The plan is to cycle 3500 miles solo from Seattle to Miami in 29 days to raise funds to care for veterans' mental health and also to help the fight against blood cancers. Wagons roll on September 11th: it would be terrific if you could sponsor me...thank you!
Up, up and away at 6.28am and it is baltic, hah-hah! That's the thing- everything looks fine and dandy during the daytime, but once the sun sets things get cold very quickly indeed.
Anyway, mercifully the winds weren't anything like as daft as yesterday- still not helping, but doable. I'll take that...like I have a choice, hah-hah!
Looks like rain. Actually, those words will come back to haunt...
Breakfast was at Spokane, where I should have reached yesterday. Top McDonalds effort- their oatmeal nonsense is top-drawer, backed-up with Egg & Sausage McCobblers and the rest.
That *is* a considerable amount of turf.
Oi, Casey Jones- you going to the convention in Wallace?
Spokane has quite a few exits and entries from I-90, and I was almost through the worst of it when I heard a siren and then saw blue flashing lights behind. Not for the first time, on any of my trips...
So it's the Washington Highway State Patrol and as a (rubbish) cyclist I'm prohibited from the Interstate whilst in the built-up area of Spokane. Officer checks my id and asks what where I'm going. When I said "Miami" he did give me a sideways glance, hah-hah!
Ticking-off accepted (and he did buy my sincere plea of total f**king ignorance), the bloke pointed me the route to take and then re-join the I-90 noise-fest. No dramas!
The WHiPs-mobile!
If it's any good for aches & pains then...
Spokane- I salute you!
Always good to know.
One down, thirteen to go.
Nice to tick-off one state...a long old way to go, but still...small victories, right?
Idaho looks ok. In the sun, obvs...
Can you just f**k off with the winds altogether, please? Except tail ones. Cheers.
The lovely Coeur d'Alene. Wanna come back!
There are so many fine places to explore: Coeur looked fantastic, even from a remove.
A.n.other drag done.
You cannot whack the smell of pine. Beautiful!
It was terrific to get some scenery, unlike yesterday. And the smell of pine is just a joy...almost blocks out barely hand-washed lycra avec added sweat. Nice! There you go, Gaultier- have that one for free!
Bit of marsh. Still looks ok, doesn't it?
Little 'over the shoulder' number there. Still with one eye on the shoulder debris, obvs.
I stopped again for a late luncheon (no, I hadn't booked, but the Kellogg McDs? You really must go!), and thought a bag of ice might be an idea to calm joints down a notch. Big enough for ya'?
"Any chance of a small ice pack, please?" "Sure, no problem."
I felt good to push-on and try to buy back a few of yesterday's missing 35 miles but the limiting factor was accommodation: Mullan was my preferred shout but no dice, so I managed to get the last room at Wallace.
Probably the first (and hopefully last) time that I have paid the full rate...apparently I got the last room as there is a convention of retired rail-road workers in (very small) town. Still, the hotel is ace: even had a dip in their hot-tub before wedging out for some grub.
That's "full service", alright?
Outrageous. I don't even warrant 4th billing.
I was advised to go Italian, and the advice was sound! They even played Bowie, Shakey and load of other old pony too, as well as serving up great pasta, IPA and Sangiovese. Result! The waitress/co-owner asked what I was here for and she duly told her kid who was watching the goings on in the cafe: the wee man asked why I didn't drive? Out of the mouths etc., hah-hah!
Today's useless fact: parts of 'Dante's Peak' and 'Heaven's Gate' were filmed in Wallace. Ain't never seen either movie either...
Great local brew, but jam-jars?
Not burnt, but not a great look either!
As seen in Wallace's local paper. *facepalm*
Not my gaff tonight but a happening joint. Maybe that's why, hah-hah!
Ok then, I'm still in the game- we'll see where we end-up tomorrow. Sleep now!
And in tribute to Washington Highway Patrol's finest...
I know that I come with the same old, same old, ad nauseam- but that's only because it's true.
Your generosity to these two causes is stupendous and I had a message from Bloodwise saying how thrilled they are and that your money will make a difference. So pour yourselves another glass...cheers!
Up and away for 6.50am and straight into the climb and a headwind. Some mistake- they can't mean me....it'll be ok on top. No. Oh deary me, no! It was a struggle to keep 11mph and even on a downhill bit you were lucky to get 16mph. Gonna be a long day, then...
'High Wind Warning'...how I scoffed. Not for long though.
Excellent work, Grant County!
'Control Noxious Weeds'. Not entirely sure that the siting was accidental, hah-hah!
And in the interests of balance...
This was as bad as yesterday was good- a bit of cycling kharma? It even outstripped the sufferfest from Dalhart to Liberal, back in 2011, which was 115 miles into a 3/4 headwind.
Have a look at this vid if you are doubtful...it'll give you a laugh if nothing else!
Any stop that I made for food etc., I had someone remark that it must be tough out there. Unfortunately they didn't extend their sympathy to offering to throw my bike in the back of their SUV and giving me a lift, hah-hah!
