lake

Our wonderful waitress - Erin - at Silverdale

Deception pass view

6th September - Vancouver to Anacortes

Repacked trailer and drove to Canadian / US border – took an age to get through. Picked up Scott, our driver, who stayed in US overnight and then started the ride at 1.45pm after a good lunch.

Tom took on the role of navigator for the day and did a great job – only got lost once during the day which cost us about 5 miles. Good job Tom.

Great riding rolling along road surfaces we can only dream of in the UK. Went through towns of Blaine and Bellingham and then followed two bays (Bellingham and Samish) with magnificent views of the San Juan Islands. Met up with a local guy who rode with for a few miles and helped us through Bellingham.

After our late start we pushed on hard for 108kms with only a couple of quick brief stops. Ended up finishing at 7.30pm and headed straight to the bar for a beer and then out for dinner and some tasty local fish.

WOW – a great 1^st day.

Additional note from Brian Rowe: Whilst at border control Chris was excited to spot another group cycling from Canada to Mexico. They had a similar trailor to ours. He was disappointed when Brian pointed out it was in fact our van which he had spent the last two hours riding in. After lunch and a final check of bikes we set off. Within less than 10 yards of cycling Chris fell off his bike. Only damage to his pride!! These events won him TWIT of the day award – well deserved.