Pacific Northwest - Oregon's Old McKenzie Pass open to bikes only

Yes, it's that time again! Route 242, Old McKenzie Pass, is open to bicycles and runners only until June 15th, and is plowed over the top for a clear run between McKenzie Bridge and Sisters. The road is open to cars from Sisters to the Dee Wright Observatory, but closed to cars on the entire west side.

Wow, I am glad you posted this! I will definitely try to get there while it is just bikes.

I'd love to ride this route. I have some time during the week. If anyone wants to hook up for a midweek ride on this route before June 15th, let me know.

I'd love to ride this route. I have some time during the week. If anyone wants to hook up for a midweek ride on this route before June 15th, let me know.
I can get away just about any week day, let me know what works for you. I think that 2thgrinder has Fridays off maybe a group.

Hey guys, I would love to do it too, I am off of work until the 18th and I am returning from Italy the 6th.
Let me know if you are planning to go and I will see if I can make it.
Would you do a loop like Jakey did last year? I think that is what he did...
Ciao
Paolo

This week I'm able to ride this on Wed, Thurs, or Friday, June 6,7,8
We can meet in Eugene, or in McKenzie Bridge if you come up highway 22 from Salem.

If we could put something together for friday the 15th that would be good for me.

Well this week was a weather crapshoot, but 10 day shows next week mostly sunny for Sisters... How about next Wed? Paolo we could drive down hit the Wed night Bend crit... Deschutes Brewery after and camp near Sisters, at Cold Spring Campground just west of sisters or something. I have to be back for Friday afternoon/night stuff w/ the fam, but maybe camp Thurs night too and hit up some hiking/biking Fri morning? Just a thought.

Jakey did the loop clockwise from sisters, I searched and I think he said 88 miles, 8000 feet, that's certainly doable. Shifty would that work or is there a better start point for you? 2th I can't make Friday.

I'll PM Jakey see if he's interested.

friday is the only day that would work for me. Work and all.

I would love to go...but too much stuff on the schedule.

I'm going Sunday morning to ride it, I'll report in after that. It would be worth doing a couple times, but I'm not sure I want to do the Santiam Pass portion. I get back to you on Monday.

Sorry for the lateness, I got back and was getting things organized.
I can do it on Thursday, sorry Masher cannot do the three day thing, I wish...
Hopefully the weather is looking better for next week.
Also I was reading about some work on the west side starting on Friday possibly, just so you all know.
I am also getting a bike from a friend since my Masi is being warranted.
Let me know.
Ciao
Paolo

So anyone up for a Thursday ride?
Let me know.
Ciao
Paolo

I can't ride Thursday, but I will be riding Old McKenzie Pass on Friday. Friday is the last day, then it will close to all traffic until August, due to road repairs.

If you'd like to ride with us on Friday, meet at the National Forest Blue River Ranger Station , just east of McKenzie Bridge between 8:30 and 9:00. Forecast is for a nice day. My plan is to ride over the pass to Sisters for a snack, then back over the pass for the run back to the cars.

There is an optional soak in Belknap Hot Springs after the ride, bring a swim suit, it's commercial.

It looks like Dabbo and myself are hoping to come down. we are arranging to come down together. See you in the morning.

What a great ride in the beautiful Cascade Range in Central Oregon!!

Along for the day was 2thGrinder, Dabbo, Shifty and his pal Val, great team for a nice day.

The ride started at the forest service ranger station on the McKenzie River, and once on the bike, we were climbing for the 22 mile ride to the top of the pass. The road twists it's way through a beautiful old growth forest, many shades of green with splashes of pink flowers of wild rhoady's. As we climbed the switch backs up to higher elevations we passed meadows of wild flowers and lakes, then climbed above tree line and into the lava flows of McKenzie Pass. Ah, the views in all directions from the little stone observatory that sits on top of the lava, snowy mountains, volcanic cones to the north, wind everywhere!

We continued east from the pass on a high speed run down the car-free road to the town of Sisters for a break, food (pie), and a tour of the town looking for a deli that we didn't know the name of, or where it was located (somehow we found it :-) ) The backyard dining at the deli was perfect and the staff so friendly! Dabbo was the hero of the lunch stop, he ordered marionberry pie with four forks, you can imagine how long that pie lasted. 2thGrinder won the prize for the biggest sandwich, and Val amazed us all by taking our picture with one hand while talking on her phone with the other.

After the break we started back up McKenzie Pass, with a headwind and the weight of lunch to deal with. Beyond the gate that closes the road to car traffic, we passed the Pacific Crest trail, Windy Point (head-windy point today), then to the pass. All down hill from here, arm warmers back on, and check the brakes and we were off for an incredible ride in the forest back to the cars. Total of ~80 miles.

It was a beautiful day and a great ride. Shift will always be in charge of weather:) . It was great to have the road closed to cars and only have to stop for the gates and rest/photo ops until we hit a stop sign in sisters at about mile 40. I do think that next time I will not carry quite such a large lunch back up the climb.:rolleyes:
I was a great ride and thanks to Shifty, Val, and Dabbo.


climbing up through the forest

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0483.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0482.jpg


getting up to the lava fields

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0485.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0487.jpg


Dabbo, 2thGrinder, and Shifty at the summit

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0491.jpg


2thGrinder at the Dee Wright Observatory (a little windy and cool at the top)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0489.jpg


A little marionberry pie reward in sisters

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0492.jpg


Still a little snow left around

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x236/srewob/IMGP0493.jpg

Thanks Shifty for the great ride. Best roads ever, perfect weather and company.
Thanks 2thGrinder for the company on the drive, the lunch (including the almost forgotten pie) and figuring out how to post great pictures. I hope to have mine up in a few days.
The best part of the ride I think is that there are no cars, the forest and the lava fields are also amazing, great views of the surrounding mountains and the climbing is as fun and challenging as the downhill, both sides....
Ciao
Paolo

I hate you guys. :)