Ride the Hurricane Bike Ride Scheduled for August 7

Date: August 2, 2011
Contact: Dave Reynolds, 360-457-0715

Olympic National Park will host an exciting opportunity for cyclists to “Ride the Hurricane” on Sunday, August 7.

“Ride the Hurricane” is a recreational ride up Hurricane Ridge Road, organized by the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by several local businesses. Registration information is available on the Chamber’s website at portangeles.org/ride-the-hurricane.html.

To ensure safety of all event participants, Hurricane Ridge Road will close to all vehicle traffic between the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station and Hurricane Ridge, starting August 7 at 5:00 a.m. and ending at noon. This short-term closure applies to both uphill and downhill travel, as well as cyclists who are not a part of the ride.

Access to the Lake Angeles-Heather Park trailhead and Heart O’ the Hills campground will remain open.

Olympic National Park will waive entrance fees at the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station for the rest of the day August 7.

“We are excited to partner with the Chamber again this year to present a safe and enjoyable event,” said Olympic National Park superintendent Karen Gustin. “Cyclists will have the road to themselves all morning, and it will give participants a unique way to enjoy their national park. After the last rider has finished, we’re pleased to offer a fee-free afternoon for all visitors to Hurricane Ridge.”

This year, event participants will have two options as to where they start their ride. Starting from the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station to the summit of Hurricane Ridge (elevation 5,242 feet), riders will climb more than 3,300 feet on the 12-mile, one-way ascent. Participants may also opt for a longer ride, starting from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at 3002 Mount Angeles Road, gaining approximately 4,300 feet over the 18 miles to the Ridge.

The official start time from both locations is 7 a.m., but riders may start at any time before 10:00 a.m. After completing their summit, participants will follow pilot cars on their descent back down the Ridge. Pilot cars will leave Hurricane Ridge approximately every 20 minutes, with 15-20 riders following each pilot car. All riders should be started downhill by 11:30 a.m., as Hurricane Ridge Road will reopen to vehicles at noon.

Registration will be capped at 500 riders, and the $35 registration cost includes a personal photo from Hurricane Ridge, a Ride the Hurricane t-shirt and refreshments. Two dollars from each registration will benefit the community fundraising effort to keep Hurricane Ridge Road open seven days a week, weather permitting, during the 2011-2012 winter season.

Ride the Hurricane is sponsored by Black Ball Ferry Line, Olympic Medical Center and Ruddell Auto Mall.