When I opened the door and rolled my bike and gear outside I felt the warm morning air. This is 6:30 AM and the goal is to get over Wauconda Pass before the blast furnace heat melts.
I start with a climb out of town and then roll across the countryside before reaching the Pass and cruise into Republic.
I pull into town and stop for lunch at the Knotty Pine Restaurant for a very good burger and multiply tall glasses of ice tea mixed with lemonade.
Then I head up the hill to settle in at the home of Patty and Rob, the Warmshowers hosts. They welcomed me in and offered a slice of berry cake with whipped cream. I washed my clothes, showered, and sat in their massage chair for the 45 minute recovery cycle. Wow!
