One of the things about staying in RV Parks is that people tend to let you do your own thing. Maybe they think we are nuts...they could be right...that's okay with me!
We were on the road at 7:55. After 3.5 kilometers we found a Starbucks. They have good Wi Fi so we were able to post yesterday's blog and clean up our email. As we were leaving a couple from Eugene Oregon approached us. They were on their way home from Alaska...no they were not on bicycles...but they had tour cycled in the past. It was close to 9:00 and we were still on the edge of Centralia (the wrong edge).
The ACA route through town took us on quite a trail. We saw lots of town...not all good. Eventually we rode out of town and the first major climb of the day began. It was over 3 kilometers long...and we never walked! Climb 2 of the day saw us walk a steep section and climb number 3 saw us practice pushing the bikes again but only for about 100 meters. This is just the warm up for what is to come!
I have not mentioned the rain yet! This was the heaviest rainfall that we have had on this trip. Not only that but it never let up once it started. It was only 11 degrees. We were hot when climbing, cold while descending, and wet all the time.
One of the interesting things that seems to happen to us while 'touring' is that when conditions are bad something positive always seems to happen. Today's positive was that at lunchtime we came upon a State Park Picnic Area when it was raining heavily. The picnic area had a shelter that saved us from a standing on the side of the road lunch. We also got to ride through an old growth forest today in the Lewis and Clark State Park. They were bigger trees than we have ever seen before but we were unable to take pictures as it was pouring rain at the time.
We are in the Timberland Inn and Suites in Castle Rock. We have the room in a 'bit of a mess' with everything hanging to dry including the tent fly.
Trip Distance = 75.49 km. Time on the Bikes = 5 hours. Average Speed = 15.10 km. Maximum Speed = 60.07 km. ((The downhill had a sign that said 16 % grade...we do not ever remember one this steep.) Wildlife Sightings = Great Blue Herons, Stellar Jays, Western Juncos, Canada Geese Look A likes (Identification to come later).
P.S. Despite the negatives today it was actually not a bad ride!
Interstate 5 over the Cowlitz River.
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