Inspiration

I wanted to mention that upon arriving in Seattle, I had a straight 2 mile uphill ride. A STEEP 2 mile uphill ride. I had to get off my bike a few times and I wanted to vomit, thinking to myself, "What did I get myself into...." I vented to one of my bike mechanic friends and he provided me with some great advice I wanted to share...

"You got this! Lil ring, spin spin spin! Think about each hill like an individual obstacle that better prepares you for the next individual obstacle. Breath even, and don't get bothered by your pace. Take it as slow as you need. Be like Winnie the Pooh! Confront only the problem immediately in front of you, be anxious for nothing, stop for honey whenever you please." 

Thanks Jarod. 

Also...

Matthew Jarrett has been a biking hero of mine and helped me revise my gear list when he told me he's been touring with just one pair of socks...He just completed a coast to coast, border to border ride at 6500 miles. As an Iraqi Vet, he's riding to spread awareness about veteran suicide which is at a staggering 22 a day. Check out this guy and support his cause   

And my little baby bears! These little dumpling pies are the most amazing nieces and I hope that I am inspiring them just as much as they inspire me. I miss them usually the most.

Day 4

We wanted to push out a long day on Day 3 so we could have a relaxing 29 mile ride into Portland. And it was. We stopped in St. John's for a snack at a really awesome vegan co-op. Sarah and I shared a burrito with all my favorite ingredients: plantains, beets, greens, sweet potatoes, black beans and quinoa topped with guacamole. One of my favorite meals, possibly ever.

St. John's Bridge

Portland has been wonderful. I'm staying with my best friend Sydney's older sister Carmen and her husband Peter and their lovely roommates who have all been so good to me. Carmen and Peter are in a band called The Marvins... www.themarvinsmusic.com Check them out! They played a show last night at a local pub called the White Eagle and Carmen's upright bass playing knocked my socks off!

We are leaving tomorrow and taking a bus called The Wave to Tilamook, OR which is just straight west of Portland and it will drop us off right on the coast where we will start our official Pacific Coast riding on the 101. The Wave has bike racks and takes about 2 hours to get to the coast....not to shabby.