• Leader: Ruth Ann Stacy ruthannstacy@hotmail.com; 509-925-4536.
• Date: September 12^th -19^th, 2015.
• Participant numbers: minimum 8, maximum 24.
• Registration opening: April 19^th at 5:00 PM PDT; [Register at http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g ($25.00 registration fee)].
• Deadline for CCCTS on-line registration: July 19^th, 2015 at 8:00 P.M.
• Ride classifications: Intermediate to advanced.
• Deadline for motel registration: The Comfort Inn, 1722 Canyon Road, Ellensburg, WA. Phone 509-925-7037 will be the “hub” for the event. The rooms are block-reserved to attain a favorable CCCTS rate of $84 per night plus tax (Total is $US92.40 per night). Reservations with the motel should be made shortly after your tour registration has been accepted to provide a better chance of attaining a room choice. Note: There are limited numbers of two-bed rooms on the first floor and there is no elevator. Riders are responsible for making their own motel reservations.

Description: From the mighty Columbia River to the snow-capped crest of the Cascade Mountains, Kittitas County is a plethora of contrasts for cycling and outdoor adventures. Enjoy back-road cycling as you meander along the basalt cliffs of the Yakima River; explore a ranching valley whose roots are tied to rodeo; climb an historic mountain pass as you travel to the charming Bavarian town of Leavenworth; or enjoy an optional hike to one of the premier alpine lakes in the Cascade mountains. There will be nine cycling routes to choose from with one leader‑led ride offered each of five days and a leader-led hike offered one day.

Average Temperatures for September: high 76F (24C); low 43F (6C) with little to no rain.

All meals are on your own including the wind-up dinner on Friday. Breakfast in the motel is complementary, however, there are several restaurants within walking distance if you choose to eat elsewhere. Some rides will have opportunities for restaurant stops for lunch, but most days one should plan to carry lunch and water for the entire day. A list of restaurants for evening dinners will be provided.

Registration fee of $25 includes maps and social hour snacks (drinks not provided). Any left-over money will be put toward a wind-up dinner on September 18^th.

Registration fee does not include meals, motel fees or any other personal costs accrued during the H&S.

On-site Registration and first Group Meeting: September 12^th from 3:00 – 5:00 PM in the breakfast room off the motel lobby. Here, introductions will be made, maps and instructions will be distributed, and a CCCTS waiver signed. Daily start times will be 9:00 AM outside the motel to either begin a ride or to carpool to the start of a ride. The optional hiking day will have an earlier start time. Cyclists are responsible for transporting themselves and their bikes to and from the rides, when necessary.

Bike Routes: All routes (except the optional John Wayne Trail) are on paved roads beginning at or near Ellensburg, WA. Most routes will be on low-traffic rural roads. A few rides are flat to rolling and others have hills to climb, some long but with moderate grades. For those who love a challenge, one optional ride will be strenuous (Lion Rock Climb). Most rides will be intermediate or advanced though the leader can give tips on shortening some rides for leisure cycling. The leader-led ride for each day will be announced at social hour the day before.

See details below:

• The Best of the Valley, Eastside: 45 miles (72K), Intermediate

You’ll gain a new appreciation of back roads as we meander the ranch and farm lands of the eastern half of Kittitas Valley with a smile on our face. Horse and cattle ranches and timothy grass farms are the norm with some rolling hills thrown in for interest. On a clear day, a view of Mount Rainier is guaranteed.

• The Best of the Valley, Westside: 50 miles (80K), Intermediate

We’ll cycle through the small artsy town of Thorp past the historic Thorp Grist Mill and ice pond and onto a lazy, tree-shaded forest road following a clear mountain creek. We’ll return past fields of timothy hay, the major cash crop of the valley.

