🚴‍♂️💨 Conquer Hurricane Ridge / Ride West Sound (Self Paced)

📍 Where to Meet:
We’ll meet at the northwest section of the Safeway parking lot in Port Angeles. Look for my white Sprinter van—your beacon at the start line. Please arrive ready to roll at the posted start time. A required safety briefing will take place before rollout, and all riders must attend to participate.

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Ride West Sound’s Hurricane Ridge Summit Ride is a 39-mile alpine climbing epic beginning at sea level in Port Angeles and ascending to Hurricane Ridge before returning to Port Angeles. Expect approximately 5,500 feet of climbing—averaging more than 140 feet of elevation gain per mile—across nearly 17 relentless uphill miles!—that will test your legs, lungs, pacing, and determination.

🚴 Pace & Regroup Style
▶︎ This is a self-paced endurance climb, not a tightly grouped pace-line ride. Riders should expect the group to spread out on climbs, riding at their own comfortable effort and enjoying the mountain experience.

▶︎ The Ride Leader intends to ride at a Moderate level of effort, similar to the output needed to ride at 14–16 MPH on flat ground, while maintaining a conservative, steady climbing pace appropriate for Hurricane Ridge and keeping the ride connected along the ascent.

▶︎ Regroup stops are planned every 5–6 miles at major pullouts and viewpoints, usually lasting 3–5 minutes. The summit BYOL stop will be longer.

▶︎ Approximate regroup areas include:
▸ Heart O’ the Hills—entrance station/ranger area (mile 6–7)
▸ Morse Creek Overlook (mile 10–11)
▸ Upper alpine pullouts (mile 16–18)
▸ Hurricane Ridge summit area (mile 19–20)

▶︎ A final regroup is planned near Heart O’ the Hills before returning together toward Port Angeles.

Since the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge was tragically destroyed by fire in 2023, no food services are currently available at the summit. Riders should bring lunch or purchase supplies at Safeway before rollout. The primary summit regroup and BYOL stop will take place near the upper main parking lot’s portable toilet area adjacent to the water refill station near the Hurricane Ridge visitor area. Restrooms are available inside Safeway.

As always, we’ll ride respectfully and safely around traffic, pedestrians, park visitors, and fellow cyclists while periodically regrouping to keep the ride connected and flowing smoothly. We’ll also limit our speed on multi-use paths to the posted legal limits (10-15 MPH).

🚴 Did You Know?
Hurricane Ridge truly earns its name. Winds at the summit have been known to exceed 80 MPH, producing genuine hurricane-force gusts during severe weather events. It is also one of the few rides in the United States that climbs from sea level into alpine tundra in under 20 miles!

⚠️ Please bring:
* Plenty of water
* Lunch and snacks
* Spare tube and flat repair tools
* Phone and photo ID
* Cash or credit card
* Warm descent layers and wind protection, especially for the long, high-speed downhill from the summit

📌 A valid Olympic National Park pass must be presented or purchased at the entrance station. Cyclists without a qualifying annual pass should expect a $15 per-person entrance fee (valid for 7 days). Many federal recreation passes typically cover the pass holder plus up to 3 additional adult cyclists.
📌 Riders should be physically and mentally prepared for nearly a vertical mile of climbing over 17+ sustained uphill miles.
📌 Come prepared: the summit can be 15–20°F colder than Port Angeles, and past years have seen descents that chilled riders to the bone.
📌 If roads are wet, full fenders are strongly encouraged to help keep the group comfortable and safe.
📌 If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criteria listed in the Weather Status, or if unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or unexpected events arise, the Ride Leader may cancel the ride.
📌 If canceled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leaders will not be present at the start location. Please check ride status updates before departing for the ride.

We hope you can join us for one of the Pacific Northwest’s truly epic cycling climbs! 😅
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