Day 1: Vancouver,BC to Burlington,WA
# of Miles on the bike: 91
# of Miles we should have been on the bike: 80
Weather: Mostly Sunny, High's near 70 or so. Perfect riding conditions.
Wind: No Factor. Or at least I didn't notice. However, I did notice a slight breeze
beneath my bicycle seat from time to time today.
Terrain: Gosh, there was so much variety in today's ride. We had gargantuan bridges over wide rivers, we had big hills amidst thick forestland along the coast. We also had many miles of quiet, flat farmland riding.
Road Kill: The first Road Kill seen on the 2007 Hunger Ride was, oddly enough, a frog. And a big one at that.
Next, we saw a duck......and then a couple of skunks.
Quote of the Day #1: "It was suppose to be nice out today but instead we got stuck with this heat wave."
-An older lady sitting outside of Subway in Ferndale,Wa. The bank clock read "71 degrees"
Quote of the Day #2: Let me first set the scene. I'm sitting inside the USA/Canada border patrol building standing
in line......waiting to get my orange card to cross into the US. Right before Stephen and I get called up, some agents arrive and take the man standing right in front of us away in handcuffs. It was actually a pretty intense scene.
Right after that happened, an older canadian lady standing behind me says (very sternly) "I think I'm going to go back to Canada"
Immediately after she said that I looked at her and said, "I'm sure glad that I"m going back to the United States."
HeHe.
Then I also said, (sarcastically) "Thanks, Canada, for being such a good friend and ally over the last couple of decades. Preciate' you guys coming out the way that you have."
Ok Ok, I didn't say that last part.
Song that was stuck in my head: "Riding with my Top Down"
-Lecrae (a Christian rapper who came to PDS last month to rap for the boys)
I also, for some strange reason, imagined what it would be like if Lecrae sang this rap song "country" or "opera."
Day 1 Summary:
Man, what a GREAT first day of riding. It's so good to be back on the bike again.....I forgot how much fun this is.
We were blessed from the very start to have Ben, Miyuki, and Julia from the Canadian Food for the Hungry with us at the start of the ride. They are very nice people doing great work, and we were honored that they made the effort to be with us at the start. (Ben drove 70 miles!!).
The only frustrating thing about the ride was the amount of miles we actually rode--91 vs. the amount of miles we should have rode--about 80. There was one main reason for this--Macho Man Randy Rand can't read a map. While it is true that he can drop thundering leg kicks......not to mention nailing a pile-driver with the best of them......as well as jumping from the top rope with ease......and yes, these rare gifts. Unfortunately, they do nothing for one looking to navigate himself from the northern part of the US to the southern part. So, we had some extra miles in the saddle today. But that's ok. If I could describe this day in one word, I'd say were pretty
"BLESSED." We were blessed with great weather, good roads, even a few friendly driver's along the way that pointed us in the right direction when we were lost. And, to be honest, as crazy as this sounds.....for riding 90+ miles......I'm not really all that sore. I feel GREAT. However, I did burn a little bit......and my tan lines are looking steller.
TOMORROW'S RIDE......
Burlington,WA to Bremerton,WA: Appr. 100 miles on the road......including one 30 minute ferry ride.....and one trip over a 3 mile floating bridge.
SHOUT OUTS......
*Ben, Miyuki, and Julia for making the effort to be with Stephen, Billy, and I at the start of the ride
*Dave @ the Hampton Inn for a place to lay our heads
*The Junior HIgh girl outside the Subway in Ferndale that said, "You look like a snake."
5 Comments:
Welcome back to the U.S. and A. to quote Borat. I like that you are growing you beard out, Tom. It makes you look like...Cousin It.
Slappy
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When do we get a snap of you in the singlet w/o cover-up, Randy Rand? I'm back in the US&A and wishing you safe travels.
Riding with my top down is also called, "Jesus Muzik."
I'm glad you made it home. Victory Ranch sends its love.
Tom, you are awesome! Sounds like you're having a great ride - keep it up!
I love the recurrent conversation you have with the elderly- hilarious.
I'll be praying for sunshine and more Twizzlers! Stock up while you can- they eat Red Vines in Cali - yuck.
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