Concrete, WA

Monday, May 29: Beautiful rain forest with ferns and trees with moss hanging like wool from a shaggy sheep. Rain stopped about noon and sun came out for first time since I got here. Andy and Ann made beans and rice for supper.

Anacortes

Sunday, May 28: Had a 20 mile shake down ride today. Fully loaded to Bowman Bay where we dipped our rear wheels in the Pacific. I had to push my bike up two hills. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch, spaghetti for supper. Hans and I cooked. Weather was in fourties with scattered showers.

Anacortes

Everyone is here. Will learn how to grocery shop today. Will pack our bikes and ride 10 miles to the Pacific Ocean to dip our rear tires. It's only raining intermittently, and tomorrow we start our first 60 mi. leg.

My bike is on its way

My bike started its journey on Friday, May 19. It should arrive in Anacortes, WA the following Thursday. This photo shows my bike case all packed up and ready to take to the UPS!

All of our travel arrangements are complete. Arriving Anacortes 5/24 to 5/27. I'm arriving 5/26.

About the tour

Some of my friends are asking similar questions about the tour. This is an Adventure Cycling Association Expedition. By definition, an Expedition is a self contained tour of more than 30 days; it represents the epitome of pure cycle-touring.

Packing everything we need onto our bikes and hitting the road under our own power can be a deeply rewarding experience. This type of touring requires group cooperation and the spirit of adventure. Hopefully, we all have some moxie and are looking for a challenge: the rewards can be significant. I have yet to meet any of the other riders, but we’ll go home with a strong sense of accomplishment, heartfelt camaraderie, and a lifetime of memories.

We’ll carry camping gear, personal gear, clothing, and food in panniers (cowboys would call them saddle bags) or on trailers. A leader will ride along with our small group of participants. No motor vehicles accompany self-contained tours. All group members contribute to a cooking rotation. The tour itinerary is listed in an earlier post, but has some flexibility.

I have already paid the tour fee, which covers a beginning and ending motel/hostel, group cooking equipment, a tool kit, first-aid supplies, food, overnight camping fees, leader expenses, maps, a safety triangle, and a few additional necessities.