Last Chance - McKenzie Pass 30 and 53 mi ride options - "Leaderless Ride"

This is the last dance with Dee Wright for 2026. They are opening the highway to vehicular traffic on Monday, June 15. Last Dance. . .

This is one of the most beautiful rides imaginable, at least in good weather. Unlike in years past, there is no snow anywhere near the summit. That doesn't mean it's not a fantastic ride. It just means no riding between towering snowbanks

Video: https://youtu.be/_UbyR6yXQFA (30 mi ride, best in HD)
Video: https://youtu.be/NjtEhnmIIJo (53 mi. best in HD)

Option 1 is a 30 mile ride with one climb, an 15 mile 2250' climb to the Dee Wright Observatory. Beginning at Village Green City Park, the climb begins gently and gets steeper at the end. It sounds more daunting than it is, and there's no harm in taking your time and the view. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21616020 . 30 mile route.

Option 2 is a 53 mile ride (4200' climbing) The first climb is the 15 mile 2250 foot climb to the Dee Wright Observatory. While option two riders turn around, option three riders continue to the Alder Creek snow gate. The climb back from the snow gate is a steepie. The first 4 miles climbs almost 1100' with grades up to 13%. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27893527 . 53 mi. route.

Try to carpool. Many may choose to go over the night before and camp/lodge overnight. Use the comments section to arrange carpools. I will be driving from Portland the morning of the ride, returning the same day.

Weather: The ride is worth the travel only in good weather. So if the weather looks uncertain the ride date may be changed to a more optimal weather date. I'll post frequent updates as the date approaches. If the weather is less than optimal, maybe we'll substitute "Jan's 58 mile Madras Double Loop" ride. We'll see.

Please print out the appropriate map or download to your gps device.

Oregon.gov states the following about this epic ride:

"The McKenzie Pass ride is without a doubt the most spectacular ride in Central Oregon. The ride begins at the Village Green Park in the center of Sisters, Oregon. The vast majority of the route is on Oregon Route 242 (selected to be on the U.S. Register of Historic Places). The route heads west past hay meadows and climbs 2,000 feet through ponderosa pine forests. The road follows an 1860s wagon route, emerging from the forest at Windy Point and revealing a view of Mt. Washington and a 2,000-year-old lava flow. The 25 mile, 4,000 foot descent snakes down exhilarating switchbacks to the dense, verdant Cascadian forests and rushes out over the McKenzie River. It is these dramatic transitions through such diverse natural environments that define the uniqueness of this bikeway."

Pace: Your pace. That said, the 53 mile riders will probably do a faster pace in order to complete the ride in a reasonable time.

Distance: You decide. Turn around and head back down when you have had enough.

Attitude: One that enjoys and appreciates spectacular beauty.

Traffic: There will be light auto and occasional truck traffic until the snow gate. After the snow gate, it's motor vehicle free.

Note: This is an unsupported ride in the Cascade mountains. So please bring enough food and water to sustain yourself, clothing to account for possible sudden weather changes that occur frequently in the Cascades and spares, etc. to handle the common types of mechanicals that can occur.

Ride Leader: Edward Lanton: anquetil@yahoo.com, 971-258-6066. Please call or email with any questions or concerns.

See additional conditions in the comments section: