Ride to Bremerton

Port Townsend to Bremerton: 47.5 miles
Total Mileage: 552.1 miles
Quote of the Day: "Bicycling is a big part of the future.  It has to be.  There's something wrong with a society that drives a car to work out in a gym." -Bill Nye

This week my chore group was on trailer crew which meant we were responsible for getting everyone's bags and bins packed before the riders can eat breakfast.  While waiting for everyone to bring out their belongings, I saw the sun starting to rise over the water (a rarity as most of the time we over looked the Pacific Ocean).   Around the corner from the church I stumbled upon the Fire Bell Tower.  Built in 1890, it held the city's fire engine and 1,500 pound brass bell which would signal where and severity of the fire.  Today it remains the last wooden fire bell tower in the US.

The town also has some great Victorian architecture which have been well preserved thanks to a mass exodus during the Great Depression.  I would have loved to do more exploring around the town, but unfortunately there was just no time.  Port Townsend has been added to my list of places to come back and visit. 

Just add this sunset to the long list of perfect sunsets we have had on the trip.

We woke up to the most wonderful smells of breakfast and homemade biscuits; for a moment I thought I was back on SUS.  The team was weighed down, but it was well worth it.  Some of us even packed a biscuit for the road.

There is nothing like a Bike and Build birthday (I celebrated 25 on the road).  Out of 33 riders, six would be celebrating their birthday; today's was Athena's and she was rocking quite the outfit.

View of the town before our "great descent".

My group took a few wrong turns and were immediately off the cue sheet.  We made our way back to the bike trail and were happy to see other Drift West'ers heading out way; if we were lots at least we would be lost with friends.  Look at those happy, backlit bikers.

Katy got a great shot of our group heading down the trail.  Look at those safety triangles. 

Everything was all fine and good until we hit something affectionately known as the wall.  Out of nowhere came this super steep hill.  We saw the group ahead of us heading up and when one girl toppled over into the bushes we thought it might be best if we walked.  My bike was also having some serious gear issues (AKA none of my little gears were working) so I had no shame walking up.  There were a few brave souls who made it to the top and got to ride under a bridge of Drift Westers.

View from the top of the hill.  Everywhere you look the views get better and better.  There was also a huge blackberry bush at the top which sweetened the deal!

My group made a cue sheet re-route in order to hit the local Goodwill to get costumes for tonight's Prom.  Now prom is not just for high school juniors and seniors.  Each trip has their own prom and while we might be a shorter ride we would NOT be missing out on our evening.  This year's prom theme: drag with a hint of home town pride

Our fearless leaders

Representing Maryland (crab) and Jersey (the Garden State)

But first let me take a selfie

The "guys"

The "gals"

Da Drift West Crew

Nothing to see here people.  Just a bunch of 20 somethings heading out for a normal Thursday evening at a local bar and grill (and to celebrate Athena's birthday).