September 2, 2024
Day 63: Salacgriva to Saulkrastu
Going Inland to Avoid a Busy Road
“The traffic wasn’t bad except for the guy who “coal rolled” us,” Rachel reflects at the end of the day. “It was his exhaust and not intentional,” Patrick adds. The car blowing black smoke passed us very close just as oncoming traffic is also passing. This is the exception, so far.
Rather than continuing on the busy road along the coast we go inland as a WS host in the area recommended. “Crazy to ride 85km to get 50km down the coast,” Patrick says. We think it will be worth not listening to traffic. We are on a local Bike Route 7 to Limbazi our halfway point. Later we join another local bike route 109.
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“There’s where all your cows are,” Patrick says as we pass a large farm. Yesterday Rachel observed we’ve seen the past days field after field with hay bales and no cows. Today we also see fields growing something other than hay. One looked like some type of berry and finally we see corn.
We skirt Limbazi and briefly on a road lined with single trees on both sides reminding us of other places we’ve ridden. Leaving other towns along the way lined with giant oaks. The first part of the ride to Limbazi we gain small amounts of elevation and a few “hills”. Given the days of flat road riding, any need to shift defines a hill.
Eventually we cross over the interstate and onto a coastal road. We see the gulf water. Before reaching our hotel we stop at a grocery for supplies. And Patrick wanted ice cream. The hotel is out in the countryside not on the coast.
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We settle into the room, clean up and later go to the restaurant downstairs for dinner. The food is fantastic. Rachel has a warm salmon/shrimp salad with blueberries and strawberries, Patrick a salmon and shrimp pasta dish.
And cheap local beer.
Today's ride: 85 km (53 miles)
Total: 3,173 km (1,970 miles)
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