More adventures with the Lectric XP Bikes. Some rough trail riding along the Klickitat river and some smooth sailing up and down the Mosier Twin Tunnels path. What did we learn? On some trails we miss our full suspension mountain bikes, but up and down hills we LOVE the power assist. Am I getting old? Yes... yes I am.
The Klickitat trail starts in Lyle WA, 10-ish miles east and across the river from Hood River OR. The trail runs along the very scenic Klickitat river and crosses over it a couple times. The first time at Klickitat River Bridge on Fisher Hill Road over an amazing narrow rock channel where native fishermen have platforms and the water rushes dramatically through the canyon. The often bone jarring rocky trail runs 13 miles from Lyle to Klickitat before crossing over the river on the road and continuing into Swale Canyon and travelling 15 miles along an old rail line and trestle bridges to a trail head on Harms Rd..
There are MANY awesome sections along the Klickitat portion that are shaded and smooth surface but for the most part it is dusty, gravelly and exposed. We cut it a bit short this day as our bikes (and butts) just weren't meant for this surface and we headed across the river to Mosier. The paved 9 mile long out and back Twin Tunnels Trail goes between Mosier and Hood River on a segment of the original 1921 Columbia River Highway. It is VERY cool and (today) VERY windy. The tunnels and landslide shed are fascinating with windows cut in the rock walls in places. More examples of the lost art of Gorge Tunnel Building from the early 20th century. Look up what USED to be the the Mitchell Point Tunnel. Lots of folks out enjoying the day and wind that WOULD have stopped us dead in our tracks going into the tunnel from the east side f not for the PAS (Pedal Assist).... WOW!! Seriously, people HAD to walk their bikes, it had to be 50+mph shooting through the tunnel. Incredible, but the route the old road takes is fascinating ducking back behind towering basalt that runs along the 84
After with that it was time for food. In this quarantine world we live it in was a PLEASURE to get a burger and excellent beer at McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern. They did a great job handling the contamination and physical distancing rituals. Ahhhh, it's the little things in life folks.
The Klickitat trail starts in Lyle WA, 10-ish miles east and across the river from Hood River OR. The trail runs along the very scenic Klickitat river and crosses over it a couple times. The first time at Klickitat River Bridge on Fisher Hill Road over an amazing narrow rock channel where native fishermen have platforms and the water rushes dramatically through the canyon. The often bone jarring rocky trail runs 13 miles from Lyle to Klickitat before crossing over the river on the road and continuing into Swale Canyon and travelling 15 miles along an old rail line and trestle bridges to a trail head on Harms Rd..
There are MANY awesome sections along the Klickitat portion that are shaded and smooth surface but for the most part it is dusty, gravelly and exposed. We cut it a bit short this day as our bikes (and butts) just weren't meant for this surface and we headed across the river to Mosier. The paved 9 mile long out and back Twin Tunnels Trail goes between Mosier and Hood River on a segment of the original 1921 Columbia River Highway. It is VERY cool and (today) VERY windy. The tunnels and landslide shed are fascinating with windows cut in the rock walls in places. More examples of the lost art of Gorge Tunnel Building from the early 20th century. Look up what USED to be the the Mitchell Point Tunnel. Lots of folks out enjoying the day and wind that WOULD have stopped us dead in our tracks going into the tunnel from the east side f not for the PAS (Pedal Assist).... WOW!! Seriously, people HAD to walk their bikes, it had to be 50+mph shooting through the tunnel. Incredible, but the route the old road takes is fascinating ducking back behind towering basalt that runs along the 84
After with that it was time for food. In this quarantine world we live it in was a PLEASURE to get a burger and excellent beer at McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern. They did a great job handling the contamination and physical distancing rituals. Ahhhh, it's the little things in life folks.