Day 2

Monday August 11^th 2008

Sequim Bay State Park, Sequim, WA to Fairholm Campground, Fairholm, WA

56.6 Miles

Johnson Creek Trestle

Today is my birthday and rather than spend it with family or friends, eating cake and ice cream, I chose instead to pedal uphill for several miles. I’ll tell you, nothing makes you feel as old you are like biking up a steep hill and having to stop half way and walk up the rest. I know a few of you are shocked and disappointed to find this out, but I had to walk my bike fir the first time in at least 7 years. In my defense I missed a shift and in my recovery I lost my momentum. Rather than feel ashamed, I’ll consider it a birthday gift to myself.

Today was harder than yesterday. I expect the rides to be like this until I get my sea-legs back. Hopefully in the next couple of days. The other big shocker is a slight change to my itinerary. Actually it wasn’t so much of a change as it was a strategic shortening of my mileage today. I was originally hoping to make it to Bear Creek Campground, but I stopped about 15 miles short of it at the Fairholm Campground. This turned out to be a good plan but more on that later. Lets get back to the oh so scintillating minutia of my daily ride. I started at Sequim Bay State Park. Last night one of the Park Rangers suggested that I take the recently opened Olympic Discovery Trail which would allow me to avoid the busy Hwy 101. No cars was great, but it also meant more a few more miles since the trail sort of meanders. It was scenic and mostly followed an old railroad right of way.

done

Old Trestle somewhere on the Olympic Discovery trailMore bridge shots

Trail to Port Angeles

After 25 miles and two and half hours I was in downtown Port Angeles. Awesome, I thought. I’ll get some food, stop in the local bike shop for some chain lube and then check out the library for the cheap internet access, so I can upload Day 1’s blog. I was able to get the chain lube and the food no problem, but the Library didn’t open until noon. I killed time for about an hour and a half and then spent about an hour uploading the to the blog. By 1pm I was ready to ride again.

It turns out that my extended break in Port Angeles was well spent and I hit 101 refreshed. About 20 miles later I reached the section of 101 that follows the shores of Lake Crescent. The lake itself is beautiful but the road is twisty with narrow or non-existent shoulders. I had read about this section and was not looking for to it. I gritted my teeth prepared to do battle with the fat RV’s and the speeding log trucks. I did have a couple of close calls, and the poetic irony of getting mowed over by a semi on my birthday was not lost on me, but still, I was glad when I reached the other end at Fairholm. Turns out I really had nothing to worry about. Its true the shoulder is rough and narrow, but there were very few cars driving along it and most that did pass me were generously giving me a wide berth.

Me and Lake Crescent

When I reached the end of the lake I stopped at the tiny Fairholm Store. This was the last place to stock up before my campground about 15 miles further west but even as I was approaching the store, I was thinking of stopping at the local campground fro the night. Already at the store was three other touring cyclists. Bob, Brian, and Jamie. The three of them were riding together around the Peninsula, only in the opposite direction. They invited me to sit down and talk about our tours. I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again, it is always so nice to meet fellow tourers. I don’t really have to explain myself to them, they already get it. Anyway, they were going to get a campsite too asked if I would like to join them. I figured why not.

Bob, Brian, and Jamie

Lake Crescent

The campground is at the western end of Lake Crescent and is truly scenic. If you’ve never seen it I highly recommend it. The First thing you’ll notice is the deep blue green water. The next thing you’ll notice is the Old Growth National Forest that surrounds it. The Last thing you’ll notice is the lack of motorboats and Jet Skis. They are allowed on the lake but from what I witnessed their just aren’t that many out there and it really adds to the feeling of remoteness. The best part was that when my new friends found out it was my birthday, they paid the registration fee for me. Really cool. One free night. Tomorrow, Forks and Kalaloch. and the main star of this tour, The Pacific Ocean! WooHoo!

Maury