Adam (l) and I somewhere on Dalles Mountain Road with Mt Hood in the background
At around 10am, I met my friend, Adam, at the Dalles Wasco Library in The Dalles. Public libraries have always felt like havens for me. I never feel my presence questioned in a public library and there are usually public bathrooms. After changing in the clean, public bathroom, I bought a copy of Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy” for $1.
Adam and I rolled out in perfect, cool, calm, and sunny conditions for this classic, Velodirt Columbia River Gorge gravel ride. We briefly joined the Northwest Cherry Festival Parade for a couple of flag-lined blocks before quietly riding out of town on our way to The Dalles Bridge.
The Dalles Bridge
On The Dalles Bridge, we rode on the sidewalk on the east side of the two traffic lanes. We then experienced one of my favorite feelings on a bike ride: as you ride away from a bridge or main road, the car traffic slowly fades to a trickle and suddenly everything feels more peaceful and calm.
Then, just before you get too comfortable, the pavement ends and the gravel of Dalles Mountain Road begins, keeping you on your toes. The first fifteen miles of this route is more or less a continuous climb.
mid-way up Dalles Mountain Road
There was actually a decent amount of car traffic on Dalles Mountain road, mostly folks accessing Columbia Hills State Park where the wildflowers and views of the river were absolutely popping off. Despite climbing, the temperature was comfortable. About halfway up, we met our first cyclist who had made their way up on the Columbia Hills State Park trail network, something to consider next time! When we finally made it to the top of the climb, we were rewarded with gorgeous views of Mt. Adams and a four mile gravel descent.
quick selfie with Mt Adams at around mile 15
As the route flattened out, we could see the Windy Flats, wind turbine development in the distance. Over a very flat ten miles, we quickly drew close to the Turbines. We cashed in more of our early climbing descending for four miles on the wide shoulder of 97 to Maryhill and the Maryhill Stonehenge WWI Memorial before crossing over the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge between Maryhill, WA and Biggs, OR. There is no shoulder or sidewalk on the bridge, but we were fortunate to catch a break in traffic.
mid-way down 97 to Maryhill
Maryhill Stonehenge WWI Memorial
We refilled our bottles and bought snacks in Biggs before continuing on the wonderfully deserted Biggs Rufus Highway. Running parallel to I-84, the Biggs Rufus Highway is quite flat with very low traffic.
Sam Hill Memorial Bridge from Biggs, OR
The Biggs Rufus Highway
At the Deschutes River State Recreation Area, around mile forty-two, we began our final big climb. The grade was significant and the gravel was quite sandy so it was difficult to maintain momentum. We were rewarded with incredible views of Hood, St. Helens, and Adams and quiet, flowy roads back into The Dalles.