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.   



Packed up and ready to go




Caught my eye and made me smile!




At US border - happy bunch!




Our trailer and landdrover



Lets get pedelling!

On the road - with Mount Baker in the background

The guy we met up with on route - commerical fishermn who rode with us through Bellingham.

Views across Bellingham Bay to San Juan Islands

Only 1 puncture for the day - but not on one of the bikes!

A family we passed who are travelling through Washington

An off road path round Samish Bay

Dinner at a local fish restaurant

A few more pre cycle photos



Dinner with Maurice, Margarita and Brittany.




Maurice's house in Santa Fe

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The Californian state bird - Brown Pelican. Diving for dinner

Get off the rail track - there's a bloody train coming!

Pre 1st day ride pint (or two!)

Brian found a new friend

The dog looks happy, so does Brian. This is Princess one of Maurice's daughters dogs1

Change of plan for Day 1 !

Well we said it was an adventure! We were on the way to San Diego airport yesterday and Maurice picks upa 5 minute phone message from our driver Scott who had problems entering Canada. So we're in Canada but our landrover and trailor are in the states ! So we taxi from Vancouver airport to hotel and Maurice goes to border to get the landrover and trailor!

Team meeting last night concluded that we will drive out of Vancouver closer to the border and start our journey from there. That way we will miss the Vancouver rush hour and get the car back to Scott who stayed in the states last night.

Interesting start! Anyway, it's 6am here and we are just packing up before breakfast and head off in an hour.

We're here!

Travel plan perfect - met at LAX airport in LA by Maurice and spent the night at their magnificent house in Santa Fe. (near San Diego). Great meal out in a local Pizza restaurant with local micro brewery beer - 4000 calories each consumed - good training for the ride!! Now poolside while Maurice is at work - life is tough! Best to make the best of it before the ride I guess.

Ready to go!

Well that's it. Bike in the box, bag packed, routes mapped. Just 3000kms to ride now! Thanks to everyone for their donations to our charities - this has really encouraged us as we have prepared for this challenge and will help ease any discomfort in the rear on the way down. Loving the bike box!!

Good weekend of training helped by the weather. Good 65km ride Saturday on my own and then 96km on Sunday with big Cog and Nick. Very lumpy ride into East Sussex.