I rode out of the mountains and into the desert: 3,000 ft in 50 mi (pics)
06-19-12, 09:17 AM
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I rode out of the mountains and into the desert: 3,000 ft in 50 mi (pics)
I wouldn't normally have done this one, it's too desert-like for my taste, but a guide-book I got recommended it, and I didn't have a better plan in mind on Sunday.
It was windy like you wouldn't believe. Not just headwinds, either, the crosswinds made the descents a lot less enjoyable. Sometimes the side of the cliff would shelter me, then I'd come around a corner, or out of the trees, and a big gust would hit me sideways. Other times it was constant. But it was humid and cloudy in Seattle, dark and gray, so the wind was a good trade to get some sun.
Anyway, I took the bike out to Leavenworth (where a few other good rides have started) and rode down to Wenatchee and back, mostly on side roads, climbing up and down the hills walling the valley in. I turned around at the Columbia River after I dunked my head to cool down - this is the one BC is named for - at Confluence State Park where it meets the Wenatchee River. I lost the route in the book a few times, but had fun, and I really wish I'd had more time to explore other roads I had to pass up. This wasn't a long climb and then a long descent, like the pass, it was rolling hills and flats, and wildly varied scenery.
The second pic is nothing like my style, but I like it. And the climb was a *****.
It was windy like you wouldn't believe. Not just headwinds, either, the crosswinds made the descents a lot less enjoyable. Sometimes the side of the cliff would shelter me, then I'd come around a corner, or out of the trees, and a big gust would hit me sideways. Other times it was constant. But it was humid and cloudy in Seattle, dark and gray, so the wind was a good trade to get some sun.
Anyway, I took the bike out to Leavenworth (where a few other good rides have started) and rode down to Wenatchee and back, mostly on side roads, climbing up and down the hills walling the valley in. I turned around at the Columbia River after I dunked my head to cool down - this is the one BC is named for - at Confluence State Park where it meets the Wenatchee River. I lost the route in the book a few times, but had fun, and I really wish I'd had more time to explore other roads I had to pass up. This wasn't a long climb and then a long descent, like the pass, it was rolling hills and flats, and wildly varied scenery.
The second pic is nothing like my style, but I like it. And the climb was a *****.
06-19-12, 09:18 AM
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The first one is cartoonishly over-saturated. That's what I get for using a Sony. 
06-19-12, 01:08 PM
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It would be nice if the Garmin could talk to the camera. Maybe by ANT+. I'd love to have these geo-coded, and the camera doesn't have the exact time, so the results will be a bit off if I do it manually.
06-19-12, 01:15 PM
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This almost sounds like riding in Virginia 
06-19-12, 02:18 PM
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Nice. Not much climbing for being in the "mountains" though.
06-19-12, 02:26 PM
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It wasn't really in the mountains; I started at their edge and rode outward from them. But I could feel and see their snow-capped (in late June!) presence all around me.
I agree that 3,000 feet over 50 miles isn't all that much climbing.
I agree that 3,000 feet over 50 miles isn't all that much climbing.
06-19-12, 02:40 PM
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Always a gorgeous ride and pics. Thanks, now I am jealous 
06-19-12, 04:23 PM
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We should trade for a while. I was born in Denver, and my mom told me I wasn't ten days old yet the first time I crossed the Continental Divide. It's been too long since I've been back.
If you won't give me your home for a year, the least you could do is go ride the Peak to Peak and Trail Ridge Road, and post some photos here for me to enjoy.
Are you pulling my leg?
If you won't give me your home for a year, the least you could do is go ride the Peak to Peak and Trail Ridge Road, and post some photos here for me to enjoy.
Are you pulling my leg?
06-19-12, 10:19 PM
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[QUOTE=Seattle Forrest;14376545]I wouldn't normally have done this one, it's too desert-like for my taste, but a guide-book I got recommended it, and I didn't have a better plan in mind on Sunday.
It was windy like you wouldn't believe. Not just headwinds, either, the crosswinds made the descents a lot less enjoyable.
Small world. My brother in Atlanta just sent me a link to this thread, so I had to reply after seeing your pics. I live on your route, and drive or bike parts of it daily. You picked a crazy windy day to ride! But you found the best asphalt in our valley as you went up Dead man hill (the road with the fruit crates, and the panoramic picture above the land fill)
The wooden bridge you were on was re-done last year, so the runner boards were much nicer for you than when they were parallel, with tire-width gaps running the whole way!.
Anyway, just wanted to say nice pics, and sorry for the wind! My wife actually saw your photos and said, "You know, if I didn't live here and saw all those, I'd think this was a pretty amazing place to ride" I think we may be taking it for granted a bit. But thanks for sharing!
It was windy like you wouldn't believe. Not just headwinds, either, the crosswinds made the descents a lot less enjoyable.
Small world. My brother in Atlanta just sent me a link to this thread, so I had to reply after seeing your pics. I live on your route, and drive or bike parts of it daily. You picked a crazy windy day to ride! But you found the best asphalt in our valley as you went up Dead man hill (the road with the fruit crates, and the panoramic picture above the land fill)
The wooden bridge you were on was re-done last year, so the runner boards were much nicer for you than when they were parallel, with tire-width gaps running the whole way!.
Anyway, just wanted to say nice pics, and sorry for the wind! My wife actually saw your photos and said, "You know, if I didn't live here and saw all those, I'd think this was a pretty amazing place to ride" I think we may be taking it for granted a bit. But thanks for sharing!
06-19-12, 11:08 PM
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We should trade for a while. I was born in Denver, and my mom told me I wasn't ten days old yet the first time I crossed the Continental Divide. It's been too long since I've been back.
If you won't give me your home for a year, the least you could do is go ride the Peak to Peak and Trail Ridge Road, and post some photos here for me to enjoy.
If you won't give me your home for a year, the least you could do is go ride the Peak to Peak and Trail Ridge Road, and post some photos here for me to enjoy.
And how about Squaw?
06-20-12, 03:27 AM
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Wow, I need a Camera the pics my phone takes suck, I be jealous
06-20-12, 07:04 AM
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06-20-12, 07:09 AM
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elevation change - good, but not too crazy. temperature change - intense. ride photographs - beautiful.
very interesting ride report, thanks for posting.
very interesting ride report, thanks for posting.
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