Cadence and Cascades

We left early, by the time we got to Enumclaw the Mountain was out.

You are headed for Mount Rainier, after a control at Cumberland you are in Ramrod territory.

Always beware the railroad tracks at Elbe.

Skate creek road  is always a good place to break the knees in, its got shade, and a great view of the Mountain

Descend into Packwood and refresh for White Pass, I have not climbed a mountain pass in a long long while. The roads are decent the Motorists were good, but note that this is a camping area.

White pass in the Sun, you are not very well protected.

Recover on the descent to Clear Lake

And on to the Overnite at Naches 

Day 2 begins with a climb up the 410 towards Chinook Pass, an out and back that turns around at the Lodgepole Campground, could be cold..

 Back down the 410 and and roll through farmlands to old Naches. There is a Grill here open at 0800, if you want bacon and eggs. I got some sugar by having 2 tablespoons of the pancake syrup.

Destination Fruitvale the wind will help, just be sure you do not have any reason to turn and go back the other way.

Watch on the Bike trail, may be a little confusing, I use GPS.  Ride hwy 24 East towards the Columbia River,.Just before the junction with the 241 is a little "watering hole" on the left , I have stopped here twice.

Cross at the Vernita Bridge and after a short nasty climb in the heat of the day, I am cooled by clouds and winds as I think the Mattawa hills are much prettier at night with no clouds and the stars.

Steady wind in the face to Quincy, should be the day! But I push on now with a tailwind to Ephrata, where I have a drop bag, thanks Nikki.

Love to leave early, but I am getting enough sleep, the early light, Soap Lake, the moon and Oh! the wind. 

There is water in the campgrounds by the lake, fill up whenever you can.

Like Lots wife I dare to look back.

Wind is whipping Dry Falls, but my fear is that I was born beneath this angry ball of hydrogen.

Clouds come to my rescue again as I ascend a plateau. Is it day 3, or is it chip-seal and Oh! the wind. We are going to Mansfield, Where is that? never heard of it. This is my 4th C1200 including 2 permanents.

Well it has a Grill and a Mercantile store if you need more than the regular control fare. It will take you to a most enjoyable downhill

Cont'd

"June Pop"

What a difference a day makes!

So beautiful at the Des-Moines Marina, I get a shot without leaving the Route. A little further down I pick the first Info Control.

2 climbs down and just leaving the bike path I run into the Sounder. This is a fast train. Here the tracks cross pretty perpendicular to the road so not much concern. The next rail tracks as I am leaving Auburn requires more care. 

Green Valley Meats, I get some fuel, This is on the Menu on ride day.

The Mountain is still not "Out" at BlackDiamond but the Bakery never runs out. 

Here, where the Green River is made, on the Bridge of the Gorge, I pick another Info Control.

Must be "Traning Day", I run into the slow train as I double back towards Aurburn. These tracks have an angle requiring more caution and you pass them twice.

Last Climb! when you see the Twin (water) Towers the ride is about done.

Thanks Guinevere, its been a long winter.

Daisyland

There are wet Randos fettered by chains to a wheel in perpetual motion.

So by 0500 I was at Desmoines to start Desmoines - Blackdiamond.

Why ? Because that is what I have modified for the June Populaire

 

First Control at Green Valley Meats is bolted shut but the Porta-Potty is open

On Sundays they open at 1000, not a problem.

There are no magnificent views today at the Blackdiamond Bakery which is just a wee bit off course.

A cup of Coffee warms me up and two cookies to go.

Green Valley Road is Daisyland, Daisies my favorite flower.

I stop to pick a few for the Podium Girls before stopping at Valero for the Auburn Control..

They are not impressed.

"Back to work" they say

"You've had your fun"

Thanks to Alan Bell
Tomorrow I will ride "June Pop"

Reckless Necklace

Thanks Mark

Guinevere

"Winter is coming"
Ned Stark (Lord Of Winterfell)

Khaleesi

Got hitched to Khaleesi on the 8th month of the 4th year

But could not hold it together for very long

So I broke it down and flew Iceland air

To a Velo-land that speaks a different tongue

We set out at nite for the women of the Gite

I gave her a wrenchin and she gave me her word

I asked our objective, she said we'd be back by the 25th

Most ambiguous thing I have ever heard

Kindness in everyone seemed the norm

As we spun through the nite and into the dawn

Sadness and spasms when he died in a storm

But we made up our minds that we had to go on

Ridin for fame as there is no gold?

Or bling bling strung on a nylon necklace?

Thinkin miller time or any beer that's cold?

I was thinking Khaleesi thought I was so reckless.

Then she told me we would do this again

And things would be different the next time we would

If only I could calm down and just be a friend

Too tired to understand all the strange things she pulled.

Thanks Daenerys Targaryen and of course Steve Hampsten.

Remembering Thai Pham, we never got to meet.

Winter of My Discontent 2 (Cocoon)

Riding so many miles, so many things went to mush.
Even the legs went to mush, Vinnie's paralysis! I called it.
Fired too many cannons, Sir Robin sez?
Only a phase, I sez.
Just a dark cocoon before I get my gorgeous wings and fly away.

Thanks Tim Foon Feldman.