For the final time....Let's do the numbers:
Distance: 54.22 miles
Ride Time: 4 hours, 44 minutes, 53 seconds
Avg Speed: 11:42 mph
Here are the total numbers for the trip:
Distance: 386.95 miles
Ride Time: 32 hours, 24 minutes, 48 seconds
Avg Speed: 12.24 mph
Today's final leg of the tour had us take a ferry from Langley across Puget Sound to Mukilteo just five miles into the ride. When the ferry picked us up, us cyclists rode our bikes onto the boat followed by the cars and trucks. When the ferry docked on the other side, we rode our bikes off followed by the cars and trucks. It was awesome!
Just like yesterday's segment, the was A LOT of climbing today. I always thought the last day of a ride should be like the Tour De France where it's a flat route, you ride at a leisurely pace, chat with your fellow riders and drink champagne as you pedal. Well maybe not chat with your fellow riders! :) But just like most days of this tour, very many hard efforts were put forth today, especially by your humble blogger. But it was well worth it!
So our tour is over. I always have mixed emotions on the last day of any tour I've done. On the one hand, I'm glad it's over. Riding an average of 55 miles a day can be taxing on the body. On the other hand, I didn't want it to end. Doing these multi day rides for me is like the adult version of summer camp. It is soooooooo much fun! When talking to my mother a few weeks ago about the trip, she found it amazing that I would hop on a plane and fly to a part of the country I had never been to to ride my bike with a bunch of people I did not know. I said to her, "Mom, I'll make friends!" And that I have.
This is a picture (l to r) of your humble blogger, Mike, Angela and Judy. I had the pleasure of riding with them quite a bit during the tour. I want to express my sincere thanks to the three of them for sharing their stories, laughter and friendship with me. You are awesome people and my life has been enriched because of you. Thank you! :)
I also want to thank the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) for a running such wonderful event. Our ride leader Tom Radley and his staff were terrific during the week, especially last Friday when they coordinated our SAG rescue off of Washington Pass due to inclement weather. This was Tom's last job as an ACA ride leader as he is retiring. It was an honor to have Tom's last ACA ride as my first. Best wishes and good luck to you, Tom. And thank you for everything this week! :)
I also want to thank Anne, Holly & James, June & Steven, Jacquette & Howard, Netzy, Peter and Carol & Pete for your friendship this week. You all made my week so much fun! :)
My thanks to Gerk's Ski & Cycle for putting my bike together when I arrived in Redmond and for packing it up and shipping it back to me after the tour.
Thank you dear readers of my ramblings on this site. Your comments about how much you enjoy it are very much appreciated by me!
Two last things. As you know, I always wear a Team In Training (TNT) jersey on the first and last days of a tour. I do it to honor the organization that help me discover a passion for cycling. During the week, I got a lot of questions about why I got into cycling and (by extension) TNT. I am currently fundraising for three TNT cycling events coming up in August, September and November. If you wish to donate, please click one of the links below:
August-Bike Benzie Tour:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/bikebenz12/gclayh
September-Viva Bike Vegas:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/vbvegas12/gclayh
November-El Tour De Tucson:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/Tucson12/gclayh
Finally, a friend of mine recently posted a photo on Facebook with the following message: "Life is short. Live your dream and wear your passion." No matter what your situation in life is, you have to have something you truly love to do. My passion is riding my bike and doing it in various parts of the country. Whatever you love to do, get off of the sidelines. Get in the game. Find YOUR passion and WEAR IT!! :)
And with that, the book on Cycle Washington is now closed. Until we meet again, may you all have tailwinds as you ride through life!
Saddle up!
Gary
“I love the bicycle. I always have. I can think of no sincere, decent human being, male or female, young or old, saintly or sinful, who can resist the bicycle.”—William Saroyan
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