Day 9 - Walla Walla to Pomeroy

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 Stats: 

Today's miles: 63.5 miles
Today's feet of elevation gain: 3,228 feet
Total miles traveled: 465.0 miles
Total feet climbed: 18,971 feet
Dead Rattlesnake count: 9

I was leaving the hotel before 6:00AM on Monday and ran into a grain truck driver on the way out. He asked about the trip/bike/…etc. When I told him I lived 50 miles west of Mpls in Dassel, he lit up and asked jokingly if I knew where Hutchinson was. He had grown up in the area and headed west in ‘69. Having worked and driven in the mountain west area he claimed it to be the most beautiful area of the country. I found it hard to disagree.


The ride from Walla Walla to Waitsburg was along a lonely country road cutting through the Palouse. The Palouse is characterized by huge, steeply rolling hills with stretches of wheat and edible bean fields as far as you can see. Unfortunately for a cyclist that means dozens of ups and downs. The ‘stretch goal’ for the day was to make it all the way the Clarkston at the eastern edge of WA. It was 88 mi and given the previous couple days, it seemed possible.


By 1:30 with the elevation and temps rising, the plan shifted to making Pomeroy for the night. The sun was so intense and the air so dry that I needed to stop every 5 miles for water and shade (if it could be found). I had filled up my water bottles (4 liters) 25 miles into the ride and by 58 mi I had to stop at one of the few ranches along the way and ask to top off. I was out of water with 6 mi to go. That sounds like something that one could just push through, but the heat/dryness are unrelenting. When I arrived in Pomeroy, just after 4:30, the temp on the bank clock was 101F. I was so glad to be able to check into the the Pioneer Motel (classic ‘60s motel) with AC and a convenience store across the street for supper!!


The experience today made it clear that the heat wave was going to require a plan where the day’s ride would be done by noon or 1:00 and the over-night locations needed to provide some relief from the heat (AC, shade, cool water….etc.).






Location: Pomeroy, WA 99347, USA

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