When We Like to Ride This

Early Summer through Fall

Terrain & Riding

For seven miles you roll along on glorious paved roads, playing peakaboo with the aqua colored Detroit Lake. You’ll pass by several campground signs that you will “buzz by” because you are lulled into thinking this is so “easy smeasy”, that why bother to stop for a break. But patience . . . your time will come.

Paved roads evolve into gravel and then back into paved. You continue to roll along … admiring fields of ferns and huge pines. Wild rhododendrons start to appear.

“Brickhouse”
Make an old man wish for younger days, yeah, yeah
She knows she’s built and knows how to please
Sure enough to knock a strong man to his knees

At the start of the loop, at mile 13, the party just begins: The hill is one tough climb, because of the steepness and because of the squishy gravel spots that mop up the power in your legs. It’s 2,600 feet of climbing … at least five different lung-sucking spots will convince your that you are at the top …. you are close to the top when you see the Basalt Cliffs, which are jagged rocks that loom over the road.

After the Basalt Cliffs, you climb just a smidge more to enjoy a scenic ridge showcasing snowcapped Jefferson and Mt. Hood.

Take a breath and get ready for the downhill. There’s nothing relaxing about it: squishy gravel spots on 10% grades will test out your grip strength. Twisting and winding down ….

Then you hit a glorious paved road that sends you blasting back to the start of the loop.

Now, you can change that radio dial right back to Diana Ross …the gravel evolves back to paved as you roll along the shores of Detroit Lake.

If you have any energy left just pop down to one of the campgrounds to see the lake.

This route is tremendous during the summer because most of the ride you are well protected from the sun. But that also means we don’t recommend it during bad weather.

The Start

At a pullout kiosk area on the right hand side of the road. No services. But, just up the road by 0.25 miles is Hoover campground that has pit toilets and water. Parking is also available there.

Lat / Long: 44.708058, -122.111779

Food & Water

• None

Route Notes

1. Sept 2023. We have changed the start location to a pullout kiosk area, just up the original route by ~ 0.5 miles.

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!