This ride was partly inspired by forum member scozim, also an Ellensburg resident. I think in the NW forum he mentioned it as a good climb ride. I have driven over this route many times as it is how we get to Yakima, the closest Costco and many other retail mega stores. Two things that until yesterday has kept me from doing this ride is first it is Interstate freeway and I am not fond of high bridges, steep drop-offs, etc. More about that later.

The ride started on a windless day with an air temp of 57°F, although it was warming. Almost perfect conditions compared to the near 100° we had just a week ago. I filled water bottles, two with water and one with a Nuun tablet and water, Tri-berry if it matters, put a couple of mocha gels in the pocket as well as a Cliff bar carrot cake. Plan was to ride to the Selah exit on I 82 where there is a mini-mart where I could buy water and Gatorade for the return leg. The cool temp was welcome as I peddled very slightly downhill to the base of the first climb and the entrance to I 82.

This pic was taken a few miles before the on-ramp. the arrow is the summit of the freeway where it crosses Manastash Ridge.

On the left is sweetcorn, slightly out of focus, straight ahead timothy hay, then more sweet corn.

As I was approaching the freeway I noticed a roll-deck "tow"truck on the get-off ramp and thought nothing of it. Once I was on the freeway the climb started from the bottom of the ramp. The shoulder was littered with sharp pebbles, glass in places, bits of metal, and all sorts of other crap that could be hazardous to bike tires with less flat protection than my Specialized Armadillos. I had no fear. Shortly after starting the climb the roll deck passed me. Later I find out the driver was a good friend of mine. Onward I go passing the sign that reads "slow vehicles next 5 miles" and a few miles further one that reads "turn off air conditioners to prevent boil over" well I can tell you I was the first and I complied with the second. I was warming up nicely. Had to hydrate. Though of Jens, his top tube and how he won the stage the other day. I was in my lowest gear just spinning up the hill keeping my speed slightly over 7 mph. Freeway riding is not that bad although rather noisy, and not just from the semi-trucks. Right before the summit of Manastash Ridge there is a scenic overlook where I stopped to take a few bites of the Cliff bar, check in on Facebook with a pic, and take a few pics to post for you all. I learn later that I was also passed by one of my LBS group riding buddies.

Facebook pic:


second pic:

The air sure has cleared in the last week. Hard to believe we just had a wildfire burn through 23,000+ acres burning 50+ homes. This stop lasted less than 5 minutes and bake on the bike. I was reminded that I do not really care for the Cliff bar although it is nutrition which I did need. I crested after a short much less steep climb then it was down hill for a ways. For some reason, I'm thinking a small rock, my front derailleur did not want to move my chain to the big ring. I had to shift up then down quite a few times until it finally worked. Finally got into big ring and small cog peddled hard and got into a good tuck. After several miles there is an off ramp for the Northern access for the US Army Yakima Firing Center, no war games today that I saw or heard. I took the exit and then the on-ramp as I saw no reason to ride over a small overpass since it could be avoided. The raod falttens for a mile or so before dropping @ 6% per the sign for a mile to a bridge spanning the bottom of the canyon. I made sure no big trucks were coming up behind me and moved over closer to the fog-line and away from the edge of the bridge. Then up on climb 2 of the day. Much shorter and not as steep this time. 2 miles 4.6% average grade. Topped the summit of a ridge that I will not name as no offense intended but I doubt that unless you are from here you would not be able to pronounce. I'm guessing you had enough trouble with the first ridge. Then another quick decent to yet another canyon with a bridge spanning the canyon floor. No semis again. On up the third climb, 1.4 miles @ 3.4%. to the South name not mentioned ridge. The decent off this was somewhat longer and not as steep however 2/3 the way down is the part of the ride that for the longest time was the deal breaker. A high bridge spanning more than a quarter mile with Jersey barrier like sides about 3 feet tall that is subject to frequent strong gusty winds. Well before I even got to the bridge I kept looking behind me to check truck traffic. Sure enough here comes an oversize load! Looked to be 16' wide, OMG! went through my mind as I hit the brakes and pulled all the way over to the very edge of the shoulder. The professional driver and his rear pilot car negotiated the truck and load to straddle the middle of the road leaving me plenty of room. I was thankful, that got my heart pumping harder than the climbs. On down I go.

I reached the bridge deck with no big trucks behind me and made it across just fine. Not even a hint of vertigo. On the other side is a state rest area that also has a scenic overlook of the canyon and bridge. I stopped to take another pic for you!



I don't get it; Seattle Forrest always finds Cervelo bikes on his rides in the PNW and yet I always seem to find Specialized!

Back onto the interstate for another couple of miles to the interchange with SR 821 and the water/ gatorade stop. That place was doing a huge business and their windows were covered so there was limited view to the outside which made me almost as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs propping my bike up outside as I went in to purchase my beverages. I fill my bottles, dispose of the trash and continue on northbound on SR 821. This highway travels through the canyon cut by the Yakima river. Not exactly free flowing as there is a dam several miles up the road although the backwater is only about a mile. The river has many uses, water for irrigation, habitat for trout, steelhead, and salmon, as well as recreational uses of fishing and floating. The rapids are tame compared to many rivers in our region. Today was a great weather day and in places you could almost walk across the river on the rafts , inner tubes and boats. The highway has either no shoulder or very little depending on the exact spot and is mostly chipseal. Traffic is moderate to heavy but that is subjective and to some of you my heavy might be your light. Needless to say it is a dangerous road, although there is a sign warning drivers of bikes on road next 24 miles. I think that just makes it easier for the state to prosecute when we get run over. This ride only one vehicle freaked me out, not to bad considering the potential. In the canyon I saw three others on bike, a couple on hybrids and a woman on a road bike, not together. All three were going the opposite direction so I simply waved. I also saw some cyclists sitting in lawn chairs with a road bike in a roof rack, waved at them as well. On through the canyon and over a few small by comparison climbs and into Ellensburg. LOML and kids were over at a friends for a bbq/ birthday party so I went there for a restful pause in my ride before the 2.5 mile peddle home. Total miles for the day was 65.12 with 4335' climb. A good ride that I can recommend to those not faint of heart.

MapMyRide has the best climb data on this ride even though on Strava I am ranked 2nd.