First current-day post

No. 41

Blaine and I met at Umtanum Creek Campground in Ellensburg, WA on Wednesday night. Thursday morning we headed to Washington-BDR Section 3, where I lightly “guided” my bike down on the pavement — no damage at all — I didn’t even fall. I quickly picked my bike up, and without thinking I lifted with my back instead of my knees… I felt a sharp pain… and then a pop! My back was fucked from that moment on! It got worse as the day(s) went on; agony with every rock, whoop, bump and body movement.

We met Sebastian and Todd on the trail. They were coming from the Alcan-5000, up in Alaska
Blaine’s Ducati Multistrada taking a nap
Inspecting a previous issue
A year earlier, Blaine dropped his bike and messed up his shift lever. Because of that, he carried a spare lever in his tool bag. On this trip, when he dropped his bike, he realized his shift lever was missing a bolt and wasn’t allowing him to shift — luckily he had spare parts

Mr Top Gun
Amazing views on this route, although there was lots of smoke in the air from nearby forest fires
This washed out road was a lot of fun — it was like a ride at an amusement park!
14 miles to a closed trail… 14 miles back
This would’ve been a great shortcut

My back was in lots of pain and I started to get the “sloppy fatigue” feeling when I slammed my left handguard into this gate which shoved my bike to the ground (again, I didn’t fall). Blaine was kind enough to lift my bike up since I physically couldn’t.

I sat on the bike… put my hands on the handlebars… aaaand I seen my handlebars were pretty fuckin’ bent!

Weird lighting from a nearby fire

The original plan was to meet up Wednesday night. Ride WA-BDR Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the Canadian border, and also hike 10 miles to Colchuck Lake.

Our buddy Mike met us in Leavenworth Thursday evening before heading to a great disperse camp site that Blaine knew of.

Before heading to camp, Blaine purposely slammed my front wheel into a curb enough times to straighten my wheel. After reassessing my “handlebar” issue, we realized the handlebars were fine, but my front wheel was misaligned.

I woke up the following morning and was feeling miserable! My back was in pain, and I slept like shit, plus my whole body was tense from the cold night in the tent. There was no way I was gonna be able to hike to Colchuck Lake with Blaine and Mike. Even the idea of trail-riding gave me pain and anxiety. So to my better judgment, I decided to throw in the towel and ride home solo (Blaine and Mike hiked to Colchuck Lake and then continued riding the BDR).

Biscuit sandwich and a Cortado from Argonauts, in Leavenworth
Quick caffeine break at Espresso Chalet
A chia latte and a fresh biscotti

I rode Scenic Highway 2 from Leavenworth to Monroe, stopping at Espresso Chalet for a Chai Latte. I gassed up in Monroe and then rode 235 miles home without stopping — which isn’t normally a big deal — but it sure is when you’re in pain and have a slight handlebar wobble from the frontend still misaligned some.

With all that being said… I had a GREAT time! It’s always fun hanging out with Blaine and Mike, and Section 3 had lots of breathtaking views. Sadly, this was probably my last camping trip of the year, and it got cut short!

Colchuck Lake. Not my photo for obvious reasons
Here’s a photo of Mike and Blaine on Section 4
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Author: Crushing Baby Heads

IG: @Long_Journey_Home

3 thoughts on “First current-day post”

  1. Loved the photos 📷 sounded like it would have been a nice close for the year, but I know there will be many short trips before the end of the year. And we all look forward to seeing much more from you, alot of us live through your photo’s – keep them coming.

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