tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:/feedTwo wheels to conquer the world2019-10-01T00:04:45-07:00Daniel Perryhttps://danelmanperry.svbtle.comSvbtle.comtag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/XWA2019-10-01T00:04:45-07:002019-10-01T00:04:45-07:00Cross Washington Mountain Bike Route: aka gateway drugs PB Troy<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qSfHmGTEfh1PcBGssSFs8Z0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qSfHmGTEfh1PcBGssSFs8Z0xspap_small.jpg" alt="xwa 2.jpg"></a><br>
(PB means presented by)</p>
<p>Well this is embarrassing.</p>
<p>This ride happened the third week of May and I’m hoping to “publish” this as September ends. It just seemed like such a monumental task each time I thought about sitting down to write something. I lost track of the hours spent writing, and maybe that’s for the best, but here it is nonetheless! </p>
<p>I hope you enjoy!</p>
<p>It is long enough I broke it into more easily digestible chunks. I really hope it isn’t too long; I wanted to capture all the detail at the risk of losing a few people. Feel free to read a section at a time, when you have a free weekend, with a cup of your favorite beverage!</p>
<p>Here is an index for simpler navigation:</p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/xwa-getting-there/">Getting There</a></p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-one/">Day One: Sleepless Toward Seattle</a></p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-two/">Day Two: Navigationally Challenged in the Rain</a></p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-three/">Day Three: Surviving the Colockum</a></p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-four/">Day Four: Gaining Ritzville</a></p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-five/">Day Five: Riding with Thomas and the Finish Line!</a></p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/aharon/">Aharon’s Epic Finish</a></p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/xwa-gear-list/">Gear List - woefully unfinished, I’ll get back to this, I promise</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/xwa-getting-there2019-10-01T00:04:29-07:002019-10-01T00:04:29-07:00XWA: Getting There<p>This story really begins back in June 2017. Four friends met to celebrate a successful double <a href="https://everesting.cc/hells500/">Everesting;</a> something that had stretched each of us. Ben H greeted us by throwing the RAAM (Race Across AMerica) rulebook on the table in front of us. He was only half joking. We talked about many things that evening and I left with a deepened sense of awe for my riding buddies. I also left with a vague notion. RAAM was big; too big. The intensity was so beyond my comprehension; it intimidated me to think about someday doing such a ride. I built myself a mental list of stepping-stones to make it more palatable. The list has been adjusted over time but eventually I settled on this order of completion:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://crosswashington.weebly.com/">Cross Washington Mountain Bike Route (XWA)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://tourdivide.org/">Tour Divide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://transambikerace.com/">Trans Am</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/">RAAM</a></li>
<li>Something across international borders; such as <a href="https://www.transcontinental.cc/">Transcontinental</a> or <a href="https://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/">Indian Pacific Wheel Race</a>
</li>
</ul>
<p>“So, I didn’t click on the link above and read Troy’s (XWA route creator) whole webpage; what IS this XWA after all?” <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29996580">It’s a 700 mile mostly unpaved bicycle route across the state of Washington.</a> It starts at the Pacific Ocean in the small town of La Push and heads east until it hits the Idaho border, followed by a few fun frolicking miles into the closest town of Tekoa. The Grand Depart occurs in May to avoid both the start of tourist season on the Olympic Peninsula and the summer heat on the eastside of the Cascade mountains. The ride is unsupported, which can mean different things to different people, but the idea is that you bring everything you’ll need with you and resupply along the way while taking advantage of nothing which isn’t available to everyone in the grand depart. If the route goes past your front door and you decide to sleep at home, you better be willing to leave the door (and fridge) unlocked for everyone else! </p>
<p>Oh yeah, did you notice the “unpaved” part? Yeah. Troy called it a mountain bike route for a reason; it isn’t just that it avoids pavement at all costs, but he got way creative. If you want to dip your toes in adventure, start at the Edmonds ferry terminal and load the route from there to <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/snoqualmie-valley">the Snoqualmie Valley Trail in Duvall</a>.</p>
<p>This was the third year of the grand depart. The route changes slightly each year for a number of reasons. Snow pack had this year taking a different, and much more entertaining, route from Ellensburg to Wenatchee. Troy also revamped the section I mentioned above from Edmonds. He seems to take a couple of trips each year to scout for new route options. Don’t be encouraged; this isn’t for your enjoyment or ease of passage. He really does want you to curse his name as frequently as possible, no other explanation will do. Another change for 2019 was a section of <a href="https://www.palousetocascadestrail.org/">the Palouse to Cascades trail, formerly known as the John Wayne Trail.</a> The section of trail between the towns of Warden and Lind is managed by the DNR and requires a permit for its use. The permit is free, but you need to submit a form well in advance of using it. A small challenge for this year was our overlapping usage of this section with a fantastic group of equestrians known as <a href="http://www.johnwaynetrailride.com/cross-state-ride-registration?fbclid=IwAR3VVQg2HpdB9pWQVXKwyd_vDDhtqqwj-S1ZIqUkU8pceJHnLyaMajkJUIA">the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders Association</a> who ride the trail each year to celebrate it’s history. Unfortunately the DNR was unwilling to issue permits for both our groups to use the trail simultaneously, so we were routed off this section of trail.</p>
<p>This isn’t actually a race. It isn’t even an event. It’s a route with a suggested “grand depart” date and some loose guidelines for safety and fair play. Of course, that’s all about legal responsibility and we were all cool with that. Another way to look at it is that we were all starting at the same place, at the same time, going to the same destination, and carrying satellite trackers which would appear with lots of fun data on a single webpage. So yeah, to most of us, it was a race! <br>
Some of the businesses in the destination <a href="http://www.tekoawa.com/">town of Tekoa</a> came together and offered a $15 coupon for each of the first 10 finishers. Game on! Fun fact, it’s pronounced “TEE-KOH;” otherwise someone may think you missed a turn on your way to Tacoma.</p>
<p>At some point in 2018 Troy reached out and invited me. It was too soon/I had other things I was focused on, but I joined the Facebook group and watched XWA 2018 play out in photos and ride reports, although I’m ashamed to say I never opened a dot watcher link. My loss!</p>
<p>Fast-forward to what must have been November 2018. One of my best friends Lois asked about my cycling goals for the upcoming year.<br>
me: <em>shrug</em><br>
Lo: you should do XWA! <br>
me: <em>retreats to a corner and orders all the gear</em></p>
<p>No, seriously. I hadn’t been camping without a car since I was a teenager in Boy Scouts so I had no equipment, let alone lightweight bikepacking gear. I proceeded to spend a small fortune on stuff I may or may not use, such as an ultralight compact stove and cook set I wouldn’t even bring on XWA.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/7kxuCfHPRssXBrFgFQmUyx0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/7kxuCfHPRssXBrFgFQmUyx0xspap_small.jpg" alt="stove.jpg"></a></p>
<p>I began to focus on endurance rides and especially gravel endurance rides, cutting out most activities which hinted at intensity. This included a Wednesday night group ride I very much enjoyed and would fight tooth-and-nail to be able to get out of work for and any road racing. Okay, I showed up for one road race because my license had auto-renewed and I felt I should get something out of it. I sat-in the entire race and got crashed out in the final sprint. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/cU9paaXrhFr9rtN8HXgDdF0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/cU9paaXrhFr9rtN8HXgDdF0xspap_small.jpg" alt="crash.jpg"></a><br>
(you may now pause and feel bad for me………………..… okay, back to the story). </p>
<p>I even skipped the only gravel race currently held in Washington State (Cascadia Super G). I tested new tires, I had a dynamo wheelset built to power a headlight and charge a battery (thanks David J!!), and I went on overnight test trips carrying everything with me.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/v8TTVHesTKSZ46QHqx2nLZ0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/v8TTVHesTKSZ46QHqx2nLZ0xspap_small.jpg" alt="everything.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Turns out this whole unsupported bikepacking thing was a lot of fun! </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/9KndiMBkpGx7S7syH7rA960xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/9KndiMBkpGx7S7syH7rA960xspap_small.jpg" alt="places.jpg"></a></p>
<p>I had a blast just testing my gear and plotting routes which took two days to complete.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ncsKkhQUmHxvjzcyaWHc1T0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ncsKkhQUmHxvjzcyaWHc1T0xspap_small.jpg" alt="places 2.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Eventually, XWA was only weeks away! Two of my best friends and riding buddies, Aharon E and Thomas B, had also decided to do the ride. We spent many hours chatting about gear choices, strategy, injuries, and nerves. I think this was incredibly helpful for each of us; mostly just to talk through some of the concerns we had and know there was someone else sharing the same thoughts. There was even a chat with Troy titled “a sensitive subject.” Yep, four grown-ass dudes discussing the strategies of ultra-endurance butt care; no big deal.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/se3KDfDD3Y5PnYxuDvg1YD0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/se3KDfDD3Y5PnYxuDvg1YD0xspap_small.jpg" alt="wipes.jpg"></a></p>
<p>As the day drew nearer, we each struggled in our own way. Thomas lost sleep, unable to quiet his mind over logistics and equipment risks. Aharon struggled to get any time in on the bike with injuries that just wouldn’t go away and a baby at home (way more important than bikes, just to be clear). I probably had it the easiest as I just felt physically underprepared. I found myself tapering early while at the same time struggling not to put in “one last huge training weekend” which I knew (and Lo reinforced) could not possibly help me this late in the game. With lots of snow during the winter, some low level illness, and the road race crash, I didn’t feel like I had really gained much fitness and my Strava “fitness and freshness” graph agreed; I had barely moved the needle all year! There were a lot of unknowns for me. I had done hard one day races like Dirty Kanza. I had done endurance rides of 48 hours plus without sleep. I had ridden back-to-back big days in the <a href="https://youtu.be/ijJ4Mmi0ykc">French Alps,</a> but this stood to offer all of that and more!</p>
<p>Spoiled by a couple weeks of nice weather, our gear choices and resilience had been softened a bit. The forecast called for rain and lots of it. We worried and second guessed gear choices. While doing a final packing test, I nearly stuffed my tent on the bike to see how much weight it would really add - “stop it! we’ve been through this a hundred times already, this is a race not a camping trip!” (I told myself).</p>
<p>Eventually you just run out of time to overthink and the day is upon you…<br>
We were fortunate enough to have convinced Troy to drive our sorry butts out to the start in La Push. He was going anyways and drives a van. We added 3 bike racks to his roof; “you’re responsible for reminding me there are bikes on the roof, I haven’t done this before!”<br>
We met Troy at Thomas’ house where Thomas was just finishing a rebuild of his bicycle including bottom bracket, wrenches still turning when we pulled up in the driveway. What could go wrong? Surprisingly, I don’t think anything did - better mechanic than I!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mmg63CLJdnh94fsHRvqxr50xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mmg63CLJdnh94fsHRvqxr50xspap_small.jpg" alt="van.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Bikes were loaded on the roof and gear tossed inside. Troy: “wow, you guys are going to carry all that?” Thomas took front seat to run questions by Troy. Beautiful day for a drive! Josh Kato, of Tour Divide legend, was starting the XWA route one day early and going for the course record as an individual time trial effort. We updated the <a href="http://trackleaders.com/xwa19">Trackleaders page</a> frequently throughout the drive; “where’s Josh now??” Based on the forecast, we decided Josh was the only smart one. We made good time with only two quick stops; warming up to fast food at Jack in the Box, and stopping in Port Angeles to confirm <a href="https://olympicdiscoverytrail.org/">the Olympic Discovery Trail</a> had reopened where there was a landslide - all clear!</p>
<p>Early to La Push, Thomas couldn’t help himself and unloaded his bike from the roof for a quick ride to the beach. The crazies (noun: <em>other cyclists dumb enough to do this</em>) started to arrive one by one until eventually it was time for the riders meeting and everyone gathered around the van in the parking lot. This was the first time we would get to see the competition; many of whom would become friends in the following days. What a random bunch! Troy gave his introductory talk, forgetting to introduce himself, and we mingled for awhile before heading for a resupply at the local store.</p>
<p>Then time to check into our Airbnb just up the road. Perfect location, although it took a bit to find the actual building without cell phone service or the host on site. Thomas convinced Troy to join us rather than camp on the beach. He may have regretted that offer when we started to assemble our bikes for the next day. Troy was only riding with us for a few feet since he had another endurance race starting the following week, so he had nothing better to do with this time than critique the three of us newbies on our gear choice and strategies. I don’t think he’s been that entertained in years! Poor Thomas had it the worst, adding and removing bags from his bike so many times we completely lost track of what he was planning to bring. The weather was looking better - we should only see rain for the first two days. I ditched a couple of items which probably affected my bike weight very little. Amongst these was a pocketknife; my last line of defense against the wild.<br>
We had dinner just a short walk away, where we were reminded how much the Twilight novels had impacted the local economy of Forks Washington.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dkuJqkshb5N458DhHkYMpy0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dkuJqkshb5N458DhHkYMpy0xspap_small.jpg" alt="vampire.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Aharon was carsick, I had a solid headache, and it was a good idea to sleep before something like this anyways, so we turned in relatively early.</p>
<p>Click the link for the next segment:<br>
<a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-one/">Day One: Sleepless Toward Seattle</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/day-one2019-10-01T00:04:18-07:002019-10-01T00:04:18-07:00Day One: Sleepless Toward Seattle<p>We awoke to steady rain.</p>
<p>The concept of riding in the rain had been one thing, putting on clothes to actually ride in the rain is another! How often do YOU leave the house while it is currently raining for a bicycle ride? Exactly. Breakfast was quiet. I failed at making coffee, we ran out of water pressure to take showers or flush the morning weight savings down the toilet, and you could just about cut the tension with a dull butter knife. I guess it’s go-time!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ao5GXavuaETMe9pNLDQ4U0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ao5GXavuaETMe9pNLDQ4U0xspap_small.jpg" alt="start 1.jpg"></a></p>
<p>We stepped out into the rain and threw our “drop bags” into Troy’s van. Everything we would wear and use outside of food and water refuels was now on our bikes; and they did not feel light. Well, Maybe Thomas’ bike did. We didn’t have a postal scale, but our planning told us his bike came out to around 25lbs while Aharon and I floated right around 46lbs.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/a5pxNGv38pDkHu3iwwavwP0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/a5pxNGv38pDkHu3iwwavwP0xspap_small.jpg" alt="start 2.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Troy drove off and we rode to the beach in the rain. We saw several cars go by with fat tired bikes strapped onboard. We laughed and joked, I suppose believing we were prepared for what Troy’s love child of a route was about to clobber us with.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vHaWenWVZSfziWYqroERbb0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vHaWenWVZSfziWYqroERbb0xspap_small.jpg" alt="beach 1.jpg"></a></p>
<p>The first challenge of XWA is getting to the water at First Beach in La Push. There isn’t really a path; the driftwood blockade is far too dynamic for that. You have to haul your loaded bike down to the water; before you can join the grand depart, either part of your body or your bike must touch the water.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sfHd2qjPgKsn8eLnGvD1eW0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sfHd2qjPgKsn8eLnGvD1eW0xspap_small.jpg" alt="beach 2.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Troy offered a one hour time bonus to anyone willing to completely submerge their body in the ocean at this point; no one took the bait.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vG7exCsaiAVZK5FamV4MXT0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vG7exCsaiAVZK5FamV4MXT0xspap_small.jpg" alt="beach 3.jpg"></a></p>
<p>All lined up in the sand, family and friends who had made the drive took last gray photos of the bunch. This is the last time we would all be assembled. Within about an hour all these adventurous riders would be strung out for miles.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2ugBhAhMZNMcxkbfNhhB5T0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2ugBhAhMZNMcxkbfNhhB5T0xspap_small.jpg" alt="beach 4.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Aharon fumbled with gear on his bike, Chase M accidentally left his beautiful Yeti bike too close to the surf, and Troy said a few nice words no one remembers.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/h1RePayeiU5uYQBPdphHQk0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/h1RePayeiU5uYQBPdphHQk0xspap_small.jpg" alt="beach 5.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Two courageous women were joining the grand depart this year! (only two? where you at ladies??) The first was Valerie who was the first woman to complete the route when she rode it on a tandem with her husband Josh the year before. This time she was fighting the good fight solo. The second lady to line up was Jenevieve H, wife of the ONLY person crazy enough to show up to all three of Troy’s grand departs. That’s right, Bob H assuredly has memory problems.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/9MCW5USzB81CKZ3oLo4Mh10xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/9MCW5USzB81CKZ3oLo4Mh10xspap_small.jpg" alt="neutral.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Once off the beach, Troy led us out for a very short “neutral start” to the paved trail out of town, where he bid us good luck or some other nonsense. In the true spirit of the event, this first stretch was a climb. At least the rain had subsided to more of a mist. The beach was the last time I would see Thomas for the first day. His minimalist gear strategy meant he relied on hotels and did not bring any camping gear. His destination for the night was a motel in the town of Quilcene. At approximately 175 miles and 16,000ft into the route, he would need to keep a solid pace in order to both check into the mom and pop type motel and do so with enough time for a proper sleep. Ambitious. </p>
<p>I rode for a bit with a Seattle local I had never met before named Nat. His gear looked similar to Thomas, although he had forgone the nearly ubiquitous <a href="https://shop.visiontechusa.com/en/type/aerobars/trimax-carbon-clip-on-j-bend">clip on aero bars</a> and his tires appeared smooth. Then he told me about one of his adventures from the previous summer, spending time in the altitudes of Colorado on a bikepacking route which included a five day stretch without the ability to resupply. Wow. I was feeling incredibly outgunned. Who were these people?! Was I about to become one of them?? Nat rode off at a faster clip than I was willing to do, leaving me to wonder if I had misjudged my competitive prospects for XWA. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3MM4zZyXaMFS2sbMumH3fX0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3MM4zZyXaMFS2sbMumH3fX0xspap_small.jpg" alt="aharon 1.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Aharon and I rode together for some time, just chatting and enjoying a beautiful route through the rain forest.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/b3siWN4LMKjYvXbJ8kbePR0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/b3siWN4LMKjYvXbJ8kbePR0xspap_small.jpg" alt="aharon 2.jpg"></a></p>
<p>The climbing came and went and with it a bunch of riders around us. The rest seemed to out-climb us and then we would catch them on the next descent. Once the sustained climb began in earnest however, they stayed away. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6Aau9gyfYVrX2zWCPjbQ8D0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6Aau9gyfYVrX2zWCPjbQ8D0xspap_small.jpg" alt="aharon 3.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Aharon and I stuck together until his pace slowed to have a conversation with someone, Kyle I think, and mine held to the top. I saw him briefly on the following descent but then he was gone; he must have stopped for something because I didn’t see him for quite awhile. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/hY4PJjStzExDzBZbKJ2Cbc0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/hY4PJjStzExDzBZbKJ2Cbc0xspap_small.jpg" alt="top climb.jpg"></a></p>
<p>A kind Jeep driver let me pass on the descent toward highway 101; bikes are fast downhill! </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gB5sSYf9obYZYd5vKaqLJo0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gB5sSYf9obYZYd5vKaqLJo0xspap_small.jpg" alt="trail 01.jpg"></a></p>
<p>I stopped for a short bathroom break at the Olympic Discovery Trailhead, but still no sight of Aharon or Kyle. Weird. I pressed on for some relaxing pavement and with it the exhilaration of speed again.</p>
<p>I found I am unable to embed YouTube videos using this blog platform. In the future, I’ll find and learn a better one, but for now I’ll just insert good old links. I recommend right-click and then open in a new tab or window, otherwise it will take over the window you are in and you’ll have to navigate back here, potentially losing your place in this riveting narrative… you’ve been warned.</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/rqc6XnVvfwY">A little Olympic Discovery Trail video</a><br>
(the above text is a link!)</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/px2qc3qgb9pDhT2vNovSuw0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/px2qc3qgb9pDhT2vNovSuw0xspap_small.png" alt="trail 02.png"></a></p>
<p>I don’t remember at what points the trail changed from pavement to gravel and back, but it wends its way along Lake Crescent. On past rides I’ve stopped to marvel at the gorgeous valley and the color of the water; this time things felt more urgent and I didn’t stop for long anywhere.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/61j7PCJH7PsrrpxT3Yc3RX0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/61j7PCJH7PsrrpxT3Yc3RX0xspap_small.png" alt="trail 03.png"></a></p>
