2009 Course Description

Monday June 1, 2009 by Terri Gooch

Last Fri, Sat, Sun marked the fourth of the last five weekends that we’ve been out on the new RAO route. The more we’re out on course the more we love the change. This route has a completely different feel than the old loop. The Portland – Timberline Loop began in civilization and I always loved it once the racers left Hwy 26 for Hwy 35 – sort of like when Dorothy leaves the black and white of Kansas for the technicolor Oz (from all the cool wildlife we saw on course last weekend you may see a flying monkey or two). I was always kind of bummed when we had to get back to populated areas on day 2. The 2009 re-route removes that aspect completely. The terrain and isolation are going to make RAO 2009 an extreme test of mental and physical endurance. I think relays will be substantially faster on this route (even though the climbing is virtually the same) but I have a feeling the solo racers will be similar to the old route or even, possibly, a bit slower. So – you’ve waited long enough:

Start – Hood River, OR Best Western to Time Station #1 Tygh Valley (@70 miles)
Solos start at 5AM. ALL relays (excepting the tandem team which will be allowed the option of leaving at either the 5AM solo start or at 9AM with the relays) will start at 9AM. Upon leaving the parking lot, we’ll coast for about 50 yards to a stop sign underneath I-84. Enjoy this as it is only one of a handful of downhill sections for the next 30 miles. Crews must drive directly down Hwy 35 to the large parking area near Baseline Road just past the town of Mt. Hood. Racers will take the hairpins to the agonizingly steep Highline Drive which parallels 35. Highline merges with Eastside as it winds through gradually climbing orchard country. The views of Mt. Hood are spectacular through here. Upon reaching Hwy 35 the riders will mass at a stop sign. We’ll turn left and I will yell “go” signaling the end of the neutral start. You are climbing from 400 ft at the Best Western to the summit of Bennett Pass at 4,674 in the first 30 miles. From here it’s a short descent to the left turn onto FR 48 at White River. Aside from a couple of grunt climbs you are on a long descent to Tygh Valley. The frost heaves will drive you crazy if you let them – some people bunny hop – I just lay on the aero bars and make sure I never let my tongue get between my teeth. Don’t worry about calling in (although write your time down and make sure the official gets your time) from TS #1 Tygh Valley General Store. Pay phones are almost as hard to find as cell service. It will be manned.

Time Station #1 Tygh Valley to Time Station #2 Moro (@45 miles)
Exit Tygh Valley and cross Hwy 197. You are now riding the back section of the night loop/Stage one of Ring of Fire/Deschutes River Valley TT. This is a rolling farm road with a terrific descent to the Deschutes River (please obey the 15 mph slow sign under the railroad trestle – we don’t want you to go into the river). Sherar’s Falls are actually a Class VI rapid and you will ride right next to them. When you cross Sherar’s Bridge you’ll stay left on 216 toward Grass Valley. There are a couple of good pull outs before you begin the Grass Valley climb (crossing a second bridge signals the start of the climb) and A NO EXCHANGE ZONE. RELAY TEAMS TAKE NOTE****I highly recommend doing an exchange a couple of miles in on 216 prior to Sherar’s Bridge. This will give your climber a bit of a warmup prior to taking on the Grass Valley climb. It looks MUCH worse than it rides. In fact everyone who rode during our September preview, post Ring of Fire, post Deschutes TT Festival and during Training Camp thought it was an easy climb….but it looks really tough. That being said – it wasn’t 100+ degrees which it may well be July 11. The road is in excellent shape but it is narrow, guard rails are lacking and the drop off is shear. Spectacular ride – let your racer “enjoy” it. GV climb is 4 miles long and once over the top racers will be challenged with fast, rolling terrain and probably cross winds. At the town of Grass Valley you will be sorely tempted to turn toward Moro on Hwy 97. However, the course turns RIGHT on Hwy 97 toward Shaniko/Madras. Sorry, but you have to ride 97 for one mile before taking a left turn on Rutledge. Rutledge is all big rollers – your left turn on Lone Rock Rd is on a descent so keep a look out as you’ll most likely be enjoying a tail wind and rippin’. Kiss the tail wind goodbye on Lone Rock. More long rollers followed by a quick descent to Moro take you to Time Station # 2 – Husky’s Mini Mart. There is a working pay phone outside that allows our toll free however the station should be manned. None of us had AT&T cell service in Moro – our lone Verizon camper had excellent coverage. Husky’s is stocking up on ice, water and Gatorade for everyone – just remember they only accept CASH – no debit or credit cards.

Time Station #2 Moro to Time Station #3 Shell Station Heppner (86 miles).
Now the race really starts. You have to get on Hwy 97 a second time and ride one mile to Monkland Road where you’ll take a right. You are entering the canyon lands of the John Day River and the terrain is unrelenting. The course description for the old route states that there are no flat sections between Shaniko and Fossil – the same holds true here – there are no flat sections between Moro and Heppner (In fact, there are no flat sections between Moro and Monument but more on that later) but here you have nothing but 4, 5, 6 and 9 mile climbs followed by equally long descents. It will be HOT through this section. The canyon walls along with the road will radiate heat nicely – eliminating any final stigma RAO may have as being a snowy event. Crew – in between hydrating and icing your racer, take a moment to check out the behind your back view of Bachelor, the Three Sisters, Jefferson, Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Hood, St. Helens, Baker and Rainier.
Though not a mandatory time station we’d appreciate a phone in from Condon as there is excellent cell coverage and we’d like to know when you passed through so we can keep your fans updated. The highway splits as you leave Condon – follow the signs to Heppner and more hills.
Good food alert!!! When you top the hill past Ruggs (town is nothing more than a house and a covered soda machine with pay phone – we wanted to use it as a time station but the phone didn’t work and there is no cell service) – call ahead to the Willow Creek Diner & Bakery (541) 676-5023 to order some dinner to go for the crew and maybe a reward for your rider. The descent to Heppner is steep, twisting and a blast. The diner is directly across the street from the Time Station #3 Shell Gas. Full cell service is available in Heppner but we’re making the TS at the Shell as it is IMPERATIVE that you BUY GAS IN HEPPNER!!!!!!! There is no gas available between Heppner and Spray – and depending on how fast you ride through the night Spray might be closed when you get there. Both the Shell and Willow Creek Diner will have extra ice on hand for RAO. Shell is staying open till 11PM. Willow Creek is staying open late for us – 8PM. This place has seriously good food and it’s inexpensive. Homemade bread, grind their own meat for burgers, etc…

