Now What?

Ok, the tour is done. Y'all know that. But, I'm a lost soul now. The tour provided deliverance (um, not the movie) and enlightenment. Now, I twiddle my thumbs. It is nice to not have any training pressure for sure - yet something is missing. I can feel the fitness I had obtained bleeding from the body. I'm even having trouble raising my coffee cup this morning as I blog! I have a busy July with vacations and seeing family and taking trips. So that will be a nice break. Hell, I'm even going on a week long motorcycle trip (my other passion) with some friends into Canada, then to Montana and back home. But I need to keep bicycle riding somehow. I could sign up for another event and have some goal out there. That is the pickled bugger of it - do I need to have a major goal each time... to feel motivated? The tour was very cool - I could not believe how one could pedal, self propel, his arse around, with all provisions and see beautiful, wonderous terrain and feel like Juan Ponce de Leon! Gotta do, gotta do something... some ride somewhere, anywhere. Hmmm, I have been eyeballing a two day bike overnight on the Mountain Loop Road with the Burro set up with mountain bike tires. It ain't a major trip - but would keep me doing some riding.

Plot, plan, ride, ready, romp. I got to do something!

Teaser Map...

Tour Wrap Up - I'm Hooked

Ok, so I am four days out from the end of the ride. Have had some time to decompress and ponder the accomplishment. Just to recap the ride...

Day 1: Newhalem to Winthrop

75 miles, 6500 feet of climbing
Two mountain passes; Rainy and Washington
Weather: Sunny, temps 55 to 75
Winds: none significant until the east side of Washington Pass, gusty to 15 mph, impeded progress for about 15 miles
Day Suffering Scale: 9 of 10

Day 2: Winthrop to Chelan

64 miles, 1600 feet of climbing
Weather: Sunny, temps 60 to 80
Winds: light
Day Suffering Scale: 5 of 10

Day 3: Chelan to Wenatchee

38 miles. 800 feet of climbing
Weather: Cloudy, rain/thunderstorms threatening, 55 to 75
Winds: none until 5 miles out of Wenatchee and all hell breaks loose - tough to keep bike up and on course!
Day Suffering Scale: 4 of 10

Day 4: Wenatchee to Cle Elum

64 miles, 4120 feet of climbin
One mountain pass: Blewett
Weather: Cloudy, rain/thunderstorms threatening, 55 to 65
Winds: none until the thunderstorm busted my chops about 8 miles out of Cle Elum!
Day Suffering Scale: 7 of 10

Totals:

Miles: 241
Total Climbing: 13,020 feet!
Terrains: Mountains, high passes, central WA scab lands, river valleys, orchard country
Hours in the Saddle: 30
Est. calories expended: 30,000
Mechanical Issues: none
Flats: 0

Enough on the statistics. What was it like to ride this trip? Fun, good, awesome and a lot of work at times. Oh I forgot to mention - sometimes with a bit of fear mixed in.

The first day was brutal.

It was a combination of long distance, high elevations, many hours and a serious test of will. It was not so much an issue of stamina and strength since I trained for the ride for three months and felt never behind the 'fit curve' on the ride, but this day was more of a mental challenge. The mountain passes made you feel a bit exposed and isolated. There was no connection to the 'outside world' and if I could not make it... what was I going to do? I retrospect, I worried too much but when you're knee deep in the slog, tired and you should have been into the destination hours ago - you get to a worrying. As I said on the original day 1 post - I was very glad to run into other cycle tourists and we rode the last 35 miles together. Ahhh, strength in numbers! And you can draft off of one another too! It must look funny to see four loaded down touring bikes in a pace line! The other interesting thing is I rode this route on my old Lemond back in 2007 and was tired, but felt much better. I think the difference was this time I was on a loaded touring bike (um yah, likely 25-30 pounds heavier!).

I got into Winthrop at 7:00 pm and immediately went straight to my favorite brew pub - the Old School House Brewery. Ahhh, man I was toast and once I had a pint of beer and after two I was blabbering toasts to all and toasting my toastness! Had some din din and road down the road about 1/4 mile and checked into the Methow River Lodge. This was a very nice place and it felt SO good to be done for the day.

The second day was a nice, pleasant day.

I woke up at 6:00 am based on my planned departure of  7:00 am and the availability of breakfast joints to fuel up for the ride. I was a bit trepidatious for the day, since the day before was a bugger. The day's route topo was a gradual decent from Winthrop along the Methow River, down to the Columbia River and then down stream to Chelan. Yea! Mostly downhill. I say mostly, since there is a final uphill from the Columbia River to Lake Chelan that is about four miles long and pretty steep. Once I started riding, I settled into things after about 10 miles and it was such a pleasant ride. The last grade into Chelan was tough and compounded by blazing sun and heat. Hills are funny that way... on a touring bike, you move so slow on a hill, there is zero wind moving across your body and you just end up stewing in your own juices as you ever so slowly creep across the heated pavement. I arrived in Chelan about 1:30 pm and needed to kill some time before I could check in so I stopped at a coffee shop and had a cold Italian Soda and ended up chatting with a nice guy about my trip. That is the cool thing about touring - meeting people you likely would never have a chance to talk to.Once I was done with my soda, I hopped on the Burro and rode about two more miles to my hotel just in time to take a long nice nap with the a/c blowing!

