6/16-This Ride Made Possible by Wind!

Today I rode 68.5 miles from 6:50am to 3:30pm with an average speed of 9.7mph. The only reason I was able to do that many miles was because of the very strong tailwind. 

When I left Kittitas this morning, it wasn’t blowing that much. Chris, the Welsh guy who had also stayed at the “park” last night wasn’t quite ready to go. He had decided he would take the trail afterall (he had been planning to do the Vantage Hwy). He is carrying about twice as much gear as I am on narrower tires. There’s about 4 miles of sand after the Renslow Trestle. His bike doesn’t do so great in the soft stuff. I could have waited for him, but my plan on this ride is to go when I’m ready, and I knew I would actually be faster. He said, “I’ll catch you up…or I won’t.” He didn’t.

I started out on the trail. It was already pretty soft. I thought that Chris was not going to like it. I didn’t like it. I noticed the paved road running parallel. I looked on the route to see how far I could ride the pavement before the trail went away from it. Not far, but I did it anyway. 

The P2CT is just to the right.

Once I got back on the trail, it was better. The trail climbs for about 10 miles from Kittitas to the Boylston Tunnel. Since the wind wasn’t blowing that much yet, it was slower going getting to the Renslow Trestle. 

The sand started pretty soon after the trestle. For me, it was all rideable. I didn’t even let more air out of my tires. Once across the trestle, the much anticipated tailwind picked up. 

Not too bad, sand wise. 

The Boylston Tunnel is closed, and there is a bypass around it. It’s a pretty steep climb, and I was giving myself encouragement on the super steep part. I managed to make it up with walking!

The bypass to the right. Curiously, the road to the left would be much easier, and the bypass crosses it at the top. 

The high point of the trail from Kittitas to the Beverly Bridge.

Coming down the other side was a good time to utilize the dropper post. It was loose and chunky. I always like to stop and take a photo of the tunnel from the other side. 

It’s quite swampy down there. 

Even still with all this greenery. 

From here to the bridge it was all downhill. The wind wasn’t blowing pushing me right along. There were still a surprising amount of sandy spots, so I had to be a wee bit cautious. Still, at times I was going 15-16mph. There’s also several places where they cut through the rock for the rail line. You have to be extra cautious through those because of rock fall. For the most part, it looked like they had recently gone through and cleared the rocks…mostly. 

See the piles of rocks to the sides?

Long range view

The cut through also have more dirt, and less sand. But, they are bumpy. As I was riding through one, one of my fork bags came off. It was the same side as the one that I lost on the Fire and Ice bikepacking trip. I double check when I put them on. I guess I’ll have to really make sure it’s latched. 

This area from the Renslow Trestle to Huntzinger Rd (at the river) is the JBLM Yakima Training Area. You are supposed to check in, then drop the permit in the iron Ranger on the other end. There were no forms. I think they should just get rid of that signage, and just say that you are entering the Yakima Training area (and the subsequent rules). Another interesting thing is that the signage still says John Way e Iron Horse Trail. 

Home home on the range!

Wanapum Dam

Beverly Bridge in the distance

Sign for JBLM

Just a bit further to the bridge. 

By now, the wind was really whipping. Going across the bridge was going to be fun. At least you can’t possible get blown off. 

Beverly Bridge

The “western” part of the Palouse to Cascades is now complete. I knew, on the other side of the bridge there would be massive sand. Fortunately, the route deviated off after about .6 of a mile. Years ago, I guy told me he wouldn’t do that section on anything less than a 2.6” wide tire. Then there was this. 

Yep, not possible to ride that!

Fortunately, there were just two short sections before I turned off. By now I’d done 30 miles. It was about 10:30. I hadn’t eaten much. I saw this place just as I turned on to Lower Crab Creek Rd. 

There was a nice sheltered picnic table. 

I took a break and had some cheese, and a blueberry cheese danish. I had carried an extra liter of water, and I was glad I had it. Up until crossing the bridge, it had been fairly reasonable temps. Now it was heating up. Normally, I do pretty good in the heat, except lately, I’ve been having trouble with dry mouth. It’s not that I’m thirsty, it’s just that my mouth is very dry. One thing that helps a little is to wear my buff over my mouth and nose. For the remainder of the day I rode, looking like a bandit. At one point I even spit a mouth full of water into the buff to increase the moisture I was breathing in. You might think it would be hard to breathe, but it’s not, and if I forget to pull it back up after stopping to drink, my mouth is like cotton almost immediately!

The pavement was glorious, and with the tailwind, I was flying!

Then it became gravel. Some washboard, and some trying to find the best line.

Big rock!

Then back to glorious pavement!

The second section of pavement was rolling, and it was great! The wind would push me up most of the hills. Alas, there was another 10 mile section of gravel. 

Up through the rocks. 

Seemed like more than 10 miles, but I was still grateful for the tailwind.

I stopped in a bit of shade, and noticed these cattle being herded toward the road. I got a move on lest I get caught in the middle of it. 

After the cows, I was on pavement for the rest of the way to Othello. Actually, a fairly busy highway. At one point, a semi went by me and blew my Da Brim forward, and flipped my over shirt up my back. After that, I made sure to sit up tall and tilt my head back a bit to keep the Da Brim down. The wind was utterly massive! The highway was a gradual climb. At times, the wind was pushing me up the hill so much that I didn’t have to pedal! One issue was if I wanted to stop, it was nearly impossible to stand in the wind. I would just get a quick drink, pull the buff back up, and start going again.

I knew I was going to have to turn left on the outskirts of Othello. I was dreading it. The time came for the left. I could barely stay on the road. It reminded me of Argentina, when we had to ride, leaning into the wind at a 45 degree angle! At least it was only .5 of a mile before I turned back to the tailwind. 

I actually wanted to go to Warden today (there is a woman who lets you camp in her yard), but I just didn’t have another 15 miles in me (tailwind or not). I also knew there would be a significant crosswind section. There’s no camping in Othello (it might have been pretty dreadful anyway). I’m at the Othello Inn and Suites. Fancy name for a basic motel. But, the BEST shower ever!

The body is holding up okay (dry mouth notwithstanding). My legs look terrible with the heat induced vasculitis patches, and various bruises. All to be expected. 

I did find a Mexican grocery near the motel. They had my favorite things!

Snacks for tomorrow!