Wednesday, May 19, 2021

winthrop, washington


 We made it!

This morning I pulled, from my pile of notes, a note from my daughter, Carey, and, drum roll please, a note from my grandson, birthday twin, Drew. (We have the same birthday only sixty years apart, August 4.) Thanks, Carey and Drewby, for giving us another good start.


We pedaled over Rainy Pass at 4,855 feet and then Washington Pass at 5,477 feet. Until we get to the Continental Divide we have three more significant climbs ahead: Loup Loup Pass (4,020’), Wauconda Pass (4,310’), and Sherman Pass (5,575’). Tomorrow we’ll climb Loup Loup Pass as we head to Tonasket, where we’ll spend the night.


Things were a little bleak as we checked with the weather-guessers last night and this morning. We were even warned about pedaling The Pass today. Since we pedaled half of The Pass yesterday we thought we’d go to that point, take a look, and make a decision. That’s what we did. Each of us had several layers of clothing to combat the chill of the anticipated cold climb. And each layer was certainly needed. When we began the climb we actually had some sunshine but as we got closer and closer to the top, things slowly changed from light snow, to crazy snow, to light snow again, and hardly any snow at the top. The wind was fickle, sometimes in our faces and sometimes at our backs to push us up the mountain. We stopped often for snacks, rest, and photos. It was tough but when we saw the Washington Pass, elevation 5,477 feet, everything that made the climb tough was completely forgotten. Going down the mountain was definitely a ride: fast, cold, but invigorating. We even stopped once to warm up a little and Gale made toasted cheese sandwiches in the Snackwagon. On the road again, we coasted, and because the roads were dry, rode at speeds between 25 and 35 mph. We could have gone quite a bit faster but decided a safe trip was wiser than a hospital visit for massive road rash. Right now, we are staying at the Methow (met-how) River Lodge and Cabins. Nice, warm, cozy, and clean. Can’t ask for much more than that.



One of my favorite things about doing rides like this is meeting new friends along the way. The people! Bob and Brenda, two cyclists we met yesterday, are from Sacramento, California and riding a tandem. Not only are they riding a tandem but their tandem, trailer, and belongings weigh 130 pounds! They are heroes for certain. They are riding a loop that is taking them up The Pass and on to Twisp where they will take a right and head back home. Bob, I found out was from Pittsburgh and Brenda from LA. That led to my next question, “OK, how did a guy from Pittsburgh meet a girl from LA?” Bob’s answer was, “Military.”  That happens a lot. Both Bob and Brenda are Washingtonians now and avid cyclists who have also ridden the Northern Tier which we are doing. We wish them the best as they ride together.



Chris, who we met this morning, is from Kent, Washington, not far from here, and he is riding The Pass because it’s part of the Cascade Loop which is part of the 440 mile ride he is doing. He rides a yellow Cannondale so I had to take a picture of him and his bike. I ride a yellow Cannondale as well but I’ve never loaded it like Chris loaded his. He is carrying everything he needs for his ride. I’m not sure I’d make it up The Pass loaded like that. Happy trails, Chris.



While we were riding through the beauty of this day, I could not help but think of the words of an old hymn, For the Beauty of the Earth:


For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.


For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night.

Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r

Sun and moon, and stars of light.


Lord of all, to thee we raise 

This our hymn of grateful praise.


That's pretty much the day in a nutshell. I did find another Washington license plate. (Thought you'd like to know that.) We did stop at another great bike shop, Methow Cycles & Sport, in Winthrop. We are closer to the Atlantic and today was a terrific day.


I like this quote: I'll do today what others won't so I can do tomorrow what others can't. Lord, let me finish strong. If not, just let me finish.

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