In Seattle, 14 hours to go
Wow, I have 14 hours to go before I have to meet the gear truck on Pier 62 in downtown Seattle. I picked up my bike yesterday from the bike shop near Pike's Place and rode it back to my sister's house in NW Seattle. I was supposed to go around Queen Anne Hill but somehow lost my way and climbed up several steep grades. It was really good training and truly reminded me of the hills of San Francisco. As I was trying to figure out my way with a map, I noticed a straight line indicating that I could go straight down one street onto the Fremont Bridge. What I didn't know until I descended one section of the steep hill was that I would have to go "straight down" through a busy intersection and down another hill that I could not even see the end of. So I backtracked up a road aptly named "Nob Hill Street" and found a safer way down.
I believe I am all ready to go. My bags are all packed. I have outfitted my bike with a bag, light and the chain is all lubed. If I have forgotten something, I will have to improvise along the way. I will have to get up early tomorrow to meet the gear truck at the waterfront before 6:30 a.m. We begin the Big Ride by catching the 7:35 ferry to Bremerton where we start the first day of riding to Lake Sylvia SP, in Montesano for a total of 77 miles. Despite having to wake up early in the morning, I am really looking forward to tomorrow. It will be nice to do some serious riding again and I want to personally see what these hills are really like. I have heard people say they're easy to climb while others have warned me with a serious look on their faces.
I am having my friend Emily posts updates for me every couple of days. I am sure there are internet cafes on the Pacific Coast but I am on vacation and need a break. I promise you I will not go into withdrawal. This is the last post that I will be writing for another two weeks.
Have fun and don't miss me too much.
P.S. By the way, I am composing this post in the modernistic Seattle library, designed by the dutch architect Rem Koolhaas . It's pretty darn cool. Not at all New Enlglandish.
P.P.S. You can check out the trip itinerary here: http://www.manakamu.com/brpc/itinerary.html
Sayonora for now.
