Rattlesnake Pancakes (Brisk)

Let's meet at the Rattlesnake Lake parking lot near the Palouse Cascade Trail. Be there, ready to go at the time listed above for a gravel ride. (35 mm tires highly recommended with gravel tread (file tread or knobs)). We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

The Palouse Cascade Trail, AKA Iron Horse Trail, AKA John Wayne Pioneer trail was an old railroad decommissioned in 1980. It is a gentle 2% gravel grade the entire way to the 2.3 mile, pitch dark, cold, tunnel. (bring a headlight and taillight) Ignore the "devil horns" in the elevation profile, this is the mountain the tunnel goes through (its only a total of 2075 elevation gain, not 5000+). We will then make our way across the ski resorts to Summit Pancake House for lunch mile 24. And then back to Rattlesnake Lake the way we came.

We will try and maintain a 14-15 mph avg pace while climbing the gravel path, and regroup frequently.  We'll also limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH.) At the pass, we will maintain brisk pace on the asphalt.

Restrooms are available at the start, there are multiple vault privies along the trail, and at Summit Pancake House.

Be sure to have gravel tires with file tread or knobs. Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Other things to bring: phone; ID; cash and/or credit card; ORCA card; water and a small snack. Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group. Front light, rear reflector/light for the tunnel are required. There are no water stops for 24 miles, 2 bottle minimum. I would drink a bottle on the way in the car, and drink a bottle in the parking lot, and have 2 bottles on the bike.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is cancelled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

We hope you can join us!