Days 2 & 3

WI  didn't post yesterday. The most forceful explanation for that omission is that the place had no connection.  But, truth be told, I would have been hard pressed to post even if a connection was available.  Yesterday was tough.

Day 2

126 miles from Sedro Wooley to Winthrop.  The entire course was on the North Cascades Highway (Route 2).  Theoretically, it should not have been too hard a day.  It was, true, a bit long but that is a normal sort of thing on these rides.  Also, the stated elevation gain was not hideous (about 7850 vertical feet).  The problem was that the first 55 miles or so are relatively flat, and being early, were relatively cool. Moreover, the last 30 miles or so included about 10 miles of 40mph descending and the remainder mostly flat.  What that means is that most of the 7850 feet of gain take place in 40 miles.  The gain was over major two mountain passes (Rainy Pass and Washington Pass).  Ugh!  To make matters worse, it was frightfully hot.   It was a miserable 40 miles.  Like many others, I had run out of water, climbed for about an hour and half with no fluids to speak of, and, unsurprisingly, became rather dehydrated, making the rest of the ride quite miserable.  Still, I have to say, the countryside is majestic and spectacular, which the pic below suggests

It was, as I said,  HOT.  This was a sufficient problem to encourage me to stick various body parts into a snowmelt stream rushing of a glacier and, on two occasions to sit in a bank of snow alongside the road.  If that was not enough, I put handfuls of snow inside my helmet and pant legs.  The only saving grace is the fact the view from my snowseats was gorgeous.

Adding insult to injury, the hotel in Winthrop was not, to be kind, nice.  Admittedly, the town is not thriving metropolis. Still,the pillows were lumpy and the room was hot (just what was NOT wanted).  Nevertheless, we are on to another day.

Day 2

Winthrop to Leavenworth, 118 miles with about 4,000 feet of climbing.  The first 35 miles were along the Methow River and the route was relatively shaded.  In short, nice.  Then we turned right to track the Columbia River for the next 65 miles.  It was interesting because orchards ribboned the road on both sides and with apples, pears, and cherries in profusion along with acre upon acre of grape vines.  For the entire length, the river was on our left side and high cliffs on the right.  What this meant was that there was no shade whatsoever for 65 miles.  If it had been 68 degrees that would not have been a problem.  But it was not.  Instead, it was between 95-100 degrees for much of the distance.  UGH!  My blood was boiling and my head exploding.  It is true that we were by the river with water water everywhere and all the hydroelectric facilities that makes this area famous

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But none of this water did me any good.  I was ready to croak.  So, like 15 others, at about mile 95, I was obliged to ferry in by car.  I was sick and haggard.  Several hours later, I am rather better.  Leavenworth is a much better locale, the hotel is MUCH nicer, and there are a better assortment of restaurants.  Leavenworth, though, is a strange, kitchy place.  At some point in the misty past, town fathers decided to dress the town up in ersatz German garb.  Weird.  Nevertheless, it is comfortable for our purposes and is a good rest-up spot to get ready for tomorrow.