7% Grade

Originally Posted June 29, 2004 by Mags

7% GRADE FOR THE NEXT 7 MILES. What a lovely yellow highway sign. We have just crossed Washington Pass and are now officially on the eastern side of the Cascades- downhill finally! 35 miles of feet-numbing, heat imploding pedaling from Newhalem to Washington Pass. I broke down at Rainy Pass and had to refuel on some Annie’s parmesan mac n’ cheese. One word of advice- never, ever, ever drink “cleansing” laxative tea before climbing a mountain. But now that we’ve made it the view is tremendously beautiful- the car driving tourists are also impressed by glacier-gouged Liberty Bell and Early Winters valley but since we’ve worked so hard to get here- the view is an accomplishment- not just a desultory stop along a pleasant afternoon drive. We’ve driven this route before but on a bike it’s such a different experience- besides all the pain and drudgery involved with the pedaling there are also rewards- cold air soaks you as you pass a mountain stream, time to study the pattern of snow wrapped around the base of a peak, the smell of fir and pine, feeling the tilt and contours of the ground. Speaking of the pain- for the last 10 miles before the pass my legs have been churning but were just going through the motion- there was absolutely no power left- I think Chad’s horse legs are what pulled us through.







Original Comments

It was fun to read your reports - what a great adventure. We look forward to watching your progress from our easy seats in the office - and grateful to share the adventure with you (and without pedaling ourselves). It was great to see Carl and Melanie, Aaron and Valerie and baby at the Crowther reunion and hear about you. Saw your graduation pictures too. Congratulations on much hard work for both of you.
Good luck - may it all be downhill to Heber.
Kris
Posted by Kris Harris at July 13, 2004 03:59 PM