Pateros-Twisp-Okanogan Loop
 

Leaving from Pateros and looking to do a loop on SR 153, 20, and 97/Old97 to Twisp and Okanogan. Would love any suggestions on clockwise vs. counterclockwise, 97 vs old 97, and any other general route planning advice to do about 90-100 miles.

Trying to figure out whether to bring brevet bike or fast bike. Looks like there's not much between the towns, so need to be well-provisioned in the heat and leaning towards brevet bike so I can carry extra water.

I'm fine climbing Loup Loup Pass in either direction, but can't figure out from the maps which way is the more fun descent.

Any thoughts would be great!

Check out ride #3, the "spicy" route: http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2...rides-for-all/

You might be able to reach the author at: http://methowcyclesport.com/

I've been thinking about doing that ride too, I just need to research the camping possibilities for a couple of nights around Twisp and Malott.

Did that ride a few years ago when it was organized as part of the MVSTA Fall Bike Fest. My first century and a great ride.

Their website has maps of the same rides referenced above.

http://www.mvsta.com/summer/roadbike.html

I think clockwise is the way to go. Loup Loup was a little rough with fairly fresh chip seal going up but the decent was super fast going down.

Looking at the map of the "Tour de Okanogan" we did it a little differently. We took the turnoff to Malott (B&O Road) off of 20 then took Old 97 to Brewster. That route has very little traffic and is pretty nice. From Brewster you get back on 97 until 153. We got off of 153 at Carlton and took the Twisp-Carlton Road to Twisp. Once through Twisp we took a side road by the river for a couple of miles and then after rejoining 153 again turned onto the Twin Lakes Road into Winthrop. Thes side roads keep you off of 153 partways in some of the busier sections and add some short hills.

We also started in Winthrop and took the Twisp-Winthrop Eastside Rd (right before the bridge heading sout out of Winthrop) instead of 153. You end up on 153 again for a short while before heading up 20 to Loup Loup.

I've been over twice this year with the intention of at least doing Loup Loup again as an out and back from Winthrop but time constraintas and weather prevented it but hopefully will get a chance to soon.

Great area to ride. Hope you have fun.

Thanks guys! Really appreciate the heads up towards the side roads.

I can't offer much useful advice about the route ... but do you have a water purifier?

I don't, but I'm looking at 30-35 miles between provisions at the most. Will likely put 3rd bottle in my jersey and stuff a couple of water purification tablets in my saddlebag.

You should be good on this route since you can get water in Twisp, Brewster, Patero and maybe Carlton/Methow. I have a vague memory of speeding by a small store in Malott (wikipedia says there is a general store). Pateros to Twisp might be the toughest stretch but between Carlton/Methow there should be some source of water.

Along 20 there are two Forest Service campgrounds near Loup Loup pass that should have water this time of year especially the bigger one past the summit. It's a little off the highway but not too far.

I did the ride from Pateros to Winthrop this spring. There is a small grocery store in Carlton where you can get water, food, or drinks.

Thanks so much for the suggestions!! Had a great first unsupported solo century rolling this route on Sunday. Was about 8 feet from getting clobbered by a mule deer, but other than that very beautiful and fun ride. Got a little turned around with the various B&O roads between Mallot and Okanogan, but worked itself out. Side roads between Pateros and Twisp were particularly great calls in getting me off Highway 153 during a busy Sunday. Roads could be in better shape and have wider shoulders in a lot of places, but overall nice route.

I rode from Winthrop to Pateros and on to Chelan last week. Breakfast was at the Cinnamonn Twisp Bakery and then I stopped at the appropriately named Rest a While Country Market about a half mile from Pateros and enjoyed a deli sandwich and fresh peach milk shake.

Congratulations, nice job.