Minnesota Mike's Ride Across America

Left Anacortes, WA on Tuesday, August 22, to drive down to starting point at Everett – Marine Park about 50 miles south due to the Sourdough Fire closing Hwy 20, my original route over the Cascade Mountains. Dipped my back tire in the Pacific Ocean at a boat launch in Everett and pedaled in 65 degree on and off rain sprinkles (it is Seattle weather)

Busy Hwy 2 with no shoulders most of the way to destination for day one, Skykomish, WA. Happy with bike, even though I am carrying a lot of weight with camping supplies, snacks, clothes, jackets, etc. Legs and knees held up fine with a few climbs. Big day is tomorrow with climb over Steven’s Pass. Pretty views of the Cascades and river.

Spent first night at Cascadia Motel in Skycomish. Population 159. Had sandwich dinner at convenience store/cafe.

Day one – 55 miles, 2,200 elevation gain

Day 2, Skycomish – Leavenworth, WA. Not a restful first night sleep with the only motel in this town of 159 people located next to the railroad tracks! Train came by every couple of hours and whistle was a blowing!! Had a send off breakfast with Denise, my moral support from day one is officially heading back home to Minneapolis. So nice of her to send me off on this adventure and now on my own to get back to Minnesota and today over Steven’s Pass and the Cascade Mountains. Hwy 2 had more shoulder than first day so that helped. Was a tough climb with steady elevation gain! A flat lander from Minnesota does not like 7-9 degree climbs. 5-6 degree I can handle, but what goes up must come down and after a 12 mile climb I had a sweet descent on other side of Steven’s Pass even though I encountered head winds, I got up to 30mph on my loaded bike. Started shaking with the weight and had to use my disc brakes! Yikes!! Great weather, great day! Arrived in Leavenworth at 4pm. Such a cool town, a fun Bavarian style village with good beer, pretzels, brats, etc. Pedestrian traffic only on Main Street.

Day 2, miles 54, elevation gain 3,717 ft. Total miles 109.

Hwy 2 route up over Steven’s Pass. Nice to follow a river on side of road.