<p>I went off-course many times during XWA. The first time was missing a turn onto the road by the lake instead of following the trail. You can’t always tell if Troy intended detours like these or if they are just route mistakes made in the software. Looking back at how things played out overall, little detours like these were meaningless, but at the time, I felt touches of frustration and panic each time I turned my bike around.<br>
This tunnel was one point I was glad I checked the map. It was so cool and inviting and I was rolling along at a good clip - nope, off into the rubble of a trail to the right where I half rode half stumbled to avoid a dip in the lake.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/tU3LMihkVEpCpwJPZqYNiY0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/tU3LMihkVEpCpwJPZqYNiY0xspap_small.jpg" alt="pano 01.jpg"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qAFRUK9ipCHAoc5kXWGsrJ0xspap.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qAFRUK9ipCHAoc5kXWGsrJ0xspap_small.jpg" alt="pano 02.jpg"></a></p>
<p>At one point I crossed a small footbridge and greeted the family playing on the opposite bank. After a friendly exchange, the lady let me know she was told if she saw anyone else on a bike to tell them they were going the wrong way! Oooo… I like this group; game on! I feel like I quickly ran out of brain cells to play such games, but it was worth a good laugh in this particular moment!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mcM4xsHnCj7sLoEcxos9a50xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mcM4xsHnCj7sLoEcxos9a50xspap_small.png" alt="trail 04.png"></a></p>
<p>At the end of the lake, a brief stop for a photo and to greet the only cyclist I’d yet seen traveling the other way. I recognized this spot from a previous ride with Tom S when we traveled around the lake in the opposite direction. I was so disoriented I didn’t know which side of the lake I was on at this point; wow, thank goodness for route guidance! How did people do this before cycling computers?!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/xgqbCvXJkp7kdumtuqQZaA0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/xgqbCvXJkp7kdumtuqQZaA0xspap_small.png" alt="adventure 01.png"></a></p>
<p>At this point the route turns onto a section of endless singletrack. Nothing technical or particularly steep, but it did feel endless. Bumbling along with a loaded rigid bike and feeling like I was making no forward progress because everything looked the same quickly turned a section of the route I should have very much enjoyed into something to be dealt with. <br>
Somewhere in this stretch I passed two young guys heading the other way with fully loaded bikes. We exchanged quick greetings, the last one calling back to me “Idaho is just around the next corner!” That was good for a lasting smile. Whoever was ahead of me at this point was good at talking up the locals and I was benefiting - unheard kudos my friends!</p>
<p>There were a few other mountain bikers out on the trail. One guy in particular working very hard to climb a section I was coming down. I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere but took note that he didn’t even have a hydration pack with him! He caught me on his way back down the trail later. I was encouraged when I offered to let him pass and he breathlessly let me know I was going just fine! Ah, the little things. I did let him pass shortly after that, and he was going much faster than me, FYI. Somewhere in this stretch I made two more wrong turns and had to backtrack. What’s a little bonus climb here or there? Egads. Each time it happened, all I could think of was Aharon, Kyle, and Chase passing me and I wouldn’t even be aware of it.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dQcADVSgo74sGK896kdYQo0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dQcADVSgo74sGK896kdYQo0xspap_small.png" alt="adventure 02.png"></a></p>
<p>Eventually the trail paralleled highway 112 and then broke out of the trees into a parking area where my MTB riding encourager of earlier was just packing up his truck. He wished me luck as I wheeled to a stop. I took time for water and to reply to Lo who had texted me, but I didn’t try to load the Trackleaders page with such poor cell reception. I had no idea where anyone was and hadn’t seen another XWA rider in something like four hours - not since Aharon dropped back on the descent.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uUabzNuoyJJQbMBy1wwvPx0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uUabzNuoyJJQbMBy1wwvPx0xspap_small.png" alt="adventure 03.png"></a></p>
<p>After a short stint on the highway, a camouflaged turn off toward a suspended bridge crossing for cyclists and pedestrians which Troy had warned us about was worth a photo stop!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/neGcyd9WW2fcSqa7DC7TqZ0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/neGcyd9WW2fcSqa7DC7TqZ0xspap_small.png" alt="adventure 04.png"></a></p>
<p>Now across the Elwha River, a nice trail back to pavement. Then a short tailwind-driven stretch into the first civilization of the route in Port Angeles.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wjAfQWbu6xPNhvUy2ZnubA0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wjAfQWbu6xPNhvUy2ZnubA0xspap_small.png" alt="pizza.png"></a></p>
<p>I paused long enough to route slightly off course for food. I settled on a pizza place and didn’t even hesitate when I realized my chosen route included an 18% pitch. Here I felt like I made a great decision and ordered boneless wings and garlic bread. So. Freakin. Good.<br>
I communicated with Aharon letting him know where I was and also checked Trackleaders. I don’t remember who was ahead of me at this point, but Aharon and Kyle had only been 20-30 minutes behind me and no one had passed when I made my navigational errors. All was good in the world - when Aharon let me know where they were going to shop for supplies, I wheeled out and met them at the door; all of us were happy to see familiar faces.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3cng2NkEuJArbcQaXuBJrb0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3cng2NkEuJArbcQaXuBJrb0xspap_small.png" alt="sequim 01.png"></a></p>
<p>Happy to have company and riding at similar paces anyway, Kyle Aharon and I rolled out of Port Angeles together into the afternoon sun (and that killer tailwind).</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/f5bqFjEFjjcJ5m1t1WwAy70xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/f5bqFjEFjjcJ5m1t1WwAy70xspap_small.png" alt="sequim 02.png"></a></p>
<p>Unfortunately we really couldn’t take advantage of the tailwind; Aharon had derailleur issues and had to stop each time he needed to get into a more difficult gear. Kyle had a 1x drivetrain like Aharon but was so geared toward hills he spun out pretty fast, so we just kind of relaxed and took in the views.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/syfqnKFubPwump7g3oF5Nd0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/syfqnKFubPwump7g3oF5Nd0xspap_small.png" alt="sequim 03.png"></a></p>
<p>Kyle was also from the Seattle area and it was rather surprising we had never run into each other before; in spite of it’s numbers and the large geography of the Seattle area, the bike community feels reasonably small and tight knit.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uL2jVf9gVZ288aHKm48dew0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uL2jVf9gVZ288aHKm48dew0xspap_small.png" alt="Sequim 04.png"></a></p>
<p>A fourth rider joined us during this stretch, but I’m not sure who it was. Going back using the Trackleaders page does not show anyone riding with us. He was definitely a XWA rider but I can’t figure out who. My guess is Rick M?</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/MjxBiKLox2s">Aharon settling in amongst the scenery of the Olympic Discovery Trail between Port Angeles and Sequim</a><br>
(This is another link to YouTube; don’t forget to right-click and open in a new tab! The adventure is just about to turn up a few degrees)</p>
<p>I don’t have many pictures after we turned inland from Sequim. Energy was a bit low and the light began to fade. It was here I began making mistakes. I switched on my dynamo powered headlight - it flickered and immediately went out. Uh-oh. I was depending on that to be able to ride long stretches through the night. I quelled a bit of panic. Worst case I had my battery pack which could run the light by itself; I just didn’t know for how long and I hadn’t intended to stop at any point long enough to recharge the battery. I suspected my hack of a wiring job was at fault. I leaned over while riding and wiggled the wires at the hub and the light flickered! I took it as confirmation of poor wiring. </p>
<p>Kyle and Aharon were planning to stop at the Dungeness Forks campground. In my mind this wasn’t a big deal, but the route was actually very hilly between Sequim and the campground. I was topping out the climbs ahead of the group so I took the time to play with my light; I tried squeezing the connectors tighter and eventually plugged in the battery pack to the light cable. The light still only flickered. I was confused because the tail light, which was wired in series through the headlight, worked fine. The USB charging provided by the headlight also worked. I assumed, incorrectly, that somehow these could work with only one of the electrical leads connected to the dynamo. </p>
<p>Our mystery rider turned off into a single campsite beside a creek. Shortly after, the remaining three of us rolled up to the Dungeness Forks campground sign. In spite of my lighting worries, I was firm in my commitment to ride through the night. If I ran out of light using my helmet mounted light I could always camp somewhere in the wilderness of the next stretch, I told myself. We said our goodbyes; if everything went well, I wouldn’t see either of them until the finish.</p>
<p>I took time to change into warmer clothes and filter some water. Then I wheeled off into the dark by myself. This was an incredibly remote stretch and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t freak me out just a little. I put headphones on to keep me company and distract from the rustlings in the woods. If something decided it wanted to eat me I didn’t feel like there was much I could do anyway. The moon was full or close to full that night and I rather enjoyed all the solo climbing in the light it provided. I had my helmet light set to the lowest mode of 50 lumens and almost didn’t even need it for some stretches. My music was set to shuffle a huge playlist, so I had no idea what song was coming next. There were a couple of times an unexpected musical note or the left-right play of some recordings set the hair on the back of my neck standing on end and chilling me for minutes at a time. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iJt1Hq3yKZxmCbFmXopAe60xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iJt1Hq3yKZxmCbFmXopAe60xspap_small.png" alt="zion.png"></a></p>
<p>Somewhere in this stretch of the ride the first “day” ended, although I didn’t mark its passing. The Mount Zion trailhead at the top of Bon Jon Pass came much easier than I anticipated. I really struggled before setting out on XWA whether to switch to an easier set of chainrings for climbing with this particular segment in mind. My previous memory of it was as a nasty low cadence grind, but that had been on a MTB without adequate gears. In spite of the extra luggage, I was able to spin up this time without hesitation. That didn’t mean it was free or I wasn’t tiring, and I did take time to rest and snap a photo of the sign before donning a jacket for the now chilly descent. <br>
My headlight worked just fine going downhill where the speeds were higher; I didn’t take enough note of this, but we’ll come back to that later.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/fwobUtHNhz6F9QZnuBz9HF0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/fwobUtHNhz6F9QZnuBz9HF0xspap_small.png" alt="lower quilcene.png"></a></p>
<p>I didn’t even remember there was another stiff climb coming, but at this point it didn’t matter; pedals would be turned. Up and over, I finally reached the Lower Big Quilcene Trail; some of the more technical MTB trails to be had on XWA. It really isn’t that bad, but tired and in the dead of night I was really working hard not to crash. My thoughts were of finishing the race injury-free. Regardless, there were many “MTB moments” where I just had to let go of the brakes and work it out. The slow steering of a loaded bike really took some getting used to.<br>
At some point I popped around a corner headed for a bridge across the water and saw someone camped out in the middle of the trail. I tried to ride quietly and hide my light, but I’d be surprised if whatever XWA rider it was didn’t wake anyway. I think it was Nat, but unconfirmed. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/maTmcvaWCopJ7GKxRQoBSy0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/maTmcvaWCopJ7GKxRQoBSy0xspap_small.png" alt="food.png"></a></p>
<p>Once I got to the end of the trail I sat down to celebrate with a proper feeding. I had carried the remaining garlic bread and butter dip all this way from the pizza place; although it was cold, this was such a delicious moment! I had conquered the Lower Big Quilcene by myself in the dark and as far as I could tell there was only one rider ahead of me in the race at this point; Thomas, and I was confident I would pass him before he awoke. This was where I began to measure time again, realizing how much I may have lost by small decisions; amongst these were sitting at the pizza place so long, not taking advantage of the tailwind to Sequim, and staying with my friends until their camp instead of climbing on ahead.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qbDzDr79SCv9s2JcDCncmm0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qbDzDr79SCv9s2JcDCncmm0xspap_small.png" alt="t1000.png"></a></p>
<p>It didn’t matter, I was where I was and I was going somewhere. I made good time now that I was off the big climbs and my heart jumped for joy when I passed through Quilcene! I pushed hard there and tried to be quiet for some reason, almost as if my disturbance might wake the sleeping giant of Thomas and he’d chase me earlier than necessary.<br>
More climbing in the dark past Quilcene, I snapped this foreboding sign on the way by in the woods. </p>
<p>There is a quarry in the woods up there which has really taken over. The road is no more. I climbed on foot up a dirt bank and skirted around the quarry feeling very much that I didn’t belong. It didn’t help that whatever time of the dawn it was there were bright lights in the quarry which seemed to always be pointed at me. I assume they were mounted in a circular pattern on a pole for security, but at the time, I imagined it to be a security guard in a pickup truck watching me pass and I had no idea if it was considered trespassing.</p>
<p>Thankfully on the other side, I pushed on, knowing Thomas would likely be awake by now and I was not as far as I’d hoped. My dream would have been to catch the first ferry of the morning from Kingston to Edmonds, but that was at 4:55am and not going to happen. There was actually a LOT of space between the quarry and the ferry which I had forgotten or taken for granted in my mental scope of the route. It was really hard getting to the ferry and I constantly imagined a peloton of XWA riders breathing heavy just one or two turns behind me. False. I did check Trackleaders at one point and noted Thomas’ position; I figured he was pushing hard to catch me at the ferry. If you’ve ever had that spine tingling fear while being chased in the dark as a kid, well you know what was going on. Completely unwarranted; I expected him to beat me anyways, but in this moment when I found myself at the head of the race, it meant everything to me to stay there.</p>
<p>Click the link for the next segment:</p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-two/">Day Two: Navigationally Challenged in the Rain</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/day-two2019-10-01T00:04:07-07:002019-10-01T00:04:07-07:00Day Two: Navigationally Challenged in the Rain<p>Finally, the ferry! As I came to a stop at the end of the pier, some people walked out saying something about how I was making good time and asked some questions. They didn’t greet me and I was near panic so I have no idea who they were, but apparently dot-watchers of some sort. I constantly watched the tollbooth at the ferry terminal for Thomas. There wasn’t anything I could do if he rolled up anyways, but man my adrenaline was spiking!</p>
<p>The ferry couldn’t leave the dock fast enough - but it eventually did; without Thomas. I relaxed a bit, although I found less food on board than I’d hoped for. Trackleaders showed carnage in my wake. Thomas was making great time, but I couldn’t help wondering what was going through everyone else’ mind that morning. Although the early ferry would have been nice, my seat of the pants estimate had been 24 hours to make it to Edmonds and I wasn’t so far off; the Grand Depart left the beach at 7am and I was on the 8:45am ferry.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dhDTAB81D2jguakHqhBayT0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dhDTAB81D2jguakHqhBayT0xspap_small.png" alt="ferry.png"></a></p>
<p>I got off the ferry feeling a bit tired and wheeled to a stop for a quick photo and to load my route. In the interest of being kind to my aging Garmin 1000, I had split the ~700 mile route into 3 more palatable chunks; route number two was to start here in Edmonds after I got off the ferry. A rookie mistake however was not testing the routes before I left home; it didn’t load correctly. In my sleep deprived state I didn’t catch on quickly, I just noticed the Garmin didn’t do the usual count to 100% when starting a route and the line on the map was a funny color. I climbed on the bike, worked my way around ferry traffic, and started climbing straight up into Edmonds. Then I noticed the line I was following had no queues, was rather faint, and darn it I was almost positive the route followed the waterfront at first, didn’t it?<br>
Frustrated, I loaded the route using <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/">Ride With GPS (RWGPS)</a> on my phone and confirmed I was off course. Uh-oh. I stopped the route on my Garmin, loaded it again. Nope. I looked at the map summary of the route - and it was BLANK! Wow, this was probably the most navigationally challenging part of the whole event and my Garmin wouldn’t show me what I needed.</p>
<p>Okay, so sleep deprived mistake one was not noticing right away there was a problem and going off route. Ready for number two? Garmin will not allow you to download a route while you have an active ride being recorded, no one knows why. I could have stopped my ride, downloaded the entire XWA route to Garmin, and set off again in less than five minutes. But. No.<br>
Why? <a href="https://www.strava.com/">Because Strava.</a> I spent time thinking about this ahead of the event; how to break up my ride segments. Would I save each time I hit 100 miles? How about specific goal towns along the way? Maybe every 24 hours? The answer I had settled on was sleep. When I decided to sleep that would be the end of an activity and when I awoke and started riding would be the start of the next. Well crumbs. Here I sat only 24 hours through my (hopeful) 48 hour push and I made a dumb choice. I didn’t stop my ride to download the map. I left the screen on my phone unlocked showing the RWGPS map (recording so there was a moving dot to follow) and propped it in the slot of the top tube bag in front of me. It was janky; I could only just see the screen, it was at a bad angle, and larger bumps would rotate it out of view. BUT STRAVA!!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/puvVm1qKaNfaY4U754gvaj0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/puvVm1qKaNfaY4U754gvaj0xspap_small.png" alt="edmonds.png"></a></p>
<p>I snapped the above photo while chuckling out loud at Troy’s creativity. The couple who jogged by moments later I felt deserved an explanation; I don’t remember what I said but it was something about the creative side of their neighborhood and garnered a forgiving laugh. I should have enjoyed this stretch more but my thoughts were glued to the dwindling battery indicator on my screen. </p>
<p>Jessica K surprised me, popping out of nowhere on what was definitely a bikepacking rig, and shouting hello! I was thankful for a little human interaction; and confirmation I wasn’t the only one chuffed about my (short lived) first place position. I’d never met Jessica but for some reason I knew her name, likely thanks to Facebook. She snapped the following photo and yelled some encouragement before continuing her Monday morning commute. Oh right, that’s what everyone else is doing right now!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2dmEdyYZzG3wpDBbQuwvxX0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2dmEdyYZzG3wpDBbQuwvxX0xspap_small.png" alt="Jess Kelley.png"></a></p>
<p>I made another wrong turn somehow. The route turns off the Burke Gillman Trail into Blyth Park in Bothell. I stopped at the park, but not because I saw the queue, I just needed water. I refilled at the restroom and kept riding. I didn’t figure it out until I got to the stoplight for Riverside Drive. Out came my phone for scrutiny and sure enough another wrong turn. I wheeled back into the park, past where I had just refilled my water, and up the powerline trail. This was a trip. I’m not sure I could ride this trail on a dry day, let alone tired with a loaded bike. I walked most of it. <br>
The reward for the effort? Roger B! He met me partway up and walked up with me asking questions and giving encouragement. He provided a stashed cooler at the top for all the XWA riders and I helped myself to some cold liquid and a chocolate milk to go. I even afforded a brief conversation with the neighbor over the fence who Roger knew. Roger also asked if I’d seen Thomas yet because he was right behind me coming up the hill. WHAT?! It was going to happen eventually and I hadn’t really spent any time calculating when, but there was no reason to hasten the overtake. I thanked Roger and tipped over the other side of the hill.</p>
<p>My phone battery had tanked quickly since I started navigating with the screen on. I plugged it into my battery pack, but that had already helped supplement my headlight through the night and I hadn’t been charging it, so it didn’t last long either. By the time I made it to Woodinville I was in a losing race against time. The battery pack was now plugged into the dynamo and passing whatever juice was available to keep the phone alive. </p>
<p>And then suddenly I had company! Lo and Michael B joined me on the Sammamish River Trail! It was a bit surreal seeing them and I almost had enough energy to feel bad about the breathless pace I was trying to maintain in order to charge my phone. Lo was sick and still got on her bike to cheer me on for a few miles and Michael should have been at work! And this is how I was treating them? Nice. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/nUrEcCeWSBv6qFBQLfjKh0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/nUrEcCeWSBv6qFBQLfjKh0xspap_small.png" alt="the pass.png"></a></p>
<p>Then it happened - Thomas caught me. Michael was thoughtful enough to photograph the moment. As glad as I was to see my friend, there’s no doubt I felt like my chances of placing well were dwindling - he had slept, still caught me within half a day, and wasn’t racing his battery to the next turn. I wondered where the rest of the bunch were. We chatted for a bit and I learned he wasn’t without difficulty; his rear derailleur was barely operational. Lo headed home to rest, aka be incredibly sick and yet still be a huge constant encouragement for me via text message the rest of the route.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gmK6YZ45Edm7A4NDGGdKCz0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gmK6YZ45Edm7A4NDGGdKCz0xspap_small.png" alt="powerline.png"></a></p>
