Today we enjoyed a long downhill cruise from the campsite to Twisp, passing through Winthrop which was styled like an old Western town, with saloon bars and restaurants lining the main street. The town was busy with a blues and rhythm festival happening over the weekend up the road. The views were spectacular and breathtaking while the terrain became akin to the Mediterranean. We could have been cycling through Spain for much of the day.
In Twisp we stopped for lunch and a resupply, where we met a couple who had clocked our touring bikes parked up outside. Hob (short for Hiking or Biking - his nick name) and Deb were a couple who have ridden all over the US on their famous tandem bicycle "Old 22", the first bike of its kind to cross West of the Mississippi if I remember correctly. They proved a wealth of knowledge and experience giving us tips and advice for the tour including a handy canal route through the Appalachians towards New York! They also let us look at some of their more detailed maps which helped knowing what was ahead for the rest of the day. If you are reading this Hob and Deb, we wish you the best of luck on your trip!
After leaving Twisp we were straight into the long and steep ascent of Loup Loup Pass, our third mountain pass so far. This was slow and very hot going. We had to stop regularly in shaded spots to hydrate as the temperature reached 40C on the computers. We even took a break to dip our jerseys in a stream which saved us from the brunt of the head for a good hour or so as the water evaporated from us. Most of the trees lining the road had recently burned in a vast fire meaning while they did they the wind through there was very limited shade. We topped out on the pass at 5pm.
From then on, apart from a short steep ascent section ascent section it was down all the way to Omak where we found a campsite at a large Rodeo stadium. The views again were fantastic as we entered a vast open valley running North-South. Here we had a quick conversation with a couple from just over the Canadian border on a week long touring break from their work as straw housing construction specialists. Ashley and Heather kindly offered us a beer and we chatted while it got dark about each others various travels before going to bed. Tomorrow takes us over another pass, so I should be getting to bed!
Rich
Hob and Deb Old 22
Hob and Deb Old 22
Ashleigh and Heather straw housing
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