Wed.21st June
Tuesday 72 miles
Mount Vernon (warmshowers) to campground at colonial creek at base of very long climb. A great days cycling along the South side of the Skagit river, then across bridge to the small town of Concret to rejoin the Adventure cycling route. Had been looking forward to a coffee stop, but the cafe was closed on Tuesdays, as appeared to be everything else - including the food bank. So carried on, and caught up with Walter and Tanya the German couple I had met the day before. they were at a farm stall eating strawberries. Farm stalls just seem to sell strawberries at the moment.
In order to get over the Washington pass the next day, all cyclists stay at the above campground (10 miles beyond my original target for the day).
The ride to Newhalem was good there was a state park visitor centre where I met Owen a Korean cyclist who has been working at a bike shop in Portland. We watched a film on bears. There are grizzly bears in this area.
Then it was a hard slog up to the camp site. A large party of cyclists from the Eastern U.S where also camped there, but they have support vehacles, road bikes and carry no luggage.
Wed. 57 miles
Up, Up, Up for 30 miles through the Glacial National Park. Fantastic scenery! Up over The Rainy Pass at 5,477 then down for 2 miles then back up to the Washington Pass at 5,477. Snow at the top on the sides of the road, but no bears!. Was overtaken by the US team who were riding in relays with no luggage. Overtook the German couple and was overtaken by the Korean.Also met a very nice cycling ranger who gave me a twix bar. Did not enjoy the switchbacks on the way down.
Camping tonight at a cyclists only site as is Owen (expect Tanya and Walter to arrive). But they only take individuals so the US group are staying elsewhere!
Pictures will follow the scenery was just fantastic.
Mount Vernon (warmshowers) to campground at colonial creek at base of very long climb. A great days cycling along the South side of the Skagit river, then across bridge to the small town of Concret to rejoin the Adventure cycling route. Had been looking forward to a coffee stop, but the cafe was closed on Tuesdays, as appeared to be everything else - including the food bank. So carried on, and caught up with Walter and Tanya the German couple I had met the day before. they were at a farm stall eating strawberries. Farm stalls just seem to sell strawberries at the moment.
In order to get over the Washington pass the next day, all cyclists stay at the above campground (10 miles beyond my original target for the day).
The ride to Newhalem was good there was a state park visitor centre where I met Owen a Korean cyclist who has been working at a bike shop in Portland. We watched a film on bears. There are grizzly bears in this area.
Then it was a hard slog up to the camp site. A large party of cyclists from the Eastern U.S where also camped there, but they have support vehacles, road bikes and carry no luggage.
Wed. 57 miles
Up, Up, Up for 30 miles through the Glacial National Park. Fantastic scenery! Up over The Rainy Pass at 5,477 then down for 2 miles then back up to the Washington Pass at 5,477. Snow at the top on the sides of the road, but no bears!. Was overtaken by the US team who were riding in relays with no luggage. Overtook the German couple and was overtaken by the Korean.Also met a very nice cycling ranger who gave me a twix bar. Did not enjoy the switchbacks on the way down.
Camping tonight at a cyclists only site as is Owen (expect Tanya and Walter to arrive). But they only take individuals so the US group are staying elsewhere!
Pictures will follow the scenery was just fantastic.
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