Bellingham, WA to Mount Vernon, WA
30.34 miles
2:32.03 hrs
29.8 max
11.9 avg
This morning was full of contemplation. "It is raining hard, should I start riding now or should I wait to see if it settles down a little? Since I have a connection in Bellingham should I stay another day, tomorrow it is supposed to clear up a little? Should I push myself to ride all the way to Seattle tonight or should I break up the ride?" Of course this morning was no different than any other morning on my trip when I wake up and decide exactly what I am going to do. The only difference was that I am no longer in a HUGE rush to get over the Rockies so I have a little more freedom in what I do and where I decide to take a day or two off.
As I woke up it was raining pretty heavy and I had a huge urge to get down to Seattle! Before I could do so I wanted to stop at my favorite Co-op I have run into thus far on my trip to restock on some almond milk, granola and my new favorite kind of chocolate bar; "Equal Exchange Chocolates". After purchasing my special items, I sat outside staring at a map trying to figure out the logistics of getting to Seattle. It really didn't make sense to me to push myself 120 miles in the rain. Instead, I decided to ride down to Mount Veronon and spend the night at the Moffitt's again. This would take 30 miles off the commute to Seattle and give me better weather while riding across the islands.
Luckily, Kit and Charlotte were more than happy to allow me to stay at their place again! So, I set out for Mount Vernon around 1:30pm ,allowing ample time to take in the scenes and find a new memory card for my camera (found an 8 gig card for $18 at Target! The card might not be that fast but I am not taking action photos or anything). Oh, I also bought a new raincoat that was on sale for 60% off with the money I received from my birthday! What a gift! Thanks Grandma!
Of course, tomorrow is Seattle... I can't wait!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Day 51 - Friday October 16th
Vancouver, BC to Bellingham, WA
72.67 miles
5:41.23 hrs
37.7 max
12.7 avg
Another day that starts out raining really hard and makes me rethink my travels for the day and then all of a sudden lightens up! If there is one thing that I am learning, and learning well, about weather forecasting in the NorthWest, it is that the weatherpersons need to find different jobs. No, it is not their fault, the weather is just so unpredictable up here... winds are never constant and are always changing direction so you can never tell where a storm system will really end up.
After a delayed start due to weather, I headed up to the University of British Columbia and rode around the campus. The campus was gorgeous and it made me really jealous that I didn't look around more at other campuses around the nation before picking SLU. Of course, SLU was gorgeous as well but UBC was a LOT larger! Don't worry, I am still glad I went to SLU, this was just a thought that I remember having when riding by UBC.
The rest of the trip to Bellingham was long and pretty boring. I went through a bunch of residential areas that did not provide much scenery. Although I did see a bunch of really interesting houses. I even drove by a house where a film was being shot... I am pretty sure that I saw Ridley Scott! How exciting!
I didn't get into Bellingham till about 9pm. This meant that I spent quite a few hours riding in the dark. At times there were no cars on the road at all for miles and miles. This was good and bad for it would have sucked if something would have happened to me while riding but it was nice to ride in the middle of the lane where the surface conditions were a little better. Not to mention that there was not shoulder on the road I took so if there was a lot of traffic it may have been a little dangerous.
The end of the night worked out well, I stopped in at a motel just to see what rooms were going for in Bellingham and when I told him that I would pass because I was on a budget he pretty much gave me a room for what I told him I could afford! He even upgraded my room so that I could fit my bike in there comfortably. The rooms were very nice and I am going to have to go online to hotels.com and write a favorable excerpt for him! Too bad more people aren't as gracious as this fellow, he didn't want me sleeping out in the rain (I was totally ok with it though). I had a church yard picked out and ready for me to pitch away!
72.67 miles
5:41.23 hrs
37.7 max
12.7 avg
Another day that starts out raining really hard and makes me rethink my travels for the day and then all of a sudden lightens up! If there is one thing that I am learning, and learning well, about weather forecasting in the NorthWest, it is that the weatherpersons need to find different jobs. No, it is not their fault, the weather is just so unpredictable up here... winds are never constant and are always changing direction so you can never tell where a storm system will really end up.
After a delayed start due to weather, I headed up to the University of British Columbia and rode around the campus. The campus was gorgeous and it made me really jealous that I didn't look around more at other campuses around the nation before picking SLU. Of course, SLU was gorgeous as well but UBC was a LOT larger! Don't worry, I am still glad I went to SLU, this was just a thought that I remember having when riding by UBC.
The rest of the trip to Bellingham was long and pretty boring. I went through a bunch of residential areas that did not provide much scenery. Although I did see a bunch of really interesting houses. I even drove by a house where a film was being shot... I am pretty sure that I saw Ridley Scott! How exciting!
I didn't get into Bellingham till about 9pm. This meant that I spent quite a few hours riding in the dark. At times there were no cars on the road at all for miles and miles. This was good and bad for it would have sucked if something would have happened to me while riding but it was nice to ride in the middle of the lane where the surface conditions were a little better. Not to mention that there was not shoulder on the road I took so if there was a lot of traffic it may have been a little dangerous.
The end of the night worked out well, I stopped in at a motel just to see what rooms were going for in Bellingham and when I told him that I would pass because I was on a budget he pretty much gave me a room for what I told him I could afford! He even upgraded my room so that I could fit my bike in there comfortably. The rooms were very nice and I am going to have to go online to hotels.com and write a favorable excerpt for him! Too bad more people aren't as gracious as this fellow, he didn't want me sleeping out in the rain (I was totally ok with it though). I had a church yard picked out and ready for me to pitch away!
Day 50 - Thursday October 15th
Langley, BC to Vancouver, BC
42.84 miles
3:41.02 hrs
32.3 max
11.6 avg
Vancouver is GORGEOUS! It was so much fun riding around Stanley Park, visiting Granville Island (the beer is great at the brewery!) and people watching at a locale cafe'. The whole experience reminded me of a tamer, downscaled NYC with more of an outdoor adventure persona. The differences being that the buildings were not nearly as tall, nor as close together and the mountains are just a couple km away meaning that the city is surrounded by green!
There was a lot of culture in the food and different areas of the city. I loved walking around trying to figure out which locale flavor I wanted to experience while visiting.
It would be a great city for anyone who loves the outdoors but still wants a big city feel. Someone that likes culture, great ethnic food and a semi-high energy atmosphere. Overall... I could see myself living here for a while. Maybe grad-school?
42.84 miles
3:41.02 hrs
32.3 max
11.6 avg
Vancouver is GORGEOUS! It was so much fun riding around Stanley Park, visiting Granville Island (the beer is great at the brewery!) and people watching at a locale cafe'. The whole experience reminded me of a tamer, downscaled NYC with more of an outdoor adventure persona. The differences being that the buildings were not nearly as tall, nor as close together and the mountains are just a couple km away meaning that the city is surrounded by green!
There was a lot of culture in the food and different areas of the city. I loved walking around trying to figure out which locale flavor I wanted to experience while visiting.
It would be a great city for anyone who loves the outdoors but still wants a big city feel. Someone that likes culture, great ethnic food and a semi-high energy atmosphere. Overall... I could see myself living here for a while. Maybe grad-school?
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