Yesterday the it was decided that our planned route from Port Angeles to Port Townsend had a dicey section in it and either had to shuttle the riders through a mountain pass or add additional miles to go around the pass and add extra miles. The alternate bypass route requires about 8 additional miles.
Some of the riders selected the shuttle option and five of us chose the alternate bypass route.
We woke up in Victoria BC today, a beautiful city where a classic car show is in town. Just so many restored cars, mostly Fords were running around town. I created a photo album just for these cars.
Today's ride started in Port Angeles and we took a ferry from Victoria BC to Port Angeles, boarding at 10 AM. The transit took about 90 minutes and by the time we arrived at Port Angeles, cleared customs and mounted the bikes it was close to 12:30 PM. We advised riders to snack on the ferry because the lunch stops was moved to the 25 mile mark meaning that most riders would be arriving at lunch in the 2:30 to 3 PM time frame. The late start also meant the the riders with the new 61 mile route would have to keep the pace up to make it to Port Townsend in time for dinner.
We did have a powerful plus in our favor today, As you can see in the forecast below, for most of the trip we would have the wind to our backs for most of the trip with some head winds toward the end. The pace was set primarily by Warner. At one point of the trip, before lunch, he was setting a 20 MPH pace. With the 4 of us hanging just hoping to not drop off the back. It was a ball.
Lunch had been moved to about 25 miles into the ride at the same John Wayne Marina that we had lunch on the outbound Port Townsend to Port Angeles trip a few days ago. The lunch was brief as we were looking at the clock. There were many more miles to go and we wanted to get to Port Townsend in time to check into the hotel and shower up in time for dinner. We had to keep moving.
With the time crunch on, we were able to maintain our energy levels, drinking water and eating snacks on the move. We even passed up an opportunity to stop for ice cream!!
The miles flew past. by the 50 mile mark, we had climbed the high point of the day and on the descent. About 12 mile to go and we were on the home stretch. We were very fortunate that the temperature had remained cool for the entire trip, high 50's in the morning (requiring jackets) and now in the later afternoon it was in the low 60's. Temperature is critical in an endeavor like this. When it's too hot, it just draws the energy out of you.
As you get closer to town, you start counting down the miles. We're still keeping the pace up and the signs start to indicate that Port Townsend is drawing closer 12 miles, 8 miles and finally 4 miles. You look at the time on the GPS computer and you realize that you may make it to the hotel by 6 PM.
A couple more traffic circles and one or two traffic light and you spot the marina just south of the hotel and then you make the final turn on the street leading to the hotel. You're there! Check in, have a beer in the lobby, drag your bags to your room and take a shower.
It was a great day to be alive. Not many photos today, we were too busy moving.
Brian
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