Moderately-paced, 4-day loaded tour of the Columbia River Gorge, 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. Registration is now 75% filled.
Set aside Memorial Day weekend! If you want to try bicycle camping (loaded touring) but aren’t ready to invest a huge chunk of time & effort to find out if bicycle camping’s your thing, here’s 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 River 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 Carson – 51 miles. Too easy? Stop and climb 600-ft. Beacon Rock, the world’s 2nd largest monolith. Too hard? Stop and soak in Bonneville Hot Springs for an hour. Day 2: Carson to Deschutes River State Pk. – 63 miles. Visit Maryhill Museum, see a large collection of Rodin art, answer the burning question “Who in the Sam Hill was Sam Hill?”, and then enjoy a relaxing evening camped alongside the Deschutes River. Day 3: Deschutes to Viento State Pk. – 55 miles. Join us for breakfast at Cousin’s in The Dalles (Nobody EVER left Cousin’s hungry!), work off all those calories climbing the Rowena Loops (product of Sam’s genius), stop for ice cream in Mosier and then follow the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) through the spectacular Mosier tunnels to Hood River and finish with dinner at Viento State Park. Day 4: back home, mostly along the HCRH – 64 miles. There’s so much to see and do on this route you can’t possibly do it all, so along with cue sheets we’ll supply a laundry list of possibilities, and you can select your favorites.
We’ve designed the tour so that first-time bicycle campers can try it out at minimal expense with a minimum of days invested. Mixing experienced tourists (some who have gone cross-country self-supported) with the newcomers gives the latter a chance to learn from those who’ve “been there – done that”. It’s also a great early-season tour for checking out new gear and getting ready for a summer of longer tours.
Yes, there are some hills, but no long grade exceeds 7%, and at the expense of missing some of the scenery, 3 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 11 previous years to rave reviews. Though you’ll need to be in proper physical condition for the riding, 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 more info., see the 2012 ITINERARY (subject to minor changes as we get closer to Memorial Day weekend) or FAQs. ODOT has published a downloadable .pdf Columbia Gorge Bike Map http://www.skamania.com/pdf/biking-guide.pdf which details about 2/3 of the territory we visit. It shows most of the roads we travel west of The Dalles and contains lots of other information including climate data for areas both east and west of the Cascades – highly recommended.
This is a joint ride with VBC. Leaves at 8:00-9:00 AM staggerd start in small groups, Friday, May 25, 2012 from Larson’s Bakery, 13411 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA. If local riders load their bikes the night before and ride to the start, this weekend can be done without even starting the car!
Let us know you’re coming, to register call/e-mail Ride Leader Bob Wong@ 503-312-1240, robecythwong@comcast.net, or Co-Ride Leader Jim O’Horo @ 360-449-0804, johoro@pcez.com. for a registration form. Ride is limited to 50 riders. We will have to get Friday & Saturday nights’ nonrefundable campground fees from riders in advance. Reserved group space for those two nights is limited – fee is $10.00/person. Campgrounds will fill on both nights, so contact us, ask for registration form, and get your $ in pronto. No reservations for Viento – 1st come, 1st served.