Such a fabulous day today. I had another flex day and have decided that instead of putting a crimp in my riding, my new full time job has actually improved the quality of my rides since I now get an entire day to myself, to do nothing but ride in solitude assuming the weather cooperates. I feel like I now have the best of all worlds.
I had a flex day on Friday the 2nd of September and I used it to the fullest. I headed across to the US to pick up a parcel and then spent about five hours getting to Bellingham – a trip that normally takes about an hour. Along the way I was watching the odometer as I knew it was going to click over to 10,000 km. I found a fabulous spit across from Blaine and watched it tip over the number on this fabulous deserted bit of space with water on both sides. I bought the bike with all of 4km on it, it came straight out of the crate and was put together for me…all those km are mine. And I’ve enjoyed every one of them, even the ones in horrible weather and terrible traffic, because they are ALL mine! I love my bike!
I wandered through the Semiahmoo region, then down into the Lummi Reservation and rode along the waterfront wherever possible. I stopped to watch some fishermen before skirting through Bellingham and out to Fairhaven where I watched the ferry to Ketchikan Alaska board. I then turned South again and enjoyed the fabulous curves and vistas of Chukanut drive. Since it was early on Friday, the roads were quiet. I pulled into a viewpoint and another BC rider was taking a break. A few words to each other, but neither particularly intruded on the other’s solo experience.
As usual I took a few wrong turns and ended up on some hair raising roads. Hair raising only because they were freshly resurfaced and slick with fresh black oil. Also hair raising because I couldn’t get off them as I was unlucky enough to encounter them when they were long stretches with no side roads to escape to. New adventures, all good.
I haven’t been to Deception Pass in many, many years and even though it was getting late, I had to make the effort. I was glad I did as the day was spectacular and the waters were racing. I watched a sailboat go through pretty much sideways. After a short visit I turned North and jumped on the I-5 to get back to meet Kirk at work as fast as I could. Of course it turned out that for about 15-20 miles of the I-5 the road had been half resurfaced with the shoulder a nasty gouged up mess, the right lane smooth but slick with fresh oil, and the left lane half done. The line between the two lanes was marked with about a 2 inch drop between. Grand fun. Hang on lightly, don’t make any sudden stupid moves, and whatever you do, don’t think about changing lanes! Once through that, I again hit that lovely stretch of grooved concrete before the border….at 115+kph. Yes, that’s fun too.
All in all a great day with over 460km on the odometer. So crossed 10,000km, and rapidly working towards 11,000! (I think I’m gonna hurt a bit tomorrow)
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