Day 7 - All Wheels Weekend

Day 7!  Today makes one week on the road and all in all I can not complain (not that it would do any good).  In some ways I'm shocked I'm still rolling!  Moody Road and I84 seem like a distant memory and we are looking forward!  After a tremendous day off in Walla Walla we are preparing for an easy riding day to Dayton in hot, but excellent weather.  The riding gear continues to get tweaked.  I have a new rear flasher complements of Greg and Krissie as a parting gift to help keep me safe.  So many flasher choices it takes 5 minutes to decide!  There is the new water bottle and new cleats on my shoes.  I went with only one new water bottle partly because I had already spent $266, but mostly because I have become fond of the used Core water container and plan to keep it the entire trip.  It is also Juneteenth (observed) and I begin the ride this morning recognizing this important day in our American history. 

Overall, the ride went very well.  The only hiccup was at about mile 20 I came across some road construction that required one lane traffic with a pilot car.  I asked the pilot driver, Kathleen, how they handle bicycles and she said, “your in luck, we give you a ride and place your bike in the bed of the truck.”  I was hesitant to get a ride because my goal is to pedal the entire route.  “Sorry, it’s safety protocol.”   So in I went and rode in the pilot car for 2.5 miles.  It was pretty cool.  A feeling of power leading 20 cars.  Kind of like a pace car in the Indy 500.  During some small talk during the 2.5 miles, Kathleen told me that there was a big car show in Dayton (The All Wheels Weekend).  Hmmmm

I made it to Dayton by 10:15 am and figured that was way too early to stop but we HAD to stay the night and enjoy the old classic cars.  So I road another 15 miles toward Lewiston and we drove pack to Dayton so we could partake in the festivities.  This will give me a head start tomorrow and make the day that much easier.  While I was riding the final 15 I could not help but think about the ride in the pilot car and how I did not pedal those 2.5 miles.  I can just hear Shannon and Skip again “Winks should not have ridden with Kathleen, the ride is not legit.”  So I told Cheryl I have to go back and pedal those 2.5 miles once the construction is done.  She thinks I'm an idiot but Cheryl is the best teammate so we did and I am happy to say the continuous route is still intact!

Dayton is a very nice little town of about 2300 people that comes alive during the All Wheels Weekend.  I have a soft spot for 50s and 60s cars and boy is this the place to be for that.  All the owners drive there cars up and down main street revving the engines reliving the glory days.  The owners periodically park to stand by their works of art and talk to passersby.  I enjoy learning the history and the shear pride and enjoyment they show as they tell their unique stories.  One especially interesting man was Gary.  He was showing an original 32 Ford with the first production V8 engine that he has owned since he was a teenager.  He lives in Texas but grew up in Dayton and comes back every year to the All Wheels Weekend.  It’s evenings like this which remind me why I’m riding my bike across the country with a sore butt.  Taking the time to smell the roses throughout this great country. 

A great evening strolling up and down eating at the local pizza place (Chief Springs) watching the cars

go up and down main street.  We even took in some music from a local band in front of the Columbia County Courthouse.  

It's on to Lewiston tomorrow.  Forecast is for clear skies and hot (90 degrees).  I want to get there early enough to watch Game 7 of the Nets/Bucks!

Until then......