Third day: A walk in the park.

I woke on the third day to beautiful pre-dawn, partly cloudy skies. The atmosphere was edgy and it looked like t-storms would be part of the days ride. The trip to Wenatchee was only about 38 miles and I was in no hurry to get going because I would arrive way too early into town and would need to find something to occupy myself before I could get into my motel. I strolled down to the hotel's free breakfast and had a nice leisurely meal. When I left town, there was a longish uphill (5 miles) to contend with but then on it was all a gradual river (Columbia) plain downhill to Wenatchee. The air stayed cool and it did not rain on me for the most part. I even stopped and did some site seeing along the way at Wells Dam. It was a nice ride. However, about 5 miles out of Wenatchee, the winds whipped up to a furry and it was so tough to keep the bike going and upright. The gusts must have been 25-30 MPH! I also had to negotiate, once in Wenatchee, a crazy town with too many one ways and no bike lanes. Not fun.Once I settled into my room - yes, a nap was taken. Then up on my feet and I strolled downtown to get a bite to eat at McGlinns Public House. Great food, nice atmosphere - but by this day (#3) I was starting to miss my wifee poo and pup. Not bad - but just thought she'd like this place with me and having a beer. When I strolled back to the hotel - the sky darkened in light and clouds - storms were coming. When I fell asleep later, big rains pounded Wenatchee. Great, what will tomorrow bring?

Day Four - FINAL PUSH DAY!

This day was the last day of riding and a final push into Cle Elum and to see my support crew who was to meet me for my big finish. The day was going to be somewhat like the 1st day - in the mountains, but not a long and as hard. Today's ride would see me over one more mountain pass - but I was buoyed by the fact I'd see my sweetie at the end. When I woke up - I was pretty nervous to open the curtains and see what the weather was going to be given last nights t-storms. Ease open the curtains... hmmm, not too bad. I see some blue skies but mostly rain soaked clouds. And it was cooler for sure- low 50s. I prep the bike, load the gear and put on my cooler weather clothes and head out. I go15 miles along the Wenatchee river and beautiful apple orchards before the pass starts. Ok, time to bear down. It 25 miles of climbing. I get in a groove and like yesterday, use music from my Iphone to keep the energy up. I climb to the top of Blewett and am so happy! I feel a sense of relief and success is at hand. Just 20 miles away - and its all downhill. I call Jen the minute cell reception gives enough bars to see where we should meet and she is in a heinous thunderstorm going over Snoqualmie Pass and sounds like it ain't no fun. She asks how I'm doing and if  I am getting the same pelting and I said - no, its nice here! But, then I can see, toward the west - storm clouds are coming my way. I start to hammer the Burro so I can beat the storm. I'm 6 miles out and BOOM, the skies open up and it feels like I am being water boarded! I decide I am not going to take the time to put on rain gear, I'll be ok for the last push. Yah, right.By the time I get to Cle Elum, I am soaked to the bone and it is cold and windy. I pull into a warm coffee shop, have two danishes and coffee and Jen pulls up a few minutes later and I made it, she made it, Luna made it and its all DONE! Boy did I feel great! What an accomplishment. Jen and I chatted, walked the Lunaticky and headed over to Suncadia for two days of R&R!

Ok, so what does it all mean?

Would I do this again? Yes.
Was it all fun, shits and giggles? No.
Best part: Meeting new people who you would never have had a change to meet otherwise, completing the long goal and getting in shape!
Worse part: Feeling a bit anxious on the first day, the long slog up Rainy and Washington Pass and missing family.

I learned a lot about myself. I learned I could persevere under some pretty tough conditions. I learned everything in life is one step (pedal) at a time. If you start thinking about that huge, heinous goal or issue, you'll get so overwhelmed by it, you'll never accomplish anything. And finally, I learned I love touring by bike. Its such a neat way to see the country near and distant to you. This morning, I was walking to my car to head to work and a wind russled an Alder tree's leaves and it immediately took me back to the ride and what I would see, hear, smell and feel on the road. Hmmm, when can I head out again on my next trip?

Day Four Done / the 2012 Cascade Traverse By-Pedal Expedition to Save Human Folly is DONE!

It's all done!

Day four wrapped it up and placed a nice yellow (maillot jaune!) bow on the whole tour. The day included 66 miles, 4500 feet of climbing, one mountain pass, apple orchards and rivers down low, pines and peaks up high. I was happy with my performance. The pass was tough. It basically started climbing at mile 18 and did not stop until mile 39. When I say did not stop, I mean no downhill sections, just a long sustained uphill climb. It was a beautiful road with good shoulders. About half way up a group of four road bikes passed me and it seemed like they were flying. I felt a little dorky on my loaded down touring bike as my brethren went by! But hey, they didn't have a mug of coffee with them like I did that I could drink from whenever I wanted. Yah take that you roadies! The weather was over cast with dark clouds and a threat of rain. It was on the cool side to. Once I rolled over the top of the pass and headed down to Cle Elum, the clouds got really ominous. I was in touch with my support crew (Jen and Luna) by cell and Jen said Snoqualmie pass was a freaking mess with hail, thunder and lightning! I thought I better get a move on it since it looked like it was coming my way. I only had 10 miles to go and at about mile seven, the skies gave way and dropped a ton of rain on me with thunder and lightning to boot. I was not going to pull over and put my rain gear on since I only had a few miles more. But those miles just soaked me to the bone. As soon as I got into Cle Elum, I hit the Cle Elum bakery and had some warm coffee and a Danish. Then a few minutes later, Jen rolled up and that was the end!

