I cycled from Seattle to Portland and survived!

[nyankoframe]

HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT NUMBER 220.52 THERE NOW~ [Edit: I did the whole cycling business, including detours but not including stops, in 19 hours, 36 minutes and 9 seconds - too slow for the one-day STP though]

It was an awesome two days of cycling, even though my legs actually got so painful during the last 25 miles that I just couldn't stop cycling. ^^;; I also don't particularly want to see a bridge, a railroad crossing or a hill for the next few days. :P

Some of the highlights:

- I slept in a church on Saturday night! Unfortunately, due to a mixup, my sleeping bag went straight to Portland, so I slept for about 2 hours on the floor and then wandered over to a couch where I fell fast asleep even while people were moving around and talking. ^^;; But at least it proves that thanks to my NS training I can sleep anywhere XD

- There are towns with interesting names in Washington, such as Winlock, Roy, Castle Rock (which has no castles or rocks), Yelm, Spanaway, Centralia, Tenino, Chehalis and the town that wins the award for the most unique name I've ever heard of, Vader. Yes, you heard that right. No, I don't know whether it has any relation/connection to Darth Vader or Star Wars.

- Cycling across the Lewis & Clark bridge into Oregon was a really cool experience. The Gold Wing escorts, as well as police, stopped traffic completely on one lane just to let us go over the bridge, and it was a long climb up followed by a fast downhill over expansion joints and then a ramp onto Highway 30 in Oregon. I think I did about 26-27 mph on my bicycle. ^^;

- Surprisingly enough, my bicycle didn't give any major mechanical problems at all during the whole race (apart from an issue involving my saddlebag, my helmet and my brakes). I feel bad for the people who had mechanical problems though. One guy apparently had 3 flat tires on the first day and a fourth one just 15 miles from the finish line. :( And, of course, there was a pretty serious accident, although I think I missed it completely...

- I have a nice tan starting from just above my knees down my legs, which I blame on wearing cycling shorts. >_> No, I won't post pictures of the tan. :P

- There were a lot of very helpful volunteers, including quite a few 8-year old girls selling lemonade on the way. I also think I bought at least 6 or 7 bottles of Gatorade and related things to get me through some of the hills, including THE HILL (tm) - which is a 1 mile climb, and I'm proud to say that I made it up that hill without walking. :)

- The youngest cyclist was 6 years old and he was riding his own bicycle. I have no idea how old the oldest participant was, but I did see several people in their 50s and 60s.

- I saw quite a few cows, horses and other livestock, and some very lovely countryside and farms. I didn't see any Cows though. :P

If When I do STP next year, though, I'm definitely getting a road bike at least 6 months in advance~

Comments

[wao.livejournal.com]

I envy you, you overly fit basket-with-a-tan :(

...hey, now basket-tan makes sense! Yeah.

Damn.

[nyankoframe.livejournal.com]

I didn't mention it in the post, but I got passed quite a few times by 10-year old girls. And a lot of other people, so I'm not that fit (certainly not overly fit)

[wao.livejournal.com]

Ah, but you cannot say anything until I manage to overtake you. If that happens then you really have to go run after cats a bit more to keep yourself fit

[meganemagic.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on completing the route! *throws confetti*

[tygerofdanyte.livejournal.com]

Nyanko, you can't say anything about not being fit.

you just cycled from Seattle to Portland, if I can cycle five miles on a good day, I'll be surprised.

CONGRATS THOUGH!!!

[(Anonymous)]

You did pretty good there, I suppose! Having fun?


g., wish I could compel myself to cycle back here