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Saddle Mountain Sorcery - April 22



Original art by: Tom McGrath

Each year on April 22nd, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement that began in 1970.  On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies.  Let's rally around Saddle Mountain on our bikes and show appreciation for the beauty and wild terrain it provides us.

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Soothsayer Says...

The tarot card reveals The Knight of Pentacles and represents the fiery part of Earth, and refers in particular to the phenomena of mountains, earthquakes, and gravitation; but it also represents the activity of Earth regarded as the producer of Life.  This card is also referred to as the 'Lord of the Wild and Fertile Land' in the Hermetic tarot deck.


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Route & Details

  • ****ROUTE HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 4/17****
  • 9 a.m. start time
  • The route is ~45 miles with ~4000 ft. of elevation gain
    • ~80% unpaved gravel/dirt logging roads, 20% pavement
      • Download the route to your device; some of the roads are tricky to navigate and it is easy to get lost or turned around out here
      • Ride with GPS route: Download me
  • Do not let the above numbers fool you!  A sorcerer is at work here
    • This route contains A LOT of large, loose gravel/rocks on fairly steep climbs and descents
    • There are 4 or 5 steep climbs on loose, large gravel (max 15.5% grade)
    • This is NOT a route that is smooth "luxury" gravel
    • Some of the "dirt" logging roads might as well be made of peanut butter when wet
    • Recommended tires size is 40-45c
      • Do not show up on tires smaller than 38c.  You will get pinch flats and not enjoy yourself.  Trust me
      • A hardtail mountain bike would be just fine for this ride
      • Bring spare tubes, pump, and a patch kit
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  • The ride begins and ends at the Jewell School in the small town of Jewell, just a few miles north off of Highway 26
    • Address: 83874 OR-103, Seaside, OR 97138
      • The drive from downtown Portland is about 1 hour, 10 minutes
    • There is plenty of parking available, but carpooling is highly encouraged (this is Earth Day after all!)
      • Carpool signup sheet here: Signup Sheet
        • I'll let you all sort this out among yourselves
  • Last stop for food/drinks and a toilet is at Bakers General Store right before the split off of Highway 26 onto 103
    • Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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  • A few more details...
    • Mile 3.4 starts the gravel; it’s loose and steep on the first climb!  While the climb is not very long, the max grade reaches 15.5% at around mile 3.9.  The next 4 miles are also pretty rough/rocky road, some of the roughest on the route
    • Around mile 18.5 or so you will reach Young River; this area can be used for filtering water
    • You will likely see elk and bald eagles along the route!
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*******This is a self supported ride in a remote location.  
You are responsible for your own safety and well being.*******

  • There will be no place to obtain food along the route.
  • You will likely not have mobile phone service.
  • Load the route onto your device.
  • Weather can be unpredictable; bring layers.
  • Be smart and come prepared; hope for the best, plan for the worst. 
    • Bring more food than you plan to eat
    • Bring water (duh)
    • Bring a water filter
    • Bring 2 spare tubes, a patch kit, and a pump
    • Bring a multi-tool
    • Bring lights 
    • Bring a spare power supply/battery
    • Bring a spare brake & derailleur cable


        Comments

        1. Tomas_QuinonesApril 23, 2018 at 9:22 AM

          Found a headlight along the route. If someone can describe the light they lost I'll get it back to them.

          ReplyDelete

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