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Jim O'Horo Columbia Gorge Explorer - 4 day loaded touring trip
About this event
Length: 50-65 miles per day
Pace: non group ride at your own pace. Should be able to find someone to ride with.
Terrain: Substantial hills but no long hill exceeds 7% grade.
Ride Type: Non-Group fully loaded touring with no SAG.
DETAILS
Full details for the ride can be found at https://portlandbicyclingclub.com/cge/
This four-day scenic touring classic starts in Vancouver and takes two days to ride east along the Columbia River, crosses the Columbia at Biggs Junction, and takes two more days to return to Vancouver along the Oregon side. For many years, Jim O’Horo, a member of both the Vancouver Bicycle Club and the Portland Bicycling Club, and an activist in the cycling community (think Alice B. Toeclips award), organized and led this ride. Jim passed away in 2014, and the ride was renamed in his honor.
This is a moderately paced, 4-day, self-supported (i.e., loaded) bike camping tour of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, covering 51-65 miles per day, through breathtaking but sometimes challenging terrain. The 2024 tour leaves Vancouver, WA on Friday May 24, traveling east in Washington, descending past the Stonehenge WWI Memorial, crossing the Columbia River at Hwy 97, and returning to Vancouver on Monday, May 27 by riding west in Oregon. The tour allows plenty of time for sightseeing at the many cultural, historical, and scenic points of interest. We will take side roads where possible in order to avoid congestion. Parts of Washington Highway 14 are narrow, but unavoidable.
We have reserved camping spaces for 50 riders. Registration will remain open until we reach that number or until May 15, whichever comes first. Online registration will be open until then, and mail-in registrations MUST be RECEIVED before registration closes.
Maps and cue sheets will be emailed to participants as in previous years, but we will have downloadable maps and cue sheets for your GPS or smart phones. Links for the downloads will be provided to registered riders.
If you want to try bicycle camping, here’s an inexpensive opportunity to experience some of the best scenery in North America. This tour has run for more than 20 years to rave reviews. Although this is a good match for both first-time and experienced “tourers,” riders need to be physically prepared for the daily mileage and sustained hill climbing (mileages shown below are close, but individual bike computers may vary slightly). Side trips and shortcuts may also affect the total mileage.
A non-refundable shared camping cost of $25 per person is to be submitted along with the completed registration form. There are no discounts for riders who elect to stay at motels, other campgrounds, or use alternative lodging. Registration is due by May 15.
For additional information or questions, email the ride leaders, Cristi Horton of the Portland Bicycling Club, or Scott Sloan of the Vancouver Bicycle Club.
Cristi Horton
contact.christi@gmail.com
Scott Sloan
sloan.scott@gmail.com
NOTES
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to be a part of the announcements and safety briefing.
- Riders are expected to have read the Safe Riding Policy and be familiar with the Ride Style Definitions.
- Please direct questions to the ride leader or Road Captain.
- Helmets are required. Lights (front and rear), RoadIDs and cell phones are recommended.
- Remember - we want to be awesome representatives for cycling and spread a love for our great sport locally by obeying all traffic laws and riding in a safe and courteous manner. Ride safely and have fun!
Registration Info
Registration is not Required
Contrary to the heading above REGISTRATION BY MAY 15 IS REQUIRED.
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