Day 1 - Everett WA to Sedro-Wooley WA, 97 miles, 6000' cumulative climbing

And we're off!

After months of training and anticipation, the ride finally is here.  Yesterday was a day of final preparations:  test riding the bike to make sure it's ready to roll, errands to pick up some supplies I still needed, group rider meeting with Lon and Susan in the afternoon followed by a buffet dinner, and early to bed. The vans were open all day for rider check-in and to pick up the tee shirts and jerseys everyone gets as part of the package.  

Today started early, with breakfast at 5:30 and roll-out at 6:00, because we had to catch the ferry to Whidbey Island at 7:00am. It was cool and a bit foggy, not unlike what one would expect for the Seattle area, but everyone was in a good mood, looking forward to putting some miles in on Day 1.  Whidbey Island is very pretty, with lots of up and down roads.  We wound our way mostly northward, with rest stops spaced about 25 miles, and lunch at mile 72.  PAC Tour has so much experience at running these bicycle expeditions that everything went flawlessly. And in spite of some scary numbers at the outset, with an advertised 6000' of cumulative climbing, the route was really pleasant and just difficult enough to get our legs in shape for tomorrow's tougher climbs.  We crossed Deception Pass late in the day, a reminder that just because we were riding near the water didn't make it a flat landscape.

A view from the bridge at Deception Pass

I rode with a couple of small groups over the course of the day, and met many of my fellow Everett-to-Boston travelers.  The cycling community is pretty tight, and there's always somebody who knows somebody else who you are connected to.  I met Bob and Sridhar, both of North Carolina, who both also know the two people I have previously ridden with on a visit to their state. Also met Elizabeth Wicks, who knows my very good friend Susan Reed.  They are both amazing women who continue to accomplish great feats by bike as they enter their 70's.  Small world, and a friendly one at that.

Deception Pass

Tomorrow we hit the big hills, with some serious climbing in the Cascade Mountains. 
This will be one of our big mountain days and I'm eager see how my hill training has prepared me.