Forecast says: PERFECT Weather for the Cascade to Crown Ride this Sunday, June 26th!

Summer has officially arrived and cyclists throughout the Pacific Northwest are eagerly shedding their rain gear and cold-weather layers in favor of short-sleeve jerseys, SPF 30+ lotion and long rides under blue skies and the sun's radiating warmth. With a forecast of 72 degrees and party sunny this coming weekend, what better opportunity for to enjoy the the upcoming Cascade to Crown Ride this Sunday, June 26th, featuring some of the most beautiful areas of the historic Columbia Gorge?

BicyclingHub.com staff are heading out to the Gorge this weekend to sample some of the lush fecundity of Oregon and its plentiful rain, trees, wet roots, persistent moss and verdant greenery ever-present on this ride. We invite and encourage our readers to join us as we ride from the beautiful community of Cascade Locks to panoramic Crown Point in a fully supported and family-friendly ride environment.

The 15 mile Family Ride route begins along the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. The trail is closed to all motorized vehicles. On the scenic trail riders will pass by Bonneville Dam and Eagle Creek. Be prepared for an excursion to visit Herman the Giant Sturgeon at The Fish Hatchery and/or park your bikes and meander through the Dam Visitors Center. Here you will rest and soak in the sun before returning to Cascade Locks for lunch at Marine Park.

The 50 mile Challenge route will lead the 15 mile ride along the Columbia River Highway State Trail. Merge on to Hwy 84 past Bonneville Dam taking the first exit to Warrendale and on to the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway. The route will pass by cascading waterfalls such as Horsetail Falls, Oneonta Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Latourell Falls and Multnomah Falls. The Highway climbs up to Crown Point and breaks at The Portland Women's Forum.

Crown Point is clearly one of the CROWN JEWELS of Oregon's landscape. To discover and climb to the top of this beauty--enjoying views of the Columbia River, moss-covered trees, old stone walls, exposed rock, the shaded canopy of the Old Historic Highway, as well as the iconic Multnomah Falls, all by BIKE? Some of the best miles a cyclist could ever hope to spend in two wheels.

A view from the top of Crown Point. Widely regarded as one of the most scenic viewpoints in all of the Gorge and definitely east of Portland, one can overlook the Columbia River see almost all the way to Hood River on a clear day and the city of Portland to the West. "It was the most beautiful ride I've ever done," comments ride organizer Aaron McBride when he and his wife Andrea were scouting the route for the first time. "The greenery, the smells, the sound: it was so QUIET. It was all that is Oregon."

Put on by the bike gurus at Pedal Nation Events, the ride benefit The Lions Club Of the Columbia River Gorge, whose volunteers provide diabetes education, recycling of eye glasses and hearing aid collection and distribution, and promote music education in the schools. This energetic group of seniors has found a way to use their free time and resources to give back to their community.

Sticking around after the ride? Make a day of it! After the ride take a lazy trip down the river and catch the view from the perspective of another wheeled vehicle - The Sternwheeler! There are two options for the cruise. Early finishers can climb aboard the 10:00 am Brunch Cruise, or relax on the ride and catch the second Landmark Cruise at 2:00 pm. Make this a day you and your family will never forget and take advantage of the discounted Sternwheeler Fare.


Register today or arrive early at Marine Park for day-of registration (look for the new Sacajawea statue!), and enjoy the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge in the best way possible – by bicycle.