Pre JOH Day 2

Today we conquered 72.09 miles and 3819 feet of climbing to finish the second half of the journey from the coast. We left from Port Angeles and biked to the Bainbridge Island Ferry, rode onto the ferry and finished the last mile from the ferry landing to the sculpture park where we will leave from on the 28th with the whole team.

Tomorrow we have a bit of time in the morning to finish some last minute packing and pick some things up at REI and then at 3 we are heading to the hotel to meet the rest of the team and crew members and begin orientation...who knows what that will entail. My guess is some leadership development workshops and a lot of policies and procedures for riding all summer. I am very excited to meet everyone and see a couple guys I know from regional training.

Pre JOH day 1

We loaded the car at 5am this morning to catch the ferry out to Kingston and make it to Cape Flattery in time to dip our tires in the ocean and hit the road. I have not had time to train a lot during the end of the school year so this was my first ride in a while and the rolling hills up and down were killer! I never thought about those riding in flat Tempe. Also the logging trucks cruising past us on that tiny road definitely kept us a little on edge. But as expected the views of the ocean and through the woods were fantastic. It was such a good time riding with Dean again in WA now and Evan for the first time, both great guys to have in a pace line especially when the hills get steep.

Tonight we are staying at discovery bay in a much more luxurious place than what we will be seeing this summer, from gym floors to church floors and dorm rooms so im enjoying it while I can.

Tomorrow's ride should be about 80 miles and 3300 feet of climbing...no big deal...

Mobius cycle...the life saver

Shout out to our friend at mobius cycle in Seattle for being the only bike shop in Washington that doesn't have a 2 day wait for bike rebuild and getting Dean and Evan's bikes put back together out of the box and ready for our ride tomorrow morning, she was a life saver, wouldn't have been possible without her.
All my Seattle friends should check out her shop, by far the most knowledgeable bike mechanic/enthusiasts/cyclist I have come across and her shop is awesome, like art I would say. If you are looking for a custom bike build or any work definitely check out mobius cycle.
http://mobiuscycle.com

Thoughts before the PreJOH ride

My short time in Bellevue is almost up but it has been amazing. Once again, thank you to everyone that was able to come to my brunch fundraiser and to those that could not make it but contributed to my fundraising, with all of your help I raised about $1800 in the last week I have been home which has put my total at about $6600, only $400 shy of my original goal. It has been so incredible to see so much support from family and friends for this cause and my Journey of Hope, it is truly a humbling experience and the trip has yet to begin.
Today I will be picking up Dean Strickland and Evan Eshelman from the airport and tomorrow we drive out to Cape Flattery to bike from the coast to Seattle to make this journey a true coast to coast ride. Right after we get back we will meet the rest of the team and have orientation for a few days in Seattle and then the morning of the 28th we will hit the road on our first leg to Enumclaw, just a short 40 mile ride.
I am feeling nothing but excitement for this to begin and am looking forward to everything that will come this summer.
Lastly here is our biking itinerary in case you were wondering where I will be all summer and if you feel like sending a care package or letter I also included our mail drops. For all mail be sure to include "Attn Journey of Hope, Sam Margolis" and if it arrives late it will not be forwarded.