Last night we had an enjoyable dinner in Toby's Tavern, a business that has been in existence for more than 100 years. It was on the waterfront and literally hangs out over the water. It was full of memorabilia and served its own beer, not bad by our standards, realizing we had a long day and were thirsty and hungry for 'pub grub'.
After enjoying our continental breakfast (and I might add we did it justice) at the Inn, we were on the road by 8:20 in full rain gear. It was raining heavily. Yes Day 4 and 3 days of rain! The first couple of hours were miserable . It was too cold to go without rain jackets and too warm to have them on. That might have had something to do with the up hills and the down hills we faced. More on that later.
After about 45 minutes we jumped on to the Coupeville/Port Townsend Ferry for our escape from Whidbey Island. This was the flattest part of the ride today...hands down!
Now for the rant...We have been following the American Cycling Association's Pacific Coast maps. Last night we received an e-mail from friends who are presently cycling in the US who have similar concerns about the routes that this organization puts together. Whoever designs the routes must love to climb or as our friends put it they must think the most direct route is 'too busy' and the secondary route is less travelled. However, the secondary roads are hilly, curvy (not sure if that is a word), shoulderless (not sure if that is a word) at times. Today's route was neither scenic, nor was it shorter. We suspect that the State Highway was flatter and we know that the ride would have been a heck of a lot shorter. There are a couple of more concerns about the maps that I am sure I will return to another day!
As we struggled along today, resting, walking (we were practicing our 'speed pushing'), and map reading, we were approached several times and asked if we needed help...realistically if they were not psychiatrists they probably could not have helped us...but it was nice just the same. While stopped in Port Townsend an employee of a Creamery came out enquiring about our adventure and gave us a 'wheel' of cheese. We promptly devoured it with lunch.
We are set up in Kitsap Memorial State Park which is located 30 to 35 kms. from Bremerton. We are by ourselves in the Hiker/Biker section of the park and are presently cooking dinner in the picnic shelter area as it is threatening rain...again. Bonus...I do not think there are any trains that can bother us tonight.
Trip Distance = 56.96 km. Time on the Bikes = 4 hours 14 minutes. Average Speed = 13.43 km (that will tell you something about today's ride). Maximum Speed = 48.56 km. Wildlife Sightings = Horned Larks, Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese, Western Juncos, 5 raccoons on the street in Coupville.
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