The road is long, with many a...

Stage 1 - Seattle to Port Townsend.
49 miles, 3hrs 50mins
Safely checked in to the great little Palace Hotel in Port Townsend having rolled off the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry at 10am this morning (picture below is at the very start of the road). I really couldn't have wished for a better first day wish perfect biking weather (blue sky, temperature around 17C, dry and not a breath of wind). Also the roads were ideal for cycling with a smooth wide shoulder lane and the drivers being super courteous when passing. Add to that the bike worked a treat, though it is really, really heavy. Only small issue was, me. Physically I feel great but mentally I'll need to be a bit more disciplined than I was today as I did a couple of things I really shouldn't have en route; firstly zipping past a group of roadies on the climb out of Port Gamble (I just couldn't resist it), but more important was not stopping for lunch. While I got away with it on today's short stage I'll need to make myself resist that 'summit fever'-like urge to just keep going for a few miles more before stopping, no just a few more. I certainly won't get away with it on some of the desert stages.

With so much of my focus on the bike and how I was feeling I actually ended up paying little attention to the scenery and surroundings and after one glance up at the Olympic mountain range when crossing the Hood Bridge saw me almost go headfirst over the edge in shock at how impressive it was I took to looking even less. Though, of what little I saw it looks like a lovely part of the world.

On a different topic, I've also got to say a big thank you to Angus for driving over from Montana to meet me at the airport. Also his friends, Wayne and Stacey, for their hospitality over the past few days in Seattle and particularly for feeding me enough Jack Daniels spaghetti bolanase last night to keep me going till I reach California!

Looking to tomorrow, forecast is still looking good for what is a somewhat tougher day with 77 miles, +4000ft of climbing and only a tent to stay in at the end of the stage. I also suspect I won't get any phone signal there so might not be able to post anything here for a couple of days.

Anyway, I'm off out to find food. Don't care what, quantity is all that matters.