Monday, June 9, 2025
Day 9
Winthrop,WA To Omak, WA
Miles: 45.07
Elevation: 3,009
Time: 4 hrs 51minutes
Total miles: 388.13
Total Elevation: 18,609
Total Time: 42 hrs 15 minutes
Loop Loup Baby!
Arriving in Winthrop yesterday afternoon were two hot, sweaty, hungry cyclists. A quick shower and short walk to the local pizza place, we sat and absolutely chilled. We’d made it through a tough day. Bellies full and tired to the bone, slept like the dead. Garmin recorded lowest respiration rate at 7.
Awakening, we were pleasantly surprised to discover nothing hurt. We felt refreshed and ready to go except for the mosquitos! Darn it. They got inside somehow and had a buffet at my expense! Well now. If that isn’t rude! I’ve waited to start using Deet as I understand it ruins your clothes and of course is not the best thing for your health, but neither is multiple bites. And I seem to react with considerable swelling at the site-like an allergy. Okay. Well game on!! Deet on!
Today was going to be a hot one so we were out the door at 6:30. A bit more climbing today as well!
Off we went to our first new town Twisp. That name just tickles me!
Up, up and away. Most of day we were in full sun with temps just about 100. Thank goodness we’re from a warm climate. I can only imagine what people from cooler area would feel like riding in the heat. We filled every container/water bladder we had as it was unlikely we would see the waterfalls and streams of yesterday. We were traveling to the drier side of Washington.
Climb. Climb. Climb.
A memory flashed into my mind of a young man passing away from heat stroke a few years back. It’s a real thing. Drew and I were taking electrolytes regularly and drinking a lot of water. We rode from shady spot to shady spot albeit they were hard to find. Just short breaks allowed our heart rates to drop and temps to lower a bit. Shortly after 1, we came across an ice chest full of cold water for cyclists. This landmark speaks to this section of road. A quick chat with a neighbor about a man so fatigued he spent two days recovering in the man’s barn. Heat stroke is a real thing.
Onward. Soon we were at the McCarty’s driveway. And there’s a rain bird! Off went the jersey and buffs, and into the water. Whew! Man, that felt good!
Back at it. Up ahead, we saw a white van parked at the turnout. Thoughts of our 2023 white van experience resurfaced. This van had a man standing beside with a phone pointed towards us like he was taking our picture. It was Jeff from Scottsdale! He was still riding…living his dream. We had an awesome chat before saying goodbye again.
The rest of afternoon was a hopscotch from one tree to the next before finally reaching Loup Loup Pass! And then the reward-a long winding descent! Oh so nice!
Soon, we were at our destination. A quick trip to Safeway for ‘dinner’, then back to get laundry done. We’re being super careful about our gear between lots of sweat, Deet and sunscreen. Needless to say, the dust from the road sticks to us like flies on honey!!
And today is Drew’s youngest’s birthday.
Happy birthday Gabriella Sheldon! How can this be? We don’t feel old enough to have children in their late 20’s-early thirties!!
With hearts filled with gratitude and happiness, we end our day with thanks for all the experiences…those that bring us smiles and others that make us stronger.
Until tomorrow.
#RoadrunnerTour2025