<p>A familiar piece of ground came next with a jaunt off the river trail up the powerline trail. I have ridden this several times as it is part of a fun, if short, offroad route called the Thrilla loop. Doing this on a loaded bike was new though. I made a poor line choice up a very steep section and fell over, into the blackberry bushes along the side of the trail - ouch! This was very worrying in the moment because I knew it would mean lots of little injuries, to my hands and my bum no less. I untangled easily and none of these would prove to be a problem in the future, but it was another knock to my confidence and general mood.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/brwaK58qg9KSD5suKUQNgA0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/brwaK58qg9KSD5suKUQNgA0xspap_small.png" alt="the pass 2.png"></a></p>
<p>At some point Michael took another photo of Thomas and I on the powerline trail before my poor choices split our paths. I was struggling to keep Thomas in sight. Now, in what should have been the easiest, most familiar part of the entire route (I live just down the street), my phone died. I was torn. I could follow Thomas, but that felt a bit like cheating for some reason. Then, he took an unexpected turn. I’d never taken that path and I was afraid he was going off course for reasons of his own; so I stopped. I thought I had studied this part of the route and I was confident it went in the other, more common, direction. I rolled a short distance before my confidence gave out. Michael didn’t ride by, he must have followed the route and Thomas. Not that he could have offered help anyway in the spirit of the event, but I was really on my own now and didn’t know what to do. I had no contingency plan for lost without navigation or a cell phone.</p>
<p>Frustrated at myself, I rolled back to the turn Thomas had taken and followed it to the next major road, which I didn’t recognize, and turned right. I had no idea but I was actually on route. I rolled to an intersection - and recognized it! Whew, at least I knew where I was now. I stopped at a Shell station and plugged my phone into an outlet outside to charge. My strategy for the route was dependent on charging from my dynamo so the only wall plug I brought was a single USB 1 amp plug for my iPhone.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/pihMBM1GwYyeczh4at4THD0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/pihMBM1GwYyeczh4at4THD0xspap_small.png" alt="shell.png"></a></p>
<p>I checked the store for chargers, but they had no wall plugs, only cables and 12v sockets for cars. Once my phone returned to life I messaged Michael so at least he would know why I suddenly disappeared. It wasn’t long before he showed up at the gas station and watched my bike while I shopped for snacks. Oh, and I paid for a ladies gas because she had a sad story. I’m not sure I believed her but I don’t regret the decision. I should have asked her for a ride, but I hadn’t formulated a plan yet so the opportunity slipped. Also, there is some irony here where a “stranded” cyclist on a self-supported bikepacking adventure pays to keep a motorist on the road…</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dQJR3FsjT5LN1GARHNXB4U0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dQJR3FsjT5LN1GARHNXB4U0xspap_small.png" alt="target 01.png"></a></p>
<p>It was raining, Michael, who was my only company, would need to leave soon, and the battery on my phone was increasing at an agonizingly slow rate. With some good gas station calories came the faint whisperings of a plan. <br>
“Michael, I’m going to Target to buy a bigger wall charger!”<br>
“Uh, okay.”<br>
Like the good friend he is, he followed even when I detoured to Home Depot first. I clomped through the store in my dripping rain jacket and slippery cleats and eventually found what I was after - electrical connectors and a crimping tool. Then, around the corner to Target where I repeated the process and emerged with the biggest wall charger I could find (TWO USB plugs, but higher speed as well), and a brick of a 20,000mAh battery pack which may or may not be charged - the guy didn’t know.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3mM2eMKvVcmnnonCnkDvsc0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3mM2eMKvVcmnnonCnkDvsc0xspap_small.png" alt="target 02.png"></a></p>
<p>My wallet was lighter and my bike would be heavier but my spirits were high - I felt like a Viking, returning to my vessel with the spoils of a successful raid. Really it was just Michael and I standing in the rain outside Target watching lights blink while plugged into the outdoor outlets.<br>
Michael watched with amusement while I rebuilt the (perfectly fine) connectors on my dynamo. Then he had to get back to his real life and it was just me standing in the rain watching blinking lights.</p>
<p>I don’t know why but I didn’t look at the trackleaders page. Maybe I didn’t want to know. I ate food and nervously walked back and forth in front of Target. I was using two outlets but they were on opposite sides of a stone pillar I couldn’t see around and there was enough foot traffic I was worried something would walk away. In a mysterious moment of comedy, something did walk away, but not what I expected. As my electronics gained some life I started throwing away non-essentials, like the packaging that came with the items I just bought. Within minutes a lady walked by, then paused at the garbage can. I was only about three feet away and I greeted her so as not to be awkward. She ignored me and instead rummaged inside the trash can. She came up with a bit of treasure - the owners manual for the battery bank I had just purchased! She flipped through a few pages, dropped it in her bag, and walked away. Some mysteries may never be solved.</p>
<p>I could only take the sitting still for so long and eventually packed every thing up without fully charging the electronics. I started the journey with a 10,000mAh battery pack and the one I just purchased showed half full; double my planned capacity sounded great! I threw away one last item, the iPhone cable which came with the wall charger I just purchased? Yeah it didn’t work right out of the box. I was less than 30 feet from the customer service desk but I cared only about the clock.</p>
<p>Invigorated, I wheeled away from Target back into the rain. It was growing later in the day which meant commuter traffic and I needed to return to the XWA route where I left it along a busy road, so I switched on my headlight for safety - it flickered and went out. Sunk. I was sunk. All this time and energy and my dynamo still didn’t work?? Except now I had calories and anger so I started troubleshooting instead of feeling bad for myself. I unplugged things and plugged them in a different order until I discovered the real problem, which wasn’t a problem at all, just the third sleep deprived mistake I made.</p>
<p>When I first had the dynamo wheelset built, I tested it’s function on an overnight ride with backup lights just in case. I discovered the light would stop flickering and provide a constant beam around 9mph. With the light off, I could charge devices above the same speed threshold. I found during this trip if I wanted to do BOTH at the same time, I had to be traveling at least 19mph; that just doesn’t happen very often when riding a loaded bike off-road. What am I saying? Nothing was wrong with my dynamo, I just forgot that I had the battery pack plugged in to “trickle charge” during the first day, so when I switched my headlight on while climbing (you guessed it, less than 19mph) all it did was flicker. I should have picked up on this later on that first night because the light worked great going downhill (well above 19mph)! The battery pack was powering the headlight for part of the night, but this requires a second cable to be plugged in, and I had unplugged it several times fussing with the light to get it working, which coincidentally happened during the downhill stretches. </p>
<p>WOW. I felt so stupid I should say it backward - WOW. Standing in the rain in the Target parking lot I unplugged my battery pack and the headlight worked great. I felt really stupid, but at least I could continue on this adventure that was XWA and I resolved to do so. I was so at peace with my stupidity, I stopped my activity on the Garmin, uploaded the entire XWA route like I should have done back in Edmonds, and wheeled out of the parking lot, my phone once more in my jersey pocket where it belonged, it’s navigation duties complete for the day.</p>
<p>I estimate that charging fiasco cost me about $150 and 4 hours of XWA time I’d never get back, if you measure from the ferry. But, I was back on route. In my head, EVERYONE must have passed me by now. I paused at some unknown wooded section of trail I’d somehow never ridden, only miles from home, and checked the trackleaders page finally - only one person had passed! Nat was on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail not so far ahead! I was so excited - my spirits lifted and I refocused on my plan, to push through to Ellensburg before sleeping.</p>
<p>That didn’t last long. I was for sure tired and it kept raining. Though not a hard rain, dusk brought a chill to the air I wasn’t happy with. Lo confirmed my thoughts via text message and I decided to call it a day in North Bend. By the time I rolled into the motel parking lot, the rain had picked up. The next leg of the route led up to Snoqualmie Pass which boasts a ski resort. In the rain it would be cold and miserable and I had already lost a bunch of time:<br>
“please sir, do you have a room?”<br>
“yes! (the one next to the drunken party I can see from here but won’t do anything about and you’re welcome)”</p>
<p>I locked the bike in the room, added some layers, and walked across the street to <a href="https://www.northbendbarandgrill.com/">the North Bend Bar and Grill</a> for some real food. I didn’t take a photo, but I think I had the fish and chips. Looking back, for some reason I only took two photos on day two. Glad Jessica and Michael were around! <br>
I used earplugs and slept like a rock in that motel; if the drunk party next door made noise, I didn’t hear it!</p>
<p>I can’t recall if I set an alarm that night, but I don’t think so. Either way I slept for an incredible eight hours. This was never part of the plan. I was supposed to spend the first 48 hours beating myself to pieces to get to Ellensburg. Before the event I purchased a Garmin Vivosmart 4 to track my sleep cycles and find out truly how little I could get away with and still be refreshed. No spoilers here, but the result was a lot less than 8 hours! There wasn’t a lot of thought that went into this decision, but I think I just realized I’d beaten myself up pretty hard for the mistakes and just needed to hit the reset button to continue to enjoy the event.</p>
<p>Click the link for the next segment:</p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-three/">Day Three: Surviving the Colockum</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/day-three2019-10-01T00:03:54-07:002019-10-01T00:03:54-07:00Day Three: Surviving the Colockum<p>And that’s exactly what I did! I woke up and felt AMAZING! There was no hurry that morning; I wasn’t back in race mode yet and the sun was out. I WALKED to the nearest grocery store for breakfast and a resupply. The first attempt at bursting my bubble was seeing two bikes propped up in front of the store which obviously belonged to XWA riders. I still didn’t put my hurry hat on. Only feet in the door, I came across Aaron B and Patrick M, who both greeted me. They were moving quickly for some reason and conversation was brief, although Aaron took the time to point out a deli sandwich that looked delicious (it was). </p>
<p>I wandered through a few aisles buying things to eat and some comfort items such as deodorant and a toothbrush and toothpaste. That’s right, a dinky bicycle lock which I only used once the whole trip made the weight cut but I had intentionally left out a toothbrush and toothpaste. And deodorant; the public be damned! I also learned a major benefit to refueling at gas stations; the portion sizes were appropriate. At the grocery store, the foods I wanted to take with me were only sold in the “OMG that weighs a ton and could feed a whole peleton” size.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qm8vMoBt6aWgLJhXBzxeHM0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qm8vMoBt6aWgLJhXBzxeHM0xspap_small.png" alt="chain.png"></a></p>
<p>When I walked out the door, I noted the bikes (and their riders) were gone already; they must have eaten breakfast while riding! This shook me out of my stupor and I power walked my groceries back to the motel for a hurried multi-tasking breakfast. That’s when I looked at my chain and let out a groan. I packed a tiny bottle of chain lube and this morning would be the first of two times I used it… good thing because that was all that fit in the bottle! As you can see in the photo it wasn’t a happy chain, but it cleaned and lubed easily, having only sat overnight. </p>
<p>I texted Aharon and found he had made it to Redmond where he planned to get his derailleur issues sorted and put on a smaller chainring; the front loaded climbing had taken a toll on his knees and he was operating in damage control mode. A glance at the trackleaders page showed I had lots of work to do! There were now 7 riders ahead of me; Thomas was in Ellensburg already and Nat was halfway there, measured from the top of Snoqualmie Pass. Yikes.</p>
<p>Although I appreciated their use, the deodorant toothbrush and toothpaste were left behind. I reused some Ziploc bags Aharon got for me back in Port Angeles and found a place for all the food though. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/aUgPG636UcLZHa9UXSbH7S0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/aUgPG636UcLZHa9UXSbH7S0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 01.png"></a></p>
<p>Day three I resolved my photo taking drought. I may have overdone it actually; just know you are only seeing a fraction of what I sifted through once the event was over! I was back on my bike, my body seemed to have completely rebounded from the previous two days, I was full of good food, the sun was out, and I had all the rabbits to chase one could ever hope for! The miles melted away in spite of being just uphill enough to remind me I was pushing a lot more weight than I typically did.</p>
<p>The Snoqualmie Valley Trail climbs up out of North Bend to Rattlesnake Lake, which I didn’t visit this time around. When my mother first moved to Washington State she, and later I as well, lived just a couple miles down the road from the lake, so it was familiar and well loved. I was just feeling too competitive for bonus miles. Here the Snoqualmie Valley Trail ends and the Palouse to Cascades Trail begins (although, how many people have ever ridden it in that direction?). This trail is less developed and is a more of a doubletrack than the “groomed” Snoqualmie Valley Trail was. Funny how many grades of gravel there are. I was about to find a few more flavors.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/oQ1a1oEXFqMKXggcniYtpZ0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/oQ1a1oEXFqMKXggcniYtpZ0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 02.png"></a></p>
<p>Somewhere along the way I decided to boost my mood further with some music. The motel brought with it not only 8 hours of sleep, but also 8 hours to charge all my devices! Okay, I only had 3 USB plugs, so that isn’t entirely true, but I was close! In my elated mood and newly found competitive spirit, I tried to pull the headphones out of the top tube bag and put them on while moving. This isn’t impossible, but it nearly took me out. As it was, I had to stop and walk back for dropped items, losing only a small bit of ego to the jogger I had just passed. He had headphones, I’m sure he understood the struggle.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/w1E84QX5rzTKY4NWy6896V0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/w1E84QX5rzTKY4NWy6896V0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 03.png"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/x4MbTTHieZF5E8vVfNXgNB0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/x4MbTTHieZF5E8vVfNXgNB0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 04.png"></a></p>
<p>With good cell phone service I was checking trackleaders more often than appropriate. Unlike the headphones, I was becoming quite good at doing this while in motion, in spite of my full fingered gloves. The gloves were advertised as touchscreen compatible, but I had less than a 50% success rate. [Just to be clear, I love the gloves and I’d buy them again anyway.])<a href="https://www.giro.com/p/strade-dure-sg-long-finger-road-cycling-gloves#pid=7076294">https://www.giro.com/p/strade-dure-sg-long-finger-road-cycling-gloves#pid=7076294</a>) Being off road with such a heavy bike, I wasn’t willing to risk riding with no hands, so the process looked something like this:</p>
<p>1) right gloved hand to mouth<br>
2) bite the Velcro strap and peel it back<br>
3) bite the thumb and pull it off<br>
4) bite whatever prominent finger and pull the rest of the glove off<br>
5) right hand recovers glove from mouth and passes it to left hand which is still on handlebar duty (extra kudos to multi-talented left hand)<br>
6) right hand retrieves phone from jersey pocket and operates device</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uYvqHud7XymsqNUJX9PNQH0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uYvqHud7XymsqNUJX9PNQH0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 05.png"></a><br>
(occasional results achieved through this process, see above)</p>
<p>7) return phone to pocket<br>
8) retrieve glove from left hand<br>
9) put glove in mouth just so<br>
10) wriggle hand into glove, changing bite position as necessary<br>
11) bite Velcro back into place<br>
12) return right hand to its regularly scheduled programming</p>
<p>I wanted to trademark the 12 step process but someone beat me to it…</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/s2dnpcjy5U5qKYPowwZKvF0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/s2dnpcjy5U5qKYPowwZKvF0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 06.png"></a></p>
<p>Anyway, trackleaders showed I was making great time and the race appeared to be focused ahead of me without much worry from behind. There was a dot at the <a href="https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/iron-horse-tunnel">Snoqualmie Tunnel,</a> Brent L, who I was actually a bit worried about. His dot hadn’t moved since I’d been awake and I wondered if he was in trouble after the cold wet night.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gNJ6oEku2c36eS6kargGWG0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gNJ6oEku2c36eS6kargGWG0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 07.png"></a></p>
<p>I reached the tunnel and found a nonplussed utility worker sitting in his truck, but no sign of the mysterious idle dot. I would later find out he bailed at this point on the route. He found out about XWA only days before the Grand Depart, so he had little preparation time, and he used it as training for Tour Divide, which wasn’t so far off. </p>
<p>If you’ve not had a chance to ride or walk through the tunnel, it’s a trip! If you followed the link above, you’d know it was 2.3 miles long with a slight kink at one end, so it looks like you are riding into the depths of the earth for awhile. It’s also real cold, losing about 12F to the outside air on this particular morning, and the roof leaks, so you can often get a bonus chilly drip of water down your neck - good morning!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/daP7dArY1c8TuW71AZwkS30xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/daP7dArY1c8TuW71AZwkS30xspap_small.png" alt="bend 08.png"></a></p>
<p>Just past the tunnel is a major trailhead at Hyak. There is a fresh water spigot outside, picnic tables, and individual restrooms with showers; aka bikepacking paradise. I had a shower at the motel, so that wasn’t needed. I later learned the restrooms were heated and some of my compadres had spent the previous night huddled inside hiding from the rain and cold while I lived it up in North Bend. I may have been hours behind, but I think I made the right choice for me.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/p2wFC65zhKaUgkuq5XYhDW0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/p2wFC65zhKaUgkuq5XYhDW0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 09.png"></a></p>
<p>Before I wheeled away from the trailhead with refilled water bottles I checked trackleaders and found Valerie was likely to be the next dot I came across. She was putting in an incredible ride and I spent a good number of available brain cells thinking of encouraging things to say once I caught her.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bgQ16amC1YTa1N4n6BCEmy0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bgQ16amC1YTa1N4n6BCEmy0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 10.png"></a></p>
<p>This all went out the window though - as timing would have it, when I finally rode past her, she had taken a moment to answer the call of nature at the trailside. Bikepacking removes most modesty filters we have put in place to navigate society for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that you spend a LOT of time without seeing another human being. Sorry Valerie, I did look the other way as I passed. I don’t remember what I said, but I’m confident it was none of the things I had planned. She went on to continue crushing the course, coming in 6th place overall and setting the female course record at a time that will give pause to next years ladies!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/275Vs2XMCybB73dc2e2gu70xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/275Vs2XMCybB73dc2e2gu70xspap_small.png" alt="bend 11.png"></a></p>
<p>I didn’t take note of much between passing Valerie and Ellensburg. There was lots of cool scenery to be soaked in. Cell coverage was less reliable on this side of the pass, but I knew I was slowly closing in on Aaron and Patrick. I really didn’t want to stop and resupply until Ellensburg. I really had no idea what lay between Ellensburg and Wenatchee, save that water didn’t seem plentiful, and it was clearly a very stiff climb. From my own observation and confirmation from Lo text messages, I knew both Josh and Thomas had moved incredibly slowly through that stretch, so it must be more than just some climbing.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ij6r9bYG5JZw3AHixpw2Xa0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ij6r9bYG5JZw3AHixpw2Xa0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 12.png"></a></p>
<p>At last! A moment of glory. I could SEE another rider up ahead! I don’t remember the mileposts, or even what ballpark, but there was a section of the trail which was very difficult to ride and had eaten into my spirit a bit. Clearly a large number of horses had been through and the gravel, which was typically divided by two nice tracks of ridable dirt, had been reorganized into a deep bumpy mess that was costly to ride through. Now I had a visible target.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/of5gwCyPqdEoE9ACx4MsN10xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/of5gwCyPqdEoE9ACx4MsN10xspap_small.png" alt="bend 13.png"></a></p>
<p>It turned out to be Aaron. It took me what felt like forever to overtake him in spite of my renewed drive. We both removed our headphones and chatted for a bit. I immediately liked the guy. Riding at such similar speeds, we stuck together for awhile before I eventually pushed a little harder. After all, he let me know Patrick wasn’t too much further ahead.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/5cyY8eMDz3RVPjLgeigehn0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/5cyY8eMDz3RVPjLgeigehn0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 14.png"></a></p>
<p>Funny story, since that’s why you’re here, I passed Patrick without even knowing it. I was fumbling with my phone to get the above photo without stopping and rode right past his bike propped against a sign board on the trail! I’m not sure where he was at the moment, probably using the restroom.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mx6Gmi2bu3ztDJa8VpmJLP0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mx6Gmi2bu3ztDJa8VpmJLP0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 15.png"></a></p>
<p>This led to some confusion when he passed me again later, but I’d be getting ahead of myself. I discovered where the pass had happened days after the event when I saw someone’s photo of the same building with his bike against the sign; must have been Aaron’s photo. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mxvL2Cu4mvU2zCHKr6LFg90xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/mxvL2Cu4mvU2zCHKr6LFg90xspap_small.png" alt="bend 16.png"></a></p>
