Idaho + Oregon with Pat Fulghum
This week, Pat Fulghum takes us to Oregon and Idaho.
Wide open roads and tall trees make these three rides are a lot of fun. McKenzie Pass is a bit of a hill but it’s a very consistent gradient as you climb up from the green trees and up past the snowline.
You can find all of these under NEW in the FulGaz app.
MCCALL SECESH SUMMIT
Travelling north out of McCall Idaho is Secesh Summit. This is an out and back fast ride that has a great elevation profile for both up and down. We start out on a very smooth and fairly flat surface that borders Payette Lake which many local riders use as a 11 mile time trial. So expect to put the hammer down or spin and enjoy the lake views as you warmup for the 5 distinct climbs that reach Secesh Summit at an elevation of 6450ft. After we summit and turn around you can enjoy the fast downhill before we hit the smooth Warren Wagon Road southbound for our second time trial. We end the ride overlooking the Payette Lake from one of the the south shore parks.
More InfoMCKENZIE PASS
Travelling west out of Sisters, Oregon is McKenzie Pass. It is not only the most spectacular ride in Central Oregon, it also leads you to a lava-rock moonscape at the top that spreads out before you for miles. It’s stark and barren. It’s awe-inspiring. It’s unlike anything you’ll probably ever encounter on a bike ride again. The road follows an 1860s wagon route, emerging from the forest at Windy Point, where you’ll get a great view of Mt. Washington and your first look at the vast, 2,000-year-old lava flow. Filmed when the road is closed to cars so there is a bit of snow at the top.
More InfoSISTERS TO SMITH ROCK
Sisters to Smith Rock is part of the Three Sisters Scenic Bikeway. Roll by pastures of grazing alpacas silhouetted against the snow-covered Cascade Mountains on your way to Smith Rock State Park, famous for its multi-colored rock formations. Starting in the “Old West” town of Sisters, Oregon and ending at Smith Rock State Park outside the small town of Terrebonne, this route takes riders past a variety of historical sites, shows the gentle curves of the Deschutes River and frames spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains, ending with the dramatic walls of Smith Rock State Park.
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