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!