<p>Anyway, good times. The lack of knowledge kept me pedaling hard-ish to Ellensburg.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/8d7XC8TpT23So8opbSBwC30xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/8d7XC8TpT23So8opbSBwC30xspap_small.png" alt="bend 17.png"></a></p>
<p>Although the Snoqualmie Tunnel is by far the largest and most interesting, there were more tunnels along the trail. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wGW1p5rPEJeuf2Bci3DGHF0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wGW1p5rPEJeuf2Bci3DGHF0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 18.png"></a></p>
<p>I endeavored to photograph them all; if I succeeded, that makes 4 tunnels.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3Yfcs7CLJkkUbJqxTmSYQZ0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3Yfcs7CLJkkUbJqxTmSYQZ0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 19.png"></a></p>
<p>All this pushing to a particular town had me just about out of water and craving foods of varying types.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/tyAf41RBsWVp2nmkcy9kSX0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/tyAf41RBsWVp2nmkcy9kSX0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 20.png"></a></p>
<p>Ellensburg finally came, welcoming me with construction blocking the trail. It only took a minute to confirm on the map that the detour would be very small, but I snapped a photo anyway to show why I had gone off-route. </p>
<p>The diverted path led me to continue down whatever road until I found a Shell gas station. This was a good stop. I drank a lot of fluid and refilled my supplies. This was the one time I used my bike lock because it was a very busy gas station with a lot of teenagers coming and going. I was once a teenager. No strikes you’re out kid. One of my cleats had begun squeaking which I knew meant it was coming loose. Not wanting to lose a screw by waiting too long, I took this opportunity to retighten it. I also ate gas station chicken nuggets. Oops. My fond memories of the boneless wings from the pizza shop on the first day clouded my knowledge of gas station food. </p>
<p>The day had turned much warmer and I didn’t expect to find much water during the next stretch to Wenatchee, so I loaded up with extra. Water strategy is one of the more troublesome parts of bikepacking. You can’t ride without water for long at all, hot cold or in-between weather; it’s necessary. For a one-day event, you can take risks and run yourself into the ground if it isn’t particularly hot outside. For a multi-day event, that would be bad news bears; practically unrecoverable. The challenge is that water is about the heaviest thing you can carry on a bike. The metric system makes this easy, and since bike people speak of weight in grams, I can escape an American conversion here. I carried two water bottles (710ml each), a small water filter with attached flask (600ml), and purchased two water bottles at the gas station (590ml and 1000ml). One liter of water (1000ml) weighs approximately 1kg (1000grams). So my new water capacity, when full, weighed 3,610g. Ermagerd. If you’re a non-bike people, that’s basically 8lbs of water; 4.8lbs of which I had not carried yet on this trip. On the surface this doesn’t sound like a big deal, but seat of the pants it was actually horribly demoralizing. The only way I could find to mount the two extra bottles was to my handlebar bag, which meant all that weight could be felt in the steering. </p>
<p>The GCN show on YouTube did an experiment with almost this exact weight difference. The TL;DR is that they agree with me, but it’s a fun watch, especially if you haven’t experienced a sudden weight difference like this on a bike yourself:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le_LSWfGJUo">GCN YouTube video</a><br>
(don’t forget to right-click and open in a new tab or window!)</p>
<p>Within minutes of leaving the gas station, my stomach rebelled and let me know the chicken nuggets were a not a good choice. Between the stomach pain and the extra water weight, my going was slow and attitude poor over the next stretch, which was too bad because it was gorgeous farmland.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qybaMTrUe1sm95q34qZXR0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/qybaMTrUe1sm95q34qZXR0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 21.png"></a></p>
<p>The climbing began gradually and the road surface switched between pavement and well groomed, frequented, gravel. This eventually gave way to a more rugged doubletrack road and, with the transition, a less forgiving gradient. In a moment of frustration I stopped and poured out both of the extra water bottles I had purchased. I had considered it for miles and it had just seemed so wasteful, and not a small bit of risky. But, the relief was welcome.</p>
<p>Here was where I made another mistake, nearly more disastrous than those of the previous day. I felt a tightness in my left leg, the calf muscle and ankle in particular. It didn’t hurt, but as you spend hundreds of hours a year on a bicycle, you know when something isn’t right. With lots of climbing time to think, I figured I must have set my cleat to a new angle when I tightened it back at the gas station and my body didn’t like it.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3SPhwCmg4ivq43KUYoobSp0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3SPhwCmg4ivq43KUYoobSp0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 22.png"></a></p>
<p>Aharon had admonished at the start of the event that when a problem arose he would stop immediately and resolve it. I thought this had been great advice, I just chose to ignore it and press on. I still thought I was chasing Patrick and I really wanted to be done with this difficult stretch before nightfall. Bad idea.</p>
<p>Very suddenly there was a shooting pain in my left shin! I’d never felt anything like it before. Sure, I’ve hurt myself before and maybe had a worse pain, but this was a type of pain I’d never felt before and it wasn’t to be ignored. For lack of any experience or knowledge of what I felt I think it may have been a shin splint? Whatever it was, I couldn’t push through it try as I might. I came to a stop over and over, unable to push on my left pedal at all. I unweighted the foot entirely and the pain would gradually fade, only to return in full with any pressure. Feeling a bit ridiculous and helpless I just stood there holding my bike up for a few minutes. I was mad at myself for not stopping to check on what I’d felt, but not enough to do something I’d regret, like quit or go back to town.</p>
<p>After a short time the pain reduced to a point I could walk, provided I didn’t put much weight on the left foot. I started walking up the road, pushing the bike and using it for support. I had a laugh out loud moment during this difficult time when I came to a cattle grate. These are not uncommon during gravel rides and don’t usually pose much of an obstacle; you just ride over them with enough speed that your front wheel doesn’t turn and don’t think about it. The spaces between the slats can actually be quite large, more than enough to swallow a poorly positioned bicycle wheel, even with tires as large as mine. The laughter came because this was the most difficult cattle grate I had ever crossed. My bike was heavy and barely moving so I had to work to keep the front tire pointed straight ahead and footing was insecure in my cycling shoes.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/weTopRzc17gvBoHBZX3Mrz0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/weTopRzc17gvBoHBZX3Mrz0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 23.png"></a></p>
<p>I eventually paused for a longer stop. I ate my remaining Doritos from the gas station, drank some water, watched some cows in a pasture, and sat down in the road to fix my cleat position. It was visibly angled, how had I not notice that? Or maybe it slipped again since the gas station, but I found that unlikely.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vJWQis1vLDdVYWi6L3yAUx0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vJWQis1vLDdVYWi6L3yAUx0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 24.png"></a></p>
<p>I hadn’t been walking for much longer after my sit down when Patrick caught me. As I mentioned before, this was a confusing moment because I thought I’D been chasing HIM! He said something encouraging as he passed, not knowing why I was walking, and mentioned Aaron wasn’t far behind. Well great. I grew to like Patrick over the next couple of hours, but in that moment I felt reasonably demoralized, walking my bike. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/i5QxUyDKQctoyQGVJphNSC0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/i5QxUyDKQctoyQGVJphNSC0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 25.png"></a></p>
<p>Somewhere in this stretch the road really began to show it’s true colors. Even walking wasn’t so easy. The road dipped down into a gully for a few feet and I reasoned it would be faster to get on my bike and coast rather than walk. Without thinking, I put in a pedal stroke at the bottom as the road tipped back up; no pain! This lasted for a couple of glorious pedal strokes before it hurt again. I tested a few positions and finally figured out I could put some pressure on the left pedal if I kept my ankle at a certain angle. Beyond that angle the searing pain came back. I could ride my bike again! So I did. Right past Patrick who had stopped for a food break. I muttered something so completely out of character I actually apologized to him later; I think it was akin to “F#@& this road!”</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2Hu72JHeNKDMaf1uD9Wbf90xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2Hu72JHeNKDMaf1uD9Wbf90xspap_small.png" alt="bend 26.png"></a></p>
<p>It was rough. Real rough. Loose rocks in many places, one (sorry, two photos up now) spot I couldn’t ride at all and had to walk. Other spots had the opposite problem, fixed sharp rocks that bounced you all over and gave worry for tire damage. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3xdDn8Wr8NmEJ5UN7Hdrhj0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3xdDn8Wr8NmEJ5UN7Hdrhj0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 27.png"></a></p>
<p>It was like this ALL. THE. WAY. So hard. Difficulty of a climb can be measured in several ways, but this is the hardest climb I have personally done. I spent so much time standing because that was the only way to make forward progress without getting bucked off the bike! </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/4ADDZdU3qagGruq9HGaqt40xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/4ADDZdU3qagGruq9HGaqt40xspap_small.png" alt="bend 28.png"></a></p>
<p>The elevation of the hill was somewhere around 5,000ft from bottom to top, but there was not one top. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/so8Nqqk7yMjTNwEMbg2sP30xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/so8Nqqk7yMjTNwEMbg2sP30xspap_small.png" alt="bend 29.png"></a></p>
<p>We repeatedly crested only to descent again an unforgivable distance and start scrambling uphill again!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bDaLP1jCYBPYSKDEWdn6P70xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bDaLP1jCYBPYSKDEWdn6P70xspap_small.png" alt="bend 30.png"></a></p>
<p>I say “we” because Patrick and I rode much of this within speaking distance of each other and often stopped to watch each other cross difficult sections to make sure the other made it safely. It was that rough.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sFFeAguwUrKp8uzeJewp7X0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sFFeAguwUrKp8uzeJewp7X0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 31.png"></a></p>
<p>Icing on the cake would be the view. The sun was setting with beautiful colors and we intermittently had broad views of the valley we would eventually descend into.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/txBi7K8kgsNtuAyvjzQZKE0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/txBi7K8kgsNtuAyvjzQZKE0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 32.png"></a></p>
<p>There was even a large herd of elk. Very large; I’ve never seen so many in one place. No photo of the elk since they were in the trees at some distance and stampeded when we got close.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3RzsFPMQudwjZ1Xkv5TokQ0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3RzsFPMQudwjZ1Xkv5TokQ0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 33.png"></a></p>
<p>Typically the reward for climbing a 5,000ft mountain is the descent on the other side. Not the case in the Colockum Wildlife Area.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bzFGpizkJ16xLStxaN7Am40xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bzFGpizkJ16xLStxaN7Am40xspap_small.png" alt="bend 34.png"></a></p>
<p>It must have been faster, but the descent was no easier. Adorned with a “no vehicles beyond this point sign,” the road had suffered much neglect. I think Troy refered to it as a “decomissioned Jeep trail.” Now I know what that looks like, because Jeeps will drive just about anything!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/5MrSVEtqoFXoHNwHaATN5z0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/5MrSVEtqoFXoHNwHaATN5z0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 35.png"></a></p>
<p>It even offered multiple water crossings; gratuitous shots of Patrick to follow.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3NGAVYinooK3Qw8m1HqBMt0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3NGAVYinooK3Qw8m1HqBMt0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 36.png"></a></p>
<p>I think I walked this particular one. I’m not often one to just “send it” anyway, but I felt very remote and unreachable here so much of my focus was on avoiding injury.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uegnrVAAYnEYVgycbu2qC90xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uegnrVAAYnEYVgycbu2qC90xspap_small.png" alt="bend 37.png"></a></p>
<p>So much climbing for a descent!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/4VR3P4tAjTpbV4aGy5uZEk0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/4VR3P4tAjTpbV4aGy5uZEk0xspap_small.png" alt="bend 38.png"></a></p>
<p>Eventually we were forced to turn our lights on, night had caught us fair and square, and we were not done with the hill. Even when the road opened up a bit there were so many large and hidden rocks you couldn’t allow yourself to pick up speed for fear of being pitched off the bike. If there weren’t large rocks the grade was steep and loose.</p>
<p>Patrick and I paused for a break in the dark. Although the road had expanded to a usable and obviously traveled gravel road, it was still the most technical descending I have done outside of proper MTB drops and my hands were too tired to grip the brakes anymore. I put my jacket on and stuffed the empty water bottles into my now empty pocket. They had still been attached to the handlebar bag and were not just obnoxiously bouncing around but interfering with the necessary headlight. I didn’t have the heart to litter, but it was a poor choice to bring them from Ellensburg.</p>
<p>Then, what’s that noise?! Brakes! Another headlight swung into view and Aaron came to a stop to join us. Man were we all happy to see each other! I don’t envy anyone who had to do that road alone. Aaron had heard us from a distance and had been trying to catch us for a long time. If we’d known we would have waited; there was no racing the Colockum that day. Patrick and I were both on rigid bikes while Aaron had a suspension fork, so we let him lead and find all the large bumps on the way down. It was slow going for awhile, but not long after we became a trio - glorious pavement!! It felt like it pointed straight down - wow that was steep! We were essentially descending <a href="https://www.missionridge.com/">Mission Ridge</a> in the dark. </p>
<p>They left me for dead; I had no confidence left and all I could think about was misjudging a corner and pitching over a guardrail into the unknown. Once the road flattened out, I was just in a valley in the dark, and I was tired. Wasn’t Wenatchee on the other side of all we had just been through? Of course, but not immediately. These tired highway miles seemed to really drag on. In the dark there was little to mark the passing miles and I didn’t know how far until we made it to town. I also wasn’t willing to stop and check the route to find out; I didn’t want to get off my bike until I had reached “somewhere,” and I was passing through “nowhere.” Looking back now, it is simply called Colockum Road, but it sure seemed like a major highway. There were actually few cars and the shoulder was generous, but after spending most of the last day on segregated trails and in the wilderness, their noise and speed were unwelcome.</p>
<p>I focused on the taillights of Aaron and Patrick, who had finished the descent ahead of me, and slowly reeled them in. At some point I realized I hadn’t set ANY goals beyond going without sleep until Ellensburg. The last day could be summarized as waking up cheery, chasing dots, and surviving the Colockum. Before adding the water weight in Ellensburg, I felt amazing. It felt like so much time had passed since that Shell gas station it was hard to formulate next steps. Although I hadn’t crashed passing through the Colockum and my shin splint issue had faded into the background, I still very much felt beat up and adrift. </p>
<p>It was in this state of mind that I caught the two riders. We didn’t talk much, or at least I didn’t. I can’t remember who but one of them asked where I planned to stay that night and I sheepishly answered I had no idea - I paused and volunteered that I was considering riding through the night. I don’t remember if there was a direct response, but it was clear that wasn’t part of their plan.</p>
<p>Aaron and Patrick continued their conversation and I continued my pace, very slowly pulling away into the night. Their non-response to my overnight thoughts served only to bolster my interest in following through. I started to form a plan. In the meantime, I just hoped whatever building lights I saw belonged to Wenatchee proper. They never seemed to, but no doubt I was still on route and moving forward so the city had to come eventually. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2R1pvKqYjw6LfJRwz7aozP0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2R1pvKqYjw6LfJRwz7aozP0xspap_small.png" alt="eph 01.png"></a></p>
<p>Wenatchee held some good memories for me. It played host to the first criterium race when I tried road racing in 2017 and I remembered there was an Applebees across the street from the hotel I’d stayed at with Michael C. Suddenly, I was craving Applebees food. I lit up with ideas and quickly pulled my phone out. Yes, there was still an Applebees in Wenatchee, and yes it was open until midnight! I could probably make it too! I knew exactly what I would order.</p>
<p>With a goal in mind, the distance to town melted quickly and the city streets were reasonably enjoyable since there was hardly any traffic. Somewhere along the way I passed a hotel Thomas had stopped at for the night after surviving the Colockum. He had texted offering to let me crash there with him if I wanted; I don’t remember if I replied, but I was leaving the door open to continue riding, so didn’t take him up on the offer. </p>
<p>I made a quick stop at a <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/retail/wenatchee/">bike shop, Cycle Central,</a> for a photo. The owners are super cool people who really helped me out when my bike broke on a weekend tour in Chelan. They pulled parts off a bike on their showroom floor to fix mine, only to later discover there was frame damage and the bike couldn’t be ridden. In the meantime, the owner loaned me my first adventure bike (a Felt) out of his home garage so I could finish the tour! Wow, who does stuff like that?! Someday I will buy a bike from them to say thanks. For now, a quick photo I subsequently forgot to post to social media would suffice.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gFus6B3vDswzgZ7Dy2U96x0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/gFus6B3vDswzgZ7Dy2U96x0xspap_small.png" alt="eph 02.png"></a></p>
<p>Applebees! Tired and getting cold, I propped my bike near a window and walked in. A few minutes went by without wait staff and I eventually walked to the bar and asked if the kitchen was still open as it was 11:30 - yep! Take a seat anywhere. I plopped down at the same window as my bike so I could watch it and ate like a king: a large milkshake and an oriental chicken salad. I was warm and had wifi so I checked trackleaders, everyone had stopped for the night. I was 4th into town after Thomas, Ricky L, and Nat. With Aaron and Patrick rolling into town not long after, there were 6 of us in the same town who had passed what I assumed would be the greatest obstacle of the route. At least 3 of them were consistently riding faster than me. I exchanged a few text messages I think with Lo and Michael back home, left a tip I hoped would offset my crashing their closing hour, and left Applebees for the cold night air. </p>
<p>Thankful again for so little traffic, I had some trouble navigating the (very nice) bike path across the Columbia River in the dark. I eventually got onto it and followed the route along the opposite side of the river I had entered town on. Suddenly, bodies on the trail! Okay, they were at least six inches off the trail, but I likely woke up Ricky, Aaron, and Patrick when I rode by because they were all laying out in the open. Nat earned the stealth badge for the night as a I definitely didn’t see him when I passed his dot a bit further along. </p>
<p>I stopped at a Shell station just before the turnoff for the final significant climb of the route, Rock Island Grade. There were no other customers, so the girl running the station let me wheel my bike inside while I used the restroom. She seemed quite curious about the event and I later regretted not giving her the trackleaders link. I had my favorite mocha Frappuccino for some caffeine, stashed some calories to go, and wheeled out into the night again.</p>
<p>Click the link for the next segment:</p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-four/">Day Four: Gaining Ritzville</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/day-four2019-10-01T00:03:42-07:002019-10-01T00:03:42-07:00Day Four: Gaining Ritzville<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/34NufuVjwkoWTQ6LupmdCi0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/34NufuVjwkoWTQ6LupmdCi0xspap_small.png" alt="eph 03.png"></a></p>
<p>The surface was packed dirt immediately off the highway, but I didn’t have much time to recalibrate as the above photographed spectacle greeted me at the first bend in the new road! Talk about a comforting image as I wheel off somewhere around 1am into what I assume is wilderness. I had never seen a carcass just left behind like that before and the flesh which remained was still fresh. Something had recently killed this reasonably large animal (deer?), dragged it to within a hundred yards of a highway, and proceeded to clean the bones - yikes. I assumed it was a pack of dogs/coyotes, which wasn’t comforting, because I would likely appear an easier target than this had been. I resolved to keep going, but I was very much alert, and I took special note of which direction was downhill because that’s the direction I would go if faced by whatever did that! Side note, when Thomas started riding again some hours later, he came across the same corpse, and it had MOVED! We compared photos after the event was over and it was clearly in a different position.</p>
<p>Not many more feet up the road I met a cold wind in my face and was forced to stop and add my “night time layers.” I pulled my headphones out of my ears and had my head on swivel while I changed right in the middle of the road, estimating how quickly I could dump everything and jump on my bike. Rock Island Grade is a reasonably steep road and quite exposed. I was thankful to be doing it in the cold wind because reports from previous XWA adventures occurred during the day and it was blazing hot in the sun. I didn’t get a view, but I think my way was much more enjoyable. The wind was strong enough to slow me down in one direction, then I would turn the other way on the next switchback and be able to upshift while still relaxing uphill with a tailwind, not a bad way to do the climb.</p>
<p>The next stretch through the dark was enjoyable. Not much to see but the road in my headlight. I would switch lighting constantly as I rode and the terrain went up and down. My dynamo would light the way down, then flicker as I slowed to climb, so I would turn it off and climb with my helmet light. I found I would turn the helmet light up when descending as well since I didn’t know the surface or area AT ALL and things came upon things very quickly. I also added a jacket to the long sleeve jersey I wore and kept zipping and unzipping to match my effort. These are the small, unmentionable tasks I choose to mention because they occupy the mind when there is nothing else to do so. For scale, the photo of the carcass was taken at 1:42am and I was only just getting past the obstacle I’m about to describe with a photo at 4:28am; that’s a lot of time spent seeing and experiencing nothing but the gravel illuminated in front of me.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/t3w4G3FFtJonN1sBNL3hJE0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/t3w4G3FFtJonN1sBNL3hJE0xspap_small.png" alt="eph 04.png"></a></p>
<p>I felt like I was FLYING! Alert, strong legs, motivated by being at the front again, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAS5Z1GvxrQ">some great tunes coming across my playlist.</a> Then, something ahead of me as I descended. I couldn’t figure out what it was, just a blackness where a road should have been. My brain had trouble recognizing it and as I result I slid to a stop at the very edge of the water - a stream about 20ft wide crossed the road. I could see the other side, vehicle obviously just drove through it, and it was calm without obvious buried obstacles. On a warm day I would have just carried my bike across, but it WAS NOT WARM at around 4am! Okay, this is all relative. Garmin said it was 47F at this point, but the day before, while riding into Ellensburg, it was mid 70F.</p>
<p>Anyway - I was frustrated to be delayed. There were tall weeds, trees, and cliff-like banks on either side of the road. Nevertheless, I waded through the weeds and trees looking for a way around on either side of the road. Eventually I found some footholds on the left side which might allow me to bring the bike across dry. During this time I looked at trackleaders and was disheartened to see the RL dot had begun climbing Rock Island Grade already! I mean, already was 4am, not early in an ultra race, but my thinking was skewed. This was Ricky L, whose dot I hadn’t paid attention to before this. I don’t remember if I met him at the rider meeting and he left me on the first climbs the first day as part of a group, so I had never singled him out for evaluation. Now he was the closest, and apparently motivated, contender and would serve as my motivation for the entire next day of riding.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/kew64xu9YuG5JUeg1asMer0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/kew64xu9YuG5JUeg1asMer0xspap_small.png" alt="eph 05.png"></a></p>
<p>The first photo, with my bike in the water, is where I made it across. I didn’t note that I left my chain submerged to get this photo - another lesson learned. This second photo is on the opposite bank after taking entirely too long to overcome an obstacle which would have meant very little at a different time of day. There are compromises to every choice; Rock Island Grade was so much easier in the cool of night, but the tradeoff was a fear of simple water crossings.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/i5GynrJBdAyMWYs8SxpXJD0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/i5GynrJBdAyMWYs8SxpXJD0xspap_small.png" alt="eph 06.png"></a></p>
<p>The next section included a relaxed sunrise and lots of sand. I felt some looseness in one shoe and this time stopped immediately to tighten the same cleat which was coming loose again. This didn’t happen at all during my rides prior to the event. I stopped again within a few minutes as I felt a tightness and knew I’d once again set the cleat in the wrong position, but immediately fixed it to avoid the excruciating pain I’d felt the day before.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2nsxUFK9pHhdUZfE1ytnqh0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2nsxUFK9pHhdUZfE1ytnqh0xspap_small.png" alt="eph 07.png"></a></p>
<p>I believe there were 6 water crossings before I made it to my next landmark, the town of Ephrata. This was a beautiful piece of Washington State and I really should have enjoyed it more. As it was, I barely noted my surroundings. It felt like I came to another water crossing every five minutes (not true). </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/h4srNo5yrgzFt6gJ4qsv9R0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/h4srNo5yrgzFt6gJ4qsv9R0xspap_small.png" alt="eph08.png"></a></p>
<p>Two of the crossings I could find no way to walk around, but could jump across. I threw my bike into the grass on the other side and then jumped after it; thankful for a soft landing! One of them was very easy, and one I felt warm enough and just waded through, although I did take the time to remove my shoes and socks first.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6GVCfYtPemSvnpNtxWa86A0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6GVCfYtPemSvnpNtxWa86A0xspap_small.png" alt="eph09.png"></a></p>
<p>This area with the multiple water crossings follows Douglas Creek, which is accessible by Jeep and the ilk, if you’re daring. There were several spots with tire tracks where I marveled you could get a vehicle not only into, but apparently also back out of (I’ve never been off-roading with a Jeep).</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uoDDN1cL2BicMtcKtLY96m0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uoDDN1cL2BicMtcKtLY96m0xspap_small.png" alt="eph10.png"></a></p>
<p>Eventually I exited the wilderness onto familiar roads - <a href="http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/gran-fondo-ephrata/">the Vicious Cycles Gran Fondo Ephrata passes over this area.</a> My confidence, and pace, took a leap as I could actually picture what was around the next corner! Farms I recognized, <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/635136">and the Three Devils Climb</a>, on which I somehow posted the fastest time (at time of writing) for 2019 (hint: the Gran Fondo didn’t use the climb this year) …</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/xrjox9XNuNAMwdtRqBhc5v0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/xrjox9XNuNAMwdtRqBhc5v0xspap_small.png" alt="eph11.png"></a></p>
<p>Not having studied the course well, it still felt like it took a long time to actually reach Ephrata. I didn’t take many photos here and it was hard to remember what happened. Looking back over my GPS track, I remember I had a hard time finding the exact Troy route into town. A gravel track followed a canal, but there was also a small path on the embankment which eventually dropped down onto a residential street. I spent a stupid amount of time trying to stay on route for what was probably only 0.2 miles of the course. </p>
<p>I headed for McDonalds and only remember that I ate quickly. I was feeling pressed by trackleaders. On a cell phone with spotty coverage it is hard to give scale to the dots. All I knew was EVERYONE was moving and seemed to be clearing obstacles faster than I had, although scrutinizing trackleaders now shows otherwise: Ricky started Rock Island grade only about 2.5 hours behind me and Aaron, Patrick, and Thomas all started the climb pretty close together about 4 hours after I did. Reaching Ephrata, Ricky was almost 3.5 hours back and Thomas, the first of the following trio, was about 5 hours back. At the time I just knew they looked close on the map and my energy was flagging.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ostFagmbFZZhbCnkHrPaJa0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ostFagmbFZZhbCnkHrPaJa0xspap_small.png" alt="eph12.png"></a></p>
<p>Leaving Ephrata was a joy, provided by the only consistent tailwind of the trip. I did have to stop for navigational challenges. There was a split on a dirt road, which was a gentle “Y” intersection, and I couldn’t tell from any of my maps whether to go right or left. I eventually got google maps satelite layer to load and chose the right (also correct) path. This eventually lead to the “death wire” which had been identified by a trail angel (thanks Shawn P!) before the event and marked with highly visible ribbons - it is a single piece of wire strung across the road. With mostly flat ground and a tailwind I felt like I was flying and could have easily run right into it even in broad daylight. I snapped a quick photo as a thank you!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2LXWA5oE4RBgedNsSpwrC60xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2LXWA5oE4RBgedNsSpwrC60xspap_small.png" alt="eph13.png"></a></p>
<p>The surface quality deteriorated quickly and my pace slowed in spite of the tailwind because there were so many fixed rocks to avoid. I tried taking a video, which I’ll link below for a good laugh. You can’t hear much of what I was saying over the wind and you can probably tell from what you do hear than I’m tired. Nevertheless, here it is:</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/SwWfd3SSDxE">YouTube video of rocks; remember to right-click and open in a new tab!</a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sgUSNkm8Q6PHtXyow5jMmb0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sgUSNkm8Q6PHtXyow5jMmb0xspap_small.png" alt="moses 01.png"></a></p>
<p>Next came Moses Lake, where I tellingly did not stop for a rest or supplies. The tailwind was a now a headwind and would remain so for most of the rest of the day. The route wends through an ORV park, which thankfully was mostly deserted when I passed through. Other XWA riders passing through later would find it a huge party full of campers, ATV’s, and alcohol. What we all got to experience though, was the soul crushing sand. There was no good line through here, the road IS sand. Each pedal stroke was part spin, part forward momentum. With a bit of heat and a lot of wind, this was very mentally taxing. My only photo was of my opportune potty break. One of the only vehicles was a construction grader reorganizing sand and the rocks below. I was barely going faster than the grader and had a difficult time getting over the ridge he created in the middle of the road to pass him. I actually had to stop, get off my bike, walk across the ridge, get back on my bike, and finally pass him at a painstakingly slow rate - we waved at each other.</p>
<p>The next stretch was alternating headwinds and crosswinds as the road took square turns. Then, a Troy Hopwood special. A left turn off a perfectly good road, so ridiculous I almost rode right past it. Into the sand again next to an unnamed tributary of Potholes Reservoir - and then there it was! The legendary carp pond! Really just a flooded section of road, but there were several dead fish laying both in the roadway and in the water, and it DID smell. There had been lots of talk about this before the event and I distinctly remembered a video the Kato’s took of them wading through the water and later posting about the “swamp bottom” they acquired as a result.</p>
<p>I was not game. I had seen an alternate road not so far back and I turned my bike around and took it. It was certainly not a faster detour, but I did stay dry. Some may think this is cheating and not following the route because even though it took me more time I didn’t have to deal with the hazard of foul water - not untrue, although Troy did say if we ever felt unsafe we should detour from the route and I felt like this qualified. No regrets.</p>
<p>Also a result of not studying the route ahead of time, I only planned on one water crossing, so this was a complete surprise. The first one I came to above Ephrata I had assumed to be THE one and only water crossing. Oops. After surviving a carping, the route bounced back up onto a road, the same perfectly good road I had left not even a mile back - oh, Troy is good, real good. How does he even find these things?!?</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2k47cvoXYpPPrJEFmobMGP0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/2k47cvoXYpPPrJEFmobMGP0xspap_small.png" alt="walden 01.png"></a></p>
<p>I can tell my energy was really flagging now looking back because I barely took any photos of a gorgeous area. The route through South Warden Lake is privately owned, complete with a sign explaining the owner wants to share it, and to treat it properly because he has the right to close it to use at any time. I really appreciated this, although not the ease of access. At the west end where the route enters his private preserve is a tall metal fence with a horse/deer/bicycle proof entry. No way to wheel my bike through, I finally just lifted it over.</p>
<p>The two track road winds through beautiful meadows and is decently maintained. For motorized vehicles anyway. The rock used on the road was deep and round making riding basically impossible. In order to pedal my bike through, I had to used the center of the road to escape the rocks, which would be fine if the “meadow” wasn’t about two feet tall and thick. I came to the exit of this area thoroughly exhausted from the effort of making progress, to be faced by a normal cattle fence.</p>
<p>This was much taller than the deer gate at the other end of the property and it had a combination lock. At first I wasn’t phased because we had received a code for such padlocks after receiving a permit for a section of the Palouse to Cascades Trail, which this was not a part of… The combo didn’t work and the gate remained locked. I stood in the wind and snacked for what felt like a very long time contemplating my choices. There was clearly no way around and NO WAY I was going backwards after all I’d just fought through. I could remove my bags from the bike to lighten it and get it over the fence, but that seemed like a huge amount of time as well. Finally I just moved without having really reached a decision and lifted the bike, climbed a rung of the fence, lifted it over the fence, and dropped it on the other side so it fell back, leaning against the fence. It was fast, but man that took a lot of energy.</p>
<p>I climbed over the fence after it and rode out to pavement through what felt very much like someone’s driveway, because it was. Pavement! Should have been welcome smooth sailing, but for the strong headwind and my exhaustion. I spotted a gas station at the next intersection. I zoomed out my map and saw the actual town of Warden wasn’t “far” away and it wasn’t long after 1pm. I decided not to stop but press on to the next town. </p>
<p>That decision almost broke me. Up to this point I could basically just ask my legs to keep pedaling and they would, although not with much power. I’ve read this described as someone’s “RAAM speed,” an obvious reference to the part it plays in that event, which is the average speed you can ride a bike when you have depleted your reserves, gone without sleep, and are asking your body to basically run on fight or flight autopilot. I couldn’t hold RAAM speed anymore. In the heat and headwind on that boring road being passed by cars, I was barely turning over the pedals. Everything hurt. My legs, my joints, my hands, my butt, my back, my HEART hurt. I began swearing with each breath, willing myself to keep moving - it eventually devolved into a repeated and barely audible “oh my god, oh my god…”</p>
<p>There was a slight hill into Warden and I remember wondering if I was already in my easiest gear when I came to it (I wasn’t). Creeping through town, I made it to a quaint gas station which thankfully was well stocked with beverages and ice cream. The real food looked unappetizing, but I bought a few things and made for a green space on the map in the middle of town.</p>
<p>I sat for a long time in the shade eating, drinking, and hoping to recover. My head felt foggy and my heart hurt. These were not good signs, but there was still so much daylight! I felt a bit defeated; I didn’t care to look at trackleaders, I was conscious it was too early to stop for the day, but how could I possibly continue in this condition?</p>
<p>I decided I must sleep; for how long I didn’t know. The park was kind of busy with kids, parents, and some guy who I was very uncomfortable with for some reason. On the way into town I remembered what looked liked a secluded park. Back on my bike, I backtracked only to find it was a municipality junk pile, not a park. Too exhaust to care, I dropped my bike under a tree only about 40ft from the main road and undid my sleeping gear for the first, and only, time on the trip. I inflated the sleeping pad, changed into sleeping clothes, and climbed into the sleeping bag and bivy. There wasn’t much shade under the one tree so it was very warm. The road was busy with the comings and goings of a farm town on a weekday and I zipped up the bivy to keep the wind-born dust out. Super comfy. I passed out - hard.</p>
<p>I awoke feeling completely refreshed, like wow I must have slept through the night! Because it was still daylight. A glance at my phone showed I’d slept barely an hour. How was that possible? I felt so good! I glanced at trackleaders, still in my sleeping bag. Ricky was closing in! Like, just outside of town kind of closing in! I jumped into motion, changed back into bike clothes, packed up the sleeping gear in an unceremonious fashion, and got on my bike. I stopped at the park again on the way out of town to top of my water and use the bathroom.</p>
<p>Although I looked over my shoulder a lot, I didn’t actually see Ricky as I left town. It must have been reasonably close, and he didn’t stop. Looking back on trackleaders I can’t tell how close because my tracker made a huge jump, not recording intervals for quite some time. This experience made me a believer in so called micro sleeps. The amount of time I rested seems inconsequential, but the energy I had leaving town wasn’t much shy of feeling 100%. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sTfEn3iaUG1NWq3VLeC6pB0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sTfEn3iaUG1NWq3VLeC6pB0xspap_small.png" alt="lind 01.png"></a></p>
<p>I set my next goal to be the town of Lind; a landmark in my mind because it marked a section of the trail which required a permit and as a result had come across many conversations leading up to the event. I had high expectations for Lind. The roads getting there were tough, mostly because of the wind, and I kept telling myself another gas station with ice cream awaited me as a reward for pushing hard. I was thoroughly disappointed. When I arrived at Lind late in the afternoon, the only open businesses were the bars, and they sounded rowdy from the street. Not usually one to be shy of such experiences, I wasn’t willing to walk into a full bar in my cycling kit. Instead I found a vending machine down the street and bought bottles of water to resupply. I wheeled out of town just in time to be stopped at the rail crossing for a train, couldn’t have planned that if I’d tried! <br>
I should mention that during normal business hours Lind is quite welcoming, not the least of which because of a fantastic coffee shop, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kindrascoffeebar/">Kindra’s Coffee Bar;</a> fast friendly service and incredibly welcoming to cyclists - she’ll ask you to sign her wall! </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uPFJ9LEstEi8HobKL8FdbX0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/uPFJ9LEstEi8HobKL8FdbX0xspap_small.png" alt="lind 02.png"></a></p>
<p>Ricky was still coming. Trackleaders, at the last dependable spot, showed him less than an hour behind. I stopped looking as I left Lind. I don’t think there was cell coverage to speak of anyway and the trail was very rough, making it difficult to ride without both hands on the bars. After that train crossing, the route jumped back onto the Palouse to Cascades Trail (the permit we couldn’t get was the section between Warden and Lind). The trail was very rough here and I spent a lot of energy focusing on keeping my pace up while not hitting a rock and ending my ride. I found it necessary to lean into the aero bars to keep momentum. This also saved my hands and my backside from the beating, transferring much of the abuse onto my arms, shoulders, and back.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/62jdnKezmULr4UK6UKeK9X0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/62jdnKezmULr4UK6UKeK9X0xspap_small.png" alt="lind 03.png"></a></p>
<p>This last photo I snapped about 8:30pm shortly before turning on my lights again. Gorgeous sunset! I was in good spirits for another hour. About 9:30pm the route left the flat, if rough, trail and took gravel roads toward the town of Ritzville, my goal for the night - and sleep! Things went downhill for me quickly. The road was rolling compared to the trail and my rhythm was broken as I was forced to climb. The climbs weren’t steep or long, but I didn’t have much gas in the tank left for them. Then it started to get cold. Again, this is all relative; the temperature in Warden was mid 60F and riding through the night to Ritzville shows low 40F. In my depleted state this felt VERY cold, especially when the road tilted downhill. I stopped a couple of times to add layers.</p>
<p>I was making such slow progress I began to worry, and look at the map a lot. Ritzville was not far away, but I was going slow. I gradually hit the wall again, the same feelings of exhaustion that I experienced maybe 7 hours earlier on my way to Warden, but much worse. I really thought I was in trouble. I was sure Ricky and others would blow by me at any time since I was going so slow. I had all but my emergency down puffy on and I was cold. I was hungry, but none of my food sounded good. I was rationing water because it was starting to run low. It was pitch black but for what my headlight illuminated. And I was tired; if you remember I’d only had that hour of sleep under a tree since North Bend!</p>
<p>Gradually I relapsed completely to my state before Warden, complete with swearing with each breath. So much saddle pain! This wasn’t the usual discomfort of being on a saddle for many hours where you may develop chafing, a rash, saddle sores, etc, but beyond. This was cumulative pressure on soft tissue over days adding up to this moment in time where it felt like I was really doing damage and there was no relief but for brief moments of standing on the pedals, and I didn’t have enough energy to do that for more than seconds at a time. The rolling terrain made it difficult to stay in the aero bars and my back wasn’t happy with that anymore anyways.</p>
<p>I tried all the mental games to will myself forward. Distractions, calculating mileage vs time, nothing could keep the pain away. I considered stopping and just sleeping in some ditch or copse of trees, but the cold and my dwindled supplies made me feel like that wasn’t a safe choice in my condition, so I made myself keep pressing on the pedals. Eventually the road turned to pavement, then cars started passing occasionally, then I could see and hear the interstate! Who knew that would be such a welcome experience on an off road bikepacking trip??</p>
<p>I wheeled into the, quite busy, Love’s Travel Stop, and stumbled into the bright lights and loud sounds of it’s Carl’s Jr restaurant. I must have looked like shit, maybe even smelled equivalently, but the guy was nice and patient as I faltered to make a decision and then voice my order - it included a milkshake even though I was only just warming up. Scarfing down calories as quickly as my angered stomach would allow, I checked trackleaders and was relieved to see all of the pursuing dots had stopped for the night. Maybe my ragged push into another night would pay off in spite of my condition? </p>
<p>I consulted my phone for sleeping options. Several hotels close by! Understanding my low energy, I realized I should call ahead instead of just riding to one aimlessly. Good choice; the first three I called were completely booked! Finally I found a mom and pop style motel who kindly answered the phone and said they had a room. They DID ask me to confirm I was coming right away. </p>
<p>Stuffing my remaining food onto my bike somewhere (plastic bag on handlebars I think), I wheeled into town and found the motel. My phone call had clearly awakened them and they checked me in, bleary-eyed in their pajamas. Door closed behind my tired ass, I finished my meal and showered.</p>
<p>I set an alarm for only 4 hours of sleep. I was only about 100 miles from the finish and I had pushed through so much to get this far, I couldn’t imagine a full nights sleep. After my micro sleep under the tree, I also thought 4 hours sounded like more than I needed.</p>
<p>Gaining Ritzville was the single hardest thing I have physically done in my life.</p>
