Meeting a south African cyclist on a training ride

Day 13 GDMBR Monday June 23st 2025,

Last night before I went to bed, I connected the bought cable and started the uploading of the maps, which would take 2,5 and 1,5 hours, so 4 hours in total. Waking up, I was very curious if the maps were on there, they were installed! Now we, I, have to see how good they are on the ride. I wanted to extend my ride today in order to see!

The ride went extremely well. I mean by this: • The GPS computer worked great; I could navigate with it like before with all the details I wanted to see!

• The hills were very doable,

• I climbed easier and had no trouble losing easy breathing,

• I met a South African woman who was cycling the Pacific ride,

• She also had ridden the Great divide Mountain bike Trail in 2019,

• She loved every minute of it,

• We had coffee and cookies at the bread factory in Edison together and didn’t have to pay for it,

• Later when I came back, I received a free baguette and a bottle of water that was better than from the water tap!

I’ll tell you more about this wonderful day now. I started cycling at 10:30 and took the Chuckanut drive which have 6 hills which are to be mentioned ranging from 50 meters to almost 90 meters. The grades were up to 9%. The temperature was great, around 20 degrees without any clouds and /or rain!

When I went off the Chuckanut road towards Bow (a tiny spot on the map) I saw a cyclist with full gear in front of me and we connected. Her name is Shannon Eyssen. We did go the same way and I suggested to have coffee together and talk, well about cycling and traveling. Only in Edison (another little spot on the map) we came to have coffee and cookies at the bread factory, it turned out the woman at the counter didn’t let us pay. She was from California and studied Biology there, her name was Nell. We went together for a short while, couple of miles, end traded information so we could stay in touch!

I continued riding towards Samish Island, Alex suggested to take that route and back. It was worth the effort, although after the Chuckanut road everything was very flat! On the way back I did see the Bold eagle on a telegraph pole along the road, which I could take a picture of! Yesterday I did see two on the Chuckanut road hoovering above me, so impressive!

When I came by the bread factory I asked for water and also got a baguette for free from Nell! So much kindness in the world! On the Chuckanut road, one of the pictures is showing something you see everywhere: A complete and NOT DAMAGED portable toilet, even with flowing water to clean your hands. Everything you just need for this, was just there and it was kept clean. This would be impossible in the Netherlands!

I finished the ride at the home of Alex and Megan who were just going to a birthday party. I would have liked to come along, but was too late and it wasn’t a problem at all. In the end I did 70 kilometers with 12 hills that were mentioned and I almost loved doing the hills. I climbed over 600 meter with that climbing I now feel more confident that I will be able to do the great divide! That is so valuable for me! The bike did everything very well and I am glad I did do that preparation.

Now, I will cook some diner and take a shower and walk the dogs. First, I will post this post on Polarsteps. I almost forget: I did receive an invitation from Spencer and Kate, who are now living in Vancouver, not far from Bellingham. I will go and visit them on June 29th so this will be told than! I am very excited I will meet them again, it has been 11 years ago and we will have to tell each other a lot.

Another day done on this great adventure!