The only real way to find out is to give it a try.
But before you attempt it, know that the Tour de Hood is a challenging two-day ride including 14,000 feet of climbing over 132 miles.
This ride is suggested for riders 15 years and older only.
Riders entering the event should have experience riding long climbs and should be trained enough to
complete the 90 mile ride on Saturday and turn around and ride the 42 mile ride the following day.
See the preparation page for readying yourself for the ride.
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The Tour de Hood has partnered with Wenzel Coaching to provide training programs specific to this ride at discounted pricing.
Contact Wenzel Coaching and use code TDH2009 to waive the setup fee on a Wenzel Coaching program. See the preparation page for details.
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No. While we encourage riders to ride as strongly as they can and cheer on those riders who will try to outrun the pros on the Wy'East course,
this is a tour and not a race.
Riders must obey all traffic laws and signs.
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The finishing time for the professional men in 2007 was 3 hours and 54 minutes over the 89 miles of the Wy'East course.
With a three hour head start, that means you'll have just under seven hours to complete the ride without being overtaken by the pro caravan.
That's an average of 12.6 miles an hour, or about an 8 hour century.
Keep in mind that you'll still need to obey the rules of the road.
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You'll know the pro race caravan is approaching when you begin to see police vehicles.
These vehicles will pull all road traffic - autos and bikes included - to the side of the road until the last vehicle of the race and caravan has passed.
You can choose to pull over early in a good viewing spot or wait until the caravan catches you and cheer on the racers, Tour de France style.
It may take a good few minutes for a race caravan to pass you. Once the final vehicles pass, you may continue riding again, being careful to stay to the right side
of the road in case any race stragglers pass you.
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There will be four official race caravans for the four main race categories, including Pro/Cat 1 men, Pro/Cat 1/2 women, master age men, and category 2/3 men.
Each category will have police vehicles and official race vehicles surrounding the race, pulling over vehicles as they pass by.
It is possible that you may be overtaken by more than one caravan. You may continue riding after the last official vehicles pass you.
Just be careful to stay to the right side of the road so that riders who are still competing may pass you easily.
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A variety of high energy foods and drink will be available at each rest station.
The Tour de Hood will make every effort to include local food specialties that will satisfy all kinds of riders.
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Mechanical support will be provided along the course by mechanics in follow vehicles.
Labor for reasonable on-the-road repairs will be provided at no cost for participants, but any needed parts will be additional.
Our mechanics will do their best to service any rider in need.
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The ride will be followed by an official sag vehicle that will transport riders to the end point if necessary. There will be a designated sag vehicle for
the ride as well as for the Mt Hood Cycling Classic race that will also be available to pick up Tour de Hood riders.
Ensure that you'll be able to finish by preparing as much as possible! See the preparation page.
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Non-official sag wagons are not allowed.
The roads of this tour are narrow and winding and additional vehicles provide congestion.
The ride will be well supported and additional sag wagons are not necessary nor appreciated.
If your travel companion would like to be there for you during the ride, we encourage you to register them as an official volunteer for the ride.
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Yes. Helmets are mandatory at all times on the bike for all participants.
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The home base of the Tour de Hood is in Hood River, only one hour away from Portland, Oregon and the Portland International Airport.
Because the event's starts and finishes are close to several mountain-side and riverside communities, all kinds of lodging can be found nearby,
including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and lodges.
Check out the Lodging page to find your accommodations.
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Absolutely! Your companion is more than welcome to experience the event as a volunteer at one of the rest stops or as part of the Mt Hood Cycling Classic.
Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (info coming)

If volunteering isn't in the cards, check out the Hood River Valley and all that it offers: http://www.hoodriver.org/
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