Description:
Simply put, brutal. This stage will be the first big test of the riders’ fitness and climbing prowess, working its way through the fertile farmland and orchards of the upper Hood River Valley and into an alpine setting at Cooper Spur Resort. The course is set right on the climatic transition zone. The stage starts in Toll Bridge Park at the foot of Mt. Hood and finishes at the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort. The riders begin with the flatter Baseline Road and turn onto Highway 35, where the climbing begins. The initial gradual ascent up Highway 35 is followed by the steeper switchbacks after the turn-off to Cooper Spur Mountain Resort. Once the race hits Highway 35, don’t get caught sleeping though, as attacks here are frequent and furious. And when the road becomes steep after the turn-off to the summit, attacks will surely intensify in the final kilometers. With between 7150 and 9000 feet of climbing, this stage will show which racers have arrived in top form. The pro men will complete 4 ½ circuits. Pro women, CAT 2/3 men, and masters men will complete 3 ½ circuits.
Start: Toll Bridge County Park
Finish: Cooper Spur
Mountain Resort
Start times:
CAT 2/3 Men: 9:00 AM
Masters Men: 9:05 AM
Pro Men: 1:00 PM
Pro Women: 1:05 PM
Results will be posted following the race.
Note: Start times are approximate. Packet Pickup for CAT 2/3 Men and Masters Men will be available Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Discover Bicycles in Hood River or Thursday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Toll Bridge Park. A pasta feed will be served immediately following the stage at Cooper Spur Mountain Resort. Tickets to the feed can be purchased on site.
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