Saturday, August 6, 2011

Start again - the continental divide trail

Picking up a team
Member at the kalispell airport. Start our ride on the us Canada border tomorrow. More updates and pictures later. Hoping to cover over 240 miles and get to Seeley lake.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Trip #1 comes to an end

Touring gives one a chance to decompress, and really think about things. Life gets very simple, eat, ride, sleep, repeat. We had almost a week of this wonderful existence and had been asking questions like, "have we had enough?" and "what would you rather be doing?". After Omak we started out to Riverside and beyond and stopped at the Omak Stampede fairgrounds to see the famous slope that ends at the river and where horses on the annual Omak Stampede race cross the river. Maybe you've seen pictures of the riders and their steeds driving down a steep slope and across a river. Looking at the slope, it looks impressive.

An image someone else shot of the Suicide race:
riders-participating-in-omak-stampede-suicide-race

 Well, what was also impressive was the bubble that had formed in Jennifer's front tire. It decided to go off like a firecracker when we reached the Stampede grounds, blowing out the tube and tire. Our progress for the day was halted since we'd need to go back a few mikes to a bike shop and work on the tire. Then my bike fell over and broke my mirror! We talked. Had we had enough riding? Yes, for now. Did Jennifer want to spend more time with her mom - yes. If we returned early we could meet her sister as she came back into town too. Another plan formed. We would return early, and ride locally, catch up with friends and family and avoid 300 more miles of narrow shoulders, long high passes and large RV's passing too close.
We had proved to ourselves that we could tour successfully together, and overcome long distances, low blood sugar, and harsh conditions. We had called the tour to an end earlier than the initial plan but only after proving that it was by choice and not through an obstacle that we couldn't overcome. Plans are made to be changed and re-made. We are planning for next summer already. Thanks for taking this journey with us.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Omak's Centennial and all class reunion

Or goal had been Riverside and to camp, but Omak called. We saw the preparation for a parade and got curious, but first,  Dinner. The Corner Bistro had good online reviews and did not disappoint. Great fresh local produce and meat, prepared well and served with charm and speed. We liked it so much we went back for breakfast!
After dinner a shootout and a parade of classic cars and graduates of Omak High School that had gathered for an all class reunion.

 Part of the shootout set that had something to do with stolen gold.
A bit of the combined farmer's market and Centennial celebration the next day,

Winthrop to Omak

Another day, another pass. This time though, things were different. Instead of starting in the rain we started in warm and dry conditions. Went only about 10 miles and had to stop at the Blue Star coffee roasting company in Twisp. Excellent coffee and the best coffee cake I've ever had. Made with some flour from locally grown Bluebird Grain farms, it was fresh from the oven and delish!

Only a 52 mile day but up over another pass and after yesterday, still takes a lot out of us. Our victory picture.
A question another rider has left.
And the final ride into town.

Rainy and Washington Pass

Rain or shine, we must climb. 30 miles of climbing to be more precise. A very difficult challenge for us both but one we embraced and conquered. Fueled with breakfast we headed out.



Up and up and we climbed into the sun. We climbed for hours and finally reached Rainy pass, the first of the day at around 4,800 feet.
Then a short downhill, and climbing again to Washington pass at 5,477 feet.
Ok, then what? 32 miles more of steep braking, and downhill cruising to Winthrop, WA.  We checked into a great little motel, ate a giant Mexican dinner and fell fast asleep in the Methow valley.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Colonial creek

We left Marblemount in a light drizzle in good shape after a solid night's rest. Almost immediately we started to climb and entered the Ross lake national recreation area, then the north cascades national park. Soon passing Newhalem and a few scary tunnels where bicyclists press a button to turn on yellow flashing lights to warn drivers. Kept climbing past gorge dam. Around lunch time we got to the turn to the North Cascades environmental learning center. Went down and over the Diablo dam which was spilling a huge amount of water.

At the center things seemed closed but were just quiet. We went to the dining hall and asked the cooks there if we could buy lunch. Sure they said they were not doing a hot lunch but we could get a sandwich for $5. After a great turkey sandwich on "homemade" artisan bread, cookies, chips, carrot sticks, tea, apples, coffee we were ready for the road. We also thanked the chefs and everybody we met. Good cycling fuel.
Logistics and rain dictated that we stay a few miles away at the colonial creek campground. Early end to a good day. After a dinner of freeze dried noodles and hot water (heated by our motorhome friends) we moved to a quieter campsite and went to sleep.

Morning drizzle and cold oatmeal and cold via coffee taken under cover of the rest room walkway roof. Off to conquer Washington pass.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Marblemount, WA is the place

Good day of riding today. Started quite late, after chatting with some folks that started the northern tier in May (traveling east - west) and had just one short 25 mile day left. Needless to say they were in high spirits.

We traveled east along the Skagit river today. A beautiful full fast moving river that follows a gently rolling valley. Bird song commonly heard today was the ascending scale of the Swainson's thrush. Did a solid 50 miles and are now officially off our planned schedule. My original plan was too aggressive and I really want to enjoy our ride, and not turn it into Olympic training. Off to bed at the Buffalo Rum Inn.