Week 1 plus 1 day:
Map 1 has 15 segments. We stopped in Newport, Washington on the Idaho border – there is one more segment in Map 1 that takes me to Sandpoint, ID. I have cycled 431 miles of the course. With off course miles, city rides and locating my wife in towns my total is 503 miles.
As I previously posted, it has been frustrating not having cell phone access with t-mobile. Others have been okay with Verizon and AT&T. I have not had 4G service since leaving the Seattle area. I may have to stop at libraries to upload some photos. With Internet access at the motel tonight I can catch up. Enjoy the photo gallery of the first week below.
Three days of climbing passes has been a hard workout. I took advantage of the low gearing on my bike. The front small chain ring has 26 teeth that can be used with a 34 tooth cog on the rear. I was riding about 5 mph on the long climbs. Sometimes the speed was lower.
Today started with a downhill. I had rolling hills and a head wind much of the day. I averaged 12.5 mph which is the best I have managed since leaving the coast area.
On the plus side, the descents from Washington Pass and Sherman Pass are the longest downhills I have ever enjoyed. Each of theses was about 7 miles. Speeds were in the upper 20s to just over 40 mph. The heavy touring tires and the handlebar bag probably keep the speed down.
Marty
Great job!
I’m praying that it gets easier for you now. (Headwinds? -Bad. – Bad wind.)
Thanks for posting the pictures. If you ride by a Verizon store, you might want to check out their prepaid plans. $20 phone, pay by the minute, no contract.
Keep spinning.
Jacques Audet
I posted this on a different post cause I am not really that familiar with blogs all that much but I will post it here so you can read it 🙂
Hi there,
I spoke to you briefly today when I was picking up my paycheck from Taco Bell. You had your touring bike outside and I noticed it cause I as of 3 days ago decided that I was going to train for a tour to Seattle this year and then next year I plan to do a solo Tour to Texas and back. I am still debating on to ride back or fly back. It will depend on what my budget comes to I guess in the end.
I wanted to let you know that meeting you and seeing you do this has became more of an inspiration to me to go on my own tour at the first chance that my training, money, and bike is ready for it.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey and I will be looking at your blog often to keep a look at your amazing progress!
Thanks again for the information you provided to me and I hope you have safe travels on your journey!
Your Follower
Jacques Audet
Shular
It was good to talk to you. Your enthusiasm and training will be valuable as you start your tour. I am glad you are inspired.