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This ride is designed to include some of the most spectacular scenery that you’ll ever have an opportunity to see, on or off a bike. Part of this route was built nearly 100 years ago as the first highway to navigate the Columbia River Gorge, and it is a impressive today as it was back then.
 Start Sunday morning with time for breakfast and even reading the paper in one of the area’s many café’s, lodges, or bed & breakfasts. Then head out of Hood River at the decent hour of 9 a.m. along the Columbia River Historic Highway – closed to automobile traffic – to the town of Mosier. From Mosier, continue along the old scenic highway, climbing gradually for eight miles to the top of the Rowena Crest Lookout. Don’t let the scenery take your breath away, because you’ll need it for the climbs coming up! From Rowena Crest descend the famous Rowena Loops and along the Columbia River bluffs into the town of The Dalles, where the rest stop awaits. Fuel up because you’re headed to the 1650 foot climb of Seven Mile Ridge. Scream down the other side of Seven Mile back into the town of Mosier and return the Scenic Highway through the Historic Mosier Tunnels. Once through the tunnels, you’ll snake through the Columbia River Highway State Park’s flat to rolling terrain. The westerly Gorge winds can make the last quarter of this ride even more challenging than it looks on paper!
Finish up the ride where you started at the day in Downtown Hood River right next to the Mt Hood Classic Criterium course. Enjoy a burrito by Taco del Mar and a pint from Full Sail brewing while you cheer on the pro women and men racing around the .6 miles course. Browse the expo.
Start: Hood River
Start time: 9 am. No starts after 9:15 am!
Finish: Hood River
Suggested gearing: Advanced riders: 39 x 27; Less experienced riders: 30 x 25
Rest stop: (mile estimates coming soon!)
The small print: Any rider not passing the 30 mile mark in Moser by 1:30 pm will be shuttled by vehicle to the finish in Hood River. 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. 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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