Lake Chelan Tour

Registration

Do I have to be a member to ride? No, but you receive a member discount on the entry fee if you are a member. 

Can I ride an e-bike on this tour? Yes.  There are no charging stations on the route; we recommend that you be very familiar with your battery range. SAG vehicles can transport e-bikes.

How do tandem riders register for this tour? Each rider must register separately.

Does this event sell out? We've been running the Lake Chelan Tour for 10 years in this format and while it hasn't sold out, all of our tours have seen increased popularity in the last two years, so there is always a chance we reach the 200 cap. We cap rider numbers so we can deliver a unique experience and because small- and mid-sized towns have limited hotel rooms available and limited parking at each start line.

Where does my entry fee go? Your fee covers food, support supplies, SAG vehicles, and boring things like permits. This event is a fundraiser for Cascade Bicycle Club's programming in advocacy, education, and community rides.

What's the refund policy?  You can read the refund policy here.

The Route

Where is the start line for this tour? We'll start every day as a group at Don Morse Memorial Park. Make sure to join us every morning for the group starts; we hand out placards on Day 1, pie tickets on Day 2, and give you detailed route reports each day.

Can I start early? We ask that you check in at the start line so we know you're on the road. You'll likely miss a lot of support, like our snack and lunch stops, and SAG vehicles won't yet be on the road to assist you. The Sunday ride is always the shortest so you have time for the drive back home. You'll also miss out on pie tickets if you don't attend the morning briefing.

How hilly is the ride? Day 1 is a warmup with lots of rolling hills and some optional extended climbs, Day 2 has an optional EPIC climb and a non-optional climb to return to town, and Day 3, although not particularly challenging on its own, comes at the end of a long weekend, so you perceived rate of exertion may feel higher. Please see the Ride With GPS route elevation maps, which will show you total feet of elevation and highlight the steepest grades. The hills don't end until the route does!

What if I cannot finish the route? There are long and short routes for each day, so make sure you pick the one that suits you. SAG vehicles are available for minor medical and mechanical issues that prevent riders from continuing the course.

Are the roads closed to traffic? No. Automobile traffic, including farm equipment, will be present on the roads.

Communications

How can I meet other riders before the event so we can carpool or share a hotel? You can join the Cascade Tours group on Facebook and connect with other riders.

What information can I expect to receive before departing for this tour? We'll send you an email two weeks before the ride with some reminders to start preparing. The Tuesday before the tour, you'll get another email from us with detailed schedules and other info. Make sure you're subscribed to communications from us.

Are you ready to join one of these tours?

Try answering the following questions:

• Have you ridden at least 40 miles averaging 12-16 mph on the flats for at least two days in a row?
• Have you ridden distances as long and climbed as much as the ones listed for the tour?
• Have you been riding regularly over the last year?
• Have you ridden in bad weather (rain, cold, heat)?
• Will you have an opportunity to take some training rides before the tour?
• Do you like a challenge?

If you answered YES to all of these questions, then you are ready for one of our tours. If you answered NO to any, then why not take the opportunity this year to train-up for one of these tours next year? 

Look at the Free Group Rides calendar to find rides to prepare you for touring. Ride both Saturday and Sunday to "get the feel" of consecutive riding days. Look for rides of 40 miles or more. All of these strategies will get you ready to tour.

Tours are fun and challenging. They take cycling to a new level. Those of you who have done Ride Around Washington or other tours know that you soon forget about the daily worries of life and, at the slower pace of a bike, see the passing countryside in a new and more intimate light. You can make new friends or solidify old friendships, and you can challenge yourself to ride a little farther or higher than you usually do. You come home satisfied and energized. If you love to cycle, treat yourself to a cycling vacation this year.