RTBTC Day 4 arriving in Seattle
Read more about Riding to Break the Cycle on the Agents’ blog.
Day 4 was intense. We woke up in the morning to drizzling rain.
So after a wonderful breakfast provided by citizens of Stanwood, we set off in our brightly colored rain gear. I had the full outfit. Rain jacket, rain pants and booties - all from MEC. It kept me relatively dry, although I made extensive use of the vents in my jacket and pants to keep sweat at a minimum. Unlike the riders electing to cycle without rain pants, my feet stayed warm and dry the whole trip; however my legs were damp from sweating, and I think I’d love the invention of waterproof shorts in combination with rain booties sealed to my ankles. I’ve found out that I don’t mind my lower legs wet; however, I prefer dry feet and thighs.
The ride was challenging, with lengthy hills and thrilling downhills. On the second of two consecutive big inclines that day, I gave up halfway and walked. It was disappointing, but at that moment in time, I felt that I had no more juice to pedal and told myself it was okay to admit that to myself. Riders in my pod waited for me at the top, and it was encouraging to have such a positive group cheering you on.
The ride was the longest until now, 74 miles / 118km. All in the pouring rain.
We left at 9 am and arrived in Seattle at 5h45 pm, and to be honest, I was drained at the end. The last bike trail we took coming into Seattle, the Burke-Gilman Trailhead, felt like it was a never-ending road. Partly because our directions indicated 5 miles, but the trail was actually 10 miles long, and each time we stopped people along the way for directions, they told us to keep on going. I now call it the Never-Ending Trail.
And then Emma, Isaac and I went to dance at Burn Blue at Waid’s that night with my friend Phil from Redmond. Needless to say we did not dance much.
