Tacoma, Washington to Sandpoint, IdahoTacoma, Washington to Sandpoint, Idaho
Saturday, June 14, 2003
to
Saturday, June 21, 2003
Back up to Transcontinental
Eastbound: Sandpoint to Glendive
Tacoma, Washington to Sandpoint, IdahoWashington has only a few paved roads across the Cascades. From the north, my choices included SR 20 through the North Cascades National Park, US 2 across Stevens Pass, I 90 across Snoqualmie Pass, US 12 across White Pass, and either SR 14 or I 84 along the Columbia River. With more time or more confidence, I might choose SR 20. For this trip, I needed to build my strength in Washington, make steady progress, have access to services, yet be convenient to King County if I found I needed to call the tour off. Only I 90 met those criteria.
When I first started riding, Snoqualmie Pass seemed like a major challenge for a bicycle. On the other hand, it was an Interstate and trucks get up the hill. Experience proved that a wide shoulder and moderate grade provide nice riding. As it happened, my first century included climbing Snoqualmie from North Bend and then riding home. I had also crossed Snoqualmie with luggage in September, 2001 and gone as far as Ellensburg before turning south. The comfort of familiar was more important than the thrill of the unknown at the beginning of this tour.
Although I knew I needed most days to exceed 75 miles, I also found I 90 convenient for giving me shorter days during which I could ride my way into better condition while still making decent progress. This scheme gave me stops at North Bend, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and Spokane Valley before leaving the state. A cyclist ready to roll from Seattle could comfortably do Cle Elum, Moses Lake, Spokane, but I was not really in condition and was starting down in Pierce County.
Riders should also recognize that the Washington Desert between Cle Elum and Spokane is mighty thirsty riding.