ODE TO THE GRANNY GEAR!!!
Our friend Chris Darby asked, “Do you ever think you’ll need to use your highest and lowest gears?” And after now riding
over our second pass (Loup Loup Pass at elevation 4020) I am confident that the only way I was able to make it up these beautiful passes is because of my granny gear. Traveling a tiny it faster than walking speed, I’m at my lowest gear cranking the crap out of the petals. This sweet, wonderful Granny Gear lets me spend 4 hours of climbing to cover 12 miles. Without this gear, these passes would not be possible.
After being on the road since 6:30am and working to get up the pass, we had finally made it and started another long descent of a 6% downhill grade into Okanogan. We stopped at a historical sign that explained a fight in the early 1900’s when sheep were introduced into the area and how it disrupted the local cattle ranchers and their free ranged cow herds that had long taken over the rocky hills. It ended badly for the sheep, for where the historical sign stood, 100’s of sheep were slaughtered in one night. I enjoyed the last statement that summed up all too many environmental/animal rights debates. “The dispute seemed to stem more from the ranchers themselves, than between the actual cows and sheep.”
We headed into Omak to fill up water at a gas station before we headed the 9.5 miles to our campsite, but after getting back on the bike, my knee started shooting with pain and I 
was barely able to cycle it through each stroke. We headed towards a store to get a knee brace and some ice. After icing it for 30 minutes in the parking lot, we decided our day would have to end here in Omak. We are taking a zero day tomorrow due to wind and 80% chance of rain, so this will allow my knee plenty of rest before our next two climbs.
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