This wee guy was loving running alongside me. Well, fast walk would be more truthful...
Difficult to see, but I was attacked by some tumbleweed.
Things were a little hazy, as well as...
...seeing some of this nonsense too!
Slowest century ever. Lordy!
This cow tracked my slow progress. I think he did a double-take too.
Lincoln County, Washington State.
"'Arold!"
I knew that I was running-out of daylight, not to mention energy so Sprague (35 miles shy of Spokane) would have to do...there was no other choice. Again, super-friendly folk there, plus the railroad runs right by it which I find strangely comforting. If it wakes me at 3am I may revise that opinion, hah-hah!
Basic but did the job for the night. Now zzzz...
Of course this means I'm not where my itinerary says I should be: I have already cancelled the hotel for tomorrow night and am looking at plan b. I know that Bob Dylan reckoned that you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows: did Bobbo try this caper 50+ years ago, or what?
Great number: did I ever tell you that Ms Reeves gave me a tour of the Motown studios?
You know the script about why I'm doing this: please see if you can sponsor me and a massive thank you to those who already have...top, top stuff! The links are top right. Yeah, right up there. Keep going. Bingo!
The best thing about my er, budget hotel last night was that there was a 24 hour Denny's not a stone's throw away, so I was in there for 5.30am stuffing my face! I managed to set course for the four miles to the beach at about 6.40am.
Coast to coast tradition has it that you must dip your rear wheel in the ocean that you're leaving, and then dip your front wheel in the ocean that you arrive at. I seem to remember something about stealing a bit of the ocean that you're leaving too, and then dumping it in the one on the (too) far side. What a load of cobblers but I went along with it anyway!
Never mind dipping it in The Pacific, it almost sank, hah-hah!
Tradition also dictates that you take a bit of The Pacific across with you and tip it in The Atlantic. Yeah, daft I know!
The memorial to Seattle's finest. In surprisingly good nick, unlike Jimi regrettably...
Next item was to stop by Jimi Hendrix's memorial, which was about 11 miles away but handily placed on my route. Surprisingly enough, it was in great condition- usually these things are covered in graffiti and are generally an unkempt mess, with fans depositing tat. Well, I was guilty of the last charge as I left an 'Are You Experienced' cycling jersey as a tribute. Some wee toe-rag will undoubtedly have half-inched it by now, hah-hah!
I left a small offering for the great man. Those flowers were a nightmare on the bike, hah-hah!
Like Buddy Holly before him, it's a case of 'what if'...
From there, it was stop/start but I eventually got into the countryside and there was a little bit of up-and-down nonsense...all the hills on main roads never have killer gradients but they do go on for ages (bit like this blog) and they do take their toll eventually...
Not big numbers but they did take their toll...ouch!
Just a little bit more please...
Fifteen years ago today. In remembrance.
Eastern bit of Washington State and it's bye-bye pine trees!
Photobombed myself there.
Yes! Last climb followed by 10 miles downhill...happy with that!
Tomorrow it's across the bridge and climb-up to the plains...
At the end of that glorious downhill which added a smidgeon of respectability to my average speed, my accommodation was there before me. Except both restaurants were closed, hah-hah! Still, Texaco do a mean line in microwaveable soups...in fairness, the manageress of the motel took pity and made me a sandwich...awwww!
Looks sinister but actually super-friendly. And closed, mostly!
What do you mean: that *is* neat!
Tomorrow is another 145 miles with a little less vertical, which I'm absolutely gutted about, hah-hah! Keep the good vibes happening, thanks.
Can't find this beauty on YoucompleteTube, so this link will do the necessary!
Thank you again for your unbelievable sponsorship- you are making a positive difference, so good on you...cheers!
Just one more thing, if you're still there: a big thank you goes to the owner of the Montlake Bike Shop, a fellow by the name of Mr Neil Wechsler. When I 'planned' this caper, I realised that there was a fair chance of the bike getting manhandled on the way over- not sure if I mentioned this or not, ahem- so I e-mailed this chap and asked if he could help sort things assuming the bike arrived Saturday lunchtime.
Neil said "no problem" and even if his shop was busy, he would pay one of his mechanics to stay late and do whatever needed doing. Top man! As things panned-out, I didn't have to bother him, but I am in your debt for your generous and helpful approach. Cheers!
DAY ONE STATS HERE! In the meantime it would be terrific if you felt able to donate by clicking on one of the buttons over there, top right or click on the links below. Even the price of a coffee or a pint will make a difference and help someone. Good on you!
Grim o'clock sounds and it's off on another grand tour! Taxi to Manchester airport is on-time and as I schlepp my gear up to the BA bag-drop I know the staff will tell me to got to 'Outsize Baggage' (ooh-er) as per: fair dos, but the bloke there took glee in telling me that my bike wouldn't fit through the X-Ray doo-dah, so of we trot down to the nether regions to get the thing scanned manually. Funny, it was ok 8 times previously...
Not yet/ever/on my watch it ain't, mate!
