Will you take the High Pass Challenge?

The High Pass Challenge is not for the faint of heart. Neither is founder Tom Meloy’s idea of a feel-good bicycle workout! Now in its 10th year, the High Pass Challenge (HPC) is a high-intensity ride with a gorgeous route that competes with some of the most beautiful rides in the state.

After becoming a Cascade Ride Leader in 2003 and joining the Board of Directors a few years later, Tom created HPC for experienced riders seeking a new challenge. He chose a rigorous but beautiful route that traversed a long climb up to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint near Spirit Lake at Mount St. Helens. Tom even incorporated finisher medals for coming in under specified times. Around the same time, he also founded Cascade’s High Performance Cycling Team for cyclists hoping to develop their fitness and cycling skills while practicing in a safe team environment. The new team and the new ride presented great opportunities for athletes interested in long-distance riding, not to mention those who enjoyed a good climb. Before long, riders were coming from near and far (Massachusetts, Alaska and New Zealand!) to take their shot at HPC.

This year, on August 29--and in keeping with tradition--the HPC route will once again wind through the beautiful Gifford Pinchot National Forest, including the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Starting from Packwood, cyclists will climb over 8,200 feet in elevation gain across 114 miles. The halfway point is at scenic Windy Ridge, overlooking the Mount St. Helens blast zone--a truly breaktaking sight.

Alternatively, there is a 61-mile route with 2,000 feet of climbing. This beautiful route traverses the lower slopes and lightly traveled forest roads. Find out more route details here.

Upon finishing, HPC riders will once again receive well-earned food and refreshments, finisher medals and all the high-fives we can pass around, not to mention all the road support needed along the way. 

HPC is a very challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. So are you ready for the Challenge?! The rider limit for HPC is 600, so reserve your spot now before it sell out! Early registration pricing ends on August 17, and regular registration closes on August 25. Learn more about HPC pricing, route and registration here.

Don’t miss out on the chance to complete the challenge of a lifetime--register for the High Pass Challenge today!