• Manastash Metric Century Ride: 62 miles (100K), Advanced

This popular cycling loop heads along the south side of the Yakima River to the town of Cle Elum, then heads back to Ellensburg via the north side of the river. Particular attractions are the impressive views of the Stuart mountain range, cycling the stunning Yakima River canyon, and the cinnamon swirl bread from the famous Cle Elum Bakery where the brick oven has never cooled in over 100 years.

• Optional Lion Rock Climb: 45 miles (72K), Strenuous

For those who want to test their legs, this 22 mile (35 km), 4,350 feet (1325 m) climb has a 6 mile (10 KM) section which gains more than 2600 feet (792 meters) in elevation! Clearly, this is not a climb for the faint of heart (or lungs or quads), but the cyclist will be rewarded with superlative views overlooking the Kittitas Valley, a low-traffic winding road, and the right to brag that you have completed one of the toughest climbs in the state. (see http://mcqview.blogspot.com/2010/09/area-man-tames-lion-rock-climb-near.html)

• Leavenworth via the Old Blewett Highway: 64 miles (103K) or 32 miles (52K), Advanced to Strenuous (mountain pass)

Visit the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth (see http://www.leavenworth.com/) via portions of the Old Blewett Highway, a favorite of the tour leader. A 13 mile (21 km) section of the remaining Old Blewett Highway crosses over the Wenatchee Cascade Ridge on the way to Leavenworth. This fully paved road has a rich history (see http://oldblewett.blogspot.com/2008/08/historic-blewett-pass-highway.html) and little traffic, which makes it an ideal cycling route. With coordination of drivers, one can choose to cycle one way thus cutting the total elevation gain [2800 feet (853 m)] and mileage in half. Do you cycle best on morning bacon and eggs or afternoon wiener schnitzel and Bavarian beer?

Optional Ingalls Lake Hike: 9 miles (14.5K) round trip, 2600 feet elevation gain.

If you want a butt break, the leader will be showing off the best that the Cascade wilderness has to offer by leading a hike to Ingalls lake (http://www.jeffpang.net/photos/ingallslake2006/). Enjoy a spectacular alpine lake, mountain goats, and an up-front-and-personal view of the grandest mountain peak in the area, Mt. Stuart. Even if hiking is not your thing, this is one not to miss! Hiking boots or sturdy-soled shoes and poles are in order.

• Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway: 50 miles (80K), Intermediate

Cyclists travel from all over the state to take in the beauty of this canyon ride that follows the Yakima River bounded by 2,000 foot (610 m) basalt cliffs. This section of the river is a premier destination for fly-fishers, and the only Blue Ribbon designated trout river in Washington. We will enjoy an out and back with a suggested stop for lunch at the Canyon River Grill. (see http://www.yakimaforever.org/2012/05/09/cycling-the-yakima-river-canyon-scenic-byway/).

• Barn Quilts Tour: Various miles, Leisurely to Intermediate

Celebrate the folk-art of the American quilt and the strong women who make them by cycling a self-guided tour that honors our agricultural heritage and industry with displays of barn quilts (see http://barnquiltswashington.org/). We will break into three groups, each cycling a different section of the Kittitas Valley to find and record with iPhone or camera as many barn quilts as each group finds. At social hour, we will share our pictures to see which group wins the most barn quilt sightings. Special prizes will be given to the winners!

• The Manastash Creek Tour: 30 miles (48K), Intermediate

Cycle past a state-of-the-art Arabian farm as you enter the Manastash Canyon, the gateway to 80,000 acres (36 364 ha) of public land. Basalt cliffs hug the creek as the road winds past small ranches, the Lazy F Retreat Center, and evergreen shade.

• Optional John Wayne Trail: 25-30 miles (40-48K), Intermediate (gravel surface)

For those who have wider tires (25c or greater), cycle one of the prettiest sections of a 110 miles (177 km) of Rails-to-Trails, which follows along the Yakima River where deer, elk, bald eagles, and various water foul can be spotted. Experience two tunnels which are best cycled with a head lamp or front light. Enjoy your lunch along the river edge while reading interpretive signs about the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad.