My visit to the PNW

[Crankin]

I wasn't sure where to put this, since it's not quite in the categories of Adventure Stories or Touring, sort of in-between.
Just got back from 8 days in the San Juan Islands/Seattle. Did about 95 miles of riding on San Juan and Lopez Islands, as well as some hiking. Yes, I wimped out on doing some of the more difficult terrain on Orcas, but it was plenty hilly, even without that. The weather was perfect, restaurants superb, and we spent some time with an older couple that DH did some consulting work with, back in AZ, in the 80s.
On Friday, DH and I had lunch with Bicciclista and Salsa, overlooking the sound in downtown Seattle. It is always so nice to finally meet the "real" people behind all of the writing here. In the last month, I also met Veronica and Thom, who had breakfast with us, on the way to Maine, as well as having lunch with SheFly, who lives in the next town. My "regular" friends are always amazed that I actually meet and develop friendships with people I meet on-line. They don't get how the bond of cycling makes it different than meeting some creepy person on-line. I guess there could be a cycling weirdo out there, but so far, none of the TE people I have met (about 10) have turned out to be that way!

[malkin]

Sounds like a great trip!
I love the pic too!

[Veronica]

My "regular" friends are always amazed that I actually meet and develop friendships with people I meet on-line. They don't get how the bond of cycling makes it different than meeting some creepy person on-line. I guess there could be a cycling weirdo out there, but so far, none of the TE people I have met (about 10) have turned out to be that way!

How cool that you guys got to meet up. I've also really enjoyed getting to meet other TE'ers when I travel and none have been any weirder than myself.

Veronica

[TigerMom]

How awesome! Thanks for the group photo
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[pll]

How cool is that? Did you travel with the Guru? If I remember correctly, it had couplers for traveling, no?

[indysteel]

Sounds like fun, Crankin. How neat that the three of you got to meet!

[Crankin]

Yes, I traveled with the Guru. DH did well with taking the bikes apart and putting them back together. However, we could not get both wheels for each bike in their cases, without taking off lots of components, i.e. the derailleurs, so we bought a 2 wheel bag and brought each of our front wheels in them.
We booked this trip in January, when the extra baggage fee (not oversized, as these bikes fit into a standard size suitcase) was 35.00 a bag on Jet Blue. It's gone up to 45.00. When we got to Logan, they couldn't figure out how to change the price in the computer, so they only charged us for 2. However, on the way back, were charged 35 for the first 2 extra pieces, and 75.00 for the 3d. DH went nuts (in a controlled way), but of course, we paid it and got on the plane. Maybe we were dumb to assume that you could take as many extra pieces as you need for the same price. DH travels all over the world, so it's not like we are dumb f***s about travel. We wrote a nasty email to Jet Blue and are now researching other airlines. We like Jet Blue, as they have non stops between Boston, Phoenix, and San Diego, where we travel at least once a year. It was really nice having my own bike, and from what I saw of the other rental bikes on the island, I was quite thankful. The titanium helped immensely with the chip seal roads, which I have never experienced, except in small doses.
Here's a pic to prove that Lopez Island is not flat...

[shootingstar]

Great that you all met. We went to San Juan Island during the Jul. 4th holiday...busy! San Juan Islands are like some of the Canadian Gulf Islands, some short steep hills, etc.

[emily_in_nc]

Sounds like a really fun trip! We are dying to visit the PacNW -- it's very high on our list as we've never been there at all. Great that you got to meet some TEers too, and best of all is seeing the smile on Mimi's face.

[Biciclista]

Thanks for posting this photo. It was really good to meet you and your husband. And have a face and a personality associated with your name.

[Crankin]

It was great to meet both of you. I truly feel like I have friends everywhere because of TE.
I will be thinking of you Saturday, but the way our weather is looking, it won't be on a ride .

[hirakukibou]

Hey Crankin,
Sounds like a great trip. Glad you got to meet other TE friends. You are such a good networker. I stand in awe. Looking forward to autumn rides with you! Meanwhile we are in MN having a little adventure of our own. Have a good August! Hira

[smittykitty]

The San Juan's are beautiful, but they are not flat! We rode them last summer. We camped on Orcas and totally skipped riding there! Glad you had a good visit.

[AppleTree]

There is a nice article this month in Bicycling Magazine featuring top rides around the US, and Lopez Island is the first featured! We've visited out there a few times over the years, but never to cycle... I think that is about to change, it looks like a fabulous ride and not too many hills!

[lovelygamer]

What a neat trip and picture. Very cool of you to have done this and shared.