2013 Cross Country (Day 11) - miles - Tuesday 07/23

blogger-image-1637077834.jpg

No definitely timeline. I contact Nik,Sid, and Tom yesterday. It seems like meeting them on Wednesday afternoon was the plan. So we did not have to be in Seattle today. It's only couple hundred miles total, so we took it easy to 101, continuing on the awesome road 138, which turn into 38 which we saw this...

Elk observation. There were lots of bucks. Quite a nice detour. 

My first look at the Pacific Ocean, marking my first motorcycle cross country. 

Fog amass in the distance. We came to another pull off 

Yermo and this puppy. He/she was beyond adorable, fighting the wind. It was super windy and pretty cold. From the inland to coast line we drop nearly 30 degrees. We wore our fleece under. Heavy fog and quite the gust. The ride was go pro but ill have to process the video later for video snaps. It was pretty interesting on the coast riding by the sea, different kind of awesome.

We found a Starbucks finally after oh... 4 days? And we gassed up. Ominous cloud moving across the mountain. I try to vine it, but it's hard to capture. 

We ended at tillamook. Got really cold as the sun went down. We decided to get all liner up tmr, and go. I got all the necessary gears thanks to Yermo's experience. Heated vest, thermos, fleece, etc etc. it will be in the low 50s and on the bike it'll be nearly 40 degrees with windchill. 

I talk to Sid on the phone. Told him where I was, and when I will arrive. I'll call him when I'm in the city today. Expected eta to Seattle is around 3 or 4. I haven't seen them in 10 years or more. 

Waking up in a hotel room, eating continental breakfast is my new normal. I really need a haircut... Looking like some crazy person when I take off my helmet. 

Reaching the other side is some what melancholy, knowing that I will soon have to turn around and go home. I do miss my friends, family, and even work. I wish I could bring them to see what I saw and will continue to experience. But this was tough. It isn't for everyone. Riding all day, scaling a cliff, fighting your fears, heavy cross wind, desert heat. It isn't for everyone. 

Two years ago, when I started riding, you tell me I could tred across the country, I would tell you there is no way. One year ago, when I took my longest ride to the gap I would still tell you no way. Yet here I am with all the right training and all the proper gear, thanks to Yermo Lamers, I am able to enjoy this ride across the country.