TS #3 Heppner to TS #4 Spray (130 miles)
It’s a long way and there is nothing in between. The tiny town of Ukiah is off route and you wouldn’t find anything open anyway. Dale is an old gas station and a pay phone. The pay phone is out of order and the pumps will have been shut down for a loooooooooooong time when you arrive. Long Creek is dying. Motel is still open but there are no pay phones and there is no gas – you will find limited cell service between Long Creek and the summit of the Monument climb however.
Anyway back to the route – If you rode the September pre-ride or Training Camp disregard how you previously went through Heppner. From the Shell Station you’ll turn into a neighborhood and through an elementary school parking lot to avoid road construction and pop back out on the highway. You will now find yourself grinding along a false flat toward a totally exposed 5 mile climb featuring some hairpins and beautiful high desert vistas. Night will be falling and you’ll see the tell tale flashing amber lights of your competitors. When you summit Franklin Hill – one of my favorite climbs on the entire route – you’ll be greeted with new chip seal which was put down the week following Training Camp. Last weekend I found the road surface gravelly but I was spun out in my 53×12 on the descent and rode my aero bars through most of the curves. There’s a five mile bump to test your climbing skills as soon as you finish the Franklin Hill descent then it’s a mile of coasting to the right turn onto 395. ODOT is laying sections of fresh chip seal for us along 395. You are now riding toward the summit of Battle Mountain (elev 4,270) in the Blue Mountains. There’s an 11 mile descent and upon reaching the Ukiah intersection you will be very happy that we spent the extra time doing a re-route. Rather than turning you onto a Forest Road featuring an immediate 15 mile climb, you will continue straight on 395 south toward Long Creek. This is an AMAZING ride. As you will be racing this section at night you’ll miss the spectacular scenery but will enjoy to the long, gradual descent. There are two climbs – each around 5 miles at 5 – 6% – during the 40 miles to Long Creek but the field will have a chance to come together again and your legs will get a well earned and well deserved break. Turn right at the flashing light onto RT 402 when you arrive in Long Creek. No need to stop because there’s nothing to stop for here. You’ll immediately start climbing – those of you who have raced RAO in prior years are now riding the old course backward. Consensus is that the Monument climb and ensuing descent is much more fun in this direction. Enjoy your relatively flat ride along the John Day River to Spray! There is gas here at the Lone Wolf station – I think he opens around 7 or 8AM Sunday morning. The time station is at the cafe/bar on the left just as you are leaving town. A real working pay phone – they are getting rare!

TS #4 Spray to TS #5 Imperial River Company Maupin
You have another 11 miles of flat road along the John Day to Service Creek. Remember that fun 10 mile downhill leading to Service Creek where Team RAO Speedwagon hit 70 mph??? You get to go up it this time! Welcome to the backside of Butte Creek Summit. 10 miles of 6% get you over the top – look for mile marker 69 just prior to the summit. 5 miles of downhill and another 5 miles of rollers/flat take you to Fossil. Gas is available about 2 blocks off the route. Racers turn left on 216 toward Antelope/Shaniko. The Fossil climb is much more rider friendly this direction. 4 miles get you to the top of this beast and you’ll enjoy a fast 12 mile descent into the Painted Hills. The scenery is beautiful but if it’s mid day you can count on high temperatures. Don’t thank us for the Fossil descent because you’ll pay for it with Clarno. Clarno used to be a relatively gentle climb – no more. This is another 10 mile climb with a constant gradient. Mile marker 15 signals your arrival at the summit. You’ll descend to Antelope climb a twisting 5 miles and cruise through Shaniko. Turn left on hwy 97 toward Madras and after 2 miles turn right on Bakeoven Road for the headwind hindered descent to Maupin. Imperial River Company is located on your right at the bottom of the descent just past a small bridge. Phone is just to the side of the main entrance. ICE available!

TS #5 Maupin to Cooper Spur FINISH!
If you’ve done Ring of Fire you’ll feel right at home. Exit the Imperial and turn right on hwy 197 and cross over the Deschutes River Bridge. The course climbs through Maupin and takes you right past an operational gas station. It will likely be windy at the top of the ridge and you’ll grind toward a nice 2 mile descent. The flashing yellow light will bring back memories of the day before when you crossed 197 on your way to Sherar’s Bridge. This time you continue straight north on 197 and immediately begin the 7 mile climb to Tygh Ridge. We’re not detouring onto Dufur Gap Rd this year – continue straight to the left just prior to the town of Dufur. This will take you to the climb up FR 44. Like Clarno this one is much more difficult going in this direction. You’ll have a nice descent to Hwy 35 and a continued nice descent to the left turn at Cooper Spur Rd. You are oh so close to the finish – 3 miles of tree lined 5% – 6% curves will lead you to the small family ski area which is Cooper Spur Resort and an athletic accomplishment you can truly be proud of!


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