Day 1 (6/5): Waterworld

NWS was right, the atmosphere was/is "destabilized". I know this based on the umteem thousands of gallon of water that fell from the sky during almost the entire day today. Starting, most conveniently, about 30 minutes after the start of the race, we were treated to all of hospitality that the Pacific Northwest's weather could provide. Rain, wind, more rain and wind...you get the picture - it was wet! The only saving grace was that it was about 10 degrees warmer this year then last year.

The race started as it always does with a "neutral start"; a 6 mile group ride where no one is technically allowed to break away. In practice all this really does is give the fast and really fast riders an opportunity to bunch up so that when the flag drops they don't have to navigate around us not-as-fast riders (like myself). For a while I played tag with a couple of guys from Greece (never got their names) before we pulled out of SeaSide then they left me...haven't seen them since.

The first day of the TransAm is tough; lots of climbing which is complicated by areas where these is almost no shoulder and significant car traffic. There is also this tunnel not too far outside of Tillamook. I hate this tunnel; the lanes are narrow and if it has been raining at all the raised white line on the right side of the lane is as slick as it can possibly be...no fun.

Throughout the day I'd come across other racers (or they would come across me). Sometimes we'd ride together for a bit before a climb or the need to stop would separate us. All in all, saw more riders this year on day one than last year which is good for boosting one's spirits during this slog.

After a very full day of riding made it to Monmouth,OR around 2200 our time. As everything I had was wet decided to forget about camping and try to get a hotel room. There is only one hotel in Monmouth that is close to the course, the College Inn and I have to give props/kudos to Jackie the manager and her staff. There were at least a dozen riders at the Inn and she went way beyond to make sure that everyone had rooms or was otherwise taken care of - great customer service. She even put a hose out for us to wash off our bikes...which they desperately needed.