Day 6

Can it be? We are hoping this is the middle day of the race- 5 days behind us, today, and 5 to go!

Found out another rider crashed out yesterday afternoon with a broken collar bone. Met another when we got into Ellensburg who is pulling the plug. It’s just wear and tear on peoples’ bodies and minds.

There are plenty of folks ahead of us and a few behind, but we are right where we need to be. Pushing hard, praying a lot, having some conversations, and pedaling…

We left our campsite about 7:15am and pedaled steadily down to Cle Elum.

As we were finishing up a short break, this HUGE caravan of horse trailers pulled up.

This is the annual historical ride from here to I think the Idaho border as well. We are so thankful to be ahead of them as they will significantly tear up the rail trail. There are wagons as well. It’s the John Wayne Pioneer Historical Riders. 

About 10-12 miles later, as Jeff and I are pedaling side-by-side on a gravel road,

he spies a snake on his side of the road that then gave a short “I’m here!” rattle as we went by. I’m sure we will see more as we are now on the east side of the state. We have exchanged steep trails and passes, intense rain, humidity, and suburban riding for heat, lack of water, and rattle snakes. This route just keeps on dishing out the challenges!

We continued on to Thorpe and grabbed some food and drinks, then pedaled into Ellensburg and grabbed a few restock items at the local mountain outfitters store.

Booking a room for the night and doing some laundry.

AND CAM IS JOINING US! Excited for his adventure ahead. There will be three of us pedaling tomorrow- one with fresh legs and two that are a little tired! A short day of 40 miles but that’s a good thing for these tired legs!

We came across Alex and Alex who had camped here on the side of the trail last night and are doing a short day as well into Ellensburg.

From here on out, there will be multiple gates to go through. Further east, they have combination locks and you have to apply for a permit to get the code, something we did before the race.