SnoCo in the Spring #7: Barlow Pass 85mi/4150ft (brisk 16-18mi/h)

Invitation: Come and check out the the beauty of Snohomish County this spring and get fit for lots of enjoyment on your bike this summer during the SnoCo in the Spring series! Routes start from various places in Snohomish County. We begin pedaling a distance of around 35 miles and steadily increase to a full century.

Dates for April: April 10, 16 and 30

Dates for May: 7, 15 and 22

Dates for June: 12 and 25 (June 4 = Flying Wheels)

Route for today: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13631117

Cue sheets are not provided at the start - please print your own copy.

Note that we will start at 8:00 am!!

Indeed this is a repeat of SnoCo in the Spring #6 which got rained out. This time I sure hope will make it up to Barlow Pass. We will warm up the legs taking the back roads to Granite Falls passing Lake Bosworth. We will marvel the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River, the impressive washouts, the many Cascade peaks, moss covered trees and just the fact that you can enjoy all of this on a bike up to Barlow Pass! Overall the grade is gentle except for a bump just a few miles out of Granite Falls and the road steepens the last few miles to Barlow Pass. Be prepared for a cooler descent! When we are back in Granite Falls we will have an nice 13 mile through rural neighborhoods to warm up a little before returning to the Machias Trailhead Park.

We will share the road with cars that travel about 50mi/h on a curvy road without many shoulders. Please: Wear BRIGHT clothing and have a TAIL LIGHT!!!

We will regroup at times, but riders need to be able to keep a pace that can be expected for this pace, up the pass. About 2/3 of the elevation is gained in the first half of the ride.

Rest stops: MP21 and MP 62 Green Gables General Store (restrooms with purchase only; the only place you can buy food on the Mountain Loop Hyw) or MP 22 and MP 61 Verlot Ranger Station (restrooms and water). At MP 41 we reach Barlow Pass and there is a bathroom (no water).

Stats: 85 miles and 4150 feet elevation.

Registration: Your registration on the Cascade Bicycle Club's website is much appreciated. Sign in to your (free) account, then register.

Expectations (important, please read!): Arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the ride to part of the safety briefing. S.M.A.R.T. riding is the standard and all riders are held accountable for doing their best to adhere to these; we want to be awesome representatives of the bike community in Snohomish County and be safe! Front and rear lights are highly recommended! Riders should be able to maintain the pace. We regroup occasionally. Riders have to be independent when they have a flat and/or mechanical. Please print a cue sheet in case you get separated from the group. All riders are responsible to promote a great experience by having a positive attitude, having fenders when the roads are wet or rain is in the forecast, enjoying the beauty we are surrounded by and just by having fun! Steady rain or other unsafe conditions cancels the ride. If the ride is canceled by 06:00 am, it will be posted in the comment section. In that case I will not be at the start.

Ride Leader: Dorothé Reijnders - dorothe.nl@gmail.com