Winthrop Gravel Tour

Event Description

Ready to hit the off-road?  To boldly go where no velodrome racer or electric car has gone before?  Feeling tough and rugged enough to brave the wilderness? 

Just to the East of the North Cascades starts the Methow Valley, surrounded by vaulting foothills and steep ravines that just dare you to try to complete a cell phone call.  From the post-frontier town of Winthrop, we’ll venture into the hills north, south, east and likely even west to get overly in touch with the land before asphalt took over.  

Cascade presents the second year of this gravel ride — an up-and-down-and-dirty three-day diversion beyond bike lanes, multi-use pathways, and overrun autobahns. Each day’s loops will alternate between questionable pavement, unsurfaced backroads, and outright dirt-track, usually finished with a gentler, smoother last stretch back into town to be able to look up at the scenery again and think about how good that post-pedal refreshing beverage will be. Ridership is capped at 200 riders, making for a delightfully social and close-knit experience.

This event is a fundraiser for Cascade Bicycle Club's programming in advocacy, education, and community rides, such as Your Streets Your Say and Pedaling Relief Project.

Communications to Riders

We send two e-mails in the weeks before the tour to help you prepare.

We'll also send you an invitation to an optional informational session over Zoom about two weeks before the tour.

Registration

Registration opens on February 11 at 10 a.m. to members.

This tour has sold out in 2023 and 2024. Register early!

There is NO registration available at the start line. We have very strict limits set by our permits and we cannot accomodate walk-ups or exceptions.

Route

Routes subject to change for 2025. We anticipate minor changes to the third day's route.

Please wait until the day of the event to download the map. 

Each day offers a shorter loop that cuts off a third to half the ride.

Click through to see the full map on Ride With GPS.

Event Schedule

Friday | Thompson Road - Aspen Lake - Winthrop Trail

Everyone gets to sample three types of gravel routes their first day. Looping through downtown Winthrop to cross the Methow River, we’ll wind up Twin Lakes Rd to reach Patterson Lake. Just before, the short loop veers down Elbow Coulee. Full loop circles the lake to then climb up & over the infamous Thompson Road Nordic Ski Trail, a favored off-road biking route along the ridge down from Sun Mountain once the snow is gone. A turn along the Twisp River cruises beyond Elbow Coulee and up Frost Road, past Aspen Lake, then back down to Patterson Lake to trace our way down the Winthrop Trail to return to town.

Saturday | Pearrygin Lake  – Loup Loup – Finley Canyon  – Balky Hill

The hills to the east of Winthrop look smoother and lower, but much winding around and over ridges eventually carries the intrepid up to Loup Loup Pass, the choice ski bowl in the winter, but snow-free alpine woods by June. Options abound on the way back down.

Options abound on the way back down. Crashing through past years’ burn zones and Finley Canyon, there’s a touch of real roadways before veering off on Balky Hill to get down to the Eastside Rd paved return. Or, take the Bear Creek turn up to the single-track that brings you back to Pearrygin Lake and the pastoral downhill cruise back to finish.

Sunday | Cub Creek  - Wolf Creek

Just 42 miles — but what a scenic route we ride. Lots of forested dirt road climbing up along Cub Creek to the 4700' high point of Banker Pass, then turn back down along Goat Creek, and finally switchbacking down the ridge North of the Winthrop Valley to discover the popular Methow Community Trail.

Inclusion

Everyone is welcome at Cascade events. We are committed to celebrating and promoting diversity in the bicycling community. We aim to provide safe spaces at start lines, finish lines, and official rest stops. Read our commitment to anti-racism and our participant code of conduct and grievance policy.

We would like to acknowledge that our rides take place on native land. Our offices are located on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Cascade Bicycle Club's tour is operated under special use permit with the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest.

Food & Breaks

Light snacks will be available at the morning check-in.

Lunch is provided and includes fresh fruit, sandwiches (gluten free and vegan options), chips, and other snacks and drinks.

Additional water and snack stations will be posted as needed.

Join us for social gatherings at local establishments on Friday and Saturday evening.

Where to Stay

Partnering Hotel & Campgrounds

• AbbyCreek Inn 1006 Hwy 20,  Winthrop. 98862. We're holding a block for riders. Instructions for booking are in your registration confirmation email.
• Pine Near Park 326 Castle Ave, Winthrop  98862. Closest to the start/finish line. Campground offers a diverse range of accomodations, from RV spots, tent camping, cabins, and tipis. Please book by calling (509) 341-4062.

Recommended Stays

• Methow River Lodge & Cabins 110 White Ave, Winthrop, WA 98862
• Hotel Rio Vista  285 Riverside Ave, Winthrop
• River Pines Inn  144 Bluff St, Winthrop
• Observatory Inn 237 Castle Ave, Winthrop

Camping Options

Campers should prepare for cold nights and hot days.

• KOA Winthrop 1114 State Rte 20, Winthrop, WA 98862
• Pearrygin Lake 561 Bear Creek Road, Winthrop, WA 98862

Unique Local Stays

• Methow Reservations Find local cabins, rustic huts, and other unique locally-owned options. 

Support During the Ride

This ride is supported by Cascade staff and volunteers, many of whom are Winthrop locals!

Riders must check in in the morning, at lunch, and at the end of the riding day so that we know everyone has made it safely off the trails and forest roads. Many parts of the route are outside of cell service.

Support and gear (SAG) vehicles are present on the route and dispatched when you call the ride support hotline. SAG vehicles can transport you and most models of bikes in the event of a mechanical or minor medical event. You should always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency. Outriders and Cascade staff will be on route on bike to support you.

Weather

June weather can bring many things in Winthrop: rain, snow, extreme heat, and lots of sun. Morning temperatures may vary drastically from midday temperatures. 

Loup Loup Campground is the summit on Day 2 and the elevation there means that it can be subject to very different conditions from the start location. In 2024 we had snowfall (which melted on the ground) and temperatures in the low 30s Fahrenheit. In 2023 we had very high temperatures. 

Wear or bring layers to have available on your bike with you. We recommend having a medium-sized bag on your bike so you can carry extra snacks, a small First Aid kit, extra layers, and a third water bottle or drink. 

Get your bike tuned up and in shape to ride on gravel and roads. Bring front and rear lights, backup batteries, install fenders, service your brakes, and clean your chain.

E-Bikes

E-bikes are permitted on most of this ride. We are currently investigating alternate routes for e-bikes along some stretches. Methow Community Trail, Winthrop Trail, and Pearrygin Single Track do not allow any classes of e-bike along them. Alternate paved roads will be supported by SAG vehicles and represent only 14 miles out of this 144-mile tour, meaning that e-bike riders get to experience much of what non-e-bike riders do.

Training

The Cascade Training Series is a twelve-week ride series designed to prepare you for long-distance and multi-day rides. Riders of all paces will not only building their strength and endurance, but also their confidence.

To help you prepare for this ride, you can also check out our extensive schedule of Free Group Rides in the Puget Sound area. Find rides that fit your schedule and desired pace and distance.