May 31, 2007

The Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway, an Oregon nonprofit corporation, announces the inaugural “Gorge Ride.”

On June 16, bicyclists will ride west from the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles, along the majestic Historic Columbia River Highway and Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail to the Senator Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead at Hood River and return.

Highlights of the 38.5-mile tour will include the breathtaking panorama at Rowena Crest, an exclusive visit to the grounds of the historic Mayerdale Estate, and a remarkable journey through the recently restored Mosier Twin Tunnels.

This fully supported bike ride will introduce participants to “The King of Roads,” the first scenic highway in the country. This outstanding engineering achievement and National Historic Landmark is usually bypassed by today’s drivers traveling on Interstate 84 through the Columbia River Gorge.

Construction of the modern highway left untouched pieces of the older highway, some drivable as scenic loops and some “abandoned.” In 2000, the section of the old highway between Hood River and Mosier was reopened as a hiking and biking trail. Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway encourage exploration of the highway to gain support for reopening additional sections of the HCRH State Trail.

The goal is a continuous paved bike route through the Columbia River Gorge by the 100th Anniversary of the dedication of the highway in 2016.

For full event details, and to register for the ride, visit www.hcrh.org/events.html.

Rest stops are sponsored by Bike Gallery and Gorge Delights. Contributing sponsors include: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department; Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum; Cycle Oregon, Discover Bicycles; Mt. View Cycle and Fitness; Columbia View Orchards LLC; Resource Revival; Plummer Design; Marc Berry, Mayor of Mosier; and Gayle Rothrock.