A Relaxing Day In Chehalis

By Tom Weber
2012 Bicycle Adventurer

Day 2 riding….

Tacoma, WA to Chehalis, WA
Staying at Faith Baptist Church
58.4 miles today, average pace 15.7 mph
A number of bumps (some are calling hills), really not just flat

We had a very nice day riding with cool temperatures all day, mostly cloudy and now sunny this afternoon as we get showers and relax. There is a Baskin Robbins 2.5 miles from the church, but too far to walk, and I do not want to ride and get sweaty again after my shower. Maybe we will head there after dinner that the church is providing for us. With this larger group it is more difficult to make excursions because it takes gas money and we have three van loads if everybody wants to go.

We did have another fall today, but nothing serious, (not serious means it was not me that fell). But Susan has a sore side, a sore hand, and some road rash. We spent about 10 miles on a very nice trail. Only a few bumps in the blacktop, and some intersections that we only had to slow down for, and we were able to ride side by side and get to know each other a little more. We rode with a very pleasant and a nice pace. Sarah got to ride with her aunt, Sher, for about 4 or 5 miles on this trail. I was riding with Jim a lot today, following him in a nice pace line, and then some on the trail. Turbo Tom was also with this pace line. I also got to ride a lot with Sarah today, because she was nice enough to slow down so I could keep up.

Getting to know another great group of riders is always a highlight of these trips. I’ve already seen a lot of helping each other, encouragement, and friendships developing.

We had another great dinner provided by Faith Baptist Church tonight. After dinner a group of us did an intervention with Allen by getting him to take us to the Nike outlet store, and then the group tried to buy him new shoes before his fell off his feet. Unfortunately the store did not have the style that Allen was hoping to get, so we will try again at the stop after next.

I don’t know why everybody does not sign up for an adventure like this. They are missing an important life development opportunity. Wake up "geezerville" and the rest of you.

Washington has been just beautiful, and as night approaches, we have a most beautiful sunset.

Peace