 

 

In a few days, when I have a normal computer and keyboard, I'll post a final recap of the tour. Stay tuned.

 

Day Four Prelude - Mountain Pass Day

Tomorrow is the last day of the 2012 Cascade Traverse Bi-Pedal Expedition to Save Human Folly. It's another big day, like the first day, of tackling a mountain pass. To be specific, it is Blewett Pass, elevation 4102 ft. I'll start in Wenatchee at 780 ft, and ride 35 miles before topping out at the pass. Then it's 30 miles downhill to Cle Elum! I'll be seeing my sweetie, and we are going to celebrate BIG TIME! I don't think it will be anything like the first day over the north Cascades- so this is good!

Day Three Report - I think I cheated?

Today was 37.8 miles. That's it. That was the plan for today. A nice ride from Chelan to Wenatchee. It was so simple... I was feeling like I lamed out, cheated some how. Come on, yah gotta hammer, tick miles off, struggle, self flaggelate, prove you can ride. Ack! This is the traps we place for ourselves.

Ok, but, today was so nice. The weather was thunder stormy and on the cool side. The air smelled fresh and the crickets along the road in the grass, seemed to chirp a bit chirpier.

Out of Chelan was a longish grade that kicked the morning off. It was not too bad and I knew the elevation profile for the day, so nothing to worry about.

The bull in action.

Fire interpretive center.

Lonely central WA terrain.

High school class graffiti.

Looking down the Columbia River toward Wenatchee.

Funny.

So as you can see I did some site seeing along the way. Did not feel pressed for time, so why not.. I'm always in a rush it seems... even on a bicycle. One thing I did today was use the IPhone for listening to music while I ride. Yes, some would say... this ain't the brightest thing to be doing on a bike, on a highway. But, the road was wide, and at highway speeds a car travels going by, I can here them coming for sure. Anyway, here is some of the music I listened to on the road today. Scroll down and I'll tell you how I made the photos to put in the blog.

Ok, so these are actual screen shots off the iPhone during the music playback! All you do, to take a screen shot is press the sleep and home button at the same time. Cool huh? The other cool thing... I made a FaceTime call tonight with my support crew! Without them... golly, I don't think I could have done this trip.

Luna!

Jen!

Big Orange Bags on Bike - Folks Get Curious

Had a few minutes this morning, so time for some light reading...

The Burro has big orange panniers on it. Bright orange. When people see these, I am so surprised how many people want to ask about your ride. I have talked to the coolest folks. Sometimes they kind of say, wow, why would you want ride all that way! Some seem to get it. A lot offer tips on places to see and eat and hills to be wary of. Sometimes, I can get misinformation too. Yesterday, I asked a guy in Pateros, after we chatted for a minute, how far to Chelan. He said oh about 30 miles. According to my maps it was only 19 and I was banking on a short ride into town. I was a bit discouraged. Maybe I miscalculated. Open up the IPhone, hit the maps and yep... 19 miles! Yesterday, I spent 20 minutes talking to a guy, in a coffee shop, while I enjoyed a cold Italian soda and it was a great conversation. His bike story, since obviously biking was pertinent was he and his wife sail to Mexico each year and bought these folding bikes they stow on board and when the get to the towns and moor, out come the folding bikes and they pedal all over.

Anyway, chatting with folks you may never really have had a chance to, is pretty cool about bike touring. Ok, of to Wenatchee!

Day Two Report

Today was more like what riding should be. Well, except some of the terrain felt like Mars.

Did about 65 miles. Elevation gain? Should be a minus since it was mostly downhill from Winthrop to Chelan. I say mostly. There was a tough last 5 mile grade into Chelan. Today was about 5 hours riding. Compare that to yesterday... where it was a 12 hour grind, and today was a walk in the park. Rolled into Chelan, got my room and took a long nice nap with the a/c blowing. Ahhhh, nice. Tomorrow is a nice 38 miles to Wenatchee.

Here are today' pics:

Circular flag formation. Not sure what for.

Mall?

Nice chain grease!

Yep. The central WA terrain can be barren.

The last hill into Chelan.

Day One Reprise

Yesterday I was way too tired to post some good pics. So here you go!

Breakfast appetizer.

72 miles to go!

Stayed calm. Yea!

On ride report.

My serendipitous riding buddy Nick from Bellingham

The Sassaman's, Nick and I picked up on the upper reaches of the last 15 miles.

So close! I was dead at this point.

My next door neighbor in Winthrop wants to know what I am doing unloading the Burro!

New suspension bridge in Winthrop. Nice design!