Hood River Harvest Ride 2010

Few places in the world are as beautiful as the Hood River Valley. Only 30 miles long by five miles wide, the valley is picturesque and verdant. Its rich volcanic soil and ample water produce a cornucopia of fruit, vegetable and timber harvests. The productive fruit orchards, peaceful small farms and quaint towns make it seem like a vision out of the past. In a way it is: an intact farm valley without over-development.

For bike riders, the Hood River Valley has unique topography. Shaped progressively by volcanoes, giant glaciers and the Columbia Floods, the terrain has tremendous variety. Low-traffic farm roads designed for horse-drawn travel (i.e., not too steep) meander through the valley and include flat stretches, moderate hill climbs and exciting descents. Superb riding conditions bring the elite Mt. Hood Cycle Classic, a professional road race, to the area every year. Often sunny when Portland and Vancouver are cloudy, the bike riding is excellent here in the fall.

Regionally grown fruits and vegetables are being provided by five local farms for lunch and at rest stops. A SAG wagon will pick up stranded or tired riders as needed.

The Hood River Harvest Ride features five loops, each with its own appeal. The loops, easy, moderate and challenging, can be combined or done separately, as fitness allows. Along the way are points of interest: farm stands, two museums, a brewery and a winery. Any purchases made while on the ride will be delivered back to the starting point for free by a special shuttle. Non-bike riders can also get in the on action via the valley’s own Mt. Hood Scenic Railroad, which stops in Parkdale, one of the rest stops for the Hood River Harvest Ride.

The Hood River Fairgrounds (3020 WyEast Road in Odell, Oregon), located in the center of the valley, is the start and terminus point of the ride. A finish line party there will celebrate the end of the event.

Quiet, overnight camping at the Hood River Fairgrounds, which has pay showers, will be available at $15 a tent or $20 for an RV on both Friday, September 24 and Saturday, September 25, 2010. This campout option allows participants to make a weekend trip out of the event and to rise on Sunday to ride again! With pre-registration the Harvest Ride ride costs $40 for adults, $15 for kids under age 14 and $120 for a family of 6. The ride will start at 8 a.m. and finish by 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 25. Reasonably priced, off-site child care is available.

See www.HRHarvestRide.com