TUESDAY
Ah, a rest day! Or so we thought.
At the crack of dawn we are woken up by singing. At the top of his lungs, Greg Vlasik is singing Proud Mary in the showers. When he emerged and was “asked” what he was doing we were informed that there was no way he could start the day without a shower. Agreement was reached, showers were OK, singing was not allowed.
First on every day’s agenda should be coffee. Normally brewing starts around 05:00 and it’s quite a process. Heat gallons of water. Pour into a pot that has a 5 gallon paint strainer filled with coffee attached to the spout. Open the valve and fight off the early crowd. Actually the coffee is pretty good.
After breakfast we need to get Betsy back on the road. Broken spokes in her rear wheel caused by extreme velocity on the descent. Big problem, no spokes for a 650 wheel. The mechanic scratches his ??? and comes up with a solution. Twisted spokes.
Now it’s time for our rest day ride. First up we must tackle the massive Konnowac Pass. After a tough ascent we find bodies littered across the road making us pick our way through carefully. This is the lowest pass in Washington State according to the sign. Elevation gain must have been a couple of hundred feet. Down the other side in to whine country. It is also wine country but not today. A quick lunch and we get to take the short way back to camp, using the freeway.
It was rather hot and before too long Mark Peterson had a flat. This was not just any flat, this was with his tubeless tires that “don’t get flats”. Repairs ensued.
Good thing that Mark had help but they would soon prove worthless. Sirens and flashing lights are headed in our direction. Three cars skid to a stop and the officers get out. Flashing their titanium badges the announce they are here from the FAA and which one of us in Mark. Everyone points at Terri so the officers draw their blasters. Mark raises his hand and the interrogation proceeds. Turns out that working for Boeing he has to follow FAA procedures at ALL times before any repair is made. Does Mark have an approved manual with all updates? Yes thanks to his phone but the manual is in French. Howard steps up once again to provide translation. How about a tool board? Nope but they have some spray paint and one is quickly painted on the tarmac. OK, repair may proceed and about an hour later we are ready to head out. NOT SO FAST JUNIOR they announce. Where is the “return to service” tag? Someone has a playing card and pen and Mark makes the required tag and sticks it in his spokes. We are ordered to “have a nice day” and in a cloud of dust the FAA is on their way. We all need a drink!
Today is brought to you by Ricard 45, the perfect beverage for a hot afternoon.
It was a tough day for our bottle of Ricard, and for us the next day. It’s a good thing that tomorrow promises a really nice campsite, we need something to look forward to.