During the weekend of June 27-28 I joined the Redmond Cycling Club (RCC) for their annual Mazama Ride over Hwy 20.
Yes, you can certainly drive a vehicle over the North Cascades Hwy, but then you miss the visceral experience of difficult miles hard won through persistence and determination. Cycling in a spectacular setting like Hwy 20 inspire the rider to make a direct kinesthetic connection to the road, the incline, the air, and the Earth. Rides like this are why we cycle.
My partner for the weekend was a cycling buddy from Eugene, Ian Fuller. Ian and I are well-matched over most terrain and generally have a blast cycling together. An important bit of context is that Ian is ~20 years my senior and was racing before I was born. Ian is proof that age is no excuse.
RCC riders all smiles after a long climb. Image courtesy Ian Fuller.
We were among the last to leave the Marblemount parking lot, but the flat terrain between Marblemount and Newhalem was a perfect tailwind-aided warm-up for the long climb ahead. From Newhalem it’s pretty much an uninterrupted ascent to Washington Pass. We pedaled the route with minimal stops. I made a quick stop at the Diablo overlook where the RCC provided awesome support, and at a strategically placed water jug at a turnout mid-way up the Rainy Pass climb.
A cyclists-eye view of spectacular Liberty Bell and the Early Winters Spires. Image courtesy Ian Fuller.
Of course, the descent down the east side of Washington Pass was a highlight. We hit a maximum speed of between 45-50 mph, complete with Ian drafting an RV with a smoking right front wheel. At one point a guy on a Harley pulled up next to me to give me the thumbs up and to yell that he was impressed that grown men wearing lycra could go so fast.
The air temperature was cool on Sunday morning, which made the Washington Pass climb quite enjoyable. Image courtesy Ian Fuller.
Upon arrival at the Mazama Country Inn we got hydrated, enjoyed some appetizers, and then relaxed into a post ride massage. I’d never gotten a massage immediately after a hard ride before, and it was a wonderful recovery aid. I’m certain it made the difficult westward climb up Washington Pass just a tad easier.
A one day ride over Hwy 20 is definitely on my hit list. One option is the Native Planet Classic, though a self-supported ride is reasonable since there are a number of campgrounds along the way where you can get water. In the case of a self-supported ride I’d start from Newhalem (is car prowling a worry?) and get water and turn around at Cutthroat Campground on the east side of Washington Pass.
Kudos to everyone involved in planning and making this ride happen–it’s definitely a Washington state classic.
If the weather gets really bad at Washington Pass you can always ski it.
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