My arm still hurt too badly to race the long awaited Super D at Willamette Pass, so I had to bag that and go for a road ride instead. We decided upon McKenzie Pass because it's only closed to cars for a couple more weeks. This ride is a long section of scenic highway that climbs up to a summit and then decends back down into McKenzie. There are a MULTITUDE of switchbacks so numerous that I never count, tons of great views, and a lot of effort the actual climbing part of the ride if you go out and back, is about 6000' in 12-15 miles, and then there are flat 10-15 mile sections leading up. The last time I did this ride was in a stage of the Cascade Cyling Classic.
Here is the view from Sisters where the official ride starts
Anyone know what this thing is? It was running around in the middle of the road making this odd gutteral growl sound and looking generally pissed off. When I stopped to take its picture it came dashing at me and gave my shoe a giant peck!
When the climb started we began to pass some riders and I felt like I was in the Tour! Halfway up the climb you come to Windy Pass and are treated to this view of Mt. Hood to the north.
And I think Mt. Washington to the North.
This route is under snow for most of the winter and there was evidence of that everywhere.
During most of the climb, you are ascending through lava rock fields that are just totally odd.
If you look closely you can almost see my guns.
Almost at the top
This little observatory is built of, in, and around a lava flow.
And alas, a different view of the very same mountains we started off looking at.
Although my true love is definitely mountain biking, there is something special about road riding. This ride was definitely a special ride.
Here is the view from Sisters where the official ride starts
Anyone know what this thing is? It was running around in the middle of the road making this odd gutteral growl sound and looking generally pissed off. When I stopped to take its picture it came dashing at me and gave my shoe a giant peck!
When the climb started we began to pass some riders and I felt like I was in the Tour! Halfway up the climb you come to Windy Pass and are treated to this view of Mt. Hood to the north.
And I think Mt. Washington to the North.
This route is under snow for most of the winter and there was evidence of that everywhere.
During most of the climb, you are ascending through lava rock fields that are just totally odd.
If you look closely you can almost see my guns.
Almost at the top
This little observatory is built of, in, and around a lava flow.
And alas, a different view of the very same mountains we started off looking at.
Although my true love is definitely mountain biking, there is something special about road riding. This ride was definitely a special ride.
