Course Routes
Day 1 – Saturday, June 5 – Wy’East Mountain Challenge – 92 Miles
Distance: 92 miles
Start/Finish: Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
Start time: 6:30 – 7 am. SHARP. No starts after 7:15 am!
Course Map: click here
You’ll begin with a descent from the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort and onto Highway 35. You’ll then head south on the highway until reaching Forest Road 44, where it will head due east and up! Here you’re presented with your first major obstacle, the category 1 climb to over Road 44. The Road 44 climb is followed by a long 15 mile descent into the small town of Dufur. The landscape is transformed here as tall fir trees laden in moss give way to sage brush and high desert. Welcome to the dry side of the Cascade Mountain Range!
After passing through Dufur, you’ll face the second climb of the day, the Category 2 Tygh Ridge Summit. It will be just about as you reach the top of this climb that the professional racers will be starting behind you and your challenge begins to outrun them or ride to the perfect viewing spot on the final climb. Tygh Ridge is followed by another plunge in elevation, which marks the lowest elevation on the course in the picturesque community of Tygh Valley. This is where the longest, and likely the definitive, climb of the tour begins. From Tygh Valley you’ll confront a 35 mile, 4500 foot ascent to the summit finish at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort. Beginning in the sage brush plains of Eastern Oregon, the majority of this climb rolls over desolate forest service roads in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It ascends into an alpine landscape and finishes on the eastern flank of the volcano. Be warned, the final two-mile stretch to the ski resort has an average gradient of 10%, including sections that approach 12 percent! The racers will be coming behind you; leave a little in the gas tank for a strong finish.
Suggested minimum gearing: Advanced riders: 39 x 27; Less experienced riders: 30 x 25
Rest stops: mile 35, mile 63 and mile 80
The small print: All riders are responsible for riding safely and on sound equipment and for ensuring that they are physically and mentally ready for the challenge of this ride. Mechanical labor on the road and rest stops is provided, but any parts are additional. All riders being caught by the Mt Hood Cycling Classic’s rolling race caravans must pull to the side of the road with all vehicle traffic and await until the final official vehicles pass before again proceeding. It is possible that riders may be overtaken by more than one race caravan. We ask that all non racers respect the progress of the race, ride single file on the final climbs, and move aside or stop when ordered to let racers outside of the caravan pass when necessary, refraining from following within 50 feet. Starts before or after the official start times may not be supported. Any rider not passing the final rest stop by 3:15 pm will be shuttled by vehicle to the finish at Mt Hood Meadows. Orange Cat Events, Mt Hood Cycling Classic, their contractors and volunteers will not be responsible for riders who do not meet the deadline but refuse a ride in the shuttle. Services, food and safety precautions beyond that point are not guaranteed. See the FAQ for additional information about how the ride and race will interact. This event runs rain or shine! No refunds after 5/28/2010. Refund rules apply.
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Day 2 – Sunday, June 6 – Scenic Gorge Loop – 42 Miles 
Distance: 42 miles
Start/Finish: Hood River, OR
Start time: 9 am. No starts after 9:15 am!
Course Map: click here
This ride is designed to include some of the most spectacular scenery that you’ll ever have an opportunity to see, on or off a bike. Part of this route was built nearly 100 years ago as the first highway to navigate the Columbia River Gorge, and it is a impressive today as it was back then.
Start Sunday morning with time for breakfast and even reading the paper in one of the area’s many café’s, lodges, or bed & breakfasts. Then head out of Hood River at the decent hour of 9 a.m. along the Columbia River Historic Highway – closed to automobile traffic – to the town of Mosier. From Mosier, continue along the old scenic highway, climbing gradually for eight miles to the top of the Rowena Crest Lookout. Don’t let the scenery take your breath away, because you’ll need it for the climbs coming up!
From Rowena Crest descend the famous Rowena Loops and along the Columbia River bluffs into the town of The Dalles, where the rest stop awaits. Fuel up because you’re headed to the 1650 foot climb of Seven Mile Ridge. Scream down the other side of Seven Mile back into the town of Mosier and return the Scenic Highway through the Historic Mosier Tunnels. Once through the tunnels, you’ll snake through the Columbia River Highway State Park’s flat to rolling terrain. The westerly Gorge winds can make the last quarter of this ride even more challenging than it looks on paper!
Finish up the ride where you started at the day in Downtown Hood River right next to the Mt Hood Classic Criterium course. Enjoy a burrito by Taco del Mar and a pint from Full Sail brewing while you cheer on the racers on the .6 miles technical course on their final day of racing. Browse the expo and enjoy a great day in Hood River.
Suggested minimum gearing: Advanced riders: 39 x 27; Less experienced riders: 30 x 25
Rest stop: Mile 22
The small print: Any rider not passing the 30 mile mark in Moser by 1:30 pm will be shuttled by vehicle to the finish in Hood River. Starts before and after the official start times may not be supported. Orange Cat Events, Mt Hood Cycling Classic, their contractors and volunteers will not be responsible for riders who do not meet the deadline but refuse a ride in the shuttle; and services, food and safety precautions beyond that point are not guaranteed. This event runs rain or shine! No refunds after 5/28/2010. Refund rules apply.
For more information contact tourdehood@orangecatevents.com or 541-912-9792.