Day Four – Grand Coulee, WA to Spokane, WA
Anticipating their hottest temperatures yet and some solid climbing out of the gate, the Coast to Coast THF team arose early while the air was still cool. Cassandra wanted first shot at the hill, and hit the road before Dick and Bill had even started breakfast. Our host, Bob Pachosa, cooked up a tasty waffle breakfast and after handshakes and goodbyes the riders began their climb out of the Columbia River Valley and up onto the plateau toward Spokane. About 10 miles into the climb, Dick and Bill began to suspect that Cassandra must have had a secret power-breakfast that morning, as she cleared the top of the steep opening grade in impressive time and kept up a strong pace – Dick and Bill finally caught her just before Wilbur. The trio kept a brisk pace along the flats, aided at times by a nice tailwind
We traveled on Highway 2 again now, passing through the small towns of Wilbur, Creston, Davenport and others – rocky sagebrush rangeland interspersed with intensely green fields of spring crops. Although the sun was bright and getting hot, the cool breeze continued most of the day, keeping conditions tolerable.
As we passed Fairchild AFB and began the decent into the city of Spokane, the traffic picked up and the winds died. The temps had climbed to 85 and in the city it felt hotter. Cassandra opted to avoid the heat and traffic and while she made a supply run, Dick and Bill continued the final, urban leg to the beautiful north Spokane home of Dick’s friends Art & Marty Cosgrove. We were treated to a delicious dinner of big hand-made burgers and baked beans – a much needed protein-fest after a hot 97 mile day! When the evening routine of bike maintenance and stretching was over, a few stories were swapped but it wasn’t long before some yawning developed. Everyone was ready for bed.
Tomorrow will be a scenic, gradual climb up Highway 2 from Spokane into the Pend Orielle River valley, crossing into Idaho and ending the day in the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho.
Anticipating their hottest temperatures yet and some solid climbing out of the gate, the Coast to Coast THF team arose early while the air was still cool. Cassandra wanted first shot at the hill, and hit the road before Dick and Bill had even started breakfast. Our host, Bob Pachosa, cooked up a tasty waffle breakfast and after handshakes and goodbyes the riders began their climb out of the Columbia River Valley and up onto the plateau toward Spokane. About 10 miles into the climb, Dick and Bill began to suspect that Cassandra must have had a secret power-breakfast that morning, as she cleared the top of the steep opening grade in impressive time and kept up a strong pace – Dick and Bill finally caught her just before Wilbur. The trio kept a brisk pace along the flats, aided at times by a nice tailwind
We traveled on Highway 2 again now, passing through the small towns of Wilbur, Creston, Davenport and others – rocky sagebrush rangeland interspersed with intensely green fields of spring crops. Although the sun was bright and getting hot, the cool breeze continued most of the day, keeping conditions tolerable.
As we passed Fairchild AFB and began the decent into the city of Spokane, the traffic picked up and the winds died. The temps had climbed to 85 and in the city it felt hotter. Cassandra opted to avoid the heat and traffic and while she made a supply run, Dick and Bill continued the final, urban leg to the beautiful north Spokane home of Dick’s friends Art & Marty Cosgrove. We were treated to a delicious dinner of big hand-made burgers and baked beans – a much needed protein-fest after a hot 97 mile day! When the evening routine of bike maintenance and stretching was over, a few stories were swapped but it wasn’t long before some yawning developed. Everyone was ready for bed.Tomorrow will be a scenic, gradual climb up Highway 2 from Spokane into the Pend Orielle River valley, crossing into Idaho and ending the day in the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho.
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