It must have been his brother working down there- you know, the one who loves saying no. And hates soap. Anyway, he waited until I was legging-it through security until deciding that the 'Liquid Carry On Rules' (rubbish re-make, none of the original cast, don't bother) apply to my bike with panniers...thanks a bunch. Goodbye all sorts of stuff that I wanted with me, you berk. Everyone else's gels/creams/shampoo/whatevah is in their checked luggage right next to mine, so what is the difference?
I knew nothing of this until I was boarding, but still you gotta hope for the best and it's out of your control anyway, so dwell on that. I did manage to upset my two fellow paxs when I asked if I could get to my window seat and said "Thank you, Ladies!". It was a man and wife, wasn't it? Quiet flight after that...
Bottom right for The O2!
Connection through T5 was a breeze and all I had to think about was whether the bike had made it 600 yards from one aircraft to another, and whether BA0053 had any London Pride on board. For a short duration, natch...
Still just about the funniest show...sheer class!
The flight was packed as you would expect but the crew made it as bearable as poss/doled-out booze sensibly and the re-vamped BA entertainment system is gold...even has a few of my choices in its 'Essential LPs' vault. Who doesn't love The Everlys?
Anyway, the fun stopped once we landed and BA's super-efficient IT team told me via text that a bag of mine had not been boarded. Deep joy...to be fair, immigration was a breeze but then I had to rationalise about the bike's whereabouts with a human chocolate tea-pot masquerading as a BA rep. F**king Ada!
Bit of wandering around and then I realised that I would not be taking advantage of Dave Winter's annual Good Idea in getting 45 miles done right away, so checked-in to the cheapest motel nearby and crashed-out for a couple of hours, awaiting a phone-call form Team Dynamic.
A sight for tired eyes.
Amazingly they did ring but gave me a vague 20 minutes to get to their vague airport office location: I'll forever be indebted, hah-hah! Anyway, bike and owner reunited...both intact except for the missing items. Still, reason enough to believe and certainly enough to repair to the adjacent Hilton for nice beer, wine, water (yes, water) and chicken avec pommes frites grand. Bon!
Man-ale love is very right obvs, and justified in this case
One step below 'Better Call Saul'!
Listen, in all this self-centred nonsense it is easy to lose track, so please see if you can help the two causes: the links to donate are both to the right and below. A massive thank-you to those who donated recently...you'll never know just how big a gee-up this is. Thank you.
Macca hit gold. Again!
- To donate to Bloodwise, please click HERE THANKS!
Good news all round: this is the final blog update before I actually start pedallin' and stop wonderin' what on earth I was thinking of when I dreamt all this nonsense up.
Massive thanks for your sponsorship...just amazing.
Actually, the really good news is that the sponsorship totals are looking a little more healthy so I owe you all a beer. In some cases, it's more like a case, hah-hah! On a selfish note, every donation is a boost to self-belief, determination, positive attitude, call-it-what-you-want...and I know that there will be more than a few occasions during the next month when I will draw-down on that.
Having a bad day on the bike? Think again.
Last week I had a donation to Combat Stress from someone who I don't know, which is always a surprise and a boost. Anyway, turns out this fellow had served in The Falklands and had good reason to help the charity as two of his mates had taken their own lives because of the damage wrought by PTSD.
More than that, according to the South Atlantic Medal Association, a greater number of veterans have taken their own lives since the war ended than actually perished during it. Brings you up pretty short, doesn't it? When you factor in other invasions/conflicts/wars then you get an idea of the scale of the problem and the help needed, and deserved.
If you agree and can spare a couple of quid/dollars/dinarii and want to help then please click on here on THIS LOVELY LINK, THANKS!
Uncanny: they've even captured my lowly speed.
Due to the solo nature of this tour, at the end of each day I will be able to award myself the much coveted Maillot Jaune, or Yellow Jersey...the leader of the tour gets this accolade. A handy by-product will also see me win the Green Jersey for most consistent rider, as well as the Red Polka Dot jersey for being 'King of The Mountains' (yeah right...). If there is any difficulty in getting a beer that night then I may well win the Most Combative rider award too, hah-hah!
No repeat of this please, thanks all the same.
Fingers crossed that the travel Gods look kindly on my plans and both me and m'bike arrive in Seattle around 11.30am local time on Saturday. Of course then I have to convince the TSA & Border Control peeps to let me in...still, one thing at a time, right?
And while we're on the subject, here is today's useless piece of information for you: photo hasn't aged too well, though.
So, you flew there did you Mr. Gates? Slackers...bunch of MS-DOSsers etc.
Just time to give Bloodwise a further shout: there are a ton of life-stories and blogs that I have read recently that have proved beyond doubt that they are helping a lot of people to recover and manage to live full lives after developing blood cancer, of whatever type.
Right, all being well, I'll update this cobblers on Saturday at some point. Whether you believe in good vibes or not, who cares: just send some my way, hah-hah! Actually, if you could make with the vibes *and* a little donation to the causes then that would be even finer. Cheers!
Not quite the goodwill I had in mind, hah-hah!
Cheers Chris: aperture...autotune...ah, adventure! Nice one Tractor.
