Stardate 2016.784

The Olympic Peninsula
After steaming to Port Townsend from Whidbey Island, Snowcatcher and I caught up with our very good friends (Mr. W always buys) from the Sequim area (pronounced Skwim). Moreover, our MS-150 teammates had arrived the day prior. The Olympic Peninsula is enchanting. Typing its description doesn't do it justice; you kind of need to visit the region. New Mexico is the arid land of enchantment, but the Olympic Peninsula's temperate rain forest has a mystique all its own.

We spent the afternoon in Olympic National Park atop Hurricane Ridge. I have pedaled Hurricane Ridge, and I've ridden through many of the local lavender farms. All were nice rides, and I'd like to ride them again. Following are a handful of pics from the Olympic Peninsula. Enjoy!



Top down from Hurricane Ridge one can see Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada; the Strait of Juan de Fuca (middle waterway); and, Port Angeles, Washington.




The Dungeness Spit is the longest natural sand spit in the United States at 5.5 miles (according to Wiki).




The Dungeness Spit.



Parting Shot: The light-house stationed at the end of Dungeness Spit. No matter where you're hiding, Mount Baker, Washington seems to tower over the region – it's a stunning mountain. Yes, I confess, I lengthened the camera lens a bit.




That's it for the Olympic Peninsula. Next time we'll point the car east.

Adios!

Stardate 2014.622

Ride the Hurricane

Today’s post is a short one. Longer, more photo-laden posts are on the wind.

Snowcatcher and I greeted Day Four with legs in good shape, albeit a bit tired. We drove the short distance west to Port Angeles where our second ride was set to begin. Today’s ride is a treat because we get to ride up Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park – car free! Once a year, for half a day, the road is closed to cars and given to cyclists.


According to my Washington cycling guide book, Hurricane Ridge is Washington’s biggest climb. It is big! Depending on how close to sea level you begin, it’s approximately 5,000 vertical feet in 18.5 miles. The first 4.5 miles are steep at 8 and 9 percent. The remaining 14 miles are a consistent 4 and 5 percent.


I had an advantage over many fellow riders, I could breath. My house sits at 6,000 feet. On the other hand, I had wee bit tired legs from yesterday’s 71 miles. I know, there’s always an excuse. The ride was fun, scenic and nice to not have 4,000-pound behemoths bearing down on you.


Is this a ride for the bucket list? You betcha! The views from the top are excellent, the road has excellent surface and you get that feeling of being on a mountain top thrown. The following video is my descent on the upper middle section. The Park Service asked we not exceed 30 mph on the descent. I tried to adhere to this, yet with some freeboard thrown in on the upper side. Most of us probably averaged 30 to 35 mph on the descent.

Adios

Stardate 2014.616

And The Journey Begins

After learning this year’s Ride the Rockies route, Snowcatcher and I decided to spend our annual cycling pilgrimage up north – way up north, as in Olympic Peninsula north. We chose to participate in the Tour de Lavender in Sequim (pronounced skwim), Washington.

Day One began at 3:30 a.m. and in the end found us visiting five states in a bit over 1,000-miles. After a long day, the evening lights of Pendleton, Oregon, were a welcomed site. Including stops, we slammed out an 18-hour day. Long? Yes, but by design. That left us with a little more than 400-miles the following day, making our first ride on Day Three a little easier. Upon arrival in Sequim, we settled into our quarters and were later treated to a very fine dinner in Port Townsend, Washington, by our friends who call Sequim home.


Day Three, was our first ride, Tour de Lavender. This tour is an out-and-back of 71 miles. The ride zigs and zags through the Sequim/Dungeness Valley, visiting lavender farms and the waterfront of Port Angeles. Several miles beyond Port Angeles, the route turns around and somewhat backtracks. Moreover, a large portion of the ride is along the Olympic Discovery Trail, a jewel in itself. At 7 a.m., the ride officially began.


Stop Number One was the Purple Haze Lavender Farm.




The second stop visited the Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm.



Farm Number Three was the Olympic Lavender Heritage Farm




The morning’s fourth farm was the Washington Lavender Farm


From Washington Lavender, we headed west along the Olympic Discovery Trail to Port Angeles and a waterfront rest stop. Riding out of the forest onto a waterfront was, as I like to say, Kuul Beanz! Victoria, Canada, is easily seen across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.


After filling up on food goodies, Snowcatcher and I continued beyond Port Angeles via waterfront and Olympic Discovery Trail to the Elwha bridge, the approximate half-way and turn around point.


I grew up landlocked and did not visit many coastal areas. So, I’m always quite intrigued with fishing boats, ships, piers and changing tides. Thus, I was quite captivated with the Polar Enterprise. The ship is a crude oil tanker under the U.S. flag. It’s also relatively new, built in 2006. It appears the ship works its way up and down the west coast. Currently, there are no job openings on this vessel.


Another ship has arrived and is awaiting docking.


We continue pedaling along the waterfront for several miles before entering the temperate rain forest via Olympic Discovery Trail and the quest for one final lavender farm on the eastern side of Sequim.



Our final farm was Lost Mountain Lavender Farm, followed by a few short miles to our hotel.




It was a great ride with a good turnout in its second year. Weather was near perfect, and this side of the Puget Sound is very laid back and quiet. I think the ride will grow in popularity.

Next on the itinerary, Ride the Hurricane!

Adios