<p>Click the link for the next segment:</p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/day-five/">Day Five: Riding with Thomas and the Finish Line!</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/day-five2019-10-01T00:03:31-07:002019-10-01T00:03:31-07:00Day Five: Riding With Thomas and the Finish Line!<p>I woke up - PANIC AT THE DISCO! My alarm wasn’t going off and I could see daylight through the curtains! <br>
I grabbed my phone; I’d overslept, which meant I must have turned off my alarm without fully waking. Oops. I’ve learned this lesson before. There were various periods in my life I had to set multiple alarms and keep them all out of reach; my phone had been inches from my face on the motel night stand.</p>
<p>A look at trackleaders confirmed my fears - everyone seemed to be moving. Later, several dot watchers would tell me this was the most stressful part of the event; my dot just stayed off-route in town while everyone else descended on me after all that work and pushing through. Thomas was passing into Ritzville as I watched, with Patrick not long behind him, and Ricky moving again also not far behind. </p>
<p>Although I packed as fast as I could, I resolved that I would not be winning this race. I hadn’t paid attention to Thomas’ dot since Wenatchee but I thought his spirit had broken and may not finish the event. Now the always faster rider was upon me from who knows where and I didn’t imagine a scenario where I could pass him again - we assuredly had the same goal to finish the last 100 miles without another sleep. My goal became to catch him before he left town and congratulate him on the strong finish to bolster his spirits and keep him ahead of the chasers.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/kF3KyZ1cpgHjSKUxAcpY6Y0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/kF3KyZ1cpgHjSKUxAcpY6Y0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 01.png"></a></p>
<p>It was still early and the motel office was not open. I couldn’t figure out how to check out and didn’t want an accidental charge, so I rang the doorbell. Unfortunately, I had once again woken them from their sleep. Bleary-eyed, they waved to the mailbox as a place to leave the key - thanks! I was off without the included, but not yet ready, continental breakfast.</p>
<p>Thomas didn’t stop though and I didn’t catch him before he left town. Knowing the gap must be small and feeling better, I hoped to catch him, if only briefly. I did take enough time to resupply at the Love’s. A routing error right out of town slowed me down. The route took what appeared to be a freeway onramp and I struggled for a bit, eventually discovering a side road turned off just before the highway.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/9fWHfjRRE46qdhZue214QH0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/9fWHfjRRE46qdhZue214QH0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 02.png"></a></p>
<p>This bit was mostly paved and should have been easy, but the wind was back and STRONG! I found myself descending on pavement worried I might be blown off the road. Another steep descent with sketchy wind like this ended with a tractor blocking my lane; I moved into the passing lane only to meet the farmers dog head on! He looked friendly but was running straight at me while I was going close to 40mph! A brief game of chicken and maybe my high heartrate for the day, I made it past him by what felt like inches.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/jpNzytD4LLr1uQkHQuErU70xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/jpNzytD4LLr1uQkHQuErU70xspap_small.png" alt="fin 03.png"></a></p>
<p>Somewhere just shy of 9am, there he was! (the above photo is not the moment we met, but later down the trail) The route turned off the road and under a bridge; straight into a cow pasture. Thomas was on the wrong side of a fence line. The route followed the fenceline and it was nearly impossible to tell if we should go through the gate on the left or right side of the fence. He had taken time to add sunscreen after figuring out he was on the wrong side which gave me time to catch up. We chatted for a bit and decided to ride together! </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/n8MrUKZMyowkz2XVNdbLxV0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/n8MrUKZMyowkz2XVNdbLxV0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 04.png"></a></p>
<p>For this section of trail having a buddy was especially useful - there were a lot of gates. This first one, on the correct (right) side of the fenceline, took both of us to reattach it was so tight! I’m not sure how others did it solo.</p>
<p>As the miles melted away we chatted as much as possible through the wind, which meant yelling. We had both been through a lot and would have been just as happy if the other had finished first, so we resolved to finish the route and cross the line together if possible, with the caveat that it would work only if we could stay ahead of the others.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/cFYSnzrrijd7Zg7XE5pfJ80xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/cFYSnzrrijd7Zg7XE5pfJ80xspap_small.png" alt="fin 05.png"></a></p>
<p>This proved too difficult for me. Thomas slowed his pace for me, but between the difference in bike weight and my experiences with exhaustion the day before, I really couldn’t keep up.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/eVuBGaCCxcxCTk4EPCs8oH0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/eVuBGaCCxcxCTk4EPCs8oH0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 06.png"></a></p>
<p>We took a few photo stops even - what a stunning area to finish the race! We both had the energy and optimism to mostly enjoy it, in spite of the wind.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iTweZ7G5EWkYLNeKQWjrpd0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iTweZ7G5EWkYLNeKQWjrpd0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 07.png"></a></p>
<p>It was a real boost for each of us to have some company in what had been an almost entirely solo experience. It looked like the dots were gaining on us though and I repeatedly tried to let Thomas know I was okay if he pressed on. He was nice enough to find excuses to stick with me for awhile.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/81fuFyeoFTtisuzcyBaYu90xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/81fuFyeoFTtisuzcyBaYu90xspap_small.png" alt="fin 08.png"></a></p>
<p>This ended up being the warmest day we had with temps reaching into the 80F range. It meant I used more water than I had on previous days, and resupplies were few and far between. We stopped at a small pond which was close enough to the road I could filter water from it without contending with fences. There were many bodies of water along the way, but varying degrees of inaccessible. This one smelled funny and the water was nearly brown in my filter. I tried it, but it tasted bad and I decided it was in case of emergency only.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wkLBe8msxf7arohLAemCJ30xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wkLBe8msxf7arohLAemCJ30xspap_small.png" alt="fin 09.png"></a></p>
<p>Somewhere in this stretch I convinced Thomas to keep going his own pace. I was really toeing the line between “RAAM speed” and the exhausted survival I’d felt the day before. Trackleaders showed our pursuers, still Ricky and Aaron, were less than two hours behind. I was worried if I kept trying to press my pace I would cross the exhaustion line again and not be able to finish at all that day - far worse than slowing and just getting there.</p>
<p>Thomas and I had barely separated when we came to the “town” of Ewan; barely a stop sign. There was, however, an abandoned church at which there was rumored to be an outdoor water spigot. We found it and it ran with water! Although, the water didn’t look much better than the pond water I’d tried. An elderly gentleman was walking through his front yard across the road with a cane and greeted us - “Do you need water?” OMG what a great guy! He let us walk over onto his lawn and use the spigot on his property to fill all our bottles, extra containers, and drink our fill. He explained a pipe had burst over the winter and he didn’t expect the church pipes had been cleaned out since; “I wouldn’t drink that.”</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/itJzNKXBXSuHdLhA3rwLAQ0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/itJzNKXBXSuHdLhA3rwLAQ0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 10.png"></a></p>
<p>From Ewan we did ride separately. I had trouble getting started again, but eventually settled into a pace I was comfortable with. The route left pavement and followed gravel farming roads; up and down it went, with that ever present wind mostly in my face. Nearing a town called Pine City, I came down a fast hill and missed a left turn - it was a double track farm road down a steep bank, but the only option I saw at speed was the actual road to the left. I rode for awhile a bit confused and wondering if I was off route or just had GPS drift. Then, a right turn which wasn’t there. I stopped and peered through the trees; I could just make out, down below in the valley, the road I wanted crossing a bridge and turning right. Crap. I turned around and found the correct way.</p>
<p>This was one example of some difficulty I experienced along the way following the route. Remember how I had navigation issues back in Edmonds and eventually loaded a new route in the Target parking lot? Well, the route I had saved to my RWGPS account and subsequently loaded to my Garmin was a “pared down” version with fewer control points. Route builders do this to make it easier for devices to load and navigate large routes. A downside is that with so few control points you end up with less detail and lots of straight lines where you actually are making minute turns. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iEWkxMtDKyBz8XKQUenFRW0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iEWkxMtDKyBz8XKQUenFRW0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 11.png"></a></p>
<p>I really enjoyed this next stretch, a bit of peace and relaxation in what had been a rather hurried and somewhat torturous few days. The correct road I ended up on was quiet. It crossed a small bridge over a fast flowing creek and the right turn led to a gate on the trail. Yes, again on the Palouse to Cascades Trail here! On the other side of the gate was a herd of curious cows. It was so quiet the only sound was the creek under the bridge and the occasional moo. I passed through the gate, locking it behind me. This was the day our combination code was really put to use, over and over and over again!</p>
<p>The cows ran away, probably out of boredom as I can’t imagine I was very threatening. I grew up on a dairy farm so this area was rather nostalgic - complete with my musings about how stupid cows are. The trail was raised above the pasture and the cows ran alongside below me. I could see their well worn trails through the pasture which must have been traveled hundreds of times, and yet they crashed into each other or stumbled over logs which could easily be navigated around.</p>
<p>I had only the pine cones to contend with - the pine cones! With this turn onto the trail and pasture land came the beginning of the pine forests and with them a distinct smell I remembered from a family vacation to Idaho from years before. I’ve read that, of all our senses, that of smell has the most direct link to memory. My heart jumped for joy; the smell meant we were at last nearing Idaho and the finish line!</p>
<p>The route passed through much pasture land and small towns on its way to our last refuel stop in Rosalie. There were several partially converted rail trestles with barely passable board surfaces - mind the nails! The pine cones were also quite large and to be avoided where possible.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/BZoWok14eqnHZyELVgq5a0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/BZoWok14eqnHZyELVgq5a0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 12.png"></a></p>
<p>Much like Lind, I fantasized about reaching Rosalia. When I finally rolled into town I was still in high spirits and looked forward to ice cream in the heat. I chose the Rosalia Market as my refuel point in town and was rewarded by a wide selection. Standing outside with my Frappuccino and ice cream, I swapped text messages with the ever encouraging Lo. This time, urgency! Thomas was only 20 minutes ahead?! How was that possible?! I was having trouble getting trackleaders to load with poor cell coverage. And Ricky? “Yeah. Now get your butt moving!” was the reply. I stuffed a cheese danish and my second ice cream sandwich in my jersey pocket and took off!</p>
<p>I managed to eat the ice cream sandwich before it completely melted all over while riding. Eventually I got trackleaders to load and confirmed Thomas really was only a short distance ahead! Ricky had put a large gap into Patrick but was still almost two hours behind me. I felt pretty comfortable with that.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/f2AaiJvGmKbgRzSR7nZAJg0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/f2AaiJvGmKbgRzSR7nZAJg0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 13.png"></a></p>
<p>It quickly became clear Thomas was not going slowly and I was still near that line of exhaustion, so I tried to relax and enjoy the final 30 or so miles of the route. There was even trail traffic briefly. In this part of the state the trail is very much used to move farm equipment between fields, and the equipment is huge! The above photo is an example. The tractor facing me was coming down the trail at me but thankfully his destination was the spot I met him because his width took up the whole trail.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3HirzZxf7362HUDuDJHpY60xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/3HirzZxf7362HUDuDJHpY60xspap_small.png" alt="fin 14.png"></a></p>
<p>I’m glad I took so many photos because this really is a beautiful piece of the state and we had a nice day to enjoy it.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/aoA37YPr15qupfGPkvRAiW0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/aoA37YPr15qupfGPkvRAiW0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 15.png"></a></p>
<p>There was nothing free about it though; every mile had a price. The farm traffic made some sections of the trail very difficult indeed with deep ruts, standing water, and mud.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sqbz71b1vfvNPwKYNbHX5s0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/sqbz71b1vfvNPwKYNbHX5s0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 16.png"></a></p>
<p>Gratuitous photo insertion - I accidentally captured a bee as he swerved to avoid me at speed.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/xAPppRbjfNuz4DzCFtJnp70xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/xAPppRbjfNuz4DzCFtJnp70xspap_small.png" alt="fin 17.png"></a></p>
<p>Many trestles, some intact, some gone, some had to be detoured around entirely. One in particular routed through a grassy shoulder up onto a paved road. With no discernable track through the grass, this was hard to follow with my pared down GPS route.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/idi9LwcHSFmpDN24RKuX2x0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/idi9LwcHSFmpDN24RKuX2x0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 18.png"></a></p>
<p>Some areas, like the mowed grass here, seemed to indicate some local farmers took an interest in maintaining the trail for more than just tractor traffic.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/48erpEcL5j7NjVNMEiS1JG0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/48erpEcL5j7NjVNMEiS1JG0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 19.png"></a></p>
<p>This mud was so thick it stopped me in my tracks. On a full strength day I could likely ride through this; with the heavy bike and low energy level, walking was the obvious choice here!</p>
<p>Somewhere in this area I met Stacey, Thomas’ partner, riding the other way to encourage us in our final miles! I definitely hadn’t expected that, and it WAS so encouraging!</p>
<p>The route passes through the outskirts of Tekoa before heading to the Idaho border. It is tantalizingly close, it’s siren song steering more than one rider this year to a premature finish in its warm embrace! Continuing past, I at some point glanced down at my Garmin and was rewarded by reading on the map “Idaho Road Ahead!” What a welcome sight! So much so in fact that I stopped and took a quick video:</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/PygPFrc8cLs">YouTube video of the moment I knew I was almost there. Remember to right-click and open in a new tab</a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/33Pj958mAdmXVuWQXdGd2Y0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/33Pj958mAdmXVuWQXdGd2Y0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 20.png"></a></p>
<p>Somehow I don’t actually remember a sign or anything at the border itself, but there is clearly a right turn onto the farm road which follows the border back south toward Tekoa. This was where the mud and standing water really took their toll. I had ridden through much of it in the interest of speed, and frankly, a lack of other options. My bottom bracket slowly began to make noise. I felt like the turn at the border was where it really ramped up. I’ve never had a bike make that much noise and I was genuinely concerned something might break and I’d be running for the finish to beat Ricky - not a welcome thought! I documented the occasion, of course:</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/GlKMFkrN47k">YouTube video of the final throes of a bottom bracket. Remember to right-click and open in a new tab.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/tURwdWJW4E9owKij8ZfUdH0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/tURwdWJW4E9owKij8ZfUdH0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 21.png"></a></p>
<p>Thankfully, it held together. These rolling farm fields were impressive in their gradient.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/atPY7N2XTVqMgaK1XqHGYq0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/atPY7N2XTVqMgaK1XqHGYq0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 22.png"></a></p>
<p>Up and down, it didn’t seem like it would ever end! Thankfully we came through when it was dry because I’ve heard this stretch is terrible in the wet. I would zoom down one side of a hill, navigate the washout at the bottom, try to carry speed up the next hill, then shift into the easiest gear and grind up the rest slowly. A few were sized just right you could carry momentum all the way up. This would be a lot more fun on an unloaded bike with fresh legs, although I doubt I’ll make the drive back just for that.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/4Nx5zSPLa4sWdACkDZKaMT0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/4Nx5zSPLa4sWdACkDZKaMT0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 23.png"></a></p>
<p>And then suddenly, the last hill! The “end” flag on my map was super close and I could see into town! It was a nice straight steep drop, right past a local baseball game, safely cross the street, and into a little park in the middle of town!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/rvW8ojFCtRHYKNTcK8hAZ70xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/rvW8ojFCtRHYKNTcK8hAZ70xspap_small.png" alt="fin 26.png"></a></p>
<p>Thomas, Stacey, and Frank, from the Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association, were there to welcome me in. Stacey grabbed a photo while we were both still standing.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/jSpY2ke8Upi8JGf2BqUKjf0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/jSpY2ke8Upi8JGf2BqUKjf0xspap_small.png" alt="fin 24.png"></a></p>
<p>And the prize! Confirming a second place finish in the hardest (multi-day) ride of my life.</p>
<p>We drank fluids, ate some food, and took comfort in the sweet feeling of completion. I had only a tentative plan to get home. One option offered was that if we finished close enough together I could stay with Thomas and Stacey at <a href="https://www.tekoalodging.com/">Tekoa Lodging in the middle of town</a> and ride back with them. We ate in town and made it back to the park in time to welcome Ricky to the finish!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/o22SFLQSCUs76cYhyTZxV80xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/o22SFLQSCUs76cYhyTZxV80xspap_small.png" alt="fin 25.png"></a></p>
<p>We settled in for the night. At some point, maybe around 9:30pm, Patrick’s mother was inside the building calling out if anyone knew where the finish line was? We gave her directions; she was on her way to greet him as he finished his ride. She asked about our rides and congratulated us, mentioning that “Patrick said this was really hard and he doesn’t think ANYTHING is hard.” Seems accurate. We would later find she picked him up at the Idaho border, his personal goal for the event.</p>
<p>Aaron and Nat would go on to spend another night afield. We were able to greet them in town the next day after they finished; and Valerie shortly after as well! Everyone looked so relieved to be done, each having gone through their own ups and downs with challenges aplenty to overcome.</p>
<p>What a fascinating adventure, and for this cyclist, certainly a gateway drug to other events of this sort. Out of all the types of cycling I have tried, I find this to be the best challenge, most rewarding, and most enjoyable. I’ll be back!</p>
<p>I wanted to send a special thank you to all the “dot watchers” out there! Knowing there might be someone somewhere in the world refreshing the trackleaders page and wondering what I was going through was great motivation. Lo helped form a dot watchers group for Thomas, Aharon, and I using Facebook Messenger sometime during the trip. We were added to the group after the event and could read back over all the conversations - so exciting! And what a great community of cyclists (and my sister!) etc we have around us, very thankful for sure!</p>
<p>And last, thanks Troy! For an incredibly “creative” route and the personal challenge it provided so we could all grow. The day after I finished I sent him a message saying something like “I can’t understand why anyone would ever do your route a 2nd time.” Looking back, as the difficult times and the physical pain have faded from memory as they do, I would do this again. Especially if we didn’t have to take this route over the Colockum again…</p>
<p>… The adventure isn’t entirely over. The third member of our party had yet to finish and his “homecoming” is deserving of it’s own story!</p>
<p>I was also encouraged to share a gear list explaining what I took on the trip and what worked or did not, so I’ll link that as well. Although if you’ve read to this point you probably get the idea anyway!</p>
<p>Click the link for the next segment:</p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/aharon/">Aharon’s Epic Finish</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/aharon2019-10-01T00:03:14-07:002019-10-01T00:03:14-07:00Aharon's Epic Finish<p>And it was - wow!</p>
<p>We each had our own challenges as I mentioned at the beginning of this story and Aharon was no different. He added a few good challenges throughout the event. His rear derailleur had shifting issues he was able to fix at a bike shop in Redmond. There he also swapped out his front chainring for a smaller one because he was in so much knee pain. His shoes were causing him pain because his feet swelled, so he cut out the sides to create some more room until he could buy another pair of cycling shoes in Wenatchee; a pair of super comfy spin class shoes!</p>
<p>I can’t tell his whole story, nor would I choose to, but I would like to relate the part of his XWA experience I was able to share with him after Thomas and I had finished.</p>
<p>The next task was to bring Aharon home!<br>
He is one to push through whatever to reach his goal, long after it doesn’t make sense or others may think it unwise to continue. This was one of those times he chose to continue, over and over, sometimes after he thought he’d already pulled the plug!</p>
<p>On that last day for Thomas and I for example, around 11am Aharon left Wenatchee by bicycle just before we reached Ewan for water at the church. He went to bed the night before a mess, feeling beaten to a pulp by the Colockum and in so much pain he couldn’t imagine continuing. His plan for that morning included renting a car to return home. Instead he got on his bike, and it felt great! He packed up and headed up Rock Island Grade!</p>
