BAC Methow Valley 2012

The Hairpin Curve

This was our epic ride day. We rode to the summit of Washington Pass . Then we turned around and rode back. A lot of our group started in Mazama which cut 28 miles from the ride. I, of course, started at the inn. No 28 miles will stop me even if the temperature is in the 80s.

It was a nice ride, though. The weather was mostly cool. It heated up as I got nearer to Winthrop on the way back. The pass is as spectacular as ever. It is one of my favorites. I stopped a couple of times on the way up for snacks. The last stop was where Terry was camped out at Lone Fir campground . She had cookies for us. The peanut butter in mine helped push me to the top.

The climb is not steep but it is relentless. There are no level spots to give your legs a rest. The pavement is rough chip seal so you are also fighting the vibrations from the road. At about four miles from the summit, you can look ahead and see a switchback in front of you and what appears to be a steep climb after it. This can be discouraging to riders who are suffering. I was suffering but I told myself to gear down and keep pedaling. It was a little steeper after the switchback but it got less so for the final two miles to the top.

The Summit

At the summit, I walked out to the observation area. That is where my photo was taken with my iPhone by a Canadian tourist. After the appropriate amount of time there, I got on my bicycle and screamed down the road to the campground where Terry had sandwiches and more cookies waiting for us. This was around 1:00.

After eating and resting, I coasted back down the hill and pedaled back to Winthrop. It was still nice and cool in the trees. But when the trees disappeared near Mazama, it heated up.

I had visions of stopping at the Old Schoolhouse Brewery for a pint when I reached Winthrop, but I was too tired. So I went directly to our inn.

At Happy Hour, Terry invited the woman who owns Methow Cycle And Sport, the local bicycle shop, to meet with us. She was very friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions about bicycles and components. Apparently her shop is very well-known with people from both Eastern and Western Washington using it.

As on my ride today, I was a solo at dinner at Three Fingered Jacks . I had pasta primavera and cask conditioned Obsidian Stout .

Here is today’s ride: