Bygone Bicyclist

Leaving Castle Rock was difficult, but I had to press on. It seemed the rain was never going to stop, so I just had to man up and take the ‘pain’. Washington rain isn’t like back home. Back home we get downpours for long periods of time. Washington seems to get flurries of drizzle or rain, or even downpour, but then larger breaks between said precipitation. North of Tenino, then Tacoma. A long day, followed by a short day (that was made a long day by 23 miles of city riding – 23 miles where I forgot my camera…doh!). After arriving in Tenino (and Tacoma), having left Toutle River RV seemed like less of a hurdle thanks to the wonderful folks I met. Both hosts also rode with me the following day, which breaks up the monotony of the miles.

Castle Rock, WA was a terrific stop for me. I never intended to stay as long as I did, but I am overly please that I did. Because of my new friend, Charlie, I got to see Mount St. Helens, experience a lot of history in the area and all around have a great time. I also got to see his dream unfold first hand, as his baby, the Toutle River RV Resort, prepares for it’s last week prior to the first year of fully functionality. What an amazing place too! “Big Foot Croquet”, cedar wood saunas, disc golf course, BMX course (and bike repairs), volley ball, basketball, swimming, hot tub, meat/jerky smoking (in a stone smoker!) and much more (and more amazing things planned!!) … how can you ask for more from a place? I personally would pay to sleep in a tent at Toutle River RV before paying to stay in most hotel/motels. It’s just a fantastic place, with great people and a wonderful atmosphere.

The Longview bridge is easily the scariest thing I’ve ever ridden, especially on an ordinary cycle. The shoulder was small, maybe 2-3 feet, there were two narrow lanes (trafficed by speeding cars, semis, trucks and logging vehicles) and the entire shoulder was littered with TONS of logging debris (seriously, I can’t even explain how much garbage was in the shoulder – it was unridable). To top it all off, it’s huge, long, a pretty solid climb and seems to last forever.

My host in Castle Rock took me to Mt. St. Helens. The weather that day wasn’t supreme, but it drew a real picture of how insane Mother Nature actually is (as if Mount Saint Helens wasn’t picture enough). The winds at the top of the observatory were somewhere between 50 and 70 mph. It was in the low 40Fs and raining. The views and mountains were amazing either way though. I’m so glad I got to go.

Castle Rock has it’s own jail. The towns population is stated to be around 2k, but it is a tiny place. As well, some locals and local sights.

In Portland, I had the luxury to spend time with the person I rode with the most last summer from NYC to LA, Callie. It was more amazing than any words I can describe seeing her again.

In La Fayette, I decided I’d done my 50 miles for the day, and began to look for a place to stay/camp/etc. As I was riding through town, some cyclists rode up behind me. They asked where I was going, and then offered me to stay at their farm for the night. That then led to me staying in their tree house, that had an elevator! Awesome. I loved their place, and their bikes. Very nice people!