<p>With little cell reception, Thomas and I chatted with him from time to time before we left Tekoa. We set out planning to meet Aharon and encourage him along his way as he passed through the town of Lind.</p>
<p>A plan evolved during our drive from Tekoa to Lind. A suitably ridiculous plan of comradery spurred by the friends in the dot watcher messenger group. With Stacey and Thomas’ Jeep, we explored a demolished trestle in Lind while we waited for Aharon to arrive - very cool! He wheeled into town, happy to see us and not looking at the end of his rope.</p>
<p>We joined him at Kindra’s Coffee Bar for a warm beverage and some food. The weather was much cooler with on and off rain. After encouraging him and watching him pack up again, we watched him sail off for the trail!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/avpmG3dba9kd8ums2SsQ7L0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/avpmG3dba9kd8ums2SsQ7L0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 01.png"></a></p>
<p>You can kind of see in the photo that the wagon riders had arrived in Lind; a huge village or RV’s!</p>
<p>Phase two of our plan - Thomas and Stacey drove me BACK to Ritzville, to that same Love’s Travel Stop, and left me sitting in a booth at the Carl’s Jr with a bag of clothes while they continued home with the rest of my gear and bike. Now I awaited another friend of ours, Fabien, to make the trip from Seattle where he was borrowing a mountain bike (thanks Yonnel!!) so he could ride gravel with Aharon! Fabien doesn’t have a gravel bike yet, so this was especially ambitious for him to jump into. He’s an incredibly strong cyclist, but had very little experience off pavement.</p>
<p>The pieces came together nicely; he left work to pick up the bike, Milan had lights he could borrow! Then onto the ~4.5 hour drive to Ritzville. While I waited, other dots approached, including Justin S who I only barely caught as he left the gas station in good spirits and with a riding buddy to keep him company!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/fypJUhdCaxEnLV2QaqWYjN0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/fypJUhdCaxEnLV2QaqWYjN0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 02.png"></a></p>
<p>Aharon beat Fabien to the Love’s. </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ssNZ7PQRG9EgiNkFXvpd2x0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ssNZ7PQRG9EgiNkFXvpd2x0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 03.png"></a></p>
<p>He ate some food and took a much needed rest.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/boqBea6GHSUReevDisSXiP0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/boqBea6GHSUReevDisSXiP0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 04.png"></a></p>
<p>As he was packing up to continue, Fabien pulled into the parking lot! As he started to prepare to ride with Aharon I realized how outrageous the plan was - he hadn’t even time to test ride the MTB before arriving! He swapped over the pedals in the parking lot. There were no bottle cages so he would carry his water, and everything else, in a backpack.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6YFMAWRtpLa3ByxwwUNDkh0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6YFMAWRtpLa3ByxwwUNDkh0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 05.png"></a></p>
<p>Wearing my helmet with freshly charged helmet light atop it, Thomas’ headlight strapped to the handlebars, and Milan’s tail light, Fabien was ready for his first gravel ride - into the wilds of a Troy route around 8pm; what could go wrong? It’s only around 100miles to the end right? </p>
<p>After watching them wheel away, I packed my things into Fabien’s car, which would be my chariot for the next phase of the plan. I drove to Rosalia and attempted to sleep in the car. If I’d thought ahead better I might have brought my camping gear for a bit more comfort; I barely snoozed in the upright seat and chill night air.</p>
<p>I checked trackleaders often when I would wake up, but there was little cell service. Also, Aharon’s dot hadn’t moved in a long time. When he left Ritzville he knew the battery was almost dead but was going to wait until it petered out to change it. Now I didn’t know if they were in trouble or if he’d simply forgotten to change the battery and they might wheel around the corner at any moment. Had Fabien brought anything to sleep with if they decided to stop?</p>
<p>Only partially recovered from my own ride and lacking sleep, I don’t remember the order of events the next morning well.<br>
What I think happened is that I awoke to see a moving dot sometime after daybreak. I left town to intercept them along the trail since they were much further behind than expected; clearly they’d stopped to sleep for the night. </p>
<p>At some point I got a big surprise - a text message from Ben! Yeah, the guy from the beginning of the story with the RAAM rulebook. He had since moved to Portland. Sometime in the evening he decided to drive out to support Fabien. He drove through the night from Portland, tracked down Fabien and Aharon as they began moving again in the morning, and then had made it to Rosalie, where I no longer was, and was trying to find me! Absolute. Nutter. … !!</p>
<p>With friends like that you can’t help but pedal your bike. And that’s exactly what Aharon did. When they chose to sleep the night before he was moving at such a slow pace in pain he couldn’t imagine ever finishing. He and Fabien huddled, using a single bivy cut open, through the chill night. Sometime in the morning he tried calling me to call it quits and get a ride, but the call never went through! By the time Ben found them they had resolved to continue riding, lacking options, and followed through with that plan in spite of Ben’s inviting and spacious van!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ieBk248dvASZayKZZ3XETX0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ieBk248dvASZayKZZ3XETX0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 06.png"></a></p>
<p>Already out of town, I chose to follow through as well and meet up with the riders. It was good to see them both warmed up and in good spirits.</p>
<p>I leap frogged a few times watching them, brief video below of them:</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/thdBWhMXV8w">YouTube video of the duo crossing a bridge. Remember to right-click and open a new tab!</a></p>
<p>I eventually drove back to Rosalie and had a good visit with Ben over pizza and coffee. Seeing the Aharon dot closing in, Ben hopped on his road bike to join them for the mile or so of pavement into town.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6dLATBMMzormDku6R1rJuW0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/6dLATBMMzormDku6R1rJuW0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 07.png"></a></p>
<p>Aharon and Justin arrived in town at nearly the same time so we shared a table in the local café for a quick lunch.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/swvVkuNeYbnopZq67u2f2B0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/swvVkuNeYbnopZq67u2f2B0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 08.png"></a></p>
<p>Aharon was a big maybe to continue. Having friends around him cheering him on was a huge boost, but the pain was real. We dug up some supplies at the market and taped his knees for some possible relief.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vkDuKf8vMgtGXiDXBHpEsb0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/vkDuKf8vMgtGXiDXBHpEsb0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 09.png"></a></p>
<p>Eventually he made the call; he and Fabien got back on their bikes and wheeled out of town! I said my goodbyes to Ben who was planning to drive straight home and catch some sleep.</p>
<p>With only about 30 miles left on route we were all excited! I jumped ahead of them repeatedly to watch, shout encouragement, and catch some footage:</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/gXOMtUmsaPc">YouTube video of them detouring around a collapsed trestle. Remember to right-click and open a new tab!</a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/nuDb8ZnKeKqRaUFJrqVHaK0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/nuDb8ZnKeKqRaUFJrqVHaK0xspap_small.png" alt="epic10.png"></a></p>
<p>I even had time for a tractor glamour shot!<br>
This next one surprised me. It’s a steep hill down to the road and I really didn’t want to miss them since I’d staked out the spot carefully and knew they’d be moving quickly. I heard brakes squeak and quickly hit the record button, phone already in hand! It was… not them. David W was a man possessed that day and had overtaken them! I reset the camera and waited for the next squealing of brakes:</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/xxibz8__7Sk">YouTube video of another trestle detour. Remember to right-click and open a new tab!</a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iiprMiPGhWPBbHcvz3nJzf0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iiprMiPGhWPBbHcvz3nJzf0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 11.png"></a></p>
<p>Waiting at the edge of Tekoa I got to see David go whizzing by again while his wife cheered him on from the same vantage point I chose; so focused he barely recognized we were there! </p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/d2TN4M2AudNi4MHJLRcsnK0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/d2TN4M2AudNi4MHJLRcsnK0xspap_small.png" alt="Epic 12.png"></a></p>
<p>This is one of my favorite photos of the trip, a little hidden Troy nugget as you pass through Tekoa before the “victory lap” to the border. All the cheering done, I waited at the finish line. </p>
<p>Then suddenly there they were, Fabien giving Aharon space for his sprint victory (always sprint the finish he says):</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/8dnQwVI4zWU">YouTube video of Aharon’s finish. Remember to… oh you’ve got it by now</a></p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/x1QHnw3UAbi5ceRiFqM7FB0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/x1QHnw3UAbi5ceRiFqM7FB0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 13.png"></a></p>
<p>After pushing through all that, Aharon crossed the line - an XWA finisher, no small feat!</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iYT9oNSXua49BpbgS6QnsW0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/iYT9oNSXua49BpbgS6QnsW0xspap_small.png" alt="epic 14.png"></a></p>
<p>And a top 10 at that; still a winners coupon waiting for him!<br>
We ate in Tekoa to celebrate, use the coupon, and then packed in Fabien’s car for the long drive back home. Watching the town names appear on freeway signs every 20 minutes or so and remembering the grueling task of reaching them by bike on a Troy route was a humbling experience for sure…</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wWJKgf9ZX68pB19FKJA1LG0xspap.png"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wWJKgf9ZX68pB19FKJA1LG0xspap_small.png" alt="Epic 15.png"></a></p>
<p>Click the link for the next segment:</p>
<p><a href="https://danelmanperry.svbtle.com/xwa-gear-list/">Gear List - woefully unfinished, I’ll get back to this, I promise</a></p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/xwa-gear-list2019-10-01T00:02:54-07:002019-10-01T00:02:54-07:00XWA Gear List<p>In the interest of finally publishing the story, it will be just that for now; a list.<br>
Given some more time I may make this more detailed and add links. In the meantime, feel free to ask if there is a specific question:</p>
<p>Bike:<br>
Open U.P size large<br>
Mixed component Shimano hydraulic brake 11-speed groupset<br>
Cranks 50/34<br>
Cassette 11-40t</p>
<p>650B Wheels:<br>
Whisky 30W carbon rims (25mm internal)<br>
Front hub SON 28 dynamo <br>
Rear hub industry 9 Hydra<br>
CX Ray spokes<br>
Whisky valve stems<br>
Whisky rim tape<br>
Stan’s Race tubeless sealant</p>
<p>Tires:<br>
Front Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.1" (54mm)<br>
Rear Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.1" (54mm)</p>
<p>Bags:<br>
Revelate Tangle half-frame bag<br>
Revelate Gas Tank top tube bag<br>
Revelate Pronghorn handlebar harness<br>
Sleeping bag compression sack (came with sleeping bag)<br>
Bedrock Bags Coconino seat bag<br>
Topeak cagepack below downtube</p>
<p>Seat:<br>
Specialized Romin</p>
<p>Aero bars:<br>
Zipp Vuka clip-on with 50mm riser kit</p>
<p>Bar tape:<br>
Rapha Brevet reflective tape</p>
<p>Pedals:<br>
Look Xtrack Race</p>
<p>Lights:<br>
Sinewave Beacon headlight w/built in USB charger<br>
B&M wired tail light<br>
Fenix 600 lumen bike light for helmet mount</p>
<p>Bottle cages:<br>
Downtube Lezyne sideload cage<br>
Seat tube Whisky carbon cage<br>
Below downtube Bontrager RL cage</p>
<p>Sleep gear:<br>
Marmot Ultralight 20F sleeping bag<br>
Thermarest Women’s Neoair Xlite inflatable pad<br>
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy</p>
<p>Clothing:<br>
Rain jacket<br>
Short sleeve base layer<br>
Short sleeve jersey<br>
Long sleeve midweight jersey<br>
Sun sleeves<br>
Leg warmers<br>
Arm warmers<br>
Rain pants<br>
Shoe covers<br>
Knee brace<br>
Bibs with pockets<br>
Hiking socks<br>
2nd pair socks for sleeping<br>
Tech long sleeve t-shirt for sleeping<br>
Light long underwear bottoms for sleeping<br>
Light wool hat for sleeping<br>
Full finger summer weight gel padded gloves<br>
Thin/light down puffy for emergencies/camp<br>
Giro shoes<br>
Bell helmet<br>
Ryder Roam photochromatic glasses</p>
<p>Other gear:<br>
Garmin 1000 cycling computer/GPS<br>
SpotX tracker<br>
Zendure 10,000mAh battery pack<br>
Single USB wall plug<br>
Senso Active headphones (only $17 but you get what you pay for)<br>
Lezyne pump<br>
Repair kit<br>
Toiletries/butt kit<br>
Emergency self-heating meals<br>
Food<br>
Two water bottles<br>
Katadyn BeFree water filter<br>
Hand and foot warmers (chemical packs)<br>
Hiplok combo bike lock<br>
Revelate cargo straps (attached extra water bottles)</p>
<p>Camera:<br>
iPhone 7-plus</p>
tag:danelmanperry.svbtle.com,2014:Post/rapha-festive500-in-one-ride2017-01-01T22:32:40-08:002017-01-01T22:32:40-08:00Rapha #Festive500 in one ride<p>This undertaking began in 2015. </p>
<p>I got on a bike for the first time since I was a kid in July 2015 and began using <a href="https://www.strava.com/athletes/10567094">Strava</a> within two weeks. The first time I really pushed for a goal was a Strava climbing challenge in October that year. It was more physical effort than I had extended my entire life, but I was able to complete the challenge and even bought the jersey I couldn’t afford because I was so excited about what I had done!</p>
<p>I completed the next climbing challenge in November. It required less elevation, but was no less difficult because of the weather. I also had only one bike which a friend had given to me. It was a steel Schwinn Le Tour someone had converted to flat handlebars. It had head tube shifters. And the brakes - terrible brakes on chromed wheels. Every time you go up, you have to come back down, and it was often terrifying.</p>
<p><a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/m9wu565dymytha.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/m9wu565dymytha_small.jpg" alt="IMG_6218.jpg"></a></p>
<p>December rolled around and I had spent more money I didn’t have on clothing so I could continue to enjoy the sport that found me; even in the cold and wet Seattle weather. I entered another climbing challenge and also read about some company I had never heard of called Rapha. They were challenging people to ride a bike at least 500km during the 8 days between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. I had no idea if I could do it, but I hit the “join” button anyway. </p>
<p>I began planning and doing math. How much distance should I do each day? Would I need to take time off work? Should I have a rest day in the middle? Then it happened. On a bike ride of course, how else? </p>
<p>I thought my lunch simply hadn’t agreed with me as I wheeled my bike onto the road after work. I shrugged it off. Either the pain in my abdomen would improve or I would puke out lunch; either way I was riding my bike so how bad could it be? It got worse, much worse. And I never did see my lunch again. After I got home and showered, I writhed in bed until 2am when I decided the hospital was a valid option. I hardly ever see a doctor but I’m so glad I did. </p>
<p>By 10:00am my appendix was out and in the nick of time; it had not ruptured. I went home the same day. During my release interview, the nurse advised no physical activity for 2-3 weeks. After many defining questions she must have thought I was nuts, but then she hadn’t heard of Rapha either. I went home dejected. The next day I returned for a checkup and asked the doctor more questions about “physical activity.” His response was to let me know the nurse was wrong; no physical activity for 4-6 weeks. What?!</p>
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<p>I spent the rest of December off the bike watching both the climbing challenge and the Rapha #Festive500 pass without me. Bummer. </p>
<p>Fast-forward to the following December 2016. It was quite a year. After about 8,000 miles including a <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/773942407">successful Everesting attempt,</a> I was looking forward to the Rapha #Festive500 and in good health. </p>
<p>But how to do it? I wanted something that would push my limits. Not that 500km (310 miles) during 8 days in December was easy. It’s just that I knew I could. Where was the challenge then?</p>
<p>Back in October I had created a few routes after looking at my <a href="https://www.strava.com/athletes/10567094/heatmaps/24649d82#8/47.42344/-121.05423">Strava heat map</a> It is a fun feature which shows a world map highlighting all the roads and trails I had ridden a bike on. The routes I created filled some of the areas I had not yet ridden. One of them was a loop around the Olympic Peninsula. It had been a curiosity, a wandering of the mind to know the distance. It was never supposed to be a ride I would plan. But there it was. A challenge I knew was possible because I had watched the likes of Brian Toone and the Hells500 throughout the year. But was it possible for me?</p>
<p>It didn’t take long for the planning to begin. I lightly modified the route. It would be 401 miles and 12,000 feet elevation gain from my door around the peninsula back to my house. My Everesting had given me some insight into nutrition needs over a long period of time and fatigue/sleep deprivation, but this would be different. I would have no bailout options and much of the route is very remote. </p>
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<p>The Everesting had taken just under 24 hours to complete, of which about 18 hours was moving time. I studied my century (100+ mile) rides over the last year and decided I would give myself 10 hours per century. So that would be 40 hours total.</p>
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<p>I have never been able to sleep well the night before a big ride. I guess I’m just too excited and I toss and turn, unable to shut my mind off. Because of this, quality sleep needs to happen the two nights before an effort and start time is a bit irrelevant.</p>
<p>At first I thought to do this over the Christmas weekend. Then I realized many of the businesses along the way I would depend on would be closed or have severely limited hours. I put in a request for time off at work. Christmas 2016 fell on a Sunday. I would go back to work Monday, sleep if I could until midnight, and catch the last ferry to Bainbridge Island. If things went to schedule, I would be home just after dark on Wednesday and have just enough time to sleep before work the next day.</p>
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<p>With a route and schedule, I started planning the intimate details. Order chamois cream. Buy chemical hand and toe warmers. Research the weather (we’ll get back to this one). What food to carry. Etc etc.</p>
<p>A big challenge would be the dark. This ride would start and end in the dark as well as pass through an entire night in the middle. A quick look at <a href="https://www.wunderground.com">Weather Underground</a> showed about 8 hours of daylight. That meant I needed enough headlight power for approximately 24 hours of darkness. Good news! I had a USB battery pack. I read the label: 2,000mAh. Hmm, no conversion calculator online for this one. I tested it by recharging my Garmin. From 10% to 97%. Once. Oh boy.</p>
<p>A good riding companion Michael was willing to loan me his 6,000mAh battery pack AND his new headlight! Fantastic. More testing showed his battery pack would recharge his headlight and mine. Once. That got me about 8-9 hours of light. Oh boy again.</p>
<p>Some shopping around landed me two 12,000mAh battery packs from Best Buy for $20 each. They had charge level indicators and two charge ports each with fast charge capability. Score! I found Michael’s headlight would last about 5 hours on a conservative setting. My headlight had two battery packs and each was good for 3-4 hours. Having two lights would allow one to be in use while the other recharged. These battery packs were very important if I was going to complete in 40 hours; no time to stop for hours at a time and charge up in some coffee shop along the way! I also had to purchase a shorter charge cable for my phone and a charge cable for the Garmin with a 90 degree angle so that it could be charged while in use on the bike mount.</p>
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<p>Next was nutrition and hydration. I wasn’t very concerned about the first century. It would put me in Port Angeles around 11:00am; a town with lots of resources to choose from. The next stop would be Forks (of Twilight fame) around 4pm and 150 miles. Still early enough to find a store and stock up. The next stretch was more difficult. Most of the space between Forks and Aberdeen is remote Indian reservation and National Park. There are two or three gas stations but I could not determine their hours by looking online and no one answered the listed phone numbers. I wouldn’t reach Aberdeen until about 3am which meant I might not find any stores open there either. This left me planning for a 150 mile gap between services until Oakville at around 7:00am; the second 150 miles. In the dark. On roads I had never explored outside of a car. And my longest ride to date was 166 miles total. What was I getting myself into?</p>
<p>I had an Osprey Rapter 10 hydration backpack which held 3-liters of water in addition to two large water bottles on the bike. I would then find a way to stuff my nutrition around everything else inside the backpack. Nutrition would be strictly foods I had found palatable on previous rides:</p>
<ul>
<li>4 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches</li>
<li>6 mini bagels with cream cheese </li>
<li>12 Gu energy gels (6 of them non-caffeinated) </li>
<li>6 packs of Pro Bar energy chews</li>
<li>10 XS Sports Nutrition energy bars</li>
<li>6 golden double-stuff Oreos
Fitting all this into the hydration pack should earn me a permanent line on my resume. I wouldn’t call it art, but thanks to ziplock bags everything remained edible.</li>
</ul>
<p>What about the bike? I actually had little concern here. The Cannondale CAAD 12 had been trustworthy through many things and, although this would be a trying ride, in the grand scheme of things it was just another 400 miles to the bike. </p>
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<p>With a new chain and newish brakes, I felt comfortable with only upgrading the tires. I chose something I hoped would spare me some punctures. I went with Michelins Power Protection+ in 700x28.</p>
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<p>I managed to stuff 3 tubes, a multi-tool, 2 tires levers, a patch kit, and tire boots into my tried and true seat bag. A spare folding tire, master link for the chain, spoke “repair” kit, zip ties, and tape found space in the hydration pack. Although loath to mar the look of the bike, I experimented with top tube bags in order to hold my battery packs. With help from Michael again and also Craig I settled on the Revelate Designs bag. It had enough room for one of the battery packs, spare battery for my headlight, my phone, all the charge cables, and most importantly enough room for the cables to plug into the battery pack!</p>
<p>Last, clothing. This would completely depend on the weather. I had plenty of foul weather in the weeks leading up to the ride to test things out. None of this would be sufficient in the end, but this is what I took:</p>
<ul>
