Day 6 -- Back in the saddle again

Olympia, WA to Castle Rock, WA
Distance 69.7 miles -- Cumulative 287.1
Time 5:24:22 -- Cumulative 22:48:40
Elevation Gain 1670 -- Cumulative 9204

#melbikesamerica is thrilled to announce an exciting new feature. On the right side of this blog page you should see a new link under "See Where Melvin Is." The link is to "TrackMyTour." If you click it it should give you an up-to-date map of my progress. I hope to remember to put in way points when I stop for lunch and where I end the day. Let me know if it is not working.

The sense of elation I felt being back on the road today seemed out of proportion to the act itself. But I am happy to be riding again (thanks again Burley) and today was another great day. It started overcast in the high 50s then around 10:30-11:00 the clouds burned off and it crept up to the low 70s. The terrain was flattish and I kept a good pace. It helped that both the trailer wheels are now going around in a circle instead of one of them doing the Nae Nae around the axel. (The cultural reference was for Eliza's benefit.)

I lucked out and the first 9-10 miles were on the Chehalis Western Bike Trail, read as "no cars." The rest of route was mostly nice two lane roads through lightly populated exurbs and farm country with little traffic. All in all it was a pleasant day of riding.

At lunch at the Olympic Club in Centralia I sat next to Leonard. He does long bike rides as well. But he uses a Honda Gold Wing. Even given the difference in propulsion, we still seemed to do the riding for the same reasons--to see the country and meet interesting people, mostly in bars.

About half way through the ride I had this view for a few miles:

I thought it was Mount St. Helens, then decided it had too much snow so maybe it was Mount Rainier. I showed the picture around at dinner but neither the bartender nor the other patrons could decide. I finally Googled it and decided it is Rainier.

I also saw this cool lineup of rusted farm equipment.

I decided to take more pictures of decrepit stuff.

Right before I left the main road south to look for a motel, I stopped and chatted with a man and his two daughters who I had seen a couple of times over the last few miles. They are riding south for Mexico but will be happy to end somewhere in California. I thought, "hey, I could do that with Katrina and Eliza next summer, maybe ride to Florida."  That thought kept me laughing until I found a motel.

The highlight of the day was sitting down at the bar for dinner next to a Longhorn fan. We agreed that Charlie Strong wasn't given long enough but we are both excited about Tom Herman.

Tomorrow I will end up somewhere in Portland. I will go 60+ miles and stop when I get tired.

I get really excited when people comment on the blog or send me emails (thanks Marsha) telling me they are reading it. Keep the communication coming.