May 23-26, 2008 Memorial Day Weekend - Been wanting to try loaded touring but aren't ready to invest a huge chunk of time & effort? Here is an opportunity to dip your toe in the water while enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery in North America!
This moderately paced, 4-day tour of the Columbia Gorge over Memorial Day weekend covers 55-65 miles/day, traveling east in WA, crossing the Columbia at Hwy. 97, returning in OR, and allowing plenty of time for sightseeing.
- Day 1: Vancouver to Home Valley-54miles. Features a climb to Beacon Rock and Carson Hot Springs.
- Day 2: Home Valley to Deschutes River State Park-63 miles. Features a visit to Maryhill Museum.
- Day 3: Deschutes to Viento State Park-55 miles
- Day 4: Viento back home-64 miles. Much to see and do on this route you can’t possibly do it all!
- Complete 2008 Columbia Gorge Explorer Itinerary PDF format
Yes, there are some hills, but none of the long grades exceed 7%, and at the expense of missing some of the scenery, some of these can be bypassed. NO SAG provided for this tour- it’s set up for camping along the way with riders carrying their own gear, but there are enough motels, B&B’s and restaurants on the route that if you want to take your skinny-tired racer, you can do it with nothing but a fanny pack and credit card. If you’re planning on riding with gear, find a partner or two so you can share time & gear and lighten each other’s load. This tour has run for seven previous years to rave reviews.
You will need to be in proper physical condition for the riding, and if you’re inexperienced at loaded touring, you need not worry-several experienced riders, some with mechanical skills are already signed up, so plenty of help will be available if you get into difficulty.
For a slide show of the 2006 tour go to Glenn Woodman’s account
Leaves at 9:00 a.m. Friday, May 23rd, 2008 from Larson’s Bakery, 13411 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA.
For more information and to let us know you’re coming, e-mail Ride Leader O’Horo or phone 360.449.0804. or contact Co-Ride Leader 503.544.2722.
Please note: Friday & Saturday nights’ campground fees must be paid in advance and are nonrefundable. Reserved group space for those two nights is limited-fee is $9.00 per person. Campgrounds will fill on both nights, so contact us and get your $ in pronto. No reservations for Viento – 1st come, 1st served.
NOTE: Some of you may have heard that the Biggs Bridge (US97) is closed. That’s true, but it is scheduled to reopen “before Memorial Day weekend” (target date is 5/10 or 11). We have a “Plan B” in place in case it doesn’t.