Description:
Epic, brutal, stunning… However you want to describe it, the Wy’East Road Race will leave its mark on you. The name for this stage, Wy’East, originates from the Native American name for Mt. Hood. Stage 5 will take riders through striking transitions in scenery, from lush alpine fir forests of Mt. Hood, to the arid plains of Eastern Oregon, and back again.
DUE TO THE SUBSTANTIAL SNOWPACK ON ROAD 44, THIS STAGE WILL START FOR THE PRO MEN NEAR THE DALLES, OR; AND FOR THE PRO WOMEN, CAT 2/3 MEN AND MASTERS AT DUFUR, OR. Welcome to the dry side of the Cascade Mountain Range. After passing through the outskirts of Dufur, riders will take on the category 2 Tygh Ridge Summit, which offers a KOM sprint. The day’s second feed zone is here too, followed by another plunge in elevation, which marks the low point on the course in the picturesque community of Tygh Valley. This is where the longest, and likely the definitive, climb of the race begins. From Tygh Valley the riders face a 35 mile, 4500 foot ascent to the summit finish at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort. Beginning in the sagebrush 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! Leave a little in the gas tank for a strong finish. The transfer back to Cooper Spur is close to a 10-mile roll that is mostly down hill.
This new course will be a point to point race with a 75-mile transfer from the finish back to the start (all short cuts are buried in snow). Busses will be located at the start line for riders to load gear and equipment that they want at the finish line waiting for them and we have buses arranged to transport riders back to the start line. However it is strongly encouraged that you make arrangements and recruit support so that you do not have to make this transfer unless necessary. We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause some of you and thank you for your patience. Unfortunately there were no other options at this point.
Start: East of THE DALLES, Oregon
Finish: Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
Start Times:
Pro Men 10:00 a.m.
Pro Women 10:05 a.m.
Cat 2/3 Men 11:00 a.m.
Masters Men 11:10 a.m.
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