Day 47 July 16, 2019

Bikers assist motorist with missing reverse gear

Dinner with our host

All 5 of us, including Rob

Henry's notes for today:
Day 47: This morning was not much different than many others. We arose, got dressed, loaded our bikes, and rode down the street to the only place open for breakfast in the little township that is Republic. Rob Hickman, our Brooklyn friend, had stayed in a Warm Showers homestay last night, also in Republic. He recognized our bikes outside the restaurant as he was leaving town, so he joined us for breakfast, and possibly the rest of the trip.

Near Omak

We began our ascent of Wauconda Pass immediately as we rode out of town. It has been overcast and cool the last 2 days, making our climbs relatively easier. It actually rained lightly yesterday, to cool things even further. The climb was shorter today, only 12 miles and about 1,800 feet elevation gain. The climb was not steep, and there was no wind to speak of. After collecting everyone at the top, we began our long, gradual descent to Tonasket, about 25 miles away. Tim was hankering for a BLT about this time for lunch, but we settled on a cute organic health food store that supplied him with a satisfactory chicken pesto sandwich alternative.

The route turned sharply south towards Omak

Tim fixing the door

after lunch, and we immediately pitched headlong into a stiff headwind from the south. The clouds parted, the sun emerged, and the air was hot. We were in the dry, central part of Washington with a high desert climate. The mountains were brown and covered with sagebrush. The wind made us work to go downhill - coasting was not sufficient. At one point, a woman on a back country road asked us to push her car out of the driveway, as her reverse gear was not working after her alternator had recently been changed. Not sure how long it would have taken for someone else to show up if we had not rolled by, as this was a really desolate stretch of road. We made our way through Omak, and proceeded straight to Okanagon, our Warm Showers destination for the evening. Rob rode with us all day. Our host, Leone Reinbold, had asked us to wait on her back porch until she got back from work just after 5 pm. She is a family law attorney; very gregarious and ebullient. In short, a great hostess. Her home is situated right on the Okanagon River, and after she arrived, she made us follow her like little ducklings for a quick float down the clear river. So refreshing! Tim realigned her screen door, which had been off the tracks for a while. We basked in the setting sun on her back porch for our convivial dinner. We reviewed the game plan for tomorrow, and went to bed early. Climbing over mountain passes on a daily basis does sap our energy.

Maps of today's ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3852702189

https://www.relive.cc/view/u3671021896