We set off from the Rodeo ground this morning, passing the hill where, similar to the Gloucester chees rolling, they ride horses down the steep sandy bank into the river once per year. Apparently this year saw the 32nd horse die at this event! We set out on easy rolling hills while the temperature soared. 33C when we set off it was pushing 40 by the time we reached Tonasket for lunch. We had one stop as a small beetle made its way into my Jersey and decided I would make a nice breakfast. Feeling like a wasp stinging me I threw the Jersey off and found the culprit! I still don't know what it was though.
We had a quick Subway lunch saving half for later and set out on the Wacounda Pass at 20 past 12. We checked the temperature gauges on our computers which were left out in the sun for 20 minutes and they read 56C. When we had ridden for a while that dropped to 45C and stayed that high for the remainder of the climb. Theyre was very little shade and we were putting away a bottle of water per half hour at one stage.
Water was the main problem today and it became a serious concern as we got around 3/4 of the way up the pass. At one stage there was a water sprinkler on an agricultural field which was half spraying the road. I almost pulled a wheelie on my loaded tourer rushing to get under the spray and cool off! Later we had to ask a friendly local lady for water to top up as we ran low. We also soaked our jerseys which gave precious relief for a good hour.
Some clouds came over giving shade ant the thermostat dropped to a "cool" 33C as we approached the top of the pass. From here it was a rapid descent to Republic with some interesting historical information boards lining the way describing the areas history as a gold miners hub with a number of "eureka" towns dotted around.
We passed through Republic, a real miners town with a more genuine feel than Winthrop. We stopped at their brewery and filled our bottles with beer rather than water. At $4.50 per litre it was incredibly value, and is going down nicely!
We also met the old manager for REM Bob Whittaker once we made camp! The water at the site was switched off due to power cuts as they repair pylons damaged in the fires, the aftermath of which we cycled through the day previous. He kindly offered us his water from his truck, and we exchanged details. He made a good point that the historical information we passed starts after the colonisation of the area and the dealings with the local tribes. He was busy petitioning for funding to add information of the history before the gold rush, "warts and all" as he said.
Dinner is ready and beer beckons so that is all for now. Sherman Pass tomorrow, the largest yet, so perhaps an early start to avoid the heat. Still having issues uploading photos so check out facebook.com/RollingEagleCyclingExpedition
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