Hayward, con’t

It’s a rest day. It was already planned, and gave us more time to dry out from yesterday’s deluge. We woke up leisurely late, almost 7am to a muggy morning. It promises to give us more storms later today. After some laundry and deep cleaning and drying we road the 4 miles into town, stimulating the economy of both local bike /ski shops. Hayward is home to several hundred miles of biking trails and the famous American Birkebeiner XC ski race, which draws in over 50,000 guests to a city of 2,000. 

Earlier this week my left front pannier rack cracked and broke. Not easily replaced on the road. So I improvised by strapping my sleep gear on the handle bars and buying a top tube bag to get some weight off the rear racks. Then we found the post office to mail home the front racks and panniers and other items that stimulated the local economy. 

We also restocked on travel food and supplies at the grocery store. And Steve found a walk in barber to shear his locks. 

Our place of rest tonight is the Riverside Motel. Simon, from Chicago via Poland is an informative host. We were given the complete scoop on Hayward, “There is nothing in Hayward but everyone finds what they are looking for here. I love Hayward.” 

My dad called last night and recalled an old ice cream shoppe we should find. Simon said it had to be West’s Premium Ice Cream. Its some of the creamiest ice cream ever. Simon also recommended the Anglers Bar and Grill for the best pizza in town. For someone from Chicago who knows good food, we took his recommendation seriously. 

While we ate an early dinner, the promised rain and thunder shower arrived. Not nearly as torrential as yesterday. I love the sound of gentle rain falling outside the window of our dry motel room. 

The weather promises to clear over night and we have 68 miles to our first Warm Showers host. We signed up to Warm Showers where families open their homes to bicyclists traveling the country. In exchange you promise to open your home in return to other cyclists sometime in the future.

In the meantime I have to digest my ice cream and pizza. 

Jon