PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE FOR THIS RIDE: Washington Pass Excursion: Newhalem to Winthrop 2-day
KEEPING RIDERS SAFE
- Advance registration required for all participants. If you decide not to ride, please click Cancel My Registration below to open space for others. (How to cancel)
- Attendance at the pre-ride safety briefing is required to participate in the ride.
- If you have tested positive for COVID or have been exposed to someone with COVID, follow the quarantine and isolation guidelines. In general, if you have COVID or are displaying COVID symptoms, or if you are sick with the flu or a cold, you should not participate in group rides.
- Carry a face covering in case a business or public transit requires their use.
- Please, no spitting or “snot-rockets” while participating.
- A CPSC certified helmet is required to be worn to participate.
If you are new, please read our newcomer information.
Come join us for a ride along the North Cascade Highway up Washington Pass and over to Winthrop. This will be a self-guided, self-paced 2-day ride starting from Newhalem. We will ride over to Winthrop the first day, overnight in a hotel, then ride back the next day. Minimal SAG support will be available (see below). There will be a couple of water stops along the way.
About the ride: THIS RIDE IS CHALLENGING, but also one of the prettiest rides I have ever done. It will be a steady grade of 3-5% for 45 miles (11,000 ft of total elevation gain over two days/146 miles). In order to do this ride, you will have to have spent time training this spring. You should be able to ride a high moderate or above pace and be comfortable with long, steady climbs riding solo for parts of the ride. If you are a slower rider, you will be expected to keep moving and roll out early both days.
This is a beautiful ride that you will never forget about through the north Cascades.
Ride directors: Alexa Volwiler (360-303-0526) and Frieder Mack (360-244-3083).
Minimal SAG support: The wonderful Chris Onishi will carry bags and water for us. Chris will drop water at designated points along the route and transport a rider bag from the start to the hotel and back. The SAG will NOT be responsible for mechanicals on route or transporting riders. This is a minimally supported, self-sustaining ride. Minimal food will be provided so please pack a lunch and bring it with you for the van for both days.
Detailed start location: Newhalem across from the Skagit General Store. Park in the gavel parking lot across from the Skagit General Store off the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20). GPS link here.
Registration Required (no fee): Please register by clicking the Registration link above.
Restrooms/Facilities at Start: The visitor's center across from the Skagit General Store opens at 9 AM and there are public restrooms and water there. The General Store opens later so do NOT plan on purchasing food there. Please arrive 30 minutes before the posted start time to walk over with bags, get bike ready, sign the waiver and hear the route notes. Riders who do not show up 20-30 minutes early are not going to be allowed on the ride so plan ahead and leave early.
Other Notes: Cell reception is spotty at best over the pass so plan on printing a cue sheet and noting the start location before you head out. Carry with you anything you will need on route and be familiar with the rest stops/water stops.
Luggage: Riders are allowed ONE bag transport by the SAG. Please don't overthink and over-pack -- a carry-on sized bag is best. The SAG will carry a basic mechanic's tool kit and bike pump to be used at the start or finish. Luggage must be loaded by 9 AM on Saturday and Sunday.
Water stops: Water will be dropped at pre-assigned points along the route. Refer to cue sheet.
Food stops: We will have a lunch stop each day. Please pack a sandwich and snacks which you will have access to during this time. We will provide cooler space, but please pack light as space is limited. Carry whatever other snacks you need on your person outside of that. If you have a small personal cooler, that is fine to bring as well (as long as it is small).
Accommodations: Abby Creek Inn (~$90/night - ask for our Cascade group rate) - Riders MUST reserve their own rooms at the location provided by the organizers. Bags will be delivered to this location only. If rooms are full, the Winthrop Inn is right next door.
Route Link:
DAY 1: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10527755
DAY 2: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10527864
Cancellation Policy: Showers cancel. This ride is not safe to do in the rain. In the event that showers are in the forecast for the area, the ride leaders will not be at the ride start, but will post a note to Meetup and the Cascade posting 4 hours before the start time.
Comments
Weather Update
Weather this weekend is not looking promising in the mountains. I am monitoring it and will make the call on Wednesday so that you all have time to cancel hotel reservations if we have to call the ride. I do not feel that this is a good ride to do in wet conditions.
Share a ride and/or lodging
Coming from Magnuson Park area. I'd be up for splitting gas and lodging if we get the weather to do the ride.
RIDE POSTPONED!!
The moment you have been waiting for: We are going to postpone this ride to this Sunday/Monday. For those who can take Monday off and join us for the whole weekend, please switch your hotel date. For those who can't take Monday off, you are welcome to join us for a cycle to the summit, then turn around and head back. Water will be provided until you get to the top and, unless you go through a lot of water, you should be fine for the return trip back to the car. No support will be provided once you turn back from the summit if you are not heading to Winthrop due to limited SAG capacity.
Questionable Weather
Weather continues to be questionable over the pass this weekend and now it looks like there might be rain on Sunday morning. Given conditions and uncertainty, we will likely make the call weather the ride is a go or not on Saturday late-afternoon. I understand that this would be too late to cancel the hotel. I also know that there was a lot of availability for Sunday when we checked last with the owner there, so if you are worried, you might consider cancelling your reservation and booking later if the ride is a go. Please check back to this site to stay updated before you head for the ride on Sunday.
As of now, we are a GO for Ride!
Weather looks like it will dry up in time for our ride. As of now, this ride is a GO! Highs are in the mid-50s on the pass. Please be prepared with layers and rain jackets just in case. You might even want a thermal layer. The decent will likely be chilly.