Day 8 Shelton to Home

72 miles 3,200 elevation gain

On our last day, we got our earliest start-on the road at 7:26AM! Heading north, we successfully navigated Shelton "traffic" at rush hour and were soon on rural backroads leading towards Bremerton. The Adventure Cycling Association's route kept us off major roads, so traffic was non existent. We rode past Mason Lake, a small lake surrounded by homes; each one seemed to have a ski boat either docked out front or on a trailer in the driveway.

About 25 miles into the day, we stopped at a Starbuck's in Belfair, located on the bottom end of Hood Canal. (geography note: Hood Canal is a canal in name only-it is a fjord.) We took a short break, then off to remaining 20 miles to Bremerton. Shortly after leaving the coffee shop, my rear tire went flat. I replaced the inner tube, only to break off the valve stem. So, pull that one out, put in another, pump it up and head out. Lesson learned: choose smooth valve stems, not threaded ones. Smooth is stronger and is easier on the pump head fitting, and those little nuts on threaded stems aren't necessary anyway. With everything fixed, we rode on towards the ferry in Bremerton.

The ACA route avoids Hwy 3 (a busy, fast four lane road), but does so by climbing a bunch of really steep hills-14 to 15% grades. Quads burning, we continued on across town to the ferry terminal. We missed the 11:35 boat to Seattle, so we found an Anthony's restaurant on the waterfront to kill some time until the next one. We enjoyed the sun and cold drinks on the patio, then caught the M/V Kitsap for the hour passage to Seattle. The ride was classic-blue sky, no clouds, calm water and Mount Rainier to the south, seemingly close enough to touch.

Back in Seattle, we were back on the familar route across Lake Washington, Mercer Island, then to points east. Soon we were in Eastgate, where Steve peeled off to home. I continued on for the remaining 17 miles home. A stop in Issaquah for my final quart of Powerade (with Ion4, of course),then last last few miles, including about four miles on the shoulder of I-90. The Preston-Fall City road was a fast 4 miles, and the final, familiar climb up Lake Alice Road seemed easier than usual. Into the driveway, and the trip was done! A cold beer (Redhook ESB) and a shower, and the Olympic Loop was done!

I'll put up a post-ride wrap up in the next couple of days. Thanks for reading.