<li>waterproof socks from SealSkinz </li>
<li>my only cycling shoes, Giro Rumble VR’s</li>
<li>Mavic Krysium insulated shoe covers</li>
<li>Garneau Neo Protect II shoe covers (neoprene)</li>
<li>De Marchi thermal tights</li>
<li>Verge Sport tech base layer (short sleeve)</li>
<li>Under Armour base layer (long sleeve)</li>
<li>Nemesis thermal jersey (long sleeve)</li>
<li>Nemesis wind vest</li>
<li>Castelli Conforti rain jacket</li>
<li>Air Hole face mask/buff</li>
<li>De Marchi headband/ear covers</li>
<li>Garneau waterproof helmet cover</li>
<li>Specialized Deflect H2O Therminal gloves</li>
<li>backup pair of Castelli gloves</li>
</ul>
<p>Incidentals included:</p>
<ul>
<li>4-port USB wall charger (just in case)</li>
<li>tissues and toilet paper in a ziplock bag</li>
<li>basic bandage/med kit</li>
<li>lots of hand and toe warmer chemical packs</li>
<li>Salt Stick fast chews</li>
<li>Ibuprofen</li>
<li>ear buds</li>
<li>DZ Nuts chamois creme </li>
<li>lip balm</li>
<li>emergency blanket</li>
<li>paracord bracelet</li>
</ul>
<p>Whew. That all sounds heavy! I didn’t weigh everything together, but the backpack was 17 pounds and I’m guessing the extra clothing, loaded top tube bag, and second headlight all added up to at least another 5 pounds beyond a typical ride weight.</p>
<p>Leading up to the ride I was also struggling with some severe pain in my left knee. It had been an issue since I tried to be a runner years ago, but the Everesting really set it off in November. I bought KT tape and tried that on a ride, no improvement. I settled on a Shock Doctor neoprene knee brace. It helped hold everything together at least.</p>
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<p>Okay everything was settled then right? Well, other than the fact that this was December in the Pacific Northwest, yes I suppose it was. I set up all the towns I would pass through in the Weather app on my iPhone. Then I went online and researched weather history for the region I would be traveling through. The result? It would be winter, but nothing I hadn’t already experienced. I set a threshold and checked the weather daily for about a week leading up to the ride. Any town with a low temperature below 34 degrees would cancel the ride. Also, ANY chance of snow would cancel. The week before the ride I joined some friends for a winter solstice century ride and we found ice. It was both painful (to fall on) and incredibly humbling. I wanted no repeats.</p>
<p>The weather looked okay, estimated temperatures even ROSE on Monday before the ride! I was excited. I didn’t tell many people what I planned because I knew it wasn’t necessarily safe and I didn’t want anyone talking me out of it.</p>
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<p>I was diligent and got 10-12 hours of sleep on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I got up for work at 7:30am Monday. I was home from work and had everything ready by about 7:00pm. I laid down in bed and attempted to sleep. True to past experience I could barely keep my eyes closed let alone sleep. So I laid and rested as long as I could stand it. I jumped out of bed at 10:00pm and checked the ferry schedule. I could make the 12:45 instead of waiting until the 2:10am as planned! Why wait? I wasn’t going to sleep and my body was as rested as it could be otherwise. So I hit that big red button all the great movies teach you not to press: </p>
<p><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/813775268">BEGIN ADVENTURE!</a></p>
<p>I was already getting odd looks from drivers as I shivered behind a pillar on the ferry dock. It was windy and the roads were wet but it was not raining. Once on board, went inside to stay warm and posted a placeholder activity to <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/812471726">Strava</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/danelmanperry/">Instagram</a> so that anyone who was interested would have a place to see updates from me. This is the last time my feet would be warm until Forks.</p>
<p>Bainbridge Island was cold and dark. By the time I crossed the Hood Canal bridge I was second guessing how flat I thought the route would be. None of the hills were particularly long or steep, but when you’re goal is to expend as little energy as possible they seem to take forever to climb!</p>
<p>I found snow for the first time somewhere before Blyn at only 500 feet elevation. It kind of freaked me out. I wasn’t expecting snow AT ALL. It had recently fallen and was only on the shoulder. I experimented with traction and found it was not icy and my tires easily cut through it. </p>
<p>This is where the only tire puncture of the trip happened. I think it was glass but I’m still not confident. It was a slow leak in the rear and I had time to find a safe spot to replace the tube away from passing trucks; my only companions at about 4:00am. New tube in, I set out. And immediately stopped with a very evident bounce to the tire. I found the bead would not seat in the wheel at the valve stem. I thought the tube was too large (28-38). Tire off and repositioned I tried again. This time the bead seat failed so bad the tube popped out. Luckily I caught it before it was damaged. I repositioned everything and tried again. The tire still hopped a bit, but the tube stayed in and I was so cold I decided I didn’t care.</p>
<p>Passing through Sequim I was treated to some beautiful Christmas light displays. They also had a well appointed rest stop which included, to my delight, a lighted restroom WITH HEAT! I tried to revive the chemical warmers in my shoes but with little success.</p>
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<p>The section of highway 101 from Sequim to Port Angeles was nasty. There was far more traffic than I expected. The highway also became much more highway-like with on and off ramps. I learned how to handle these without becoming roadkill. Oh yeah, it was raining here too. I don’t remember when it started but I do remember stopping under an overpass to switch clothing layers. The condition of the road was terrible. If any of these towns own a street sweeper, it was long retired for the winter. Add to that the recent mixed snow and rain and my bike took an absolute beating! At least the sunrise was good looking.</p>
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<p>By the time I arrived in Port Angeles, I was barely able to make gear changes. It would take 3 pulls to get one gear change up or down in the back and the front would shift every time but was slow and sounded terrible like it was about to jam. Even though I was almost 3 hours ahead of schedule rolling into town just after 8:00am, I decided I needed to get into a bike shop. There were a few options but they all opened at 10:00am. I slogged into a coffee shop for a tea and bagel. I also pulled out that wall charger I didn’t think I would ever use.</p>
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<p>To save time, I changed the tube in the rear tire before the shop opened. I put in a smaller size tube and was disappointed to learn the tire still hopped. The shop opened and I bought two tubes and asked if they offered a drivetrain cleaning service - nope. They did offer to look at it and I reluctantly handed the bike over. The mechanic did a basic cleaning of the drivetrain and adjusted the cable tension. I rolled out now only an hour behind schedule and with shifting back to about 80%.</p>
<p>After Port Angeles is when the proverbial s#!t hit the fan. It is the point an intelligent person would have shouted “uncle” and turned around for home. But no. I have found I have a dangerous aversion to backing down from a goal. </p>
<p>This came in the form of Crescent Lake. I knew from my internet research it would not be a relaxing section of road. I read a blog about two cyclists who took the same route I did around the peninsula (over the course of 9 days, smart) and took a mountain bike trail to avoid the highway around the lake. I also knew from Google street view there were warming signs at either end of the lake which advised “bicycle must stop and read notice.” I was unable to zoom in clear enough on the web to read the notice, so when I arrived on my bike, I was eagerly anticipating the revelation to come. I found the warning sign, but when I pulled into the turnout and looked around, I could find no “notice.” Someone must have torn the sign down. </p>
<p>The trip around the lake was hard work and nerve wracking. There is absolutely zero shoulder on the highway here. On the lake side is a guardrail. On the opposite side is a ditch and a very steep wall. It is very curvy which creates short sight distances. The road is also frequented by logging trucks. Lots of them; traveling in both directions and often at the same time. There are many turnouts, and I used most of them, but when a vehicle caught me without an escape route I had two options: 1) pucker up as close to the guardrail as I dared for regular vehicles 2) stop quickly and throw a leg over the guardrail for logging trucks.</p>
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<p>This was bad enough, And then it went from “just” PNW rain to rainforest rain! Now I’m not just cold and terrified but also wet. THEN it changed to snow! Every few cars which passed me headed the other direction, someone would honk their horn at me. Unable to read minds, I thought I wasn’t obeying some rule posted on the “notice” I hadn’t been able to locate. Cold, terrified, wet, AND nervous.</p>
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<p>Eventually I arrived at the other end of the lake and through the steady snow I could see a “notice” sign for bicyclists heading the other direction! I pulled over to find out what I had been missing. It was letting cyclists know the poor road conditions, but most importantly was a big metal button like you would find at a city cross walk. When you push it? Flashing lights come on along the roadway in strategic places which stay on for an hour and notify motorists that there are bicycles actively traveling on the roadway. If ever there was a facepalm moment I was feeling it right here. In disgust I hit the button so at least cars coming up behind me around the lake would see the flashing signs.</p>
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<p>The road widened shortly after the “notice” which was great. But the snow didn’t let up and as the road tilted upward in earnest I began to realize why the cars had been honking at me. It was a genuine mountain pass with official chain-up areas and everything! How had I missed this during my research?! Well, mostly because it was only a max 1,200 feet elevation. I had never even considered the possibility of snow on such a “low” hill.</p>
<p>By 700 feet (pictured) I was riding in about an inch of slushy snow on the shoulder. Now every driver who passed knew FOR SURE I was insane. Not a single person even slowed down to ask if I was okay, needed a ride, knew where I was going, knew the road was just getting worse etc. Must be the Hells500 jersey was just too intimidating - wait no, it was under the rain coat. </p>
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<p>Once I topped the hill at 1,200 feet there was 3 inches of genuine snow on the shoulder and the tire tracks on the road surface weren’t exactly clear. I would pull into the road and use the track until a vehicle came up behind me and I had to tiptoe through the snow on the shoulder until they had all passed. I might have turned around before the top but for two things: 1) I was terrified of going around the lake again, even with blinky warning lights and 2) I was concerned I couldn’t safely descent in the snow. Climbing is much safer than descending when traction is minimal.</p>
<p>Luckily the backside of the hill was a gentler slope than I had climbed and I made it to the “lowlands” continuing my in and out of the lane strategy. The slush on the roadway didn’t let up until I was nearly to Forks. But before then I got drenched again. Then it changed to sleet; man that hurt my face!</p>
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<p>I arrived in Forks waving my white flag; I’m sure I looked like a drowned rat. Somehow I was about 40 minutes ahead of schedule. With frozen hands I asked Google for a motel. First one was permanently closed. Second one, score for $70! I checked in and wheeled myself to Sally’s Burgers I had passed on my way into town. I went for palatable calories in the form of a salmon burger, french fries, and a root beer shake. I carried the food back to the motel, only to find my room door open and the cleaning lady inside.</p>
<p>She didn’t speak english, but we were able to communicate to the point of “15 more minutes.” I ate my food outside, still cold and wet. Thankfully she cleared the room before I got to the shake. I locked the door behind me, turned the heat up to full blast, and laid all my clothes out as close as possible to dry out. I plugged in some devices to the wall charger. I was almost amused to realize I bought a 4-plug charger but only brought 3 cables; and one of the cables would only charge my iPhone. Inefficient.</p>
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<p>I took a very hot very long shower and let the tub fill to make sure my feet would thaw completely. This is one of those moments you remember you arrived on a bicycle and have NO extra clothes or toiletries. I tried to sleep for a couple of hours, but again I couldn’t shut my brain off. It was good rest for my body, but no sleep. I could hear the rain absolutely pounding the roof of the motel several times during my hibernation. </p>
<p>I got up before my alarm, packed everything, checked the weather, and headed out into the dark around 8:00pm. It was colder than during the daylight, but the rain had subsided to more of a misting. For a few minutes. I was intermittently rained and hailed on for some time with clear starlit skies in between. Eventually I was left in peace and my outer layers air dried on the move.</p>
<p>Then I started to find snow across the road again. It was only a light dusting and only for short stretches of road. It seemed the rain squalls I heard while at the motel came in the form of snow elsewhere. There were tire tracks through the snow and my front tire threw water as long as I stayed in the tracks; a good sign nothing was frozen. When I missed the tracks and went through the snow it was crunchy rather than slush, but again no real loss of traction. This was the story for 30 miles or so between Forks and the coast proper.</p>
<p>Coming up alongside the ocean was the most pleasant part of the trip. Not a single car. Beautiful pavement (with one really scary exception) where you could feel the rolling resistance drop off to nothing. The sound of the ocean! Yes, I could hear it. And warmth! 36 degrees felt incredibly warm; so much so my toes almost thawed out during that amazing 15 mile stretch. I paused in the town of Queets long enough to eat something and warm my feet up a bit. At least I think they got warmer. The store was closed; no surprise. I got back on the bike.</p>
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<p>Then the road turned inland again and tipped up for about 500 feet of elevation in the next 10 miles. The snow returned and was here to stay. Bare patches of road were now the exception and the temperature dipped below 30 again. I settled in for a long challenging night and likely would have been fine if it hadn’t started to rain again.</p>
<p>The second century mark passed with little fanfare, but I did take the time to stop and fish my phone out for a picture.</p>
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<p>It started to rain hard. I could see Lake Quinault on my Garmin map but it was deceptively far off. I pushed as hard as I dared, hoping to find shelter from the rain at the gas station I knew sat beside the lake. This bit was scary. I could handle the cold and I could handle the wet, but I knew the combination was bad news. The rain turned very heavy well before I reached the gas station and I was soaked and shivering by the time I pulled in. I tried new chemical packs for my feet; futile. For some reason they would not activate in the outside air even though I was under cover and no rain reached them. I put my last layer of clothing on. By the time my frozen toes were back in shoes, the rain had lightened. I hoped it would let up and I could air dry again, but the temperature was even lower than the first two times I had been soaked. I also couldn’t afford to sit still, it was warmer in motion and I was well behind schedule now.</p>
<p>The rain did let up but with it came clear skies and once more lower temperatures. The snow consistently covered the road and took a good deal of concentration - fewer cars had passed this way making the track thinner. The snow was deeper outside of the track and very slippery if my tire wandered too far. The shoulder itself was ice and to be avoided. </p>
<p>Another 5 miles down the road in a town called Neilton, I passed a tiny post office. It was lit inside. I have never had a PO box, but I thought I remembered you could access them 24/7. I turned around and made my way down the icy driveway. Sure enough the door was unlocked and it was warm inside! I ate more food and gave my feet some time to warm up. I tried once again to get new chemical packs working with no success.</p>
<p>The next, and last, 20 miles were a fight all the way. My shifting had long since deteriorated so far that I avoided shifting the front or rear mech even if it meant an uncomfortable grinding cadence or standing. The terrain was “rolling” although it felt very uphill. I anxiously watched the miles tick by. Once the Garmin began showing triple digits you no longer see tenths of a mile adding up and it feels like you are making no progress. Morale was pretty low here.</p>
<p>Then my tire slipped. Just a bit, although I was immediately alert. I hadn’t strayed from the track and yet I had lost traction. No more water coming off my front tire. I gingerly tested the shoulder. Solid ice. I tested the snow pack, crunchy and very slick. I tried the oncoming lane, marginal gains but cambered the opposite direction I was used to which made it hard to track straight. I slowed my pace and watched the road as best I could. Several more times my tire slipped but I was getting good at predicting the icy patches. They stretched from shoulder to shoulder so the only strategy was to glide over them perfectly still; or stop and walk in the snowy dirt off the side of the road. Not an option with 20 or so miles still to Aberdeen.</p>
<p>This strategy seemed to work, although it was terrifying. Especially descending. Do you take the chance and brake or do you take the chance and allow the bike to pick up speed?</p>
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<p>I didn’t even see it coming. One moment I was upright in a tire track close to the center line of the road and the next I was sliding on my side down that same road. The wind got knocked out of me, although I seemed to land mostly on the hydration pack. I could feel more than see the bike sliding ahead of me. Strava tells me later I was thankfully only traveling about 12mph at the time.</p>
<p>I could barely stand on the ice it so completely covered the road. A quick glance for nonexistent traffic and I picked the bike up. I walked off the road into the snowy grass to get my bearings. I couldn’t find any tears in my clothing and no dampness from blood. Good. Bike? Not so good. It landed on the drive side and I could see the rear derailleur was messed up. The rear wheel wouldn’t spin.</p>
<p>There was just enough time for a bit of panic. Not a “breathless chicken with its head off” panic, but more “calmed adrenaline survival instinct what do I do now” moment. Get the bike working? Maybe, but what about the ice. There was bound to be more not less ahead. Walk? I already couldn’t feel half of each foot, the terrain was anything but clear, and Aberdeen was still nearly 20 miles distant.</p>
<p>This all happened in the space of about two minutes. Then God sent help; the only one who knew I needed it. I saw headlights! Do I flag them down, or would that just cause the driver to crash on the ice? I hesitated. The car slowed and I could see it was a Sheriff. Wow! I won’t dare call that good luck. I just felt blessed.</p>
<p>I could hear the ABS activate as he tried to stop, then spun the tires for a few moments turning around on the thin icy road. I walked up to the shoulder and waved as he pulled up and rolled his window down.</p>
<p>The exchange was brief and very friendly. <br>
I don’t remember the exact words of the conversation but he asked if I was okay. <br>
I explained I crashed on the ice and wasn’t sure if my bike would be ride able. <br>
Did I want a ride?<br>
Does the ice go away down the road a ways?<br>
He just shook his head and smiled.<br>
I hesitated. This would mean failure of my goal.<br>
Does he have a way to carry the bike also?<br>
Maybe - lets try.</p>
<p>Carl pulled his cruiser further off the road and began unloading his front seat for me while I disassembled the bike to fit in his back seat. I imagined how difficult it would be to answer the questions that must come next. How would someone possibly understand why I was in the middle of nowhere at 4:00am and hadn’t slept since Monday morning? Oh, and where was I going?</p>
<p>He did ask nicely. I gave him a brief answer, something like “I was attempting to ride around the peninsula from Seattle without sleeping.”</p>
<p>“Ahh, I get it.” <br>
Say what?!<br>
Carl went on to explain he is an ultra runner and totally understands the endurance athlete thing! I could not have been more relieved and comfortable to climb into a law enforcement vehicle. We had a great talk on the way to Aberdeen and I learned he had completed several 100 mile runs and was training for a 200 mile run sometime in 2017. His car handled the miles of ice admirably. I imagine it had something to do with two extra wheels. </p>
<p>He took me to one of the few businesses which was open at that hour in Aberdeen; the Denny’s. I thanked him and he went back to his icy road duties. I reassembled the bike. The rear wheel turned! But it would not hold a gear, any gear. I wheeled it into the Denny’s lobby and took a table. Two locals joined me at my table for coffee and breakfast; I was oddly thankful they had no interest in talking bicycles.</p>
<p>With my phone charged and warm hands to operate it, I was pleased to find an incredibly direct bus route home. The bus stop was within 20 feet of the Denny’s entrance and the whole trip would take about 5 hours. Considering it takes about 3 hours to drive the distance by car with no stops that was fantastic news! I had never used the bike rack on a bus before and was lucky enough to have a local use it before me and explain how easy it was. I got on board.</p>
<p>The bus took me to Olympia. I uploaded the ride to Strava on the way and very shortly had a text from a fellow cyclist Txomin offering me a ride home! I initially declined. Then I reviewed the route and how many transfers it would take to get home from Seattle. I caved and made arrangements to meet Txomin in Tacoma. He was a very welcome sight. He also didn’t give me a hard time for my misadventure; although I never actually heard him say “I can’t wait to try that,” I’m confident he was thinking it.</p>
<p>I arrived home sometime around 11:00am on Wednesday, almost 36 hours since the adventure started. I took a shower and fell asleep after being awake for approximately 52 hours.</p>
<p>As I write this, I have not looked into the damage to the bike. I have a large bruise on my hip but otherwise I am healthy. </p>
<p>I recovered quickly and was able to use my gravel bike to <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/817187013">complete the Rapha #Festive500 challenge</a> on the last day. It was not warm but mercifully dry and free of ice and snow.</p>
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<p>I was able to locate Carl and thank him through social media although my brain was so muddled I couldn’t even remember his first name. I also offered to crew for his upcoming events. I know it can be hard to find good people willing to stand around all day and support an ultra runner. I sincerely hope he takes me up on it!</p>
<p>To be clear, if I had any idea what I was in for I never would have left home. <br>
Winter happens on the Olympic Peninsula for real - who knew?!<br>
All my planning couldn’t predict the weather I faced and I feel incredibly thankful the failed attempt went as well as it did. </p>
<p>See you next year, Rapha #Festive500!</p>
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