After each ride we come in take care of ourselves then take care of our laundry.  It dries in less then an hour.

Todays ride, still living with souring temperatures.  Temperatures will top out at 105 today.  The Womantours guides did all they could to keep women cycling forward.  We are happy and lucky to get some riding in each day.  My ride was short today, but at the end I got a 13 miles of reward.  A long downhill with a little hills to climb.  I spent my morning with a can of granny and the end of my ride I rode with my big girl gears. So Happy! We arrived safe today in Republic Washington.  This is an adorable town with warm and friendly people.  
 

It was a beautiful morning I left the  hotel at 5:48 a.m..  I felt cool and we flew along.  We turned the corner and ran into the sag.  We then hit a very steep hill and it went on for many miles.  I ran out of water.

It was a struggle for me to make it to the top.  Most riders made it in.  Our guides were at the top so we were out of time and we loaded up the bike and gear and head for town. I had high hopes of completing the ride but settle for 30.4 miles and a 2649 foot climb.

 

I just heard the cutest statement.  I was at the post office mailing a box home, on my way out I grabbed a couple more boxes.  The post mistress was complementing a young woman about the cool summer dress she was wearing and her reply was this. "Sometimes what you wear projects you into the day rather then how you feel. " I love this! Picking profound little statements.  

 As I prepare for tomorrows ride,  I have boxed up stuff I don't need and am sending it home.  I want to lighten my load.  I am keeping much of my warm weather gear even though we struggle with high temperatures.  I hope to remove about 10 lbs of stuff.  We will see if I can accomplish this.  I want to do a little laundry.  Perhaps see a local museum.  Rest with air conditioning and maybe wade in the river. The woman I have met each have their own chores to make ready for tomorrow.  Many of them busily solving problems, helping one another with the days tasks.  

Thanks to the bike Techs in Anacortes, my bike is shifting well again.  I miss my Carbon fiber trek bike as it is much faster then my stainless steel.  Perhaps I am just getting older and spin slower.  I watch women come in yesterday, completely exhausted after their 90 mile ride.  Wow,  they are amazing. The sag worked triple hard to help the women.  The guides working at the top of their game to assist and encourage the gals.  

 

 We left Anacortes this morning riding east into growling heat.  There were many beautiful sights along the route. This sculpture was right off the pathway.  

The heat jumped to 106, so I opted to take the van in after 50 miles. Happy I made it that far.

 

 Riding the Tommy Thompson trail link  in Anacortes.  Beautiful  Leisure ride with many possibilities for wild life. We looked for seals, Blue heron, Cormorants, Eagles, Otters, Salmon, sea gulls, and the elusive Kingfisher.  The route took us by boat yards,  Murals Painted by many different artists.  The were also Sculptures beside the trail.

 

Here in Washington State feeling the heat and have great concerns about the first ride.  I can honestly say I do not enjoy heat when riding.  The weather looks solid for warm sunny days.  I stopped by the bike shop and dropped off a Key lime pie.  The bike techs have had to work hard getting all the woman tour bikes assembled and tuned up.  Skagit cycling center is a busy place.  Mount Baker.

So ends one adventure and begins a new one.  Two days from now I begin the western half of the Northern Tier.  There are 25 plus women all heading out on a new adventure.  We will cycle to Fargo, ND from Anacortes.  We begin with a frightening 77 miles. The next day we do over 90 miles.  I fear I cannot do it but have faith I will give it my all.  I had a major breakdown on my bike to which the bike shop had to replace all my gear head sets.  It was stressful but Skagit cycling center pulled a rabbit out of their hat and saved me. I will look for a new de-railer while in route.  I rode up a hill and the gears changed fine.

 34 mile round trip today riding along the Bridger mountain range.  One of my favorite rides, over 900 feet of climbing.  Was pretty tired on the way home so I stopped at the coffee shop for a little pick me up.  

 Time is speeding up some much to get done before my next epic tour.  Just around the corner.  Training daily fighting heat.