June 19th – Rockport to Mazama, WA
June 19th Statistics – Rockport to Mazma: Distance – 78.8 miles; Average speed – 10.2 mph; Beginning elevation – 222 feet; Ending elevation – 1,957 feet; Total ascent – 6,578 feet.
Today’s highlights: Easily (but not quickly) completing the hardest day of biking for the entire tour!!!!; Little traffic and wide shoulders on route; Sunshine at 1 pm for the rest of the day; Magnificent Cascade Mountain views (see today’s photo post); A 17 mile downhill (5%-7% grade) at the end of today’s route – going 30+ mph for 30 minutes was a rush (I am not going to share my maximum speed for fear of giving Nancy a heart attack); Arriving at the Mazama Country Inn with energy to spare; Burning up 6,500 calories; Relishing the 38 lbs I lost and did not have to carry up the mountain; A long hot shower and dry clothes at the end of the day. Not a highlight: 47 degrees, overcast, and misty to begin the ride at 8 am; being wet, cold and sweaty for 4 hours, sweaty for 4, and freezing for 30 minutes as I plummeted 17 miles down from Washington Pass; a 40 mile climb so I could do the 17 mile downhill.
June 18th Photos
June 18th – Anacortes to Rockport, WA
The beginning – see photo (note the yellow rain botties).
June 18th Statistics – Anacortes to Rockport: Distance – 74.2 miles; Average speed – 14.1 mph; Beginning elevation – 0 feet; Ending elevation – 222 feet; Total ascent – 1,888 feet.
Today’s highlights: Mile views of the mud flats at low tide on Padilla Bay; 30 miles of scenic views biking along the Skagit River without traffic; a record speed for me for the miles and ascent; a 16 oz buffalo burger at the Rockport Buffalo Inn (surprisingly ,I did not order the Rocky Mountain Buffalo Oysters). Not a highlight: Overcast all day; rain for last 10 mile climb; cold and wet biking.