About the abnormal ride series -
I have been told that I am an abnormal rider. I can live with that, and this series will celebrate that. 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 -
What makes this ride abnormal? A long gradual climb next to the pretty Klickitat River; sweeping views; a five mile long descent back to the river; an optical illusion that looks like a descent, but is actually a 1%-2% climb; views of Mt. Adams; a wetlands/wildlife refuge; and a ten mile long descent to end the day. I hope that the wild flowers will be in bloom along the route.
This is a loop with a 20 mile gradual climb along the Klickitat River and then a steeper 3-4 mile climb up out of the canyon. The route then turns northwest to Glenwood and includes the five mile descent to the Klickitat River and then more climbing before and after Glenwood. It ends with rollers and a nice, curving descent back into Lyle. But to do the descents it is necessary to climb. Go figure. This is a route that is within the transitional zone between the wet and dry sides of Washington.
This route is best in sunny or mostly sunny weather for the mountain views. As this is a long drive to the start, I will cancel if the mountains are not expected to be visible. If cancelled I plan to reschedule one week later.
Route: Lyle-Glenwood RideWithGPS Link
Carpool 8 AM location: Fisher Landing Park N Ride, enter from and park on north side
Map to carpool location: Map of car pool location
Lyle 9:30 Start Location: Lyle trail head parking, on left just after crossing river entering town.
Map to start location: Map to ride start location
Road condition warning: There is a gravel section of 1.5 miles long between miles 52-54. The gravel section is uphill or flat. When we last rode thisl it was being prepared for paving. That may be completed now, but that cannot be guaranteed. It was rideable as gravel in the last fall.
This is published as a regroup ride. However, at past rides the groups have been small and it has been ridden as a group ride. Expect a pace to average 16-18 mph on the flats. This is a long ride at 76 miles.
There is a store in Klickitat and another in Glenwood where you may purchase supplies, if needed. There are no services in the last part of the ride. I plan three regroups - two at the stores and then a third at a park midway between the stores.
There is a 1.5 hour drive to the start of this ride. This is a road bike ride, not a mountain bike ride on the adjacent trail. Meet for carpooling at Fisher's Landing Park & Ride at 8am.
On the return trip, plan to stop at a brewpub in White Salmon to refuel.
https://www.everybodysbrewing.com/food.html
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