Accidental pass hunting in the cascades, + Rainier!

AngryScientist · #1 07-14-2018, 05:01 PM

As an east coaster, i'm totally enamored with the American west, especially the northwest.

soo sooo many great places to explore. if i have even a short opportunity when i'm out that way for work, i find something new to do.

anyway, flight into Seattle with the travel bike in tow. after getting up at 4something AM and a 6 hour flight, i was headed to my destination in eastern WA, and tired as hell, but passed a sign that spoke to me.

STAMPEDE PASS

ok, change of plans, pulled off the highway, and quickly assembled the bike in a gravel road:

Stampede Pass is a short, gravel climb. Road is groomed smooth enough to be doable on 25s, though the way down was a little hairy, and i couldnt go as fast as i would have like to with some sweet compass stampede pass 32s!

Wasn't expecting to knock that one out, but it was a good warmup for the week ahead in WA.

Managed a few short rides when i was done with work stuff each day in various parts of eastern WA, then drove out to Rainier Nat Park.

Thanks to the suggestions here, i found a great metric century loop starting in Packwood. The route is basically a 24 mile climb to the top of Paradise, followed by 10 miles of descending, a small lump of elevation and then another gradual 20 miles or so of sloping downward back to Packwood.

GREAT ride. I was impressed by the fact that i was on fantastic roads, glorious scenery and saw exactly zero other cyclists during the day.

Getting ready to roll from Packwood:

awesome, quiet roads:

AngryScientist · #2 07-14-2018, 05:01 PM

coolest part of the whole ride for me was the beginning part is heavily wooded, so you cant really see much beyond the trees. at one point though, i turned a corner and into a clearing of trees, looked left and was greeted with this scene, totally awesome. looks to me like something out of a Disney mock-up set, not real life. but it is real. the magic of mountains. so impressive!

onward and upward:

about 5 miles from the peak:

success!!

unfortunately it was HOT day. granted, my car had been sitting in the sun all day, but the temps were still very high. i was pretty wiped out by the time i got back to the car and couldnt get to some cold beers fast enough!

AngryScientist · #3 07-14-2018, 05:03 PM

I would say, if you're in area, or are travelling to the Seattle area, and you haven't knocked this one out, do it!

i used a modified version of this route and i worked out well:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4941370

dave thompson · #4 07-14-2018, 05:28 PM

Washington abounds in things like you’ve experienced, all over the state.

Here’s a little trip I had, a shakedown cruise for a new bike several years ago, from the western side of the mountains to the eastern side of the state: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...light=American

Birddog · #5 07-14-2018, 05:41 PM

Angry, you clearly captured an image in a "No Shooting Zone", shame on you.

one60 · #6 07-14-2018, 06:16 PM

Looks like a great outing. Its surprising how danged hot it can get up in the Cascade Range in the summer. Its not uncommon for temps on the roads up to the passes to get in the 80s. But better hot than cold & wet.

AngryScientist · #7 07-14-2018, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave thompson

Washington abounds in things like you’ve experienced, all over the state.

Here’s a little trip I had, a shakedown cruise for a new bike several years ago, from the western side of the mountains to the eastern side of the state: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...light=American

hell yea!

i remember seeing that thread some years ago dave.

really great stuff you guys have out there. i count myself fortunate to be able to travel to the west coast so often and have a travel bike to explore. will keep exploring new roads every chance i get!

AngryScientist · #8 07-14-2018, 06:39 PM

oh, and public thanks to all the forum members who helped me plan what to do, in particular one60 above who posted the basic route i took.

gasman · #9 07-14-2018, 06:45 PM

You should NOT be posting photos of these beautiful places to ride

We don’t want our roads more crowded. Glad you had a good time. It is amazing how hot it can get even with some elevation.

Mikej · #10 07-14-2018, 07:49 PM

Pretty cool, looks like a great pace!

marciero · #11 07-14-2018, 07:59 PM

Sounds and looks like some pretty awesome riding. Packwood, Stampede Pass, Paradise... readers of BQ will recognize all these. Pretty sure I've seen photos of that bridge in BQ as well.

AngryScientist · #12 07-15-2018, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marciero

Sounds and looks like some pretty awesome riding. Packwood, Stampede Pass, Paradise... readers of BQ will recognize all these. Pretty sure I've seen photos of that bridge in BQ as well.

yes, granted that this was a weekday, i was pretty surprised to be out all day on perfect roads (i was going sloooow) and not see a single other cyclist. despite the heat, these are ideal riding roads. very very low car traffic as well, i felt very safe too.

going to start planning a few day pleasure trip out this way for next year!

fourspin · #13 07-15-2018, 05:20 PM

Are you running Schwalbe Pro Ones? I have them (and really like them) on my road bike (running tubeless) and will hit the occasional, short stretch of hardpack dirt, but would have never thought to ride off road with them. Good to know they can take the abuse!

AngryScientist · #14 07-15-2018, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourspin

Are you running Schwalbe Pro Ones? I have them (and really like them) on my road bike (running tubeless) and will hit the occasional, short stretch of hardpack dirt, but would have never thought to ride off road with them. Good to know they can take the abuse!

yea man! these tires have proven to take a tremendous amount of abuse and still going strong. i'm pretty damned close to wearing out the rear, and not other cuts, which is a rarity for me. they've seen quite a bit of "accidental" gravel and have taken the worst i could throw at them.

fourspin · #15 07-15-2018, 05:30 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

yea man! these tires have proven to take a tremendous amount of abuse and still going strong. i'm pretty damned close to wearing out the rear, and not other cuts, which is a rarity for me. they've seen quite a bit of "accidental" gravel and have taken the worst i could throw at them.