Day 4 - Poulsbo, WA to Belfair, WA

The abbreviated day I needed yesterday culminated into a 40 mile ride for me today.  Aches and pains are present in both legs as I work to whip them into touring shape.  I was hoping for an easy recovery day today and ended up actually getting it!  The weather was cold and the threat of rain hung in the sky all day, but I stayed dry.  No headwinds to speak of with plenty of flat riding and way more downhill coasts with easy-graded climbs.  Knowing I’d be taking a breather today I ate a big breakfast at a cafe and sat around for an hour drinking coffee.  I opened my banking app and found a branch nearby and rode over to withdrawal some cash.  I had lost my debit card right before beginning the trip, and while explaining this to the teller was delighted to find out they could print me a new one in house while I waited.  Pretty cool!  

Ten miles out from where I’m staying tonight in Belfair State Park I finally found someone else riding a bike with a bunch of stuff strapped to it.  I’ve been wondering where my touring brethren are as at this point on my last trip I’d already met quite a few.  This, however, was no ordinary encounter as this was “SuperDave”.  This old fella has been riding up and down the Pacific Coast for the last 15 years!  I’d seen mention of him in multiple touring blogs I’d read in planning for this tour.  He’s undoubtably met thousands of cycle tourists over the years.  We chatted for about 20 minutes before heading on down the road.  He told me to tell his friends in Monterey when I get there that he is doing okay.  I’m not sure who exactly I’m supposed to tell this to, but maybe I’ll find out?  Anyway, early to bed tonight in hopes of healing the ailments.  Happy Friday to all, and of course “May the 4th be with you”.