Out early and on the road making miles. Then another flat. Same road as the other day. NOTE to Road and Bridge departments everywhere: Yes the money spent sweeping shoulders is worth it! Last spare tube deployed and I was back to it.
A nice ride up the Columbia River with much better weather. It has been super hot and today it is cool and cloudy. The miles ripped by and soon enough I found a convenience store with fried chicken and cold soda. Yes, this ride will be fueled by junk food. Mom, I had a green machine juice to make sure I hade something resembling veg.
40 miles later and just mid day I made my way into the cities of Longview and Kelso. On the outskirts of town was a laundromat and I took the opportunity to clean everything I owned. Nothing like hanging out at a battered and run down laundromat (worst I have ever come across) on the wrong side of town wearing just your goretex. It felt like old times.
Walmart for new bike tubes, restock of food, and fuel for stove that I forgot to get before starting off. Then to a motel for a shower and a shave (I have decided to stay clean shaven for cleanliness, the heat, helmet strap, and to be more approachable, at least for now). Great tacos from around the corner, planned the next few days and early to bed.
It felt great. I have regained my footing. While not the original plan and a little out of the way I have a way back on route. My physical health remains great. I am tired but nothing is nagging me and I feel like the shorter miles to start is paying off. There will be time for long riding days when my body, read backside, are broken in properly.
This day reminded me that riding and golfing is only half of this trip. Logistics is a full time job in itself. As much as I have prepared for this trip resupply, rerouting, and making hotel, camping, and golf reservations adds up to be a significant amount of time.
Technical note, I fixed the website and you can now read all of the previous posts. I will continue to get better at this blog I hope.
One response to “Day 4 – Bounce Back and Hard Reset”
My name is Mark, and my friend Mike and I had the good fortune to share a tee time this morning with Erich. It’s quite embarrassing to say that I got beat by a guy with only 3 clubs in his bag ⛳️🏌️♂️. We had a good time and some fellowship today, and I am a better person for having the good fortune to have met Erich. I wish you the best of luck going forward as this is quite the journey you are undertaking.