Pacific Northwest - I Made the Grade
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Anyone else planning on doing the I Made the Grade (http://www.clarkstonpres.pcusa.cc/IMTG/description.html) ride in Clarkston this June. I rode it 25 yrs ago as a 18 yr old on a crappy, heavy bike and have been wanting to do it again since then. This year's the year - coming down the hill is the best part (if they still let you ride down.)
leakysieve
01-25-09, 10:01 PM
I might be. Depends if I'll find myself back at WSU or not... I don't think they let you ride down there anymore, too many people going up.
cwathne
01-26-09, 12:41 AM
humm; this looks fun
aRoudy1
01-26-09, 12:46 AM
How do you get down if they don't let you ride? Is there another route or do you have to make your own arrangements to transport your bike?
leakysieve
01-26-09, 04:18 AM
They may let you ride down after everybody is up. When I was there, there were people still climbing, and nobody coming down, but I can't be too sure
Mtn Mike
01-26-09, 08:54 AM
Do they close it to automobile traffic? If not, it's a public road so you can ride whichever direction you like.
Or you can finish with one of our favorite loops: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Pullman-SnakeRiver-Lewiston-Grade-Ride
Very nice scenary the whole ride.
My brother said he rode back down on the new highway the last time he did it. From what I remember the old grade is closed to vehicle traffic. 25 yrs ago you had to wait until everyone was finished before you could ride back down.
It is a lot of fun - and it's only 18 miles in distance.
Mtn Mike
01-26-09, 07:09 PM
My brother said he rode back down on the new highway the last time he did it. From what I remember the old grade is closed to vehicle traffic. 25 yrs ago you had to wait until everyone was finished before you could ride back down.
It is a lot of fun - and it's only 18 miles in distance.
The old road "Old Sprial Highway" is normally open to traffic. That's great if they're closing it for the ride.
So, who else was there Saturday in Clarkston? Fantastic day for a ride and I had a blast. We had five members of my family riding the ride. I rode it on my C&V 1984 Gitane Tour de France.
And, to answer the questions - you can ride back down the Old Spiral Highway after you're done as others are still coming up.