Accidental pass hunting in the cascades, + Rainier!

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by fourspin

Are you running them tubeless? I run mine at about 80 PSI and they are just great. I punctured a few weeks ago, but they sealed up and held about 65 PSI all the way home. Have put another 300 miles or so on them since without any issues.

not tubeless. this is a travel bike and i have to deflate the tires every time i put the bike back in the case, that would be a hassle with tubeless and sealant. they ride pretty nicely tubed though, i think. not as nice as vittoria or veloflex, but pretty good, and more durable.

[72gmc]

You can’t ride mountain passes with rim brakes!

Thanks for the pics. I’ve hiked in that park all of my life but haven’t ridden it yet. I should probably get on that. Funny how life can make you wait to do something that’s just down the road.

[William]

Nick, thanks for the trip down memory lane. I know all those area intimately, I grew up in the PNW and had family all over the state. My grandparents had an A-frame cabin in the Packwood Hi-valley area.

Looked like a fun ride and a great time, thanks for sharing.







William

[HTupolev]

How was the surface on Stampede? I did a loop of Stampede and Tacoma passes last summer, and Stampede was fairly washboarded.

But yeah, the network of gravel roads in the PNW Cascades is excellent.





And if we're on the subject of riding tires on their namesake passes, here's Rat Trap Pass ELs on Rat Trap Pass:

[sc53]

Great trip report and pix, Nick! Also loved the Rat Trap Pass tires and pass. I love spontaneous solo adventures, esp on what would otherwise be a WORK day! I highly recommend wearing a Road ID on such adventures, you never know what a washboarded gravel descent might do.