Trip Summary Trip Dates: Jul 12 - Jul 19 Start - End Locations: Redmond, WA - Redmond, WA Days: 8   Level of Support: Event Miles: 434 Surface: Road Riders: 60 Type: Supported   Meals: Catered meals Physical Difficulty: Intermediate   Airport: Sea-Tac Cost: $999 Booking Status: Almost Full

This tour takes in some of the most scenic and diverse landscapes Washington State has to offer, from the soggy forested country of the Cascade Range’s west slope to the high, dry desert of the east slope.

We’ll convene in high-tech Redmond, home to the Microsoft Corporation and also to Marymoor Park, location of the Group Health Velodrome and the southern trailhead of the popular Sammamish River Trail. After being shuttled to the top of Stevens Pass, we’ll begin our ride with a long descent down the dry side of the Cascade Range to Lake Wenatchee State Park. From there, we’ll pedal along backroads through the town of Plain and onward to Leavenworth, Washington’s “Bavarian village,” with its wealth of German-flavored buildings, celebrations, and eateries.

Proceeding on, we’ll spin through the “core” of apple-orchard country, no doubt stopping to refresh ourselves at one or more of the area’s many fruit stands. We’ll pass through Chelan, situated at the outlet of lengthy Lake Chelan, which stretches for fifty miles before ending deep in the heart of the North Cascades. Next, we’ll follow the Methow (MET-how) River upstream to Winthrop, one of the great cross-country skiing and mountain-biking destinations of the West. This is due in no small part to the tireless efforts of the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association headquartered here. Because of the successes the MVSTA has enjoyed in creating and improving winter and summer recreation trails on both public and private lands, it has served as a model for similar trails organizations in many other locales.

From the high desert surrounding Winthrop, we’ll climb into even-higher alpine terrain along the magnificent North Cascades Highway, crossing 5,477-foot Washington Pass and 4,860-foot Rainy Pass. The road, closed in winter, also passes through several small towns, including Newhalem, where we can stop in at the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center. The greater North Cascades National Park Service Complex surrounding us encompasses not only North Cascades National Park, but also Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas—providing a very large home to serrated peaks, crashing waterfalls, more than three hundred glaciers, and countless species of flora and fauna.

After descending alongside the tumultuous Skagit River, we’ll arrive at the Skagit Flats and the town of Mount Vernon, one of the tulip-growing capitals of the United States. From there, we’ll head toward Puget Sound and its island chains, by way of a bridge spanning Deception Pass—the somewhat deceptive name of the strait separating Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island. On arriving in Seattle by ferry, we’ll ride along the waterfront before jumping onto the heralded Burke-Gilman Trail, which we’ll take all the way back to Redmond. Whether it’s a strong coffee or a hearty microbrew you crave along the way, you shouldn’t have trouble finding it. This is Seattle, after all.

For more detailed information, see Event logistics.

READY TO GO?
You can sign up for Cycle Washington now. Go to our online sign-up.