6/17-Meeting Up With the Guys

This morning as I was rolling out, the hotel door two down from me opened up. It was Chris and Brody (Bill later said he didn’t come out because all he was wearing was a towel, and I might not like that). They said they had seen Welsh Chris yesterday just after the Beverly Bridge. Still don’t know if he made it to Othello. They saw him about 2:30. I went through there at 11:30.The “Salsa Boys”, as I like to call them because they are all riding Salsas, we’re headed to Ritzville today. I figured they would pass me because they are much faster riders. 

My friend, Ginny, when she saw I was in Othello, texted me about the Cow Path Bakery. It was just a couple blocks from the motel. Everyone knows how I love a bakery! I looked at their menu and decided it would be a good place for breakfast. I had the Bacon Egger Avocado Toast. 

It was delicious. I also had apple juice AND chocolate milk…starting out the day well hydrated! I also got a raspberry bar to go. 

I was on the road at 7:00. Today would be 100% paved road. My only concern was getting through the 9 mile section that headed north, before the wind got too strong (it was coming out of the west again). Crosswinds are brutal! 

Hmmm…can I draft?

Wheat (or barley???)

Mt. Rainier! To think, 5 days ago, I was on the other side!

Whew! Made it through the north section!

I stopped at the Country Market in Warden. I picked up a zucchini and an avocado for my dinner tonight. Since I was going to be on pavement all day, they wouldn’t get destroyed. As I was finishing up a drink, a woman came out with a small container of little oval fried things in her hand. She asked if I wanted to try one. I asked what they were. She said they were potato wrapped around a bit of jalapeño. I said, “Oh, no thank you!” I told her I was good until she said jalapeño!

I was back on the road when Paul from Australia caught up to me. He asked where I was going. I told him, and asked where he was going. He said the same! He was in the same group that started from the Space Needle! Side note: If I could go back in time, I would have asked for a round of names before we rolled out! 

We rode together for about 12 miles, then he headed on ahead while I stopped for a butt break. 

See ya, Paul!

The road was quite the rolling hills. The next town was Lind. As I rolled in, I could see Paul and a couple other guys  at the fire station. John came to the street. Paul had just pulled in. Gary was there too (met him in Snoqualmie).

John, Gary, and Paul

I pulled out my chair too. The three guys are mostly hanging together. John had met Paul on a Europe tour. John and Gary were about to leave. Paul had found some seats across the street at the grocery store. He asked me to come over there. 

John and Gary hadn’t left yet when the Salsa Boys rolled in. They parked their bikes next to Wanda as that was designated Salsa parking. 

Me, Paul, Brody, Chris, and Gary

I ate my raspberry bar, and Paul had some “chips” (we told him they are jojos, or potato wedges here). I told the guys, no offense to them, but I wish there were more women. Paul agreed. 

I was in no hurry because I only had about 15 miles to go. Eventually, it was time to get rolling. Paul asked if I wanted to ride together. We crossed over the Hwy from Pasco (drove that many times in college). We came to the turn onto Lind-Ralston Rd. Paul’s gps was telling him to continue on. I told him this was the road, but he thought he should stop and check. I continued. It wasn’t until I was just outside of Ralston that he caught up to me. He said he should have listened to me.

Memorial in Lind

The P2CT runs parallel to the paved road we were on. It does not look fun to ride!

The trees in the distance are Ralston. Sometimes it seems like you’ll never get there!

Just before Paul caught up to me, I caught sight of John and Gary (they must have taken a break at the park). I told Paul that was John and Gary right up ahead. We parted ways as I am staying tonight at Keppler Memorial Park here in Ralston. There’s not much to Ralston except the park, some houses, and a grange. I called the number listed at the park. The guy will come and open the grange so I can have a shower, and also use the kitchen, I think. If I wanted to camp on the grass, he would turn off the sprinklers. But, there is a tent pad that looks fine to me. 

There’s even a bike repair stand!

The grange across the street from the park.

Today was 53 miles. Even with the break in Lind, I still got here at 2:30. There was a tailwind, but not as strong as yesterday. Kind of grateful, actually. Yesterday was a bit much!