|
NEW START LOCATION - SEE LOCATION BELOW
About the abnormal ride series -
I had been told that I was an abnormal rider. The bike gods have seen my hubris and have taken me down to a normal rider. But the abnormal ride series will continue. This series will be rides that are atypical of our normal club rides. The rides may be very scenic and/or long and/or hilly and/or out of the area. Or they may just be silly fun. You be the judge.
About this abnormal ride -
One of the times that I did this route, one of the riders kept exclaiming about the beauty of the scenery, eventually naming this as one of the top 5 rides he has done. It is one of my favorites, too. Other riders have called this "Epic". Rose Valley Road is a route that climbs into the hills northeast of Kalama. It travels up through a valley following the route of the Coweeman River. Eventually it crosses the river and thereafter closely follows the north side of the river. The road eventually narrows to one lane wide as it winds its way along the river. We will turn around when the paved road ends. The route has some very pretty areas that it passes through. It also has a lot of ups and downs while generally climbing to the turnaround point. The Kalama River portion is similar as it follows the Kalama River.
CONSTRUCTION WARNING - A new round-about is being constructed about 1 mile from the start of the ride. It is a short section of hard packed and loose gravel. You will see it from your car if you drive to the start location. I believe it will can be ridden on a road bike, but others may choose to walk that section. We will regroup on the far side of the construction. We will go through this section again just before the end of the Rose Valley portion of the ride.
The basic route is 45 miles. Those who wish finish at the park. I plan to turn east and follow the road as it meanders along the north side of the Kalama River. Eventually this road also becomes gravel, and we will turn around there. There are many pretty views of the river along the way.
Each section is a dead end and the route returns in the same way it went out. You have the option of turning around at any time, if you want a shorter ride.
You will need to carry sufficient water and food. Services are limited. There is a store at mile and then we will pass that same store again at mile 39. We will pass the start location at mile 45. You can resupply from your car at that point if you do the Kalama River option. There are no other services until the end of the ride.
After the ride we can check out the new McMenamins along the Columbia River in Kalama for food and brews.
NEW START LOCATION -
Route Map -
Rose Valley and Kalama: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8458155
Rose Valley Only: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30746034
Start Location - Haydu Park
Map of Start Location: Haydu Park, Kalama River Road
|