Blewett Pass

Today we really blewett on Blewett Pass. We were up at 5:30 and on the road by 7:15 a.m. The sun was strong already and not a cloud in the sky. We were in for a 40 km climb to start, reaching an altitude of 4000 feet again. The grade wasn't as bad as yesterday, so granny gear was needed only for the last 3 kms. There is no describing the feeling of euphoria upon reaching the top of a pass. There was one other steep climb of "only" 5 kms before a long but not very steep downhill into the town of Ellensburg. The two consistent things we had to fight today were the heat - it is well into the higher 80's/lower 90's F - and the headwinds. My top speed going down from Blewett Pass was 67.4 kph, but only because the headwind kept you back. The great thing you discover after 3 days is that you can actually do this. In training while working you don't have time to do this kind of mileage 3 days in a row and you wonder how it will go. It's going really well, actually, and there are no saddle sores to speak of - yet. The Chamois Butt'r is working the way they told me it would. Something to be truly thankful for.

Again I'll post a few pictures taken today. Rather than try to get them in order, I'll briefly describe them. One is a kiss of congratulation on reaching Blewett Pass, a few of the kitchen crew at work, and one of myself at the top of the second pass we had to climb today (picture taken by Claire Elgersma). Hope you enjoy them!

Till next time....