A Time to Remember!

This is a little hard coming to the end of such a big adventure. But the end is here and I want to leave some of my final statistics, this is really for me so I'll have them in the future. My final odometer reading was 2,333 miles. My total ascent of feet was approximately 131,072 feet. Keeping in mind a plane flys at about 30,000 feet. Most ascent I climbed in 1 day 7,361 feet and my longest day and also my most favorite day was 91.26 miles on 6/17/16 from Winthrop to Marblemount, WA. 

I wish every cyclist the thrill of riding and finding that complete freedom I feel from this fabulous sport.

A big thank you to Linda F for all your help in totally putting this blog together. Really Linda, without you there would be no blog, you are a wonder.

And so it Ends!!!

Gail has finally completed her journey.  The official Women's Tour ended yesterday in Anacortes, but a few of the riders decided to go all the way to the Canadian border.  They did that final leg today.  She will have lots more to say about the ride into Anacortes, WA yesterday and the ride to the Canadian Border today, but I just couldn't stand not posting a few pictures that Wendy sent me.  You are all awesome!!!

The ladies who were on the official ride at the Canadian Border

Diana & Wendy joined Gail, Diane, and the others on the ride from Sedro-Woolley to Sumas Border Crossing.

Ride into Anacortes, WA

Gail has arrived!!!  This video was sent by Wendy.  Diana provided the image.

(YouTube does not allow me to turn off autoplay for everyone.  It will advance to the next video it wants us to see.  Either refresh the page or click on the words at top of the video to replay)

Jun 18, Rockport to Sedro-Woolly

Due to some technical difficulties this day is out order by only 1 day. I didn't have much to say except, Water, water, everywhere! We rode the whole day in the rain and so very happy to arrive into Sedro-Woolly.

It's hard to see how wet it was! 

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Jun 17, Winthrop to Rockport

Our very long and difficult climb day started off at 5A with a temperature of 34! Yikes, it was so cold! Our steal cut oatmeal  breakfast was at 5:30A and still 34 degrees. Nothing like eating your breakfast standing in the cold and your oatmeal cooling ever so quickly! But never mind the day turned out to be my very favorite. It was long, 91.26 miles, the climb was difficult, about 5,500. But I have never seen more majestic views. The mountains were just awe inspiring and went on for ever so long. I hardly had to play mind games with such beauty all around. Our sag Pam was always there for us with treats, water and her smile. She found wonderful places to stop with more grand views. All helping to make the long climbs so doable.

Leaving from Winthrop I was able to see 8 deer. After all 5:45A is their time of morning, and the time we were out on the road for our long day.

That's Sue out front as usual, she's my roommate tonight.

Scenic, oh my yes!

Just the Cascades looking ever so beautiful.

This was this huge bend in the road that looked like such a hard climb but turned out ok.

Trying to show how high up we were. Can you see the truck?

The difficult climb is past and now some amazing downhills. Really cold still.

Jun16, Chelan to Winthrop

Today. Really today was such a lovely ride. It was a 64 mile ride with about 2500 feet of climb. We rode by this meandering tributary of the the Columbia River, it might be called the Methow River.

When there is a lull in the traffic the quiet sounds of the river and birds are perfect.

We did start off with a wonderful downhill. That's Judy enjoying the ride! Go Judy!

During a ride stop I got to see the white bellied father, on the left, bring food for the Osprey babies. 

I don't know what's behind the fortress looking trees.

That deteriorated wooden swing bridge looked amazing to still be up. I saw 3 others that were metal in various stages of decay.

These were the clouds behind us when we had about 8-9 more miles. It was a race in, we all arrived dry. Then at dinner, one my favs-spaghetti, it did rain. We were outside! We made it in to the lobby for our map meeting! Speaking of which tomorrow will have some challenges. Long miles and high climbs, I'm hoping the weather holds!

After thoughts. The white piece in the background is a low long and wide covering for the growing plants. Not sure of the what or why and was only seen in this area.

Just wanted to say good night with something pretty!

Jun 15, Levenworth to Chelan

Our ride was about 62 miles and about 3,077 feet of climb. It's hard for me to believe but I think I'm getting used to all this climbing. My sit bones still scream during our very long climbs and I really look forward to breaks off the saddle. But after a short break its off again and I start repeating mantras that my boss has giving me. Some of my favorites are: you have to believe it to achieve, suck it up buttercup and the ever popular, shut up legs. There are many mind tricks I use to get through the moment and then there is just looking around at our beautiful country in total awe!

This was our first hill to climb🙃.

Historic Bridge built in 1907.

It's a wooden base and one way only

We saw this, this morning and it seems like a nice quick way to get to Costco.

A very nice break, from the left Diane, Linda, Sue, Sheila, Judy, Ann and Cindi.

Tomorrow's ride looks similar to today's so I'll be able to check out my theory that I'm getting used to all this climbing. I think I'll look at my mantras to find one for our next ride. 

Jun 14, Levenworth Day Off

Levenworth is such a nice town. It even has a nice Dentist! While flossing Monday night a crown popped out! I was able to make an appointment for Tuesday morning and the crown is back where it belongs. Thank you Dr John!

Levenworth views.

More views of Levenworth.

Leavenworth is a town of just under 2000 people.  It started as a smaller timber community and in the 1900s became the headquarters of he Great northern Railroad. The Railroad relocated to Wenatchee in the 20s – crippling Leavenworth’s economy.  In the 60s two business men tried to figure out how to revitalize the economy.  They viewed Solvang, California (a town modeled after a Danish village) and traveled to Germany. After their return to Levenworth, thought to be named after a railroad person, it was decided to model Leavenworth after a Bavarian village. What a success!

Our very nice Levenworth hotel

Talking a walk by the river.

Mike enjoying a beer at lunch.

Diane's Bratwurst lunch at Curid's, The Sausage Garden.

My lunch

Susan's lunch.

This has been a great rest day for us in a lovely town. It is our last day off before Anacortas, WA the finish of our Sierra Cascades bicycle trip.

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Jun 13, Ellensburg to Levenworth

Today was to be about a 60 mile ride with a 3,573 foot climb. And that's what we did. The weather started out sunny and breezy. And then it wasn't. Breezy became gusts and the climb began. There is nothing like climbing into headwinds, but climb we did as it's the only way to get over the pass. It did stay sunny making for such a nice ride.

Leaving Ellensburg.

Ellensburg is known for its wind.

Pretty skys.

The top of our first climb.

The finish of the second climb. 
And another Pass has been climbed.

Our day off is in Levenworth. A darling town and more to come on this town.  Oh, this is our last rest stop for this trip. Wow, the end is near!

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Jun 12, Yakima to Ellensburg

There's a slight chance that some of my connection problems could possibly been, oh no, operator error. But things seem to be back on course. Sort of like our beautiful course we rode today. Well, we did have to get going in the correct direction first. Our cue sheet told us to go left out of the hotel driveway. At about 1/2 mile down the road our Garmins started acting up and the directions didn't make sense. Oops, a left was meant to be a right! Once we got going in the correct direction all fell into place and what a lovely ride we were given.

We remembered to take Patty's advice and look back.
We had such a great view of Mt Reinier 
just peeking over the homes.

Views leaving Yakima.

Pam and Ann having a good ride.
That's Susan coming up.

I don't know what these plants that are grown
 in a V shape are, but we see a lot of them.

Great scenery!

Ann, Susan and Barb along the way.

This was on the wall 
were we stopped for coffee. I
t shows the route we travelled toward Ellensburg.

Nesting Osprey

After lunch at Wendy's we got to our hotel where the rooms were ready. With the sag driving Diane and me to a much needed laundry mat our clothes are done and ready for our next rest day in Leavenworth.

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