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You’ll begin with a descent of Cooper Spur Road from the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort and onto Highway 35. You’ll then head south on the highway until reaching Forest Road 44, where it will head due east and up! Here you’re presented with your first major obstacle, the category 1 climb to over Road 44. The Road 44 climb is followed by a long 15 mile descent into the small town of Dufur. The landscape is transformed here as tall fir trees laden in moss give way to sage brush and high desert. Welcome to the dry side of the Cascade Mountain Range!
After passing through Dufur, you’ll face the second climb of the day, the category 2 Tygh Ridge Summit. It will be just about as you reach the top of this climb that the professional racers will be starting behind you and your challenge begins to outrun them or ride to the perfect viewing spot on the final climb. Tygh Ridge is followed by another plunge in elevation, which marks the lowest elevation on the course in the picturesque community of Tygh Valley. This is where the longest, and likely the definitive, climb of the tour begins. From Tygh Valley you’ll confront a 35 mile, 4500 foot ascent to the summit finish at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort. Beginning in the sage brush plains of Eastern Oregon, the majority of this climb rolls over desolate forest service roads in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It ascends into an alpine landscape and finishes on the eastern flank of the volcano. Be warned, the final two-mile stretch to the ski resort has an average gradient of 10%, including sections that approach 12 percent! The racers will be coming behind you, Leave a little in the gas tank for a strong finish. The transfer back to Cooper Spur is close to a 14 mile roll that is mostly down hill. Riders will have the option to take a coach lift or ride back to bring the ride to over 100 miles.
Start: Cooper Spur Mountain Resort
Start time: 7 am. SHARP. No starts after 7:15 am!
Finish: Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
Suggested minimum gearing: Advanced riders: 39 x 27; Less experienced riders: 30 x 25
Rest stops: (mile estimates coming soon!)
The small print: All riders are responsible for riding safely and on sound equipment and for ensuring that they are physically and mentally ready for the challenge of this ride. Mechanical labor on the road and rest stops is provided, but any parts are additional. All riders being caught by the Mt Hood Cycling Classic’s rolling race caravans must pull to the side of the road with all vehicle traffic and await until the final official vehicles pass before again proceeding. It is possible that riders may be overtaken by more than one race caravan. We ask that all non racers respect the progress of the race, ride single file on the final climb, and move aside to let racers outside of the caravan pass when necessary, refraining from following within 50 feet. Any rider not passing the 80 mile mark by 4 pm will be shuttled by vehicle to the finish at Mt Hood Meadows. Orange Cat Events, Mt Hood Cycling Classic, their contractors and volunteers will not be responsible for riders who do not meet the deadline but refuse a ride in the shuttle, and services, food and safety precautions beyond that point are not guaranteed. See the FAQ for additional information about how the ride and race will interact. This event runs rain or shine! No refunds after 5/9/2008. Refund rules apply.
For more information contact tourdehood@orangecatevents.com or 541-912-9792.
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