Gordon Taylor from Stone is cycling across the length of the United States this summer – 3,800 miles from Seattle on the Pacific coast to Boston on the Atlantic. He started on Saturday and has mailed us the first of his regular reports of his adventure…
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen I’m refuelling in a cafe or diner, I’ll usually pick up a local newspaper. It’s odd to see that exactly the same issues seem to affect small towns everywhere. Despite being on a pretty major highway, towns like Concrete, Riverside, and Republic are encouraging people to shop local and wondering what to do with the growing number of empty shops on Main Street.
I’ve cycled just over three hundred miles in four days so far. With four mountain passes soaring to over 4000 feet and searing afternoon temperatures of 33 degrees, I’m pleased with that. The Cascade Mountain range is stunningly beautiful, with jagged peaks and turquoise blue lakes. Further east is less pretty, with rolling hills bleached by the heatwave and the occasional forest black and jagged after an early season fire.
I’m following Highway 20, for the most part. The wide shoulder lanes and good surface so typical of American roads make cycling and navigating easy and fuss free. Every day, if I’m resting in a layby, drivers will stop to offer me a lift. I decline, of course, but have been glad of the apple or chocolate bar given instead. We always chat away for a while, it’s amazing how many Americans are keen to share their ancestry as soon as they hear my Scottish accent.
With the exception of a couple of pickup drivers who vociferously objected to my use of the inside lane as I tried to find my way out of Seattle on Highway 99, everyone I’ve met has been wonderfully friendly. In addition to free roadside snacks,my accent got me invited to join a large family from Iowa on a campsite so that we could share Nachos and chat about British kings and queens.
Washington State is one of half a dozen US states to have legalised cannabis for recreational use in the past few years. It comes as quite a surprise to see cannabis being advertised openly and sold in roadside stores. Ive never used the stuff and have steered clear of the stores, but the locals generally seem to think it’s a good idea. I’m told that legalisation has made no difference to drug use or usage… but that the suppliers now pay state taxes. That seems to make Americans happy!
Ahead of me today is another big mountain. Sherman Pass rises to nearly 5,600 feet so it’ll take me all morning to grind up at 4mph but a lot less time to swoop down at 25 mph. I’ll have some breakfast and get going. I wonder what fabulous conversations and free food I’ll enjoy later? This is great!
