Final day of Super Biker Woman's Epic 4-day Bike Tour with Eldest Son

June 28th, 2008: Day 4 of our Epic Bike Tour again begins with a flat on Kyle's bike. I fixed the flat and we were on our way by 9:45 (we'll work on Kyle fixing his own flats another time). It takes longer to pack everything up when you have to take down the tent and you have to fix your own breakfast (Terry fixed breakfast for us yesterday).

We rode back to Hwy 3 and headed toward Shelton. There was only one small town between Belfair and Shelton called Allyn. Not much there. The only gas station didn't even have a public restroom. Fortunately, didn't need it quite yet. We made it to Shelton and decided to eat at a restaurant. We were looking for a Subway, but there wasn't one in Old Town Shelton so we ate at Dairy Queen. Afterward, we were both REALLY FULL. We rode slowly out of Shelton to give our food time to settle.

We got onto 101 and headed for home. We did take Kamilche Rd. off 101 and Old Olympic Hwy. just for a respite from the sun and traffic on 101. We got off at Steamboat Island Rd. and headed back down Madrona Beach Rd. One more hill of note to climb up Mud Bay Rd. We decided to go through town and come home on the Woodland Trail and Chehalis Western. It was nice to finish our tour on that which we are so familiar (plus is was very shady and cool on the trail).

Total mileage for final day: 58.38

Total ride time: 4:58

Total time for day: 6:45

Average speed: 11.6 mph

Total miles for 4 days: 218.06

Day 3 of Epic Bike Tour

June 27, 2008: Day 3 of our 4-day Epic Bike Tour starts with a flat tire on Kyle's bike. Must have been a slow leak because it wasn't flat yesterday when we parked our bikes. Our plan was to leave around 8:00 since it was Friday and we wanted to be sure to get a camp spot at Belfair State Park. With the flat repair, we got on the road at 8:30. Not too bad. Terry suggested we take Oak Bay Rd. to Hwy 104. It would put us right at the Hood Canal Bridge. Also, Oak Bay Rd. followed the water and was much more scenic. Still doing the rolling hills, but Kyle was getting better. We got to the bridge just as a sailboat was going through. That was great because we cruised past all the traffic and got to the front just as the bridge was opening to traffic again. Here is a picture of Kyle behind me going across the bridge.

Okay, not the best picture, but, hey, I was trying to ride at the same time! Kyle did not like the bridge so much (a fear of heights...and bridges?).

We continued south on Hwy 3. It definately started to warm up once we got away from the water. Kyle finally took his long pants off. We pulled off at Silverdale to find a place to eat our lunch. We found the Silverdale Marina and Park. Quite a lovely place for a rest and food. We had blueberry bagels (yes, bagels again...they travel well) with White Chocolate Peanutbutter (like I said, not losing weight on this trip). We filled up the water bottles and rode back to Hwy. 3 (about 1 1/2 miles). Riding through Bremerton was not too fun, but riding through Gorst was worse. At one point, we got off the highway because there was absolutely NO SHOULDER! We were able to get back on about a tenth of a mile later. Then we exited to continue on Hwy 3. We had a long climb out of Gorst. I entertained Kyle with a story of my last dreadful trip through Gorst (let's just say it was one of the worst days of my life).

We stopped in Belfair at Safeway and got some food to supplement our dinner (we bought food in Port Hadlock the night before--Parmesan cous cous and canned chicken breast). I got a bagette, some carrots and some fruit. Oh yeah, and some cocoa cranberry granola. It was only 3 miles to the park from there.

We pulled into Belfair State Park about 3:30. We got a hiker/biker site for $14.00 and we each got 2 3-min. shower tokens. The park was nice. Our site backed up to the creek. By the end of the night, most of the sites were filled, but not the hiker/biker sites. We walked down to the beach. Kyle thought the beach was pretty solid until he started walking out and squished into the mud. I declined the walk through the mud and instead waited on the grass. After the beach, we cooked our dinner then played a little DS.

Total mileage for day 3: 59.88 miles

Total ride time: 4:53

Total time for day: 7 hours

Average speed: 12.1 mph

Day 2 of Epic Bike Tour

June 26, 2008: Day 2 of our Epic 4-day Bike Tour began with overcast skies. We ate a breakfast of multi-grain cereal with granola and banana. Quite tasty and filling too! Packed up the panniers and took down the tent. My little notebook list of where everything went came in handy as I was packing up my stuff. I think Kyle just stuffed everything in his panniers without much regard for organization. Seemed to work for him. I was carrying more stuff though so I needed the even weight distribution. Headed out on the road toward Port Townsend at 9:30. Didn't worry about getting an early start since we weren't going that far.

It was very scenic riding along the water even with the cloudy skies.

We took a look at Seal Rock National Park. Nice quiet campground, but no showers.

Then we started climbing up to Walker Mt.. Kyle was wondering if the hill would ever end. At least we weren't cold anymore. The ride down the other side was fun. I had taken the sleeves off my jacket near the top. Needless to say, arms were a little chilled coming down. We turned off 101 at Quilcene per Terry's directions and headed up Center Rd. I say up as it was more climbing. All the little towns are on the water so we go down to the towns then climb back up and out. After the 104 junction, the road was very rough all the way to Chimicum. I would ride out in the lane until a car would come then move back over to the rough shoulder. We called Terry in Chimicum as we were about 6 miles from his house where we were staying for the night.

We arrived at Terry's at about 12:45. After showering and starting a load of skanky-clothes laundry, Terry took us on a grand tour of Port Townsend. He was very informative.

We stayed in the "guest cottage" (the trailer). The luxury accomodations were very nice. Good sleeps were had by both of us.

Total mileage for day: 32.8 miles

Total ride time: 2:51

Total time for day: about 3:45

Average speed: 11.9 mph

Super Biker Woman's 4-day Epic Bike Tour with eldest son--Day 1

June 25, 2008: Day 1 of our first ever 4-day Epic Bike Tour takes us from home to Dosewallips State Park. The only thing I forgot was the bananas I bought the day before. No problem. Just stopped at Safeway and bought some more. Then stopped at my favorite bakery for some goodies for the road. Chocolate chip macaroons and Rebel Mud Bars--YUM! Probably won't be losing weight on this trip!

Headed out on the highway (lookin' for adventure...) at Steamboat Island Rd. Sunny skies but still a little chilly. Cruised along Hwy 101 until Shelton where we got off for a short rest and potty stop. Back out on the Hwy. Road narrows to 2 lanes after Shelton (and less of a shoulder), but a little less traffic. Made a couple of other short stops then stopped for bagels with peanut butter and honey at Potlatch State Park. Nice little rest looking out on Hood Canal.

After Hoodsport the ups and downs really began. Seems to be about the same amount of uphills and downhills, but the downhills go by so much faster (no duh). Kyle begins to ask how many more hills there will be. Since I haven't been on this road for about 35 years, and when I was, it was in a car and I didn't pay much attention to hills (and gas was alot cheaper then), I told him I had no idea.

Stopped at Triton Cove State Park (not much to it) for a potty stop. I'm getting ready to go into the potty shack when a little girl goes in ahead of me. So I'm waiting outside as they are one seaters. I'm waiting and waiting and waiting. Then I decide I don't have to go that bad. As I walk back to the bike, another older girl walks to the potty shack, goes in and comes out. Hmmm... what happened to the other little girl? How did she get out without me seeing her since I was standing there? A mystery that remains unsolved. So, I went in (no secret exit doors).

After more ups, downs and rest stops, we pulled into Dosewallips State Park. I had camped at Dosewallips a few times as a kid. It looked nothing like I remembered. I was thinking I must have a really crappy memory of my childhood or this place is different. Kyle and I asked at the registration booth if the park had changed. Turns out they had revamped it several years ago. Whew! I don't have a crappy memory (well, about that anyway). We ate our dinner of stew and bagels and walked down to the beach.

We hit the sack after Kyle beat me in Scrabble (great little travel set I have).

Total mileage for Day 1: 67.0 miles
Total ride time: 5:25
Total time with breaks: about 7 hours