September 15, 2022
Day 6 - Belfair to Elma
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This morning started a little slower and more relaxed — I don’t know if that was just me or if everyone was still a bit tired from yesterday’s ride. It was chilly, and I layered up with a long sleeve underlayer, jersey, knicker-length tights over my shorts, and warm gloves.
Today was shorter, and the roads were mostly rural and quiet, with little traffic, which was a relief after yesterday’s rush hour experience.
We all seem to be grouping up with people who ride at similar paces. A few like riding alone, and we have a couple of strong riders — Togan and Grant in particular — who like to start early and ride fast. The rest of us move at various rates of dawdle.
Anyway, we left our camp in Belfair, rode back up around the top of the Inner Hood Canal and then down along Route 106 for the first 8 miles, then branching off to East Trails End Road, which took us alongside Mason Lake. Most of the time we couldn’t really see the lake as the road was lined with trees. It was a pretty forested scene for most of the day.
Some of us met up for lunch in Shelton — about halfway to Elma.
Much of the last part of the ride was on Cloquallum Road. It was very quiet, with sparse traffic. I saw a huge hawk — I think it was a Northern Goshawk — with a wingspan as large as an eagle’s. And a red-tailed hawk accompanied me for a bit, soaring above me down the road as if leading the way. It felt magical.
Finally, after a last bit of climbing, we dropped down into Elma and into the RV park. We have a lovely grassy area for out tents, wonderful showers, and — luxury of luxuries — laundry facilities!
I compiled a short video of the day’s ride, which you can view here:
Today's ride: 56 miles (90 km)
Total: 247 miles (398 km)
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