In case you have not been experiencing this heat wave yourself or seen it in the news it is hot here in Washington State. When I say hot I mean 95F or hotter. Today was the worst I have experienced.
I don’t know if it was being tired from the previous days effort, waking up to another flat, unrealistic mileage expectations for the day, or the relentless jostling from the gravel path, but from peddle stroke one I was sure it was going to be a rough day.
The plan was 10 more miles up hill at 2% grade and into the Snoqualmie tunnel then down hill for another 50 to Ellensburg. Yes it was ambitious. Yes I had climbed all day yesterday. Yes I set myself up for disappointment.
On a bright note I got to ride through the Snoqualmie tunnel. At 2.25 miles long it isn’t just a short cut through the Cascades it is refreshingly cool inside. By the end I was down right cold. I had been looking forward to this portion of the trip and it really did live up to my hopes. I am not sure why riding through a concrete tube with nothing to look at is exciting but it was.
Then the long ride downhill to town. Well…it didn’t seem like down hill. I looked at my speed and saw my 5 mile splits. I knew I was in trouble. I looked ahead and there was a small town with a store about 5 miles ahead. A cold soda and I would be good to go at least to the town 12 miles further that had a campground.
I arrived in the “town” of Easton to find nothing but boarded up houses and store fronts. The store had a sign saying it was for sale – good luck- and the bar looked like it had been shuttered long before google maps was a thing. There wasn’t even shade.
It flat out broke me. I had water so I wasn’t in trouble but mentally not getting a cold drink in the moment made the whole ride seem impossible.
Back to google maps. What was ahead? there was the town 12 miles away that at my current pace with breaks would be 2 hours plus. But there was a golf course just 5 miles away. Buoyed by the prospect of something cold to drink I flew down the trail. (A shocking 8mph)
I arrived at Sun Country Golf and RV park (yes it is a thing) to the same skeptical looks I have gotten at the past courses but the staff was great. Two sodas, several waters, and a club sandwich later I was a new man. They even talked me into playing 9. I am glad they did. This place is a gem. Well maintained with a relaxed but professional vibe. No wonder they have earned a place in Washington’s top 25 courses.
Once again golf proves to be the linchpin pin of this journey.
I overnighted in what could only be described as a KOA style campground getting a shower and some much needed sleep.
Today has made it clear I need to rethink my strategy. The next 200 plus miles are through a barren landscape with only isolated opportunities for resupply and more importantly water. The weather looks to remain hot for two weeks as well. First off I need to resolve myself to the fact I will not be able to do more than 30-40 miles a day. Secondly I need to start at day break and make those miles before noon.
I am not sure what this means to the trip overall. Will I be able to finish 4000 miles? If this keeps up it seems unlikely. But that is future Erich’s problem. At the moment I need to stay focused on staying safe (avoiding heat stroke), healthy (keeping my wits about me), and getting the rest of this State completed. if I push too hard now I am certain it could be trip ending.
If you are wondering at this point? Yes, I am still having the time of my life out here. It may be type 1.5-2 fun but this is what I signed up for and it is all I could have asked for.