Day 5 Ione Wa. To Sandpoint Idaho

 

A brisk 90 miles on level asphalt along the Pend Oreille River. Mostly level with wildlife skirting the roadways.  White tailed dear, wild turkeys and an enclosed herd of buffalo. The first of 8 adventure cycling maps is complete along with all of the major summits. Although I will be returning next summer to cycle the areas that were closed at the beginning. 

Wild buffalo sanctuary. 

Day 4 Colville to Ione

view from motel parking lot

Crystal falls

Smooth waters. 

 Woke to a steady rain fall.  Contemplating staying another night if weather didn't clear by noon.  Fortunately the town of Ione being only a 4 hour ride away had a reasonable priced room on the river. First question I was asked after checking in "do you want to take out a kayak " . That 40 mile ride was well worth it.

Day.3 tonasket to colville wa.

 On a day that was to be a total wash out and possibly a rest day i awoke to clear skies. Hustling my gear i was on my way upward to waconda pass and 3500 feet of climbing at 5:30 am. The anxiety of such a climb soon disappeared due to smooth shoulders, light traffic, light tail wind and an easier than expected grade. Arriving in Republic Washington at 10:30. With clear skies over head i cancelled my room reservation and made a dash for Coville and a bicycle only hostel where hosts Shelley and Barry hosted a delicious meal of Ethiopian lentil soup and dessert. In total 99.25 mile and approximately 6000 feet of climbing. 

Dense pine forest 

Smooth sailing 

Curious 

Final pass

Day 2. Brewster to Tonasket

a scant 60 miles of mostly flat roadways along the Columbia and one of its tributaries. another very unusually hot day even by my standards. got a good early start and was able to check in early. weatherman is calling for heavy thunderstorms all night and into tomorrow for my start and end point. considering a rest day although I'm not sure what that means. Will make a determination in the morning.

Day 1 Completed

Wenatchee to brewster Washington. 80.5 miles paralleling the Columbia river. Beginning on a paved bike path transitioning to a 2 lane highway with a 6 foot shoulder. much warmer than expected with a steady tail wind. anticipating

cooler temps in the next few days.

Puget Sound

My bad

Amtrak station Seattle 

 So it never entered my mind to even do the slightest bit of research to insure that all or any of the mountain passes were clear. Only after having notified all contacts of my impending tour did I receive a return text from a former touring partner , 

Mr. Rodger Harding , that a portion of the second days route was closed due to severe erosion and won't be passable until late June. Placed into high gear to find a solution, I find myself sitting in an Amtrak train station in Seattle preparing to board for a 4 hour journey to a small town on the eastern side of the blockage.  Ride still starting tomorrow.