Picture
Caption: 136 miles biking there and an Amtrack train ride back again. Seattle to Bellingham
Picture
Caption: Mile 1 - broken rear axel The plan had been to get an early start, but I couldn't help but notice each pedal stroke basically stopping my bike as my rear tire smashed into my frame. A pit stop at Montlake Cycle and $50 later I had a new axel and trued rear wheel!
Picture
Caption: Mile 2 - The Avengers assemble Fueled by empanadas and salmon sliders at the U-District Farmers' Market and Herkimer Coffee we powered forward up the Burke Gilman trail and through suburbia to our first watering hole.
Picture
Picture
Caption: Mile 30ish -- Maybe this 35 pound creature is how Lazy Boy Brewing got its name!? Anyway, he guarded our bikes valiantly while we tasted yummy beers.
Caption: The next 30 miles or so are kind of a blur of wrong turns and backtracking until we got to the Centennial Trail in Snohomish. I'm not sure what I expected the town would be like but it didn't include a guy playing a baby grand on the sidewalk next to hipster cafes, pubs and eateries! Our favorite stretch was biking along the Snohomish River on perfectly flat road where we could easily average 20+ mph.
Picture
Caption: Finally, we found the Centennial trail!
Picture
Picture
Caption: Where we cruised... and instagrammed our way along.
Picture
Caption: My bike "Silver Al" doing his best to look glamorous in the sunset.
Caption: Mile 70 - Arlington. How to say this nicely? Arlington drivers are the worst! There is no shoulder, let alone a bike lane. Your trucks are massive and you're going 25 over. Explain what you'd like us to do when you pass us one foot away while blaring your horns. Is this a cars only road? Time for you to try biking your own roads. But first bike 70 miles and bring your wife and friends along. At night. I'm embarrassed on your behalf.
Picture
Caption: Mile 72. Campsite found! Despite the harrowing and discouraging last stretch, it was fabulous.
Picture
Caption: #wewokeuplikethis
Picture
Picture
Caption: While taking a bio break at Safeway I accidentally discovered soda reserves for the zombie apocalypse!
Picture
Caption: Mile 90-ish. Powered by our 3000 calorie breakfast at the wonderful Ellie's diner (yes, we ate all the things!) we began our ascension up Highway 9.
Video
Caption: Big Lake and the pass on 90 just before were too gorgeous to remember to take pictures.
Picture
Caption: Mile 115 ish. Despite smiles and sunshine this was the toughest 8 mile stretch of the trip. Strong headwind, bumpy narrow road and all kinds of fatigue.
Picture
Caption: Mile 120-ish Making it to the base of the Chuckanuts was pretty much the best thing ever. Some of the most beautiful woods and views and smells of anywhere. I'm biased, but I'm also right, dang it. Also thanks to all the Chuckanut drivers who passed us nicely!
Picture
Caption: 136.17 miles when we arrived in Fairhaven.
Picture
Caption: Which obviously meant it was time for a Boundary Bay Scotch Ale.
Picture
Video
Caption: Sadly not all good things last. We barely had time to pay our check before it was time to catch the Amtrack home. Next time Bham!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Caption: And that was the end! At least almost. On painful last push up Jackson for a burly final two miles until it was time to shower and sleep!