OR ID MT Ice Age Flood Part 1

OVERVIEW

This part of the Pacific Northwest includes the green and wet areas west of the Cascade Mountains as well as the more arid areas to the east. It’s a very hospitable area throughout most of the year, although early summer and fall tend to offer the best riding temperatures. During the summer or fall, check for wildfires, which may reduce visibility and air quality in the region. Most larger cities will have plenty of restaurants and lodging, as well as a good beer and wine culture, for those off-the-bike moments.

ROADS AND BIKING

The route includes mostly good quality paved roads, with a few well-graded all-weather gravel stints. Traffic is light once out of the larger cities of Portland, Pasco, and Missoula. The Columbia River Gorge can be extremely windy, so check forecasts ahead of time. Gas stations are generally well spaced, but plan ahead and know where fuel is since cell phone service can be spotty should you need rescue. On some of the routes, there can be quite a bit of truck traffic, so be aware, especially if it’s windy since the wind blast from a passing truck can be pretty severe.