June 5, 2023

A typical day for Rob begins with a good breakfast and a positive outlook as he plans for his day in the saddle. While in a parallel universe of travel, Julie and Gloria begin their day in much the same way. We navigate our route and make our plans based on EV charge points. For a few days now we both have started and ended each travel day within minutes of each other.

Well after Gloria and I set up camp in Glacier National Park, our planning has shifted to kayaking and hiking. While Rob continues to chip away on his eastward bound bike ride. Yesterday, he tackled the formidable Washington Pass.

At the top of Washington Pass, Rob records his Climb Complete! The grade of the climb was 4% over 20.89 miles with gain of 4060 feet in elevation in 4:37:50! He reported that toward the end of the climb he was stopping every quarter mile before pedaling on.

It was “el Diablo” which he anticipated; however, he took some advice offered by these fellow cyclists who Rob encountered on the route in Anacortes – TAKE LOTS OF BREAKS! He sends out a huge THANK YOU!

Reliabe companions along Route 20 are the mile markers – here’s Mile 211 and Rob will clock almost 250 miles by the end of the day.

Today he left another warm shower host in Winthrop with hopes to make it to Tonasket. He started having some knee pain shorty after today’s climb over Loup Pass which has a 5% grade with an elevation gain of 2338 feet for 8.95 miles in 2:41:18. Another brutal climb – thank goodness it was at least under ten miles!

Meeting fellow cyclists along the way helps with some of the ride’s monotony. Going up Loup Pass, he did not climb alone because he met fellow cyclists George, Kerry and Julie – whose husband was shagging along to support her ride handing out ice cold Cokes at the top to celebrate!

Rob welcomed the respite at the top and the visit with Julie’s husband as he wished his climbing companions God’s Speed.

Keeping the rubber side down, Julie and Rob