Days 59: Allegro Cycling

August 3, 2022 in Walla Walla, Washington

Today, as I mentioned yesterday, I had to ride in the van today in order to take my bike to the shop to fix my finicky brakes.

Even though that sounds like a pretty unpleasant day, it was actually quite nice. Juan and Alyssa were in the van this morning, so they traveled the ninety-something miles to Walla Walla while I nodded off in the backseat.

Once we arrived at our host, we realized they actually wouldn't be there to let us in for a few more hours, so we ventured out to breakfast. I'd already eaten, but I did get myself a Boston Cream donut that was almost as good as the ones in Boston.

We also stopped at a grocery store to get fruit and enough protein bars to last us the rest of the trip. The grocery store was very down-to-earth, complete with bins full of necessities to refill your glass containers and Kombucha on tap. It really reminded me of a grocery store my Uncle Pete goes to in NorCal.

Also important, Alyssa and I took a picture of the famous Walla Walla onions for our team.

By the time we had finished our grocery run the host was ready to let us in. We are staying in yet another church, but this was one of the nicer and most modern ones we've seen. I claimed a classroom for some quiet sleep but got ready to go to the bike shop right away.

Downtown Walla Walla was about three miles from the church––just close enough for me to feel comfortable riding my bike with questionable brakes.

My bike is a good friend of mine, so I took her to the best-rated shop in town, which was called Allegro Cycling. As soon as I arrived (with an actively breaking chain, mind you) I knew they were the real deal.

I'd called ahead, so they knew who I was when I was walking in, and let me know that they'd pause all of their other bike work to get mine serviced right away. Most places wouldn't go something like that, so I really owe them a wonderful Yelp review.

I sat at a coffee shop across the street while I waited for my bike, and they had it done within an hour and a half. I was also finally able to pick up new cleats for my shoes, as well as a few other necessities such as a new mirror (mine fell off) to get me through the next week or so.

I got super lost on the way back, and by the time I got there, the first few groups had rolled in. I stayed outside for a while and re-wrapped my handlebars!

Between then and dinner I really just showered and relaxed.

I didn't care for the host dinner tonight (the only time this summer! I'm not a very picky eater) so I ended up secretly getting food later, but I did have a good time talking to my friends and the hosts.

After dinner, we found out that one of the riders and one of the leaders had been planning a giant murder mystery game for weeks! (As of August 10 this still hasn't really panned out in favor of just spending time together).

Most people had an early night, myself included.