Last week, I rode through a bit of history and came out thinking of the future. I rode over Old Blewett Pass, which used to connect the Washington towns of Leavenworth and Cle Elum. Old Blewett Pass was decommissioned in the 1950s and a new road (US 97) was built through Swauk Pass — now referred to as Blewett Pass. The old road is still there (mostly), paved (enough), and maintained (somewhat) as USFS road 7320. It is, quite possibly, the best climb I have ever ridden.
I climbed from the North side, after an approach of about 25km on US97. Once on the old road, the climb is 730 m over 16km, with grades from 5 to 8%. The interwebs tell me this is a category 1 climb. My legs tell me it was perfect. After a summer full of riding and with a mojo still glowing from the joy of my new carbone, I spun uphill steady and fast. Hands on the bar-tops, eyes forward, face relaxed– a pro in my own mind, the mountain laying down before me.
I rode alone, and I saw no one– car, bike, or otherwise. My own private mountain stage to the past. And now I think of the future. What other roads await?
Photo and information from
http://oldblewett.blogspot.com
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@Buck Rogers
Yup, and sometimes I have Boonen chasing, who can't quite close the gap!
@frank
Speaking of the cross bike - I haven't seen any updates in a while over on The Bikes page. How is the build coming along? Cross season is at our doorstep after all.
@Mikael Liddy
Ah! Got it. Yup, I've seen & read that one. Thank you though for the reminder!
Frank - yup, my cross bike has opened up a whole new realm of cycling for me. I only owned road bikes until I got it. If forced I think I could live with just that bike with two wheelsets, one road, one offroad. Not that I'd give up any of my road bikes!
Long, quiet rides out in the middle of nowhere are truly my favorite. Just a few hours of pedaling, forgetting the time, the week, etc.
@frank
I DO I DO !!!!!!
@Frank: Has anyone ever attempted a gravel, high altitude cogal??
@frank
That commercial always gives me goosebumps, especially after actually riding them this last year.
But even these days, it still seems to be Kelly or Fignon that is trying to catch my wheel. I guess it is just a case of "old heros never die, they just fade away", huh?
@theChaz
yeah, me too. This looks like much more fun than running up some muddy embankment with cx bike on shoulder. I'd rather be graveling on cx bike up in the cascades, lookin' for sasquatch scat.
Jim-nice ride on your nice ride. How did you end up on this road? And is the Felt a beast? We need details.
that commercial is perfect. It illustrates the feel of this post.
Jim, nice. the last mountain climb I did was in Banff. no getting away from traffic there. But did pass a family of three making their way up the mountain (right after switchback 5). The six year old boy was on a BMX. I just told him he was awesome as I passed by them.
Great ride. We start in Cle Elum go north to gas station on RT2 and turn around and go back. Great training ride